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Merchant Residence Card: Opening a Business in France

Par Antonin GAVREL - le samedi 18 octobre 2025 - 8 min read

Merchant Residence Card: Opening a Business in France

The "merchant" residence card allows foreigners to create, take over or manage a commercial, industrial or craft activity in France.

This guide explains the conditions, procedure and documents needed to obtain this permit.

🏪 What is the merchant residence card?

The "merchant" residence card is a 4-year multi-year residence permit, renewable, allowing to practice a commercial, craft or industrial activity in France.

It is intended for foreigners wishing to:

  • Create a commercial business (store, restaurant, online commerce, etc.)
  • Take over an existing business
  • Manage a commercial business

⚠️ This card is different from the entrepreneur/liberal profession permit (for liberal or consulting activities) and the talent passport business creator (for innovative projects or high job creation).

✅ Conditions to obtain the merchant card

1. Have a viable commercial project

You must present a serious and realistic commercial project:

  • Detailed business plan
  • Market study
  • Financial forecasts
  • Commercial premises (lease or promise of lease)
2. Sufficient resources

You must prove own resources to:

  • Finance the business (startup funds, stock, development)
  • Support your needs during the first months (recommended: equivalent to minimum wage)
3. RCS registration

You must be registered in the Trade and Companies Register (RCS) or the Trades Directory (RM) (for artisans).

⚠️ Some prefectures require registration before the permit application, others accept a project in progress.

4. Skills and experience

You must demonstrate that you have the skills to practice the intended activity:

  • Commercial diplomas
  • Professional experience in the sector
  • Business management training
5. Compatibility with the French economy

Your project must be compatible with France's economic interest:

  • Promising sector
  • Job creation (recommended)
  • Economic contribution to the region

📋 Required documents

Personal documents
  • Application form for residence permit
  • Valid passport
  • Long-stay visa (if first application from abroad)
  • Proof of address less than 6 months old
  • Identity photos meeting standards
  • Birth certificate with certified translation
Documents related to the commercial project

  • Complete business plan:

    • Activity presentation
    • Market study
    • 3-year financial plan
    • Revenue forecasts
    • Commercial strategy

  • Proof of skills:

    • Diplomas (commerce, management, craft)
    • Detailed CV
    • Professional experience certificates

  • Financial documents:

    • Bank statements (available funds)
    • Bank certificate
    • Bank loan or loan promise
    • Personal contribution

  • Business documents:

    • Commercial lease or lease promise
    • KBIS extract (if business already created)
    • Company statutes (if company)
    • Takeover contract (if business takeover)
    • RCS or RM registration certificate

🏛️ Application procedure

From abroad (first application)

Step 1: Prepare the project

Write your business plan and identify commercial premises.

Step 2: Apply for long-stay visa

Submit your "merchant" long-stay visa application at the French consulate.

Documents: business plan, lease, proof of resources, diplomas.

Timeline: 15 days to 3 months.

Step 3: Enter France

With the visa, enter France and validate your VLS-TS on ANEF within 3 months.

Step 4: Create the business

Register your company with the RCS or RM (via INPI single desk).

Step 5: Renewal as multi-year card

At the end of the first year, apply for renewal as a "merchant" multi-year residence card (4 years).

From France (status change)

If you are already in France (student, employee, visitor), you can request a status change.

Procedure:

  1. Prepare the business plan
  2. Create the company and register with RCS
  3. Make an appointment at the prefecture
  4. Submit the application with all supporting documents

Timeline: 4 to 8 months.

⏳ Processing times

  • Long-stay visa: 15 days to 3 months
  • Status change: 4 to 8 months
  • Renewal: 2 to 6 months

💶 Cost of merchant card

  • Long-stay visa: 99 €
  • VLS-TS validation: 50 €
  • Merchant residence card: 225 €
  • RCS registration: approximately 25 to 50 €

Total: approximately 400 € to 450 € (excluding business creation costs).

🔄 Renewal

Renewal is done 2 to 4 months before expiration.

Conditions:

  • Business still operating
  • Turnover or sufficient income (at least equivalent to minimum wage)
  • Compliance with tax and social obligations (declarations, contributions)

Documents:

  • Financial statements from past years
  • Tax declarations
  • URSSAF certificates (contributions up to date)
  • Current KBIS extract
  • Proof of turnover

❌ Common reasons for refusal

  • Insufficient or unrealistic business plan
  • No commercial premises (no lease)
  • Insufficient resources
  • Lack of skills in the sector
  • Saturated or unpromising sector
  • No RCS registration (for renewal)
  • Insufficient turnover (for renewal)
Appeals

You can file:

  1. Administrative appeal with the prefect
  2. Judicial appeal with the administrative court (2 months)

🔑 Authorized activities

With the merchant card, you can practice:

  • Retail trade (store, shop)
  • Online commerce (e-commerce)
  • Catering (restaurant, café, food truck)
  • Craft activity (bakery, hairdressing, plumbing, etc.)
  • Industrial activity

⚠️ Certain activities are regulated (catering, hairdressing, construction) and require specific diplomas or qualifications.

🚨 Difference with talent passport and entrepreneur permit

| Criteria | Merchant card | Entrepreneur/liberal profession permit | Talent passport creator | |---------|--------------|---------------------------------------|------------------------| | Activity type | Commerce, craft, industry | Liberal activity, consulting | Innovative project, job creation | | Registration | RCS or RM | CFE or professional order | RCS, RM or CFE | | Duration | 4 years | 4 years | 4 years | | Investment | Variable | Variable | ≥ €30,000 (recommended) | | Family reunification | After 18 months | After 18 months | Immediate |

🤝 VisaPref assists you

Creating a business in France as a foreigner requires a solid file and good knowledge of administrative requirements.

At VisaPref, we assist you with:

  • Developing a convincing business plan
  • Identifying suitable commercial premises
  • Building a complete file
  • Registering your company with RCS
  • Maximizing your chances of approval

👉 Contact us for personalized support.

❓ FAQ – Merchant residence card

1. Can I open a business before having the residence permit?

Yes, some prefectures even require that you are already registered with RCS before submitting your application. You can create the company with an application receipt.

2. Can I be an employee in my own business?

Yes, if you create a company (SARL, SAS), you can pay yourself a salary as manager or president.

3. Can I practice employment activity with this card?

No, the merchant card only allows independent activities (commerce, craft). To be employed, you must change status.

4. How much turnover must I generate for renewal?

There is no legal threshold, but you must justify sufficient income to live (at least equivalent to minimum wage, i.e., approximately €1,800/month net).

5. Can I hire employees?

Yes, you can hire employees. This even strengthens your file (job creation).

Merchant Residence Card: Opening a Business in France