Entrepreneur Residence Permit: Starting Your Business in France

The residence permit with "entrepreneur/liberal profession" designation allows foreigners to create, take over or manage a business in France legally and sustainably.

This comprehensive guide explains the conditions, procedure and required documents to obtain your entrepreneur permit.

💼 What is the entrepreneur residence permit?

The temporary residence card "entrepreneur/liberal profession" is a 4-year multi-year residence permit, renewable, allowing you to practice a self-employed activity in France.

Authorized activities

Business creation (SARL, SAS, EURL, micro-enterprise, etc.)
Business takeover of existing company
Practice of liberal profession (lawyer, doctor, consultant, etc.)
Company management (manager, president)

✅ Conditions for obtaining the entrepreneur permit

1. Have a viable economic project

You must present a serious and viable business project:

Market study
Detailed business plan
Financial projections
Job creation potential (recommended)

2. Sufficient resources

You must demonstrate personal resources to:

Create or take over the business (capital, investment)
Support yourself during the first months (recommended: equivalent to minimum wage, approximately €1,800/month)

3. Degrees and skills

You must demonstrate that you have the necessary skills to carry out the planned activity:

Degrees, training
Professional experience in the field
Recognized qualifications (for regulated professions)

4. Compatibility with the French economy

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

Promising business sector
Planned job creation
Innovation, contribution of rare skills

📋 Required documents

Personal documents

Application form for residence permit
Valid passport
Long-stay visa (if coming from abroad)
Proof of address less than 6 months old
ID photos meeting standards
Birth certificate with certified translation

Project-related documents

Complete business plan:
- Project presentation
- Market study
- Financial plan (3 years)
- Revenue projections
- Commercial strategy
Proof of skills:
- Degrees
- Detailed CV
- Professional experience certificates
Financial documents:
- Bank statements (showing available funds)
- Bank certificate
- Promise of financing or loan
Business documents:
- Company bylaws (if already created)
- KBIS (if company already registered)
- Commercial lease or lease promise
- Client contracts or letters of intent

🏛️ Application procedure

From abroad (first application)

Step 1: Prepare the file

Write your business plan and gather all documents.

Step 2: Apply for long-stay visa

Submit your application for long-stay "entrepreneur" visa at the French consulate in your country.

Required documents: business plan, proof of resources, degrees.

Processing time: 15 days to 3 months.

Step 3: Enter France

Once the visa is obtained, enter France and validate your VLS-TS on the ANEF platform within 3 months.

Step 4: Create the business

Proceed with the registration of your business (INPI, CFE, Clerk's Office).

Step 5: Renewal to multi-year card

At the end of the first year, apply for renewal to a 4-year multi-year entrepreneur residence card at the prefecture.

From France (status change)

If you are already in France with another permit (student, employee, private and family life), you can request a status change.

Step 1: Prepare the business plan

Write a solid business plan.

Step 2: Make an appointment at the prefecture

Make an appointment at the prefecture before the expiration of your current permit.

Step 3: Submit the application

Present your complete file (business plan, degrees, resources).

You will receive a receipt during the review process.

Step 4: Review

The prefecture examines your project. An expert committee may be consulted to assess the project's viability.

Processing time: 4 to 6 months.

Step 5: Decision

If accepted, you will receive a 4-year entrepreneur residence card.

⏳ Processing times

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

💶 Cost of entrepreneur permit

Long-stay visa (consulate): €99
VLS-TS validation: €50
Entrepreneur residence card: €225 (renewal)

First year total: approximately €275 to €375.

🔄 Renewal of entrepreneur permit

Renewal is done 2 to 4 months before expiration.

Conditions:

Business still operating
Sufficient resources: revenue, profits, or compensation at least equal to minimum wage
Compliance with tax and social obligations

Documents:

Financial statements for past years
Tax returns (business and personal)
URSSAF certificates
Current KBIS
Proof of resources (pay stubs if you pay yourself a salary, or bank statements)

❌ Common reasons for refusal

Insufficient or unrealistic business plan
Insufficient resources to create the business
Lack of skills or degrees in the field
Economically non-viable project
Saturated or non-promising business sector
Actual failure to create the business (for renewal)
Insufficient revenue (for renewal)

Appeals

You can file:

Gracious appeal with the prefect (provide additional elements)
Contentious appeal with the administrative court (2 months)

🔑 Differences between entrepreneur permit and talent passport

| Criteria | Entrepreneur permit | Talent passport business creator | |---------|-------------------|----------------------------------------| | Conditions | Business plan + resources | Innovative project or job creation | | Duration | 4 years | 4 years | | Minimum investment | No legal threshold | Recommended: ≥ €30,000 | | Family reunification | After 18 months | Immediate |

The talent passport is more demanding but offers advantages (simplified procedure, immediate family reunification).

🤝 VisaPref supports you

Starting a business in France as a foreigner requires a solid file and a convincing business plan. Prefectures are demanding.

At VisaPref, we support you to:

Develop a convincing business plan
Build a complete file (resources, skills, market)
Prepare your presentation for the prefecture interview
Maximize your chances of approval

👉 Contact us for personalized support.

❓ FAQ – Entrepreneur residence permit

1. Can I create a micro-enterprise with this permit?

Yes, you can create a micro-enterprise (self-employed). However, prefectures often prefer projects with the creation of a company (SARL, SAS).

2. Do I need to create the business before applying for the permit?

No, you can apply for the permit with a project (business plan). You will create the business after obtaining the visa or card.

However, some prefectures accept files better with an already registered business.

3. Can I work as an employee with this permit?

No, this permit only allows self-employed activities. To work as an employee, you must request a status change.

4. What happens if my business fails?

If your business closes or does not generate sufficient resources, your renewal may be refused. You will then need to either create a new business or change status.

5. Can my spouse work in France?

Yes, if your spouse joins you (family reunification), they will obtain a "private and family life" permit allowing them to work without restrictions.