France Investment Immigration

Investment immigration, by definition, is where an individual invests a set amount of money into the economy of the country he/she wishes to obtain permanent residency in. The investment must be for the sole benefit of the country’s economy; however each jurisdiction establishes different requirements to satisfy in order to qualify for permanent residency status.

Why Immigrate to France

France is regarded as a prominent location for foreigners to permanently reside in due to its strong and stable economic infrastructure, legal framework, good working conditions and high standard of living. The living costs in France can be relatively low depending on which region you seek to reside in. In addition, real estate in France offers good value for money and has a comparatively simple procedure to follow.

Permanent Residency – Carte de Resident

There are many conditions which must be satisfied for an applicant to successfully gain a permanent residency visa in France. A residency permit in France is also known as a Carte de Resident. In 2006, a new French immigration law was passed which now maintains that non EU nationals seeking a work and residency permit must submit their work contract and 3 months worth of salary slips in order to prove they have sufficient funds to live and work in France.

Who does the Residency Permit apply to

If you are an EU national seeking to stay in France for a period of over 3 months and your domicile country is one of the 14 European Union Member states, then you do not legally require a residency permit. Additionally if you are a Swiss or EEA national, you do not require a residency permit. However if you are from Czech Republic, Poland, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia or Slovenia, you are legally obliged to apply for a residency permit to reside in France for longer than 3 months.

Documents required by an applicant seeking a Residency Permit in France

• Valid passport
• 3 x passport photos (recent photos)
• Documentation of proof that you have sufficient funds to support your living expenses while residing in France
• Documentation providing evidence of your place of residence in France (this can be in the form of a utility bill)
• Medical insurance
• Certified medical report stating you are fit and healthy

Validity of a France Residency Permit

The Carte de Resident is valid for a period of ten years and from thereon must be renewed. To be eligible to apply for this permit, you must provide proof that you have been living in France for a minimum of 3 years, and you must submit legal documents to demonstrate you are financially stable to continue a long term residency in France. Such legal documents must include your current employment contract and the previous 3 years of tax payments.

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