Moving to France or from any country to another is never just a walk in the park. One has to be brave and ready to withstand numerous challenges and difficulties to make it through the process. This is why so many people simply opt for citizenship by investment programs that allow them to bypass all the hurdles in exchange for a significant investment. There are also immigration programs for persons who want to retire to other countries, such as Italy, where there is the elective residence visa.
However, these immigration programs are typically quite expensive, and for some countries, do not even really exist. In the case of France, for investment, you will get a residence permit, not citizenship; and you would have to abide by strict guidelines to stand a chance at renewal.
Well, amidst all of this, we would like to share the stories of two brave people who, despite all the hurdles, navigated their way to France, from the United States.
Understanding the Path to French Citizenship
As we have said earlier, France does not offer citizenship by investment programs; you would have to find your way to citizenship through the residency program.
Now, for the residency program, you can secure a spot by making certain investments to fast-track the process. But unlike what is obtained in other European countries, the allowed investments do not include real estate, securities, or bonds.
You would have to make a real investment into starting a new business or investing in an existing one.
- You would need about €30,000 to come in and create a tech startup.
- For other non-tech businesses, you would need €30,000 and more.
- If you’re simply investing in an existing company, you would need €300,000
Another way to fast-track the process is to secure a talent visa. Essentially, this serves to bring in high-quality talent from around the world. So, to secure one, you would have to show yourself to be a high-quality talent. There are 2 essential requirements for this type of visa.
- You must have earned a master’s degree, a professional license, or an equivalent
- You must have an active French employment contract, valid for more than three months
- Your gross annual pay must exceed €41,933.
Now, of course, these programs are not the only pathways there are to gain a residency permit in France. You can also be eligible if you are married to a French citizen or permanent resident, or if you are a student enrolled in a French tertiary institution; among other channels.
Once you gain a residency permit through any of these, you can immediately begin to live as a Frenchman or woman, with access to most facets of French life, including social services. Then, when you have resided in France for an uninterrupted 5 years, you will become eligible for citizenship by naturalization.
Stories of Success
Okay, now that we have gotten the technicals out of the way, let us delve into our real-life case studies. As we have mentioned, the journey can be quite complex, and daunting. However, all it requires is for you to take the initial step of starting, and stay determined
Amit’s Journey
Amit was a well-accomplished software engineer in the United States who had long nursed a deep interest in France’s technology landscape. After having spent about a decade bouncing between FAANG companies, he desired a new challenge; and decided, what better place to do that than France?
Having earned sufficient capital and experience over his years working at Google, he decided to launch his very own Artificial Intelligence startup in France, hoping to enjoy the abundance of tech talent and investors in the country.
He applied for the talent visa and successfully obtained it. Given his history and his startup, it was quite a straightforward process for him. However, he soon began to grapple with the language barrier and the unfamiliar customs. For example, while he had gotten used to getting fast food out of drive-throughs in the United States, he had to unlearn that and get used to sitting down to eat in open-air cafes. Anyway, he soon adapted and began to thrive and get integrated into French society.
One day, while he was out at the Opéra Bastille, he struck up a conversation about tech and his startup with a random stranger who appeared to be very interested. The stranger turned out to be a French heir who was looking to make some venture capital investments. The next day, he committed a couple of millions of Euros to Amit’s startup, giving him the very thing that he needed to take things to the global stage.
Today, Amit’s startup has reached a valuation of €410 million, and the good stranger’s stake in it has easily more than quintupled in value. The enterprise has also employed many locals, while also adding great value to the French economy and its local tech industry.
Elena’s Tale
Elena had a long career working in women’s fashion in the USA. Having started her career at Bloomingdales, she had gone on to create her own small brand, crafting unique pieces that caught on well with upwardly mobile women in the middle class.
But now, she had had enough, had sold the business and now simply wanted to enjoy her retirement. She had long harbored the dream of owning and running a vineyard in France’s idyllic countryside; and decided it was finally time to pursue that.
Now, of course, this would require her to take the pathway of residency by investment. She found a small vineyard in Saint-Émilion whose owners had tragically lost their children and thus had no one to pass the business to.
However, because France does not award residency based on property purchases alone, the transaction was structured as an investment in an existing business, giving her the majority stake. This way, she was able to secure her residency permit.
She initially struggled to understand the complexities of winemaking and paying taxes in France, but with the help of the former owners of the vineyard who were gracious enough to help put her through, she quickly learned and caught on.
These two stories demonstrate what is achievable as an immigrant in France. Sure, the challenges can be quite daunting, and it may seem impossible. But the opportunities, once you do get in, are endless.
Conclusion
Immigrating to France should not just be about changing your country of residence. It should be a gateway in your journey that opens you up to the next phase of your life. France offers many programs that can be quite confusing, but you have to settle down to understand your options and choose one that most aligns with what you want the next phase of your life to look like.