This procedure applies to the citizens of states, members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. The applicants have to be over 18 years of age, residing in Western Canada (B.C, Alberta, Yukon, NWT) intending to open a business in France.

Procedure

You don't need to obtain a business permit. However if you intend to stay over than 3 months in France, a long stay visa is required.

Any foreigner going to France for more than 90 days needs to hold a long stay visa before departing. Visas are only issued outside of France in the applicant's country of permanent residence. Visas allow to have a legal status in France.

The only foreigners who are exempted from requesting a visa are nationals:

• of the European Union member states

• of the European Economic Trade Area member states

• of Monaco, Switzerland, Andorra and San Marino.

They must however request a residence permit within the first 2 months following their arrival. Click here to read the EU webpage.

Documents required

6 long stay visa application forms per applicant filled out and signed, each one with a recent original identity picture cut to the size indicated on the form and glued to each one. Attach a post-it to one of the forms stating your intended departure date from Western Canada to France. This information is very important since it will be used to date the visa. This form exists only in French.

3 photocopies of the first pages (picture and personal data) of your passport. It should be valid at least one year longer than the date of arrival to France. If you intend to stay in France less than a year, the validity of the passport should exceed the expiry date of the visa by a minimum of 3 months.

 

1 recent color photo, format 35mm x 45mm, with a clear plain background. The height must be between 31.5mm and 36mm from chin to crown. The person’s head must be full front view centered in the middle of the photograph. Photos with hat, caps, sunglasses, etc. will not be accepted nor digitized photos. This photo will be scanned in the visa.

 

A letter explaining the business project and all documents related to.

 

A form called "Supplementary information for long term visas" completed either in English or in French. No need to have this form translated into French nor photocopied. Submit only the original that you sign.

 

A form called "Attestation sur l'honneur" completed and signed.

 

A document called Canadian Police Certificate for visa application / Foreign travel / Foreign work permits which can be obtained at the RCMP detachment of your place of residence. It is usual a bilingual document. Otherwise, have it translated.

 

Documents about your Financial guarantee. (letter from your bank or broker, property deeds, etc.) All documents proving that you have the financial means to live in France.

Documents regarding your lodging in France. (lease contract, or a promise of lease, etc.)

 

An undertaking to buy excess emergency medical insurance for the first 3 months of your stay in France, after approval of your visa. No need to have this letter notarized. For more information about health insurance in France, click here.

Fees

Click here for fees and instructions for payment.

Time process

It takes 6 to 8 weeks after the consulate has received a complete application to obtain an answer from our administration in Paris. Applications can be submitted no longer than 5 months prior to departure to France.

Procedure after the application has been approved.

After submittal of the required documents, we forward your application to our administration in France for approval. Allow 6 to 8 weeks to obtain an answer.

After your application has been approved, the visa officer will contact you. You should then bring ( or send if you applied by mail ) :

The original plus one photocopy of the medical insurance certificate.

The original of the passport

 

Type of visa issued after the application has been approved

A long stay visa for France will be issued. This visa is valid for 3 months which means you must enter France within that period and then, within 2 months of your arrival apply for the residence permit at the Préfecture. It is not the visa but the residence permit that will determine how long you can stay in France.

A residence permit is mandatory for any foreigner over 18 years of age living in France. Without this specific kind of visa in your passport before departure from Canada, you won't be able to apply for the residence permit. A trip back to Canada to obtain it will then be necessary. No exceptions.

Once you obtain the residence permit it replaces the visa. Together with your valid passport, the residence permit allows you to travel to and from France. If you wish to extend it, you must apply at the Préfecture in France at least 6 weeks before its expiry date. If it expires while you are outside France, you will need to restart the whole process again.

Formalities upon arrival to France: immigration - customs

The immigration officer will ask you to show your valid passport with the visa. He may also ask questions about the reason of your stay in France. You will not be asked to show your return air ticket to Canada.

The website of the French Customs Attaché for Canada (Embassy of France in Washington D.C.) answers your questions on what the customs regulation allows you to import to France.

Frequently asked questions

Can my wife/husband and/or children accompany me ?

Yes.

Spouse :		Full application for a long stay visitor visa
		Marriage registration, please provide :
		- a copy and 3 photocopies (no thermal paper).   - its certified translation in French and 3 photocopies (no thermal paper).   Important : extract of marriage registration are not accepted.

Minors under 18 :
If the children have been entered in to one of the parent's passport, there is no need to fill out forms for them but their pictures must appear on one of the parents' forms.
If he/she has an individual passport :
		6 long stay visa application forms
		3 copies of the first pages (picture and personal data) of the passport. It should be valid at least one year longer than the date of arrival to France, (no thermal paper).
		Birth registration, please provide :
		- a copy and 3 photocopies (no thermal paper).   - its certified translation in French and 3 photocopies (no thermal paper). Important : extract of birth registration are not accepted.
		1 recent color photo, format 35mm x 45mm, with a clear plain background. The height must be between 31.5mm and 36mm from chin to crown. The person’s head must be full front view centered in the middle of the photograph. Photos with hat, caps, sunglasses, etc. will not be accepted nor digitized photos.This photo will be scanned in the visa. (see an example)

An undertaking to buy excess emergency medical insurance for the first 3 months of your stay in France, after approval of your visa. No need to have this letter notarized.

Can I stay longer than the period I applied for?

If you obtained a long stay visa, it allows you to request a residence permit valid for more than 6 months. The Prefecture that issues it will decide how long you can stay, it is usually a year. The residence permit can be extended while in France. French Consulates do not issue residence permits.

Can I work in France?

No. Under no circumstances will a person holding a visitor visa be allowed to work in France without prior authorization.   Click here to find out the procedure to work in France.

Can I travel in Europe during my stay in France?

You are allowed to travel without visa within the Schengen area during the validity of your French temporary residence permit ("carte de séjour temporaire"). To travel outside the Schengen region, you should enquire whether you need a visa at the Embassy or consulate of the country you intend to visit.

Can I travel across Europe after my stay?

As long as your temporary residence permit remains valid, you may travel without visa within the Schengen area. To travel outside the Schengen area after your temporary residence permit for France has expired, enquire whether you need a visa at the Embassy or consulate of the country you intend to visit.

Should I keep the original documents with me at all times?

You will be asked to show the original of the documents submitted with your visa application when applying for your residence permit at the Préfecture.

You must keep your residence permit or passport with you, in case you are requested to show them to French authorities. You are strongly advised to keep a photocopy of those documents in a safe place, separated from the originals.

Can the French Consulate help me if I have problems while I am staying in France?

The role of the French Consulate is limited to process and issue visas. If you wish to lodge a complaint, you should contact directly French authorities in France. Also, it is the responsibility of Embassies and Consulates of your country in France to assist you.
However you may inform the French Consulate who issued your visa of any complaint you lodged.

Is it really mandatory for me to have a visa if I stay longer than 3 months?

Yes. If your nationality is exempted from a short stay visa and you stay past the 90 days allowed, you become an illegal alien.
The long stay visa is mandatory for any foreigner staying in France for more than 90 days. It cannot be issued in France, you need to have a it in your passport prior to departure from Canada.

For more information about France, consult the following websites :

• The French Ministry of Foreign affairs has a site with information in English, Spanish and German www.france.diplomatie.gouv.fr

• Our Tourist section

How to find a translator?  click here