To qualify for France’s Financially Independent Persons Visa, an applicant must

– Hold a valid long-stay visa for residence permit (VL-TS) visitor; and
– Demonstrate an annual income of at the very least EUR 16,000 or obtain a guarantee of a similar amount from a guarantor; and
– Hold a valid health insurance for the duration of the stay in France. 

The initial visa has a validity of just one year but is renewable indefinitely. Applicants are not allowed to take up employment in France.

To apply, interested parties must first obtain a Long-Stay visa for residence permit at the French consulate. Thereupon, they must deposit the required amount with a French bank and submit the application for the FIP visa either online or at the local prefecture where they reside. 

Once approved, the applicant will receive a residence permit and an accompanying residence card from the prefecture.

Applicants can renew the permit online 2-4 months prior to expiration. 

Program benefits

• No investment required;
• Increased visa-free travel;
• Freedom of movement (but not settlement) within Schengen;
• Path to EU citizenship;
• Permits dual/multiple citizenship;
• Enhanced education opportunities;
• Enhanced business access to large economies;
• Short processing time

Requirements to qualify for citizenship

The initial FIP visa has a validity of just one year. Applicants may, however, renew this online no earlier than four months and no later than two months before expiry.

After five years, the applicant can convert the residency into a permanent one, at which point there is no longer any need to demonstrate sufficient means. 

Once the applicant has obtained PR, he may apply for French nationality. France grants citizenship at its discretion, and require mastery of French language and culture, and general integration into French society. 

While there are no physical presence requirements at the temporary residency stage, France will only grant permanent residency and citizenship to applicants who have spent a majority of their time (and therefore have become tax residents) in the country. 

Applications for this program may be directed to:

Direction Générale des Etrangers en France (DGEF) & Business France 

Legislation upon which this program is based:

Code on the Entry and Residence of Foreigners and the Right of Asylum (Article L313-6)