In this article, we'd like to share important updates about the required documents and practical insights from supporting 20+ professionals under this immigration route this year. If you're planning to relocate your business to France, here's what you need to know.

Before applying for the Entrepreneur / Profession Libérale visa or residence permit, all applicants must first obtain an 'avis de viabilité économique' (economic viability opinion) via the ANEF platform. It is a mandatory preliminary approval of the business project, and once obtained, you can apply for the visa or residence permit itself.

The French authorities evaluate projects based on three criteria:

1. the business activity is economically viable, i.e., capable of generating sufficient income (at least equivalent to the French minimum wage, the 'SMIC');
2. it complies with applicable French laws and regulations;
3. the applicant possesses the necessary qualifications and experience to carry out the business activity. If the activity is regulated, the applicant also has the necessary authorizations or licenses.

Now let's take a look at the documents the French authorities expect you to provide to show that your project meets these criteria.

In May 2026, the French Ministry of the Interior published an official list of supporting documents required when applying for the economic viability opinion.
For entrepreneurs creating a new French company or registering as a sole trader (including auto-entrepreneurs), the application now generally includes:

Identity documents

• Valid passport;
• Criminal record certificate (if applying from outside France), accompanied by a sworn French translation;

Business project

• Business plan;
• Multi-year financial projections;
• Any additional documents supporting the feasibility of the project;

Professional background

• Documents demonstrating your qualifications and/or professional experience relevant to the proposed activity;
• Professional authorisations or licences where required for regulated professions;

Financial resources

• A bank certificate or bank statement showing the balance of an account held in your name with an EU bank (or another institution approved by the ECB or ACPR), demonstrating at least ~€22,500 to support yourself during your first year in France.

Business setup
Where applicable:

• Evidence of business premises;
• Evidence of equipment necessary for carrying out the activity;
• Draft articles of association (or executed articles if already incorporated);
• Registration certificate from the French National Business Register (RNE), if the business has already been registered.

Additional documents are required for applicants who are:

• purchasing an existing business;
• joining an existing French company;
• opening a French subsidiary of a foreign company;
• applying for an already operating business.

What we see in practice:
The official checklist is only part of the story.
Based on our recent applications, reviewing officers frequently request additional supporting evidence to better assess the credibility of the business project.
For example:

• Signed contracts or letters of intent from prospective French clients or business partners;
• Sworn French translations of all supporting documents (in practice, we have increasingly seen requests to translate even foreign bank statements);
• Written authorisation from the landlord or property management company if you intend to register your company at your rented residential address;
• Additional evidence supporting your projected turnover or the commercial viability of the activity.

These documents are not always expressly listed in the regulation, but in practice they often strengthen the application and help avoid additional requests from the administration.

Once you receive a positive economic viability opinion, you can proceed with the visa or residence permit application itself.
The supporting documents are largely the same, with several additional personal documents required. For both visa and residence permit applications, applicants will generally also need to provide:

• Birth certificate;
• Proof of medical insurance;
• Proof of accommodation or residential address in France;
• The completed visa or residence permit application form.

If you are applying for a visa from abroad, the application is submitted through the French consulate or visa centre in your country of residence. You should bring both the original documents and one set of copies to your appointment.

If you are already legally residing in France and applying for or changing to the Entrepreneur / Profession Libérale residence permit, the application is submitted online through the ANEF platform. In most cases, you only need to visit the prefecture once your application has been approved to collect your residence card.
The initial VLS-TS visa or residence permit is issued for one year. Upon renewal, eligible applicants may obtain a multi-year residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) valid for up to four years.

You must submit your renewal application 3–4 months before your current residence permit expires, again through the ANEF platform.

Note that since 1 January 2026, obtaining the 4-year carte de séjour pluriannuelle now additionally requires demonstrating French level A2 and passing the new examen civique (civic exam), in addition to the standard renewal file.
After 5 years of legal residence in France, you may become eligible to apply for permanent residency (carte de resident, issued for 10 years, autorenewable) or French citizenship (naturalisation).

Our experience shows that the documentary requirements continue to become stricter and more detailed every year. If you are already considering relocating your business to France, it may be worth starting the process sooner rather than later.

At Beyond Borders, we assist entrepreneurs and freelancers throughout the entire process: from choosing the right immigration strategy to preparing a complete and well-structured dossier and securing a visa or a residence permit.

If you're considering relocating your business to France, we'd be happy to help.

📩 Email us at beyondborders.relocation@gmail.com

📅 Or book a consultation via https://tidycal.com/1dwwe53/free-20-min-consultation