FRENCH ECONOMIC RESIDENT CARD (FERC)
Advantages
- FERC has a 3-year validity and is renewable after each term if the initial investment is maintained
- Possibility to travel freely in the Schengen Area and French overseas territories
- FERC includes dependents (spouse and children under 18 years old) and enable them to work
- Possibility for the applicant to work in France if the work is related to the investment
- Free access to public education and healthcare
- Possibility to apply for French citizenship after having established your main residence in France for 5 continuous years
Requirements
- Minimum Investment: €300,000 in an industrial or commercial asset in France
- Obligation to reside in France on a case-by-case basis
- Obligation to set up a company in France
- Aged 18 years or older
- Proof of no criminal record
No requirements for prior residence in France, language skills or special professional experience
Investment
- The applicant is required to make a €300,000 investment in an approved industrial or commercial business enterprise in France
- A company will be established for the applicant in France for the purposes of making and managing the investment
- The investor can select an ‘off-the-shelf’ investment option such as renewable energy or film production, or alternatively can establish a ‘tailored’ new business in France
- Details of the type of investment and how it will benefit France should be provided with the application
Process
- Submission of long stay visa application and documents to support the FERC application
- Fast processing: a decision is made by the French authorities within 1 month from the date of the application’s submission
- Issuance of a long-stay visa by the French Consulate upon acceptance
- Transfer of funds into the French project
- Issuance of 3-year FERC by Government authorities within 2 months from entry into France