Freelance Visa for France (Profession Liberale / Entrepreneur) (2026)

Which freelance route do you need for France?

The right route depends on your activity, resources, and how ambitious your project is. The entrepreneur / profession libérale long-stay visa is the standard route to run an independent activity, and it is issued as a VLS-TS that doubles as a residence permit for its first year. Higher-investment or innovative projects can instead use the Passeport Talent, including the creation d'entreprise category and the porteur de projet economique route, which carry a longer validity and stronger family rights.

For every route you need a viable business plan and proof of resources to support yourself. As of October 2026 (service-public.fr F16922), the porteur de projet Passeport Talent category asks for personal resources at least equal to the gross annual SMIC, €22,404.24 (12 × €1,867.02, the SMIC since 1 June 2026), plus project funding of at least €30,000. The direct-investment track requires at least €300,000 with a job creation or retention commitment. A company officer (mandataire social) on the talent route needs pay of 3 × the gross annual SMIC, about €67,213 (our calculation).

Thresholds are revised by decree, so confirm the current conditions on France-Visas and service-public.fr. If you hold an EU, EEA, or Swiss passport, you can freelance freely without any visa, as explained in our EU citizens guide.

What is micro-entrepreneur status?

The micro-entrepreneur status (formerly auto-entrepreneur) is the most common business vehicle for freelancers in France. It offers simplified accounting and turnover-based social contributions, which makes it easy to start a profession libérale or small commercial activity. You register through the Guichet unique on the INPI site, receive a SIRET number, and declare your turnover to URSSAF. The status itself is not a visa, so non-EU nationals still need a residence permit that allows self-employment.

How do you apply step by step?

A freelance visa takes eight steps, from the business plan to your first renewal. Three of them happen after you land: the SIRET, the numéro fiscal, and validation on ANEF. Start all three in your first weeks, because invoicing clients depends on the first two.

1. Step 1: Prepare a viable business plan and gather proof of resources for your independent activity.
2. Step 2: Choose between the entrepreneur / profession libérale VLS-TS and a Passeport Talent category such as creation d'entreprise.
3. Step 3: Create your file on France-Visas and complete the long-stay self-employment application.
4. Step 4: Attend the consulate or visa centre appointment with your passport, business plan, and supporting documents.
5. Step 5: Once in France, register your activity through the Guichet unique (INPI) and URSSAF to obtain your SIRET.
6. Step 6: Walk in to your local SIP with form 2043-SD to get your numéro fiscal.
7. Step 7: Validate your VLS-TS online on ANEF within three months and pay €300. Talent visa holders request their card instead (€350).
8. Step 8: Renew on ANEF between 4 and 2 months before expiry, with updated proof that your activity is viable (€250).

How do you get a numéro fiscal to start invoicing?

A numéro fiscal (SPI number) is the 13-digit tax identifier that opens your impots.gouv.fr personal account. Without it you get a non-personalised withholding rate and no online tax account. Waiting for your first paper return to generate the number is too slow when you need to invoice and declare to URSSAF.

The fastest route is a walk-in at your local SIP (service des impôts des particuliers). Bring your passport, a justificatif de domicile and form 2043-SD. Counter attribution takes days to weeks, while requests through the impots.gouv.fr contact form are reported to take months. The service is free at any SIP counter.

Your first income-tax return is due in the spring after your arrival year, on paper forms 2042 and 2043-SD. A late return costs a 10% majoration (20% after formal notice) plus 0.20% interest per month. For the justificatif de domicile, an energy or internet bill under 3 months old in your own name is safest. A mobile phone bill is often refused.

How do you validate and renew?

A VLS-TS only becomes a valid residence document once you validate it online on ANEF within three months of arrival. You enter your visa details and French address and pay €300 by card. The OFII may then call you for a medical visit and the integration contract (CIR). Passeport Talent visa holders do not validate: they request the talent card on ANEF within two months, for €350.

Renewal opens 4 months before expiry and closes 2 months before, according to Service-Public fiche N110. You provide updated proof that your activity is real and viable, including your SIRET, turnover, tax filings, and income. A card expired for more than 9 months means a new application from the consulate. Keep the récépissé or attestation de prolongation, not the ANEF attestation de dépôt, as proof of your right to work.

Sources: ANEF, France-Visas, OFII, service-public.fr (fiches F16922 and N110, actualité A17599), impots.gouv.fr, URSSAF, and the INPI Guichet unique, as of October 2026. Resource thresholds, fees, and conditions change, so verify the current rules for your category before applying.

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