Not surprisingly, for many, France is a dreamland. And more than one generation, immigrants from the CIS conquer the lands of this romantic country. It seems that every street here is simply saturated with an atmosphere of high fashion, perfumes, wine and poems. This state is recognized as one of the best in Europe for life, and French society is quite loyal to migrants from Russia, because they have already survived four waves of immigrants. The standard of living in France is quite high, so the desire to move to live in this country is absolutely justified. And if you get a tourist visa quite simply, and after a week you can surf the expanses of Paris, then in order to stay "for longer", you will have to work hard. So is it worth it to move to France?
Is immigration possible?
Foreign immigrants can choose for themselves absolutely any region of the country, but most often the choice is made in favor of the part where the dynamics of economic development is observed in a given period of time. To date, the territory of France is inhabited by about seven million immigrants. However, the problem of illegal stay of citizens in the territory of the state has become urgent for the country. The period of their deportation was reduced from a few months to a couple of days.
Why France?
The popularity of France as a residence breaks records in all respects. And this is understandable, because for citizens of the country and foreigners who have a residence permit, there are the following advantages:
- Pleasant climate, without severe frosts and abnormal heat.
- The quality and standard of living in France is much higher than in many other states.
- Opportunities for opening and developing your business, especially in the tourism sector.
- Relatively inexpensive housing. Prices differ from Moscow.
- The ability to travel around the Schengen countries without any problems .
- Free medicine.
- Equal rights are enjoyed by both citizens of the country and those who only plan to join the ranks of those.
It is legal to stay in France in the following ways: having officially proven French roots, working in local companies, family reunification, business immigration, marriage, refugee, studying in the country. For advice, contact the French Embassy in Moscow.
Business immigration
The first option to obtain the desired residence permit is to open your own business or the Russian branch of an already operating company in France. The next step on the part of France is a request to the prefecture in the name of the alleged businessman to obtain permission to conduct business without a residence permit. When the green light is given, the candidate is appointed manager of his own enterprise and thereby freed from the obligation to hire a French citizen to his post. This significantly reduces the cost of maintaining and doing business in the country. In order for a person to freely manage his own business, a "merchant card" is issued. The only drawback of this procedure is the duration of the issue, which can take about six months. But as soon as you become a happy holder of the card - your residence permit.
The next step on the path to obtaining citizenship is resident status, which is assigned for the next 10 years. To do this, three years to successfully conduct business in the country.
And now, after ten years in the status of a resident, it becomes possible to obtain such a coveted French citizenship.
People who have encountered such a procedure for obtaining a residence permit recommend a sober assessment of their capabilities and the requirements of the country. This is important in the first place so that people do not lose either financial or temporary resources. If you realize that you can’t pull the French requirements, try applying for a residence permit in the more loyal countries of the Schengen zone. As a result, in any case, you will get the opportunity to work freely in the territory of the European Union. In this case, you can pay attention to Slovakia, where you can renew a residence permit without a permanent stay in the state, and all necessary documents are prepared within 2 months. However, opening a business is one of the best ways to immigrate to France from Russia.
Contract with a French company
This method of obtaining a residence permit in France is considered much more complicated than the previous one, no matter how strange it may sound. You can get a job only if your potential employer proves that the country needs such a specialist, and none of the citizens of the state and any country of the European Union is able to take this position. In general, the company must prove one hundred percent that such an employee as you can’t be found either in France or in the other 26 Schengen countries.
This process is quite lengthy. To begin with, the employer enters into a contract with the employee, which is transferred to the Consulate with the whole package of necessary documents for obtaining a visa. Consideration of the request may take from a month to two. Having received a positive answer, you can safely move out to the country and apply for the coveted residence permit. Residence permit is issued for a year and for 10 years. Both that, and another are subject to renewal. On the Internet you can find enough vacancies, so go for it!
Training
Studying in France does not differ in cosmic prices. On the whole, they coincide with those in Moscow, and foreign students are accepted here with particular pleasure. The only moment: you can’t get off with English, you need to know French, and pretty good. Otherwise, there are no restrictions for foreign students. If you have already received higher education, then the course of study will take no more than 2 years, if the decision to enter France was made immediately after school, you will have to “sweat” a little longer. If, upon completion of studies, a student will prove himself to be an excellent specialist, you can easily get a job in France. Therefore, immigration to France for study is a great option to study the country and understand whether you want to live there permanently or not.
Buying a property
If you were hoping that by buying real estate in the country you will receive a residence permit faster than in the other options listed, then you were mistaken. The acquisition of housing is only a gradual immigration. Unfortunately, even in a purchased apartment or house you can stay no more than six months, and for a longer stay in the country you will need another, more compelling reason. We must not forget that the presence of a residence permit does not give the right to work in the territory of the state.
Permanent residence in France
If you have a residence permit in your pocket, having organized your business in France, in a year you can either extend your residence permit or apply for a residence permit. For this, it will be necessary to invest at least 150,000 euros in the French economy. Refusal to obtain permanent residence is virtually impossible if during the whole time of stay in France the businessman did not violate the law, the open enterprise brings stable income, and the foreigner spent the lion's share of the time in the country or in the EU zone.
After the permanent residence is in your pocket, you can not worry about the fact that you need to constantly be in France. After 10 years, you can safely apply for citizenship, now you will have the full right to this, enshrined in the legislative level.
Waiting periods are shortened if EUR 1,000,000 or more has been invested in the country's economy. In this case, the process of immigration to France is greatly simplified.
The benefits of immigration
Permanent residence in France has its advantages and disadvantages. First, consider the pros:
- Pleasant weather conditions, the absence of sudden changes in temperature, stable climate.
- Delicious cuisine is one of the advantages of the country, because the French are real gourmets who are very reverent about food.
- Legislation is based on the protection of human and civil rights.
- A rich cultural life and a varied vacation.
- A huge number of attractions and a special atmosphere, architecture, theaters, life saturated with romance, without rush.
- Comfortable working conditions, the labor week lasts no more than 35 hours, and the Labor Code in full program protects the rights and interests of workers.
- Immigration to France is an opportunity for your children to get a decent education for free.
- Quality medical care.
The list of benefits is quite long.
Cons of immigration
So, how to immigrate to France, figured out. With the advantages of living in this country, everything is clear too. It remains to list the main disadvantages of living in France:
- You’ll have to learn French, because few speak English, but you don’t even have to talk about Russian.
- Difficulty in buying medicines, because 90% of them are sold only on prescription. Even the most seemingly harmless.
- Difficulties with career growth and finding a job without experience and education.
- Bureaucracy - collecting documents and signatures takes a huge amount of time and effort.
- High taxes.
- Prices that are quite high.
- Despite the romance of the country, there are areas with a fairly high crime rate.
Is it worth it to immigrate - it's up to you. Soberly understand the situation and weigh the pros and cons.
Have you decided? Then go ahead for paperwork. The French Embassy in Moscow is located at: Kazan Lane, 10, metro station "October" (radial).