Every year, many foreign project holders see their residence permit application refused, not because their business lacks substance, but because the file filed with the prefecture fails to demonstrate it. This is one of the most common pitfalls of foreign entrepreneurship in France: a good idea is not enough, it must be proven with figures and supporting documents.
Two residence permits, one requirement
A foreign national who wishes to create or take over a business in France has two main routes:
- the “entrepreneur / liberal profession” residence card (articles L421-5 to L421-6 of the CESEDA), for those carrying out a commercial, craft, industrial or liberal activity as their main activity;
- the “talent – project holder – business creation” card, for more qualified profiles: Master’s-level degree or five years of comparable experience, with a business project funded with at least €30,000.
In both cases, for a first application or a renewal, the administration asks the same question: is your activity economically viable?
Two different opinion procedures
- Entrepreneur / liberal profession card: an opinion is issued by the foreign labour platform (PMOE) competent for the département where the project is located. The request is made online, in the “I am applying for a work authorisation” section of service-public.gouv.fr. Since decree no. 2025-539 of 13 June 2025, this economic viability opinion is mandatory for any self-employed activity, including non-regulated liberal professions. An order of 13 May 2026 specified the list of supporting documents.
- Talent – project holder card: before filing the residence application, you must obtain an opinion from the Ministry of the Economy on the real and serious nature of your project, via the dedicated online service. This opinion, valid for twelve months, conditions the rest of the procedure on the ANEF platform.
The key document: a complete and serious business plan
For the entrepreneur card, the texts require a presentation of the creation project, the business plan and a multi-year forecast budget. A solid business plan covers four aspects:
- The origins of the project: where the idea comes from, your professional background, and why your experience or training legitimises this activity;
- The organisation of the activity: your exact role, planned recruitments, premises, equipment and tools and how they will be financed;
- A market study: real demand in the target area, identified competitors and what concretely distinguishes your project;
- The financial forecast: expected turnover over the first financial years, cost structure, break-even point and financing plan.
The forecast must show that the activity will generate sufficient resources: at least €1,867.02 per month for the entrepreneur / liberal profession card, or the full-time gross annual minimum wage (€22,404.20) for the talent project holder card. A weak point on any of these four aspects undermines the whole demonstration.
At renewal: the business must actually be viable
Viability is not demonstrated only once. At renewal, you must show that the activity has become viable in practice: proof of registration of the company, any proof that the activity is effective, and proof of resources at least equal to the legal threshold. For a first multi-year card, the republican integration condition also applies: attendance at the republican integration contract, A2 level in French and success in the civic exam.
Summary
- Entrepreneur / liberal profession: any commercial, craft or liberal activity carried out as main activity; PMOE viability opinion; no minimum funding set by the texts (to be justified in the forecast budget); resources of at least €1,867.02 per month.
- Talent – project holder (business creation): Master’s-level degree or five years of comparable experience; Ministry of the Economy opinion; minimum funding of €30,000; resources at least equal to the gross annual minimum wage (€22,404.20).
The difference between an accepted and a refused file often lies less in the intrinsic quality of the project than in the way it is presented and documented.
Read also: Talent Residence Permit “Project Holder” in France (2026) and Do you live abroad and want to start a business in France?
Need help with your application?
FATOU BABOU AVOCAT assists employees, entrepreneurs, investors and companies with every step of business immigration to France: eligibility analysis, preparation of the application, follow-up with the consulate or the prefecture, and appeals in the event of refusal.
- Bordeaux office: 11 rue Galin, 33100 Bordeaux, France – +33 9 85 40 18 64 – contact@legalfb-avocat.fr
- Dakar office: 14 rue Woro Fila, Fann Hock, Dakar, Senegal – +221 77 173 69 05 / +221 33 844 29 16 – contact@fbavocat-sn.com
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Rules and amounts change regularly: always check your own situation with a lawyer.