New Zealand citizens are allowed to travel to France for a short-period stay of maximum 90 days without having to apply for a visa. People who are looking to immigrate to France from New Zealand need to proceed the application process for a long-stay visa. In order to simplify the procedure and obtain the information regarding immigration in France, our specialized team of lawyers can offer you the needed assistance.
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Procedures to apply for long-stay visa in France
Any resident from New Zealand who is looking to move to France must follow the required steps imposed by the French authorities in order to obtain a visa. In this case, it is necessary to apply for a long-term visa by making an appointment at the French Embassy in New Zealand. An important fact to mention is that the long-stay French visa is only available for a limited period of time which lasts between 3 and 12 months. If this period of 12 months is exceeded and you decide to stay longer, you must apply for a residence permit.
As the French application process can take up to 60 days, it is important to decide in advance on the reason of your immigration in France. Usually, long-stay visas are issued for:
- study and attending educational events organized by the French universities;
- professional activities: investing or starting a business in France;
- visiting as a tourist or for private purposes;
- attending internships or trainings in France.
If you need further support to apply for this kind of visa, our immigration lawyers in France can offer specialized assistance in this matter.
What to prepare before moving to France from New Zealand
In order for your application to be accepted and to be able to move to France from New Zealand, there is a documentation requirement imposed by the local French authorities to prepare before, such as:
- travel document (passport) which was issued less than 10 years ago and has availability an additional 3 months longer than the visa requested;
- one photo in ID format;
- proof that you are a resident of New Zealand in the case that you are not a national;
- official certificate that attests no criminal record.
Furthermore, it is important to verify other requirements before applying for a visa in France, such as the fee for application or financial records needed to move to France from New Zealand. Find support from our immigration lawyers in France in order to meet all the requirements for relocation.
Relocate to France from New Zealand for business purposes
If you are planning to start a business in France or join an existing one and this implies relocating to France for more than 90 days, it is important to know that you can apply for a French visa.
In the case of starting a new business in France, it is necessary to prepare the following documents before applying for a visa:
- a business plan written as a presentation which should contain a budget for multiple years;
- proof of existence as a legal person who can operate business procedures;
- proof from a French-based credit institution or approved insurance company which can guarantee for your business;
- copy of the commercial lease/ sub-lease agreement presenting the business activity.
If you are planning to immigrate to France from New Zealand in order to join an existing business in this country, you must present the following documentation:
- proof that shows your financial involvement during the creation process of the business;
- official extract from company’s registration from the last 3 months;
- official tax status certificate from the French authorities;
- official certificate from the French body managing social security payments to prove that the company’s payments are up to date;
- employment contract in original, only in the case of the applicant having an employee status in the company.
For more information regarding immigration in France for business purposes, you can find assistance from our specialized immigration lawyers.
Can I obtain citizenship in France if I relocate from New Zealand?
Generally, people moving to France from New Zealand choose to remain in this country permanently based on work, family or financial reasons. Citizenship can be obtained through: naturalization, birth, adoption or descend. For foreigners having already residency in France, the naturalization process is the most common way to obtain citizenship.
New Zealand citizens can apply for French citizenship by naturalization following the conditions below:
- being a resident in France for minimum 5 years;
- presenting proof of knowledge of the French language at a minimum level of B1;
- presenting proof of knowledge regarding French history, culture and business information;
- having sufficient income in order to support a household in France;
- presenting official documentation of no criminal convictions or imprisonment.
Obtaining citizenship in France comes with a rigorous procedure which can be easily organized with the help of our immigration lawyers in France.
Why move to France?
Over the past years, the number of people choosing to immigrate to France from New Zealand has increased as this country offers several opportunities regarding education, employment, culture and social matters. Find below the most important advantages of relocating to France:
- High education is affordable as France has one of the most developed educational systems in the world, offering French residents the chance to study in various fields.
- Living in France means enjoying a good work-life balance as French employment system offers 5 weeks of paid leave, 35 hours of work/ week, August holidays and more benefits which allow people to enjoy life while working.
- Social security is a priority for the French system as it successfully covers health care, pensions or unemployment insurance.
- Being a resident in France also means to benefit from its cultural diversity and beauty.
Statistics on immigration in France
As relocation to France has become well received based on the country’s educational and financial development, if you decide to move to this country, find below the official data from the past years regarding immigration in France:
- In 2021, net migration rate in France was of 0.803 per 1000 population, with a 11.07% increase compared to 2020.
- In 2022, net migration rate in France was 0.883 per 1000 population with an increase of 9.96% compared to 2021.
- In 2023, net migration rate in France was 0.963 per 1000 population, with an increase of 9.06% compared to 2022.
For more information and support regarding immigration to France from New Zealand and obtaining a visa, do not hesitate to contact us.