Canadian citizens do not need a visa for France if they won’t stay for more than 3 months in the country. Things change if the relocation is for more than just a couple of months, a matter where a Schengen visa will be required. In order to simplify the procedures and visa formalities, you are invited to talk to our team of immigration lawyers in France and solicit legal advice and assistance for obtaining a French visa. Our advisors can also help you with the residence permit in France. We can also help you if you want to immigrate to France from USA.
Canadian nationals interested in obtaining French residency can reach out to our team of experts for more information on the particular conditions that apply in their case. Relocating from Canada to France is understandably easier for Canadians who live in Quebec, or other French-speaking cities, however, sufficient French language knowledge can be adequately provided for through specific documentation.
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How do I obtain a Schengen visa for France?
The decision to immigrate to France from Canada is an important one, and it is based on several steps. Before anything else, it is required to pay attention to the visa process and apply in time, prior to the arrival to France, at the Embassy or Consulate of the city you live in Canada. It is important to have in mind the conditions for obtaining such a visa and ask for legal advice from a French immigration lawyer who can guide you throughout the entire process. Here is what you need to prepare for a Schengen visa application:
- A visa application form needs to be completed with varied personal information.
- A valid passport is needed, with at least two blank pages, as required.
- A travel insurance policy covering at least EUR 30,000 and available for all Schengen countries is needed.
- The purpose of the visit/stay must be comprised of a cover letter.
- One must offer information about the accommodation in France and about personal finances that must be sufficient for the entire stay.
- In the case of Canadian workers, these must provide a copy of the employment contract, plus the Certificate of Income Tax.
- Canadian sole traders must provide information about the business license.
In the case of Canadian students who will attend courses for more than just 3 months, the Schengen visa is required. In order to obtain such a visa, the proof of enrolment issued by a college or university will be part of the visa application. It is recommended to ask for the legal support of a French immigration lawyer and make sure you ask all the questions you want. This way, you can skip any possible misunderstandings that might appear during the visa application process.
Do I need a France visa for business purposes as a Canadian citizen?
Yes, if you intend to stay more than just 3 months in France for which you don’t need a visa to enter, then you should pay attention to this kind of visa. The France visa for business purposes can be issued under specific conditions regarding the necessary documents. For instance, an invitation letter from the French company you will work or collaborate with will be solicited by the immigration authorities in France, alongside business bank statements for the last 6 months. We remind you that France is part of the Schengen Area and such a visa will allow you to freely travel within the participant countries, without border controls or restrictions. If you would like to know more about how you can migrate from Canada to France, feel free to ask our French immigration attorneys.
We offer immigration services also for persons who want to immigrate to France from UK. If you need a digital nomad visa in France, contact us for legal assistance.
What you need to know when you move to France from Canada – What you need to know
If you wish to relocate to France from Canada you should know that this is not a complex process, however, it is best to pay attention to a few aspects:
- make sure you apply for the proper visa if you intend to stay more than just 3 months;
- start the visa process in time, with the help of an advisor – our French immigration lawyers can provide legal advice;
- look for a place to stay in France prior to your arrival in the country;
- once the visa is accepted, make sure you obtain the necessary residence permit in France.
After having lived in the country for a number of years, or if the Canadian national marries a French national, he or she may be interested in obtaining French citizenship. We can also assist those who want to apply for residency in France. This can be an important goal for those who have decided to immigrate to France from Canada.
Why move to France from Canada?
France provides not only good quality of life but also lots of business opportunities for international entrepreneurs wanting to develop in this part of Europe, in one of the most powerful economies in the world. Besides a qualified and skilled workforce, a stable and appreciated economy, plus the possibility of developing in the innovation sectors, just to give an example, foreigners can easily set up branches and subsidiaries and enjoy the protection of the investment legislation, plus a wide range of encouragements provided by the French government. Here are some facts and figures about the business and economy in France that you might find it interesting if you wish to relocate to France from Canada:
- The largest concentration of multinational headquarters in Europe is found in the Paris region.
- Canada, Belgium, Germany, and the US were among the main investors in France in 2019.
- France ranks 32nd out of 190 worldwide economies, as revealed by the 2020 Doing Business report issued by the World Bank.
- More than USD 824,000 million represented the total FDI stock for 2018 in France.
Canadians who wish to remain in France can discuss the process for obtaining French citizenship with our team of lawyers.
You can relocate to France with our help even if you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. If you have another nationality, please send us your inquiry and our team will answer in due time. We can help you understand the entry requirements, as well as the residence permit application process. You can reach out to us for details.
Please feel free to contact our team of French immigration lawyers and find out more about immigration from Canada to France.
