I am going to apply a visa in France and I don’t know should I apply profession liberal or visiteur after reading many information.

I’m a freelance graphic designer on Upwork that all my clients are Americans, while I have an online store on Etsy, again all the clients are Americans, products are made and sent from Asia. I have read that remote work is allowed for visiteur visa as long as my business has no ties of France, however some argue I am not allowed to work. I have also checked profession liberal visa and it required to have 70% of French clients. I have been told if my clients are not french than I should apply visteur visa. It’s really contradictory.

Secondly can a visiteur visa leads to citizenship? The government website has states that as long as you live continuously 5 years, you are eligible to apply. However some commented it required to have income from France to prove you are integrated into the society.

  • Educational-Help-126@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    If you register your business in France, you can apply for the business creation visa which is what I have. Upwork is global if I’m not mistaken so you should be able to keep your same clients. Etsy also has a French store. I hope this helps.

  • Bobzeub@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    How do you plan to rent an apartment without a French work contract ?

    You could declare yourself as an Autoentrepreneur (freelance) , but you’re paying 21% to the government every month , and you’re not allowed to earn over 36,000€ per year or you have to change the free lance status and pay more .

    Also most agencies or landlords don’t like renting to free lance people.

    Also for the citizenship , not sure if they’ll renew your visa each year , unless you have the cash to buy an apartment, but just because you’re here for 5 years it doesn’t mean you’ll be given it automatically .

    It seems you need to have resident status, and for that you need an apartment with a lease , and for an apartment you’ll probably need a French work contract (not in the 3 month trail period) and a work visa . Ideally they want last year’s tax return , the last three months pay slips , and someone French to co-sign your lease.

    Here is the source for Autoentrepreneur