“New economic restrictions are prompting high-income Russians to seek new ways to travel to Europe and live in their chosen country when needed for business or family. One of the most effective steps is acquiring French citizenship.”

In an interview with Andrey Boyko, the Executive Director and Founder of the GARANT Immigration Center, we discuss the main conditions for obtaining a residence permit and citizenship of France, and the nuances along the way.

"The Main Requirement is a Good Income and Sufficient Funds in a Bank Account"

How does the process of obtaining a residence permit work?

The entire process takes about two months: preparing the documents takes 3-4 weeks. Obtaining a visa visitor at the embassy will take another two weeks. Then, within two months, it is mandatory to fly directly to France to activate the residence permit at the OFII (Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration). Once in France, a medical examination will be required. A lawyer accompanies our clients at all these stages.

Does obtaining a residence permit require any investments?

No, this is not an investment program. The main requirement is having a good income and sufficient funds in a bank account. Russian income and accounts are acceptable.

Who are your clients? How do they find you?

Half of our clients come through recommendations – this is an excellent indicator, and I am truly proud of it. In general, our clients are successful investors, businessmen, top managers, stockbrokers, and prominent bloggers. What unites them is the desire to maintain mobility and the ability to travel to Europe regardless of pandemics, sanctions, and any other restrictions.

What services does your company offer clients wishing to obtain a residence permit in France?

We build our business on three pillars: expertise, service, and honesty. By our estimates, our company maintains the highest level of expertise in the Russian market for permanent residence and residence permits in France.

One of our principles is always to provide the consulate with more documents than required. I am confident that this approach explains why we almost never have refusals.

Another key principle is genuine, full care for our clients. We carefully study the client's dossier: if necessary, we directly point out weaknesses and give recommendations. If we cannot help, we refuse. This is also our principle: when applying for a residence permit, one should never underestimate the risks and smooth out the edges. It is better to refuse than to fail to meet the client's expectations. As mentioned, honesty is one of the most important principles of our work.

"Visa Issuance Will Proceed as Usual"

How would you describe the demand for your services?

The demand for residence permits changed during the pandemic when having a five-year Schengen visa was no longer a basis for entering Europe, even for those who have property there.

Today, demand is dynamically growing for different reasons. Currently, we process about 20-25 families per month, but considering the developing political dynamics, by the end of the year, demand will increase to 60-70 per month. Each family requires a package of documents for an average of four people. So, by the end of the year, we will process up to 250 residence permits per month. This is a good number for the premium segment.

The next step after a residence permit is permanent residence and citizenship of France. What is needed for this?

As our practice shows, the naturalization process for French citizenship is not the most difficult. What is required? To reside in France with a residence permit for five years, then obtain tax residency and a permanent residence card. After that, you can apply for citizenship. The process includes passing a French language exam, for which we also prepare our clients. The entire process, from obtaining permanent residence to citizenship, takes about a year.

It is no secret that taxes in France are very high. Becoming a tax resident is a requirement for obtaining citizenship. Are your clients ready for this?

It is also no secret that nothing comes for free. We all know this well. France, one of the most influential countries in the world, will not give its passport “just like that.” Some sacrifices will still have to be made. And here is a pleasant but: it is necessary to become a tax resident for only one or two years. Our clients, usually smart people with their own businesses who control the necessity of paying dividends to themselves, understand this perfectly.

Already today, we regularly submit clients' documents to the consulates of the UAE, Turkey, Israel. This is currently a voluntary desire for those connected to these countries. But if the day comes when this becomes a necessity, we will be fully prepared to meet our clients' needs.

We provide services for obtaining residence permits, permanent residence, and citizenship not only in France. Current programs for Russians include Grenada, Turkey, and the UAE. But personally, France is my favorite. France captivates most of our clients. And when we say that to obtain citizenship, it is necessary to learn French, clients with a 2-3-year residence permit tell us that they already know the language well.

One of my clients once told me how he wants to visit the strawberry season in France. And when I joked that strawberries are good in Russia too, he replied with indescribable pleasure and nostalgia: “No, they are sweeter in France…”

Advantages of a French Residence Permit

Many migrants choose France as their new home, tempted by the high standard of living. By obtaining a residence permit, a migrant receives several privileges:

  • The ability to work legally or register a company;
  • Study at any university in France or Europe;
  • Open bank accounts for individuals and legal entities, create deposit savings, and get a loan;
  • Buy or rent housing on more favorable terms than foreign residents;
  • The possibility of subsequently obtaining permanent residence and applying for a French passport.

Obtaining a French National Visa D

The first step to obtaining the chosen type of residence permit is to apply for a visa D, which allows entry into the country. Documents can be submitted at the visa center or the French consulate in your place of residence. To obtain a permit, you will need:

  • Application form;
  • Passport, issued less than 10 years ago;
  • 2 passport photos;
  • Resident passport;
  • Health insurance policy;
  • Booked flight or train tickets;
  • Documents on renting accommodation or hotel booking;
  • Documents on property ownership in France (if any);
  • Proof of financial stability;
  • Reason for visa application – study, work, FNL, marriage, etc.

If necessary, the embassy may request additional certificates and documents. The residence permit is issued in France. To do this, the applicant must visit the local prefecture. Depending on the chosen type of residence permit, marital status, and other factors, the applicant will need to prepare various documents.

Documents for Obtaining a French Residence Permit

The basic list for obtaining a residence permit includes:

  • Application form;
  • Passport with a visa D;
  • Passport photos;
  • Health insurance policy covering illnesses or injuries for at least €30,000;
  • Contract for ownership or rental of housing in France;
  • Certificate of no criminal record;
  • Birth certificates of the applicant and each family member applying for a residence permit;
  • Marriage certificate, children's documents;
  • Bank account statement.

Any type of residence permit can be extended up to 5 years in total, after which a new status must be obtained.

To ensure you receive a visa D and a new status as quickly as possible, we recommend entrusting this matter to professionals. An incorrectly filled-out form or a lack of a small certificate can significantly delay obtaining the desired status. By contacting the licensed agency GARANT.IN., you can be confident that the application, collection, and submission will be done on time.