Residence permits, work permits, EU Blue Cards, citizenship applications and visa advice for foreigners.
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English speaking law firm in Paris with corporate litigation real estate and more. Experienced attorneys.
Bilingual lawyer in Paris with 12+ years experience helping over 350 clients. English-speaking for expats in France.
Recommended English-Speaking Lawyers in France. French lawyers ready to assist especially if youre an expat requiring legal support. English-speaking lawyers proficient in French.
Buying/selling real-estate in France. Specialise in representing and advising English-speaking clients in relation to the legal process of buying or selling property.
Specialises in expat immigration and international family law for expatriates
Expat-focused immigration and family law
Immigration and expat relocation specialist
International law and immigration specialist
Some countries offer residence permits linked to property investment (Golden Visa). An immigration lawyer can advise on thresholds and eligibility.
Processing times vary by country — typically 1–6 months. Your lawyer can track the application and respond to any requests for additional documentation.
Browse our verified directory of law firms across France's major cities. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 SecondsFrance immigration is governed by the CESEDA (Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile). The principal long-stay routes for skilled workers and entrepreneurs are the Passeport Talent family of cards (art. L. 421-1 et seq.) introduced by loi Collomb 2018, replacing the earlier compétences et talents card.
| Permit Type | CESEDA Ref. | Duration | Key Requirement | Fee (2025) | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passeport Talent — Salarié qualifié | L. 421-1 | 4 years | Salary ≥ 1.5× SMIC (≈€2,619/mo 2025) + qualifying diploma or post | €225 | 4–8 weeks |
| Passeport Talent — Entrepreneur / investisseur | L. 421-6 | 4 years | Business plan + €30,000 investment or market need | €225 | 6–12 weeks |
| Passeport Talent — Chercheur | L. 421-9 | 4 years | Hosting agreement with accredited research org. | €225 | 3–6 weeks |
| Carte Bleue Européenne (EU Blue Card) | L. 421-17 | 4 years | Salary ≥ 1.5× average (≈€53,000/yr) + recognised degree + CDI offer | €225 | 4–8 weeks |
| Travailleur temporaire | L. 436-1 | 1 year (renewable) | CDD contract + employer authorisation | €225 | 6–10 weeks |
| Vie privée et familiale (family) | L. 423-1 | 1–4 years | Family reunification — sponsor in France >12 months | €225 | 3–6 months |
| Carte de résident (10-year) | L. 433-1 | 10 years (renewable) | 5+ years legal residence + integration contract (OFII) | €225 | 3–6 months |
Profile: M.Tech Computer Science, Mumbai. CDI offer from Paris fintech, salary €62,000/year. Applying from India via French consulate in New Delhi.
| Step | Timeline | Cost |
| Long-stay visa (VLS-TS) application at consulate | Week 0–3 | €99 |
| OFII validation & medical visit (in France) | Week 4–6 | €200 |
| Passeport Talent card application at prefecture | Week 7–10 | €225 |
| Avocat review of documents (optional but recommended) | Week 2–4 | €500–1,200 |
| Total official fees | €524 | |
| Total timeline to card-in-hand | 10–14 weeks | |
Salary €62,000 easily clears the Passeport Talent threshold (1.5× SMIC ≈ €31,428 annual) and the Carte Bleue Européenne threshold (~€53,000). Choosing Passeport Talent gives 4-year card and family reunification rights immediately. Naturalization possible after 5 years (décret naturalisation).
