French Business Visa

If you intend to move to France from Thailand for business reasons, whether to attend trade shows, meet with clients, host meetings, or conduct business negotiations, you can obtain a French Business Visa to enter the country and carry out many commercial activities. This French Visa allows you to stay for up to 90 days out of a 6-month period and participate in a wide range of business-related activities.

The French Business Visa is a type of Schengen Business Visa, and is similar to those from other Schengen states. Note that this visa is not for those who have been hired by a French company to live and work in France long-term. That requires a French work permit.

This page will explain all the details about the French Schengen Business Visa including its benefits, application process, and required documentation.

Benefits of a French Business Visa from Thailand

When residing in France on a Schengen Business Visa, you are able to take advantage of a range of opportunities beyond just a simple visit to the country (as shown below). While similar, a French Schengen Business Visa like this is not the same as a French Schengen Tourist Visa. The tourist version only lets you sightsee and visit, while the business version allows you to conduct commercial activities.

• You can be either employed or self-employed while on the visa.
• You can attend and take part in trade fairs, seminars, or conferences within your professional field of work.
• You can use the visa to deliver services to your clients.
• You can utilize the visa to perform internal audits.
• You can participate in any training seminar hosted by your employer.
• You can perform certain tasks and duties for your employer in France.
• You can apply for a residence permit.

It’s also important to note that France is a party to the Schengen Agreement. Therefore, holding a French Business Visa grants you access to the following Schengen member countries, including:

• Eastern Europe: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia
• Northern Europe: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden
• Southern Europe: Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain
• Western Europe: Austria, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland

This means that you can travel to other Schengen states to conduct similar business activities on the same visa. Note, however, that this does not increase the duration of your Schengen Business Visa. Regardless of how many countries you visit, your stay is limited to 90 days.

French Business Visa Requirements

To qualify for a French Business Visa from Thailand, you will need to fulfill the following eligibility requirements:

• Must intend to visit France for business purposes.
• Must have strong ties to Thailand and intend to return after your visa expires.
• Must not have a criminal record or history of imprisonment.
• Must have an invitation from a company or representative in France.
• Must have enough income and savings to be able to sustain yourself during your stay.
• If you want to stay longer than 3 months, you will need to apply for a long-stay visa (which requires spending 3 to 12 months in France).

It is important to note that citizens from the following countries are exempt from needing a French Business Visa:

• Andorra
• Monaco
• Holy See
• Any country that is a member state under the European Union or the European Free Trade Association.
• Any country under the Schengen visa-free regime.

Citizens of these nations can enter France freely and conduct business there with no prior approval process, but everyone else needs a visa. Conducting business in France without the proper visa can lead to deportation, trouble getting future Schengen Visas, and even criminal prosecution.

French Business Visa Document Checklist

There are several documents that you need to submit in Thailand as part of the Schengen Business Visa application. These include:

• Completed and signed online French Business Visa application form
• Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
• A valid passport (must have at least 6 months validity remaining)
• A photocopy of the passport’s photo page
• 2 passport-sized photographs (in color, size 3.5cm x 4.5cm, taken against a white background)
• Proof of employment (i.e: an official letter from your employer)*
• Proof of accommodation in France (i.e. hotel reservation documents)
• Proof of sustainable finances (i.e: bank statements, payment slips)
• Return flight ticket reservation (i.e. a flight itinerary)
• Proof of medical insurance

*NOTE: The employment letter must specify your reason for visiting France as well as the contact information of your employer. If you are self-employed, you have to submit a copy of your business registration certificate.

You also need to provide supplementary documentation for the application as evidence that you have been requested to travel for business purposes. These documents include one of the following:

• A letter of summons or an invitation from a business partner (or other related correspondent) in France. The letter must clearly explain the business-related activity you will be participating in, the reason for your involvement, the duration, and the location where this activity will take place.
• A letter of admission inviting you to partake in a trade fair or a conference.
• A statement showing the commitment of the inviting individual or organization to cover all your costs during your visit.

Failure to produce all of these documents or making errors in their preparation will likely cause delays in your application process or even a rejection. Be sure to collect and prepare these documents carefully and well in advance of your planned trip.

French Business Visa Application Process

After collecting all your required documents for the Schengen Business Visa, you will have to complete an online application form on the government website, which includes the French Business Visa application form. This can be done via their online portal. Your application will then be received by TLS France (a visa application center), where your biometric information will be gathered.

Afterward, the application will be forwarded to the French Embassy in Thailand. Once your application is approved, you will have to pick up your passport (which will have the new visa in it) at TLS France in person. You also have the option of requesting a courier to deliver your visa to your address in Thailand.

How Siam Legal Can Help You

To apply for a French Business Visa in Thailand, reach out to Siam Legal’s European visa team. We’re a full-service law firm and visa consultancy that has been assisting foreigners and Thai nationals for over 20 years in securing entry to their international destinations, so you can rest assured that we have the qualifications and knowledge to help you acquire a French Business Visa swiftly and efficiently.

Our team of professionals accomplishes this by ensuring that all necessary documents are thoroughly prepared and organized before being submitted to prevent errors that cause delays. We’ll be with you every step of the way either in person or over the phone until you have your Schengen Business Visa securely in hand.

To help you obtain your French Business Visa, we also provide the following services:

• Thorough evaluation of your eligibility for the visa, including your employment history and financial records.
• Constant correspondence with your employer regarding the appropriate paperwork needed.
• In-person guidance from a French Immigration Specialist via a 1-on-1 consultation session.
• Meticulous preparation of your application and required documents before submission.
• Handling all correspondence with the relevant government agencies on your behalf. 
• If you are required to attend an interview, our staff will provide helpful advice on how to answer the questions and manage yourself during the appointment.

Contact Siam Legal today and promote the growth and success of your company in France without having to worry about immigration issues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will I receive a document checklist for the application?

Yes, you can request our foreign visa team to provide you with an application checklist showing all the documents you need to submit.

Can I set up a company on a French Business Visa?

No, the French Business Visa only allows you to perform certain business-related activities in the country. However, it can put you on the road to being able to establish a company in the future once you have acquired a residence permit, which is a type of long-stay visa valid between 3 months to a year.

A common pathway would be to apply for the short-stay French Business Visa first. Then after fulfilling the requirements, you can lodge an application to obtain a residence permit to prolong your stay in the country. Once you have this permit, you can begin the journey of establishing and registering a business in the country.

How long does it take to receive a French Business Visa?

The processing times for a French Business Visa are between 1 to 2 weeks on average. It can take longer if you are required to attend an interview (which is usually conducted via a phone call) or if your application is missing any crucial documentation (you will receive an email if you need to provide additional information).

If you are a non-Thai applicant, it can take up to 10 working days depending on your nationality. You may endure longer processing times if you are a travel document holder or an applicant from one of the following countries:

• Africa: Algeria, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Libya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Zimbabwe
• Asia: Indonesia, North Korea, Philippines, Vietnam
• Europe: Belarus
• Middle East: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Yemen
• South America: Suriname

How much do you charge for your French Business Visa services?

If you want to use our services to make it easier for you to obtain a French Business Visa, our team charges 20,500 baht plus value-added tax (VAT). This cost only takes into account payment for our services, not the visa or application fees.

What happens if my application has been rejected?

If you find yourself receiving a rejection letter regarding your application, speak to a French Visa Specialist from Siam Legal for instructions on what to do next. Our specialists will review the reasons for the refusal and guide you seamlessly through the reapplication procedure.