If you’re planning a move to France as a freelancer, consultant, or service-based professional, there’s an important update you need to know about.
As of June 2025, all Profession Libérale visa applications must now have their business plan submitted in advance to the French authorities for validation before you can even apply for your visa.
This new requirement is a major change to the application process and it means your business plan has become more important than ever.
What’s Changed?
Previously, applicants for the Profession Libérale visa could prepare their dossier, book an appointment at TLS/Embassy, and simply present their business plan alongside the rest of their paperwork.
Now, the process looks different.
Before you can apply for your visa, you must first:
- Submit your business plan, financial plan, and proof of savings to ANEF/Ministère de l’Intérieur.
- Wait for their decision. If they approve your plan, you’ll receive what’s called an “avis favorable” (favourable opinion).
- Only then can you complete your France-Visas form and book your TLS/Embassy appointment.
If your plan is rejected (“avis défavorable”), you’ll need to go back to the drawing board, adjust your project, and resubmit which will add extra time and stress to your move.
Why This Matters for Applicants
The French authorities are now treating every freelancer’s business plan as if it were being presented to a bank manager for a loan. In other words, they want evidence that:
- Your project is financially viable.
- You’ve researched your market in France.
- You understand any local regulations that apply to your industry.
- You’ve thought about cashflow and client acquisition.
This makes the business plan not just a formality, but the first and most important hurdle in the visa process.
How This Impacts Your Timeline
ANEF’s validation process can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months (sometimes longer, depending on the season and complexity of your project). That’s on top of the usual time it takes to book an appointment and process your visa.
Realistically, you now need to start preparing your dossier at least 6 months before your planned move date to avoid delays.
How to Prepare a Strong Business Plan
This update means you can’t afford to throw together a vague, two-page plan. Your business plan should be detailed enough to prove your project has potential, but also clear and structured so that it’s easy for the reviewer to follow.
Key sections to include are:
- An executive summary of your project
- Details of your services or offers
- Market research and proof of demand in France
- Your marketing strategy
- A multi-year financial forecast
- Your operational setup (how and where you’ll run your business)
Make This Step Easier
Writing a business plan for your visa application can feel daunting, especially now that it’s under even greater scrutiny. But you don’t have to start from scratch.
My French Entrepreneur Visa Business Plan Template has already helped hundreds of applicants prepare their plans with confidence. It gives you:
- A clear, professional structure
- Content prompts to guide what to include
- Editable sections you can customise to your project
It’s been designed specifically for the Profession Libérale visa, and has been used successfully for the pre-approval.
👉 Download the Business Plan Template and start preparing your dossier today.
Final Thoughts
This new rule adds an extra step (and extra waiting time) to the French visa process. But it also means that if you prepare properly, with a clear and convincing business plan, you’ll be in a much stronger position to get your avis favorable and move forward with your application with confidence.
Don’t let this change catch you out. Plan ahead, give yourself plenty of time, and make sure your business plan is solid from the start.
