How to obtain a residence permit for financially independent persons 2023 
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A residence permit for financially independent persons allows a citizen of any non-EU country to legally stay in the country for one year. A permit is issued if you have your own or rented housing on the territory of the state and sufficient funds for living. A residence permit for financially independent persons also gives the right to apply for a residence permit for immediate relatives - spouse, children under 18 years of age and dependent parents.
The residence permit can be renewed an unlimited number of times, provided that you stay in the country for at least 183 days a year. Temporary resident status allows you to apply for permanent residence after 5 years. After living, for example, in France for a total of 10 years, an immigrant can apply for French citizenship. This is a rather complex process, which certainly requires the help of professionals such as Garant In . But first, let’s look at the procedure for obtaining a residence permit and then an EU passport in more detail so that you understand the general essence of the issue.
Who are financially independent persons?
These are people who have sufficient financial security to live in the territory of the state. Almost all European countries provide the opportunity for legal residence to wealthy foreigners, the only difference is the amount required. The amount of financial support to obtain a visa to France must be equal to or exceed the minimum annual salary minus taxes in the country. Financially independent persons (FIP) can reside in France for 12 months by obtaining a Visiteur card. Residents do not have the right to work and are not required to know the state language.
Non-EU citizens who have sufficient funds at the level of a stable annual income to cover their living expenses can apply for a two-year residence permit in Greece. These persons may be accompanied by members of their family who have received a personalized residence permit.
Conditions for obtaining a residence permit
To obtain a residence permit for financially independent persons, in addition to confirming financial security, the applicant must meet a number of other requirements:
- be over 18 years of age;
- have no criminal record;
- rent or buy real estate;
- prove the origin of income.
Using France as an example, let’s look at what a candidate must have, based on legal requirements:
- prove the availability of purchased or rented housing in any city in France, the minimum area per family member must be 9 m2;
- prove sufficient means of subsistence (you can only provide official income supported by documents), the amount is approximately 15,632 euros per year for the main applicant and for each dependent included in the application;
- obtain medical insurance with full coverage for the period of residence in France
- In order to obtain a residence permit in Italy, you must have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family. Income must come from passive sources outside Italy, such as rental properties, pensions, dividends, etc. The minimum required income is 31,000 euros per year, with an additional 20% added for each family member.
Documents required to apply for a residence permit
To obtain a French residence permit, you must submit a dossier consisting of the following documents to the diplomatic mission:
- completed application form for a long-term visa VL-TS;
- a written undertaking not to work in France;
- a passport whose validity exceeds the validity of the residence permit being applied for;
- birth certificate;
- internal passport;
- medical certificate issued by the OFII office in the country of departure;
- 3 photos;
- proof of address (lease agreement, utility bills, rental tax receipts, property documents);
- certificate of no criminal record;
- health insurance policy valid in France;
- confirmation of availability of funds (bank statements
- proof of salary, proof of rent);
- confirmation of children’s enrollment in a French school (if applicable);
- receipt of payment of state duty (241 euros).
In some cases, documents may be required confirming that the applicant has a business outside France, as well as passports, marriage certificates and birth certificates of close relatives if you are immigrating as a family. Applications and forms must be completed in French or English. Documents issued in the country of origin must be translated and notarized.
The entire process of obtaining a residence permit consists of the following steps
- Buying a home. Search, selection and subsequent purchase or rental of housing with utility payments in the name of the applicant.
- Collection of necessary documents. Document forms are compiled according to a basic list, including a check for payment of state duty.
- Submitting an application. The candidate applies to the consulate at his place of residence, provides a completed application form and a package of documents.
- Obtaining a visa. 60 days are allotted for consideration of the application and verification of all questionnaires. An interview may also be conducted over the phone or in person.
- Registration of a residence permit. Within 3 months of arrival, you must register your visa and contact your local prefecture to obtain a visitor’s card. For adults, the permit is valid for one year and can be renewed several times. For children, the permit is valid for five years.
Before you start applying for citizenship of another country or a residence permit, it is worth consulting with specialists in the field of immigration law. You can independently choose housing, a school and complete all the necessary documents, but the whole process takes a lot of time and requires knowledge of the legislation in these areas.
The applicant’s minimum income requirements in major cities may actually be insufficient; consultants will calculate the actual amount you should have in your bank accounts to avoid being rejected. It is also necessary to take into account the amount of taxes depending on the place of residence and the type of real estate registration. Do not also forget that there are other ways to obtain a residence permit. If you encounter difficulties, we advise you to consider all options and choose the most suitable one.