French citizens do not need a visa to enter the UK, and can stay for up to 6 months without such a permit. Things change for French people who want to move to the UK from France, as specific permits are required. Our London immigration lawyers can tell you more about French migration to the UK and can manage the formalities for relocation, with respect to the applicable laws.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Visa for French citizens entering the UK | Not required |
| Accepted period of stay without a visa | Maximum 6 months |
| Working, studying & living in the UK as a French citizen | With a visa and residence permit |
| Temporary residence permits for French citizens | Required for relocations of more than 6 months |
| Work visas for relocation to the UK from France (YES/NO) | YES |
| A work & residence visa can be obtained outside the UK (YES/NO) | YES |
| Documents required for residency in the UK | – a valid passport, – standard forms, – proof of funds, – a work contract/sponsorship for French workers in the UK |
| Applying for innovator founder visa | It replaced the former investor visa. Applicants must have an original business idea. Once accepted into the program, French citizens can apply for indefinite leave to remain after 3 years. |
| Relocation with family members to the UK | Possible considering all the immigration requirements (visa application, fees, residency, etc.) |
| English language requirements | For permanent residency application, innovator founder visa, and citizenship |
| Customs declarations | Required at the time of relocation to the UK |
| Family visa requirements | For family reunification with a British citizen (marriage, civil partnership, etc.) |
| Biometric appointment | Mandatory for all applications (in France or the UK) |
| Transferring bank accounts | French citizens can use UK bank accounts and also preserve their current accounts at the time of relocation. |
| Working with our London immigration lawyers | We assist French citizens in obtaining a visa, the residence & work permit, etc. We can manage the entire relocation process. |
Table of Contents
Normally, if you intend to immigrate to the UK from France for more than 6 months, this means you want to relocate. In case you accepted a job in the UK as a French citizen, it is required to have a work permit:
If you would like to know more about work visas for French citizens, feel free to discuss further details on this topic with our immigration solicitors in London. Relocate to the UK from France with the help of our specialists and explore this infografic:
ETA is the Electronic Travel Authorization, which can be obtained and used by French citizens traveling to the UK for tourism purposes. This authorization is valid for 6 months. Here is how to obtain an ETA:
It is good to know that the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) provides a response within approximately 24 hours of the application date and that once the ETA has been issued, the French citizen will only need a passport to travel to the UK. Our UK immigration lawyers can help you with these formalities.
The UK medical system is one of the top and among the best in the world. If you are a French citizen and want to visit the UK for medical purposes, you will need to apply for an ETA. This status guarantees a stay in the UK for 6 months, if the treatment does not extend for a longer period. However, if the medical treatment received in the UK is longer than this period, you will need to apply for a standard visitor visa. Here is what this visa entails:
If you are interested in medical treatment in the UK and want to obtain the necessary visas, we advise you to collaborate with our team of immigration lawyers in London. Experience and professionalism speak for themselves when working with us for relocation to the UK.
Yes, French citizens can easily start a business in the UK, respecting the regulations regarding visas and relocation. A Tier 1 Investor visa, for instance, can be issued for persons who want to make investments of at least GBP 2 million. One should note that the bureaucracy for obtaining an Investor visa should start within 3 months prior to relocation to the UK. One can also apply for a Start-up visa if interested in registering an innovative business in the country. Here are the eligibility criteria for a UK Start-up visa:
French people interested in business visas for those who move to the UK from France can get in touch with our UK immigration lawyers and ask for support and assistance.
Citizens from France who want to immigrate to the UK must follow specific rules referring to the things they can bring into the country. One cannot bring restricted or banned goods like controlled drugs, offensive weapons, endangered animals or plants, or products that infringe intellectual property rights. We remind you that all goods must be declared at the UK customs prior to arrival in France, and this task can also be made online within 72 hours prior to arrival in the UK. More about French migration to the UK can be discussed with our immigration specialists, who can help foreigners suitably prepare the relocation from a legal point of view.
Yes, there is no need for an international driving permit in the UK, meaning that your national driver’s license can be used in this country. However, your personal car must have insurance for UK roads. This is another essential aspect to consider if you relocate to the UK from France and want to bring your vehicle. With the availability of such advantages, it becomes less hectic to relocate to another country. So, if you are planning to immigrate to the UK and also want to take your vehicle with you, our lawyers can assist you.
Furthermore, our lawyers can guide you about immigration to the United Kingdom before and after the Brexit period. In this way, you will be able to make an informed decision. You should know that there are many options in which you can move and apply for UK residency. For instance, one visa enables prospective civil partners and fiancé(e)s of British citizens and permanent residents to enter the country to be married and start a family. After acquiring your visa, you have six months to get married and apply for an in-country spouse or civil partner visa. If you want to apply for this visa, you can get information from our lawyers.
Even though Brexit was introduced, and some immigration rules changed, the one regarding company relocation remains about the same. Therefore, moving the business from France to the UK is relatively fast and straightforward. First of all, the de-registration of the company from the home country is made with the local authorities and a declaration in this sense, signed by owners, administrators, and managers.
Then, the formalities for company registration in the UK and relocation of movable properties will be considered. There are no complications, and the entire relocation process can take a few days if support from a team of specialists is requested.
We present you with a few facts and figures about immigration in the UK that you might consider useful:
Do you want to immigrate to the UK from France? You are invited to discuss with our immigration solicitors in the UK all the details and formalities. In addition to this, you are welcome to interact with our immigration lawyers if you are interested in applying for citizenship in the UK. Contact us right away.
