Section 2: Self-employed foreign nationals

The provisions of article L. 421-5 are applicable to foreign nationals whose self-employed activity requires them to be registered either in the National Register of Companies as a business in the trades and crafts sector or in the Trade and Companies Register, or with the Union de recouvrement des cotisations de sécurité sociale et d’allocations familiales (URSSAF).

A foreign national residing outside France who applies for the issue of the residence permit provided for in article L. 421-5 submits his application to the French diplomatic or consular authorities with territorial jurisdiction in his country of residence.A foreign national holding a residence permit not authorising him to carry out a commercial, industrial or craft activity, who applies for the issue of the residence permit provided for in article…

When foreign nationals present a project for the creation of a commercial, industrial or craft activity, they must request an opinion on the economic viability of the project from the department in charge of foreign labour responsible for the département in which they wish to carry out their project, prior to submitting their application for the residence permit provided for in article L. 421-5. The foreign nationals must also submit…

When applying for the issue or renewal of the residence permit provided for in article L. 421-5, the prefect shall check that the activity in question is compatible with public safety, health and tranquillity and, where applicable, that there are no convictions or rulings prohibiting the exercise of a commercial activity in France.