Applying for a visa is an essential part of making your overseas dream come true. Even if it is one of the less exciting steps in the journey to a home abroad.

Navigating the many options on the table can be a challenge, so we spoke to expert Fabien Pelissier, founder of Fab Expat Services, a specialist in French visa applications, about how to make the process easier.

Pellissier gave many top tips for visa applications in our recent webinar. A real highlight was how a simple piece of stationary can genuinely help your visa application get approved.

There was also one kind of visa that you should really consider if you qualify for it…

Meeting the minimum

The best starting place for applying for a visa is making sure you meet the minimum requirement. It sounds straightforward, but it’s a rule of thumb that will save you from wasting time if you don’t qualify. “Usually, they want you to meet French minimum wage,” says Fabien Pelissier. “At the minute, that is roughly €1,400 a month.”

But, more than just meeting this minimum, you need to prove it. “You want [the authorities] to understand that, if it’s income you’re using, that it’s stable, and that they can see where it’s coming from and what it’s tied to.”

To demonstrate this stability, a bank statement covering at least 90 days is the preferred form of evidence. “That way people can see if you’re drawing down from a private pension scheme, or if you’re paid by social security from the US or another pension deposit,” Pelissier explains.

Still, just providing the paperwork isn’t enough. To give you an edge, Pelissier says you should go a little further. “Grab a highlighter and mark those lines [in the bank statement] so they can easily see the income,” he suggests. “If you want to go the extra mile, you can add handwritten notes like ‘Pension month 1’, ‘Pension month 2’. As long as they can follow the financial picture, that’s going to be a pass.”

The financial criteria for France’s visas are more generous than many realise

A little of this, a little of that

Of course, if you’re retiring to France, you may not be earning enough through your pension to meet those minimums. But, Pelissier says you shouldn’t be worried. If you don’t have a steady monthly income that meets the minimum wage threshold, savings can be used instead.

“I like to call them pillars – proof of income, proof of address, proof of medical coverage,” Pelissier says. “The proof of income pillar in France is fairly generous. Your proof of income can be substituted or topped up with savings. If you have zero income, you can top it up with 100% of that requirement they want you to meet in savings.”

All told, you need to evidence of approximately €18,000, which must be readily available. “It can be stocks, but it needs to be clear that it’s available to draw down tomorrow if you needed it,” Pelissier notes.

Although, it doesn’t need to be 100% in come or 100% savings, you can use a little of both, so long as you prove that combined, they equal the French minimum wage.

If you earn money through creative work there is a great visa to apply for

A special case for creative types

One of the people in the audience of our webinar asked Pelissier is they could use book royalties as a proof of income. An author, Jennifer was hoping to move to France, and qualify for a visa with the income she makes from book royalties and her pension.

It turns out there’s a generous French visa for just such a situation.

“If she’s making 60% of French minimum wage, Jennifer could be looking at the artist’s visa,” Pelissier says. “Any kind of artistic activity, if it creates 60% of French minimum wage, and you can prove that it’s a professional activity and you’re being paid for it [qualifies you].

“Even if you aren’t earning 60% of French minimum wage but you build a business case showing you would be making 60% of French minimum wage [then you can qualify].”

According to Pelissier, this visa option is often more flexible and can provide a pathway to long-term residency.

To strengthen an application, artists may need to submit additional documents such as a portfolio of work and supporting letters from galleries, publishers or other institutions they have collaborated with.

If you earn a living through a creative industry, it is well worth exploring if this option would be suitable for you.

There are simple ways to strengthen your visa application

Prepare a strong application

Whether applying based on income, savings, or artistic work, the key to success is clear documentation. Ensuring that financial records are easy to interpret and demonstrating a stable source of income or savings can make the process smoother. As Pelissier advises, going the extra mile to highlight key details can make all the difference.

Planning your move to France should be an exciting journey, not an overwhelming one. To make sure you meet the financial requirements and submit a strong application, book a free appointment with Fabien Pelissier today.

And, last of all, get yourself that highlighter!