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Nick Johnson Junior Member Member # 1814	Posted January 30, 2002 05:36 PM hi! my partner and i are wishing to set up a small IT consulting firm in paris. we each have over 6 years' experience in IT support and consulting in government and academic environments and are ready to work for ourselves. we have a modest savings (~23k euro) but will need no special premises or much equipment that we do not currently own. we are familiar with the french business models and will be consulting with the french chamber of commerce rep in seattle about the advantages of SARL, EURL (~7k euro investment needed) and general partnership. what we're curious to know is: has anyone on this board done this already and/or can anyone tell us if the french welcome this type of business? is it okay that we haven't owned a business before? i've read that the carte d'commercant etranger and the visa du long sejour are easy to obtain (especially for IT professionals). is this true? we've also heard that it's easier to start one's own business in france than to try to become employed-- the theory being that if you start a business you may eventually employ french people, whereas if you apply for a french job, you are preventing the employment of a french person. please comment in any way that you feel would help us prepare or strategize this major life event for us (we hope to remain in france forever!). thanks so much!! -nick johnson seattle, wa- usa
Elfa Member Member # 5	Posted February 01, 2002 03:50 PM Hi NIck I think that in your case the carte de commercant and the Long-Stay Visa would be your best bet - I wouldn't say they are "easy" to get, as a ton of documentation, time and effort is involved, but for starting up an IT firm, I think this is possible. I am sure you have read what is required on the French Embassy's (US) website (www.consulfrance-washington.org) but if you need help from our side, please e-mail me on france@workpermit.com for details of our services and fees. Good luck! Best regards Elfa -------------------- Elfa Kere, Consultant Workpermit.com

Author

Post

Nick Johnson
Junior Member
Member # 1814

Posted January 30, 2002 05:36 PM

hi! my partner and i are wishing to set up a small IT consulting firm in paris. we each have over 6 years' experience in IT support and consulting in government and academic environments and are ready to work for ourselves.

we have a modest savings (~23k euro) but will need no special premises or much equipment that we do not currently own. we are familiar with the french business models and will be consulting with the french chamber of commerce rep in seattle about the advantages of SARL, EURL (~7k euro investment needed) and general partnership.

what we're curious to know is: has anyone on this board done this already and/or can anyone tell us if the french welcome this type of business? is it okay that we haven't owned a business before? i've read that the carte d'commercant etranger and the visa du long sejour are easy to obtain (especially for IT professionals). is this true?

we've also heard that it's easier to start one's own business in france than to try to become employed-- the theory being that if you start a business you may eventually employ french people, whereas if you apply for a french job, you are preventing the employment of a french person.

please comment in any way that you feel would help us prepare or strategize this major life event for us (we hope to remain in france forever!). thanks so much!!

-nick johnson
seattle, wa- usa

Elfa
Member
Member # 5

Posted February 01, 2002 03:50 PM

Hi NIck

I think that in your case the carte de commercant and the Long-Stay Visa would be your best bet - I wouldn't say they are "easy" to get, as a ton of documentation, time and effort is involved, but for starting up an IT firm, I think this is possible.

I am sure you have read what is required on the French Embassy's (US) website (www.consulfrance-washington.org) but if you need help from our side, please e-mail me on france@workpermit.com for details of our services and fees.

Good luck!

Best regards

Elfa

--------------------

Elfa Kere, Consultant
Workpermit.com