Frequently asked questions

The basics are: a valid passport, proof of address less than 3 months old, proof of income from the last 3 months (or financial statements), professional evidence matching your category (portfolio, contract, diplomas, etc.), a business plan (self-employed category), a criminal record certificate and proof of French health insurance. Requirements vary by category, so have a consultant check every document before you file.

Usually 2–4 months overall. Most of the time goes into preparing the file (about 2–3 weeks), waiting for a préfecture appointment (1–6 weeks depending on the city) and the review period (4–8 weeks). HY Conseil prepares your documents early and strengthens your business plan to keep the timeline as short as possible.

Yes. After a refusal you can file a new application or take the case to the administrative court (recours contentieux). Before reapplying, analyse the grounds for refusal carefully so you can add the right documents or adjust your strategy. HY Conseil offers refusal reviews and drafts appeal documents.

We recommend starting 3 months before expiry. In large cities where appointments are scarce (Paris in particular), you sometimes need to start 4–6 months ahead to secure a slot. HY Conseil's ongoing advisory service sends automatic expiry reminders so you never miss a key date.

There are several routes after a VIE: an employee permit (Salarié / ICT), a self-employed permit (Auto-entrepreneur) or a Passeport Talent. The right one depends on your next career step, expected income and job prospects. Talk to a consultant 3–4 months before the VIE ends so you can plan ahead.

Registration usually takes 2–4 weeks: drafting the articles of association (statuts), depositing the share capital at a bank (minimum €1 for an SAS), filing the registration with INPI and obtaining the KBIS. Official fees are about €40–100, excluding accounting and legal fees. HY Conseil handles the whole process, including drafting the statuts, helping with the bank account and following up on the KBIS.

Micro-entrepreneur (the simplified freelance regime) suits individuals with modest income and a simple activity; an SASU (single-shareholder simplified joint-stock company) suits solo founders who want flexibility in how they pay themselves; an SARL (limited liability company) suits partnerships with several shareholders. The choice depends on expected turnover, tax planning, social charges and future financing needs. We recommend an in-depth structure review with a consultant before registering.

Yes. HY Conseil offers a business address service (domiciliation), so you can register your company without renting an office; the address can be used on all official documents and on the KBIS. It is very practical for founders who have just arrived in France or have no fixed workplace.

Yes. For an SAS, SARL or similar, you must first deposit the share capital at a bank and obtain a deposit certificate before filing the registration with INPI. Opening an account can be difficult for foreign founders; HY Conseil works with several partner banks and can help speed up the process.

A freelancer mainly needs to file: ① URSSAF social contributions (quarterly or monthly); ② VAT (TVA) if annual turnover exceeds the exemption threshold; ③ annual personal income tax (IR); ④ the CFE business tax (every December). HY Conseil handles all of these filings and contacts you before each deadline to confirm the figures.

Every year between April and June; the exact deadline depends on your département and how you file. As a rule, paper returns close in mid-May, while online deadlines are staggered by département number from late May to early June. Late filing triggers penalties, so it is worth having a professional file for you.

If you are a French tax resident (i.e. you mainly live in France), your worldwide income — including income from China — must in principle be declared in France. The France–China tax treaty, however, prevents double taxation. How each item is treated depends on the type of income (salary, investments, rent, etc.) and its source, so we recommend a dedicated cross-border tax consultation.

For 2026, the VAT exemption thresholds (franchise en base de TVA) are about €36,800 a year for services and €91,900 a year for sales of goods. Below them you don't file VAT; above them, filing becomes mandatory from the quarter in which you cross the threshold. Thresholds may change each year, so keep an eye on official announcements. HY Conseil alerts you as you approach the threshold.

① You fill in the online form or contact us via WeChat or email; ② a consultant replies within 24 hours and runs a free 15–20 minute initial assessment; ③ based on your situation, we send a written service proposal and quote; ④ once you confirm, you sign the engagement letter and pay the first instalment; ⑤ your consultant drives the case through to completion. Everything is handled in Chinese, with no language barrier.

Yes. HY Conseil works over WeChat, WhatsApp, email and phone. Communicating in Chinese is one of our core strengths, so language is never a barrier. During office hours (Monday to Friday, 09:00–18:00 CET) we usually reply within 2 hours, and urgent matters are handled first.

Absolutely. Most of our services can be handled fully remotely, including video consultations, online document transfer and e-signature. If you need someone with you at the préfecture, we can arrange it depending on the city. Our clients are spread across France's major cities and overseas territories.

We strictly comply with the GDPR (RGPD). Your documents and personal data travel over encrypted channels, are stored on compliant servers located in France and are never shared with third parties. All consultants have signed confidentiality agreements. You can ask to access or delete your data at any time.

Fees depend on the type and complexity of the service and follow a fixed-quote model: once the proposal is confirmed, there are no hidden extras. A simple renewal and a complex first Passeport Talent application are priced differently. The initial assessment is free, and the formal proposal itemises every cost so you know exactly what you are signing up for.

We charge in stages, and our fees cover the professional work involved (document preparation, drafting, coordination, etc.) rather than the outcome. However, if a refusal is caused by a mistake on our side, we help you refile free of charge. Before you sign, your consultant gives you an honest assessment of your chances, and we don't take on cases with very low odds.

Yes. HY Conseil offers an annual advisory package covering residence renewal reminders and follow-up, quarterly tax filings, regulatory change alerts and unlimited Q&A. It costs less than buying services one by one and suits clients who live or run a business in France long term.