Talent Passport – innovative business project
Date of update
France attracts start-uppers like you!
The establishment of your project in France is possible thanks in particular to the “Passport talent” and to a specific legal framework. Let us guide you!
British citizens must now also apply for a residence permit as provided below for any arrival after January 1, 2021. Specific requirements apply to Algerian citizens.
Eligibility
Founders of foreign start-ups can obtain the multi-year residence permit “Talent Passport for Champions of innovative economic projects recognised by a public body ” if they meet the eligibility conditions specific to the reason for their stay in France.
Startup founders may be granted a multiyear residence permit marked «Talent Passport innovative project » if they provide evidence of:
- An innovative business project they want to develop in France ;
- Recognition of the project by a public-sector body ;
- Sufficient annual financial means corresponding to the statutory national minimum wage (SMIC), i.e. € 21 203,00 as of January 1, 2024.
| Helpful tip : Founders of international start-ups selected by an incubator labeled French Tech may obtain the “Talent Passport marked innovative economic project” under the French Tech Visa for Founders procedure. |
Eligibility
The validity period of this permit depends on the nature, characteristics and duration of the project.
The maximum duration is four years on a renewable basis.
Helpful tip: If the planned length of stay is less than a year, foreign employees can apply for a long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (‘VLS-TS’) marked Passeport Talent (‘Talent Passport’).The VLS-TS is validated directly online upon arrival in France via the dedicated platform.
This is valid for up to 12 months. If foreign nationals wish to stay in France beyond this period, they may apply for a four-year Talent Passport residence permit.
Procedure
Where to apply
You live outside France
Applicants living outside France should apply to the French consular authorities in their usual place of residence.
The application for a “Talent Passport” long-stay visa authorising entry into French territory for the foreign company leader is initiated on the official France-visas website. Read on to find out all the details.
Upon arrival in France, you will be entitled to work immediately with this visa.
Once in France, the foreign talent must apply upon arrival for the relevant Talent passport on the dedicated platform in order to finalize the application for the residence permit.
Once the application is validated by the Prefecture via the platform, the foreign talent will receive a certificate of approval which will be equivalent to a residence permit until the talent goes to the appointment at the Prefecture to get the definitive residence permit.
Between the application and the delivery of the residence permit, the foreign talent can check the status of his or her application on his or her online account, answer to any request to complete his or her file, and check the decisions made.
You are already living in France
If applicants are already living in France under a different type of residence permit, they will have to apply for a change of status to obtain a ‘Talent Passport – Innovative business project’ on the dedicated website. They will be asked to prove their eligibility for the desired residence permit.
Between the application and the delivery of the residence permit, the foreign talent can check the status of his or her application on his or her online account, answer to any request to complete his or her file, and check the decisions made.
When should I begin the procedure?
The procedure should be initiated no earlier than three months before the date of arrival in France.
If the applicant is already living in France, the procedure should be initiated three months before the previous residence permit expires.
Documents required
Applicants can obtain a list of exactly which documents are required for a residence permit application from the authority responsible for handling the application and on France-visas.gouv.fr.
As an indication, you can download a list of documents that must be submitted with an application for a ‘Talent Passport – innovative business project’ » .
Cost of the residence permit
Applicants must pay a tax of €200 to the French Immigration and Citizenship Office (Office français de l’immigration et de l’intégration – OFII) when the permit is issued. In addition to this tax, stamp duty of €25 is also charged on residence permits.
In addition to this administrative cost of €225, the long-stay visa authorizing entry into France costs €99.
Extending your stay
Renewal
Renewal applications must be submitted in the three months before the residence permit expires on the dedicated website.
Applicants must produce documents showing that they continue to meet the conditions of issuance of their permit.
Applicants wishing to continue their business creation endeavour must be able to:
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- prove the reality and seriousness of their work (state of progress, work accomplished, actions still to be carried out…) substantiating the extension of the project beyond the planned duration;
- justify sufficient resources to support themselves and their family members at least equivalent to the SMIC for full-time work (€21 203,00 as of January 1, 2024)
Administrative cost: €225
Change of status
In the event of a change in the bearer’s professional situation, a change of status may be considered 3 months before the expiration of the residence permit in the case of an application for a Talent Passport on the dedicated platform or two months for any other type of residence permits at the Prefecture of his or her place of residence. It will be necessary to meet the eligibility requirements of the new residence permit requested.
Residence card
At the end of 5 years of legal and uninterrupted residence in France, workers in this category may apply for the resident card entitling the bearer to reside on French soil and engage in any professional activity (provide they hold the necessary diplomas, if working in a regulated professions).
Residence cards are issued for 10 years we have a renewable basis.
Is your family coming with you ?
The spouse and dependent minor children of the holder of a Talent Passport permit have accompanying family status.
The spouse should apply, and will be issued with a “Talent Passport – Family” residence permit. This permit authorizes the family to stay and undertake any paid employment in France as long as the foreign employee’s residence permit is valid.
Administrative cost: €225 for the spouse’s residence permit and €99 per visa issued to each member of the accompanying family.