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France Talent Passport
Luis Minvielle
Luis is a writer with over 5 years of experience in B2B software. Even though he has always worked in tech, a sector he regularly publishes about, his initial incursions into writing were, curiously enough, music essays discussing scenes from different parts of the world—most likely to deal with his unfulfilled ambition of becoming a neo-soul crooner.
Oleksandra Dosii
Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.
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If you’re a non-EU professional or entrepreneur planning to live and work in France for more than three months, and especially for up to four years, the Talent Passport might be the right option for you. This multi-year residence permit was created to attract foreign talent in areas that are considered important for France’s economic development, including IT, science, arts, and capital investments.
The Talent Passport is valid for up to four years, depending on your contract or project timeline, and can be renewed. It also makes it easier for your spouse and children to join you in France. Similar options exist in other countries, such as the Global Talent Visa in the UK, the O-1 visa in the United States, or the National Innovation Visa in Australia, but France has designed its Talent Passport to represent a much larger list of profiles.
Like those “sibling” visas, the Talent Passport is one of those scarce, rare visas that don’t necessarily require applicants to have a job or job offer in the destination country.
Who can apply for the Talent Passport in France?
There are different categories under the Talent Passport scheme, but for expats and tech professionals, the most relevant ones are:
- Qualified employee
- Recruitment in an innovative company
- Highly skilled employment (EU Blue Card)
- Employee on assignment
- Researcher
- Creating a company in France
- Innovative project that has public support
Each of these categories has different criteria, but all require a certain level of education and a job or project (very important!) that meets a set salary threshold or has backing from a recognised institution in France.
One of the ways to apply is by first landing a job in a certain type of French company. For example, if you're being hired by a French tech startup recognised as innovative by the Ministry of the Economy, and your gross annual salary is at least €43,243 (in 2024), you may qualify. This figure is equivalent to twice the French minimum wage. To apply as a qualified employee, you’ll also need at least a Master’s degree, preferably from a French institution.
If you're applying through the EU Blue Card route as a highly skilled employee, the minimum gross salary is higher: at least 1.5 times the average gross salary in France, which is around €53,836 annually. You must also hold a higher education qualification awarded after at least three years of study, or show five years of relevant professional experience in your field.
For intra-group transfers, the “employee on assignment” category applies to those already working for a company abroad. You must have at least three months’ seniority in the group, a contract with the French branch, and a gross annual salary of at least €38,918.88.
In the case of entrepreneurs, you must present a viable business plan and show that your activity contributes to the French economy. If you’re planning to launch a tech project, you’ll need confirmation from a French public body that your idea is innovative.
But you don’t necessarily need a job. Researchers, for example, must have at least a Master’s degree and a formal hosting agreement with a research institution in France.
Can you apply from inside France?
You can apply for the Talent Passport from within France only if you already hold a valid residence permit, such as a long-stay visa or another type of residence card. In this case, you must submit your application online, between four and two months before your current permit expires. If you're in France on a tourist visa or short-stay permit, you’ll need to return to your home country and apply through the French consulate there.
If you’re applying from abroad, the process begins at the French embassy or consulate in your country of residence. For stays under 12 months, you’ll receive a long-stay visa marked “Talent Passport” and must validate it online after arrival. For stays of a year or more, the consulate issues a three-month visa (still marked “Talent Passport”), and once in France, you’ll need to apply online for the residence card to cover the full duration of your stay.
In all cases, the application is made through the official France-Visas portal, and additional steps may follow depending on your situation.
Do you need a job offer to apply for the Talent Passport?
No, you don’t necessarily need a job offer or a job in France to apply for the Talent Passport. Although some of the paths do involve having a job offer, some others do not. For example, if you’re a researcher or artist, you don’t need a job to apply. But if you’re using the qualified employee plan, then you’ll need to have a job first to get the Talent Passport. The best way to find a job in France is to examine listings of French companies that hire foreign workers and are willing to help them relocate.
For how long is the French Talent Passport valid?
The Talent Passport residence card is generally valid for the same duration as your work contract or the timeline of your project, up to a maximum of four years. For example, if you’re on a two-year job contract, your card will be issued for that period. If your activity is ongoing or planned to last longer, you may receive the full four years from the start.
When your Talent Passport is close to expiring, you can apply to renew it, as long as you still meet the requirements tied to your original category. Renewal must be done online, between four and two months before your current card runs out, so it’s important to plan ahead.
How to apply for the French Talent Passport: requirements and documents
The process starts online, through the official France-Visas website. First, you’ll be guided through a form that tells you which documents and steps are required for your specific situation.
Once you submit the online application, you’ll need to book an appointment with your local French consulate or embassy if you’re applying from abroad. If you’re applying from within France and already have a valid residence permit, you will attend your appointment at your local prefecture.
The list of documents can vary depending on the category you’re applying under, but most applicants will need to provide:
- A valid passport
- A long-stay visa or valid residence permit (if already in France)
- Three recent photos or an e-photo code
- Proof of accommodation in France
- Proof of qualifications (typically a Master’s degree or higher)
- Employment contract or detailed project description
- Employer attestation (necessary for those paths that require a job)
- Proof of salary or financial resources (matching the minimum threshold for your category)
- Criminal record certificate from your country of residence
- Health insurance (unless covered by your employer)
- For applications tied to an innovative company: a certificate from the Ministry of the Economy or atax document showing the company’s status
- For startup founders: a document from a French public body confirming the innovative nature of your project
- Some categories, like researchers, may not require a CV or cover letter, but it’s still a good idea to include them if you can. They help give more context to your application.
Once you apply online, you’ll receive a digital confirmation. The prefecture will contact you when your residence card is ready to be collected.
How much does it cost?
The Talent Passport residence card costs €225. This includes €200 in tax and a €25 stamp duty, both of which must be paid by a tax stamp. You can buy the tax stamp online or from a tobacco shop (if it’s equipped to issue them). Payment is only required once your residence card has been approved and is ready for collection.
If you're applying from abroad, the long-stay visa issued by the consulate may carry a separate fee—usually around €99—paid earlier in the process. Fees can change from year to year, so it's a good idea to double-check the current rates before applying.
What happens if your application is rejected?
If your application is formally refused by the prefecture, you’ll receive a written explanation of the decision. In most cases, the refusal is followed by a notice to leave French territory, which specifies the country you would be returned to. Depending on the type of notice, you may have 48 hours, 15 days, or 30 days to challenge the decision in administrative court.
If you don’t receive a response within 60 days, this is considered an implicit refusal. In that case, you can still take action. You may file an administrative appeal with the prefecture or with the Ministry of the Interior, and you also have the option to bring the case before the administrative court within two months of the refusal.
Step-by-step guide to get the Talent Passport
Step #1 – Identify your category
Choose the Talent Passport option that fits your situation (e.g. qualified employee, researcher, entrepreneur, EU Blue Card, etc.).
Step #2 – Check the requirements
Make sure you meet the salary, education, and project conditions for your category.
Step #3 – Gather your documents
Common ones include: valid passport, proof of qualifications, work contract or project plan, proof of accommodation, salary/funding, and health insurance.
Step #4 – Apply online through France-Visas
The platform will walk you through the steps and tell you what documents you need.
Step #5 – Book your appointment
- If applying from abroad: go to your local French consulate or embassy.
- If already in France: go to your local prefecture (only if you have a valid residence permit).
Step #6 – Receive your long-stay visa (if abroad)
- For stays under 12 months: validate your visa online after arrival.
- For longer stays: apply for the residence card once in France.
Step #7 – Submit your residence card application
Do this online. The prefecture will contact you when your card is ready.
€225 for the residence card (tax stamp). Visa fee (usually €99) if applying from abroad.
Step #9 – In case of refusal
You’ll get a written explanation and may be able to appeal, either through the prefecture or administrative court.
How long does the process take?
Processing times vary depending on your location and the category you’re applying under. The visa application itself is generally processed within 15 days. After arriving in France, you may need to validate your visa online—this applies if your stay is under 12 months. If you're staying longer, you’ll need to apply for the residence permit in person at the prefecture, which can add a few more weeks depending on appointment availability.
It’s also worth noting that after arrival, you’ll have to start the usual administrative steps like opening a bank account and applying for a social security number, which is needed to access healthcare and other services. All of this takes time, so it helps to plan ahead and keep your documents organised early in the process.
Can family members join you in France?
Yes. If you’re applying for the Talent Passport, your spouse and dependent children can join you in France through a simple process. They don’t need to go through the formal family reunification route. Instead, they can apply for a residence card called “Talent Passport – Family”, which is issued for the same duration as your own card.
This type of permit allows spouses to work in France without the need for a separate work permit. Each family member must submit their own application and pay the same fee for their card. As with your own permit, the process starts through the France-Visas portal, and applications are generally handled at the same time as yours.
Is the Talent Passport a path to French permanent residency or citizenship?
Yes. The Talent Passport counts toward the five-year residency requirement for both long-term French residence and French citizenship. This means you can apply for a more stable status after five years of continuous legal stay in France, as long as you’ve integrated into French society and met other criteria, such as language proficiency.
Make the process easier with expert help
The France Talent Passport can be a great way to build a life in France if you’re working in tech, research, or business. But the process—especially for entrepreneurs—can involve a lot of paperwork, deadlines, and communication with different offices. Even if you qualify, figuring out how to apply or which documents to submit can take up more time than expected. Still, its clear criteria and multi-year duration make the Talent Passport one of the more accessible long-stay options in France—and a solid one to consider.
If you want to make the process simpler and avoid delays, it can help to speak with an immigration expert. They can walk you through the requirements, point out any missing details in your application, and save you time at every step.
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