Is it realistic to obtain a French residence permit based on talent, recognition, or as a specialist? Yes, if you apply for a new status under the French Tech Visa program. What is a talent passport and how does it work? Read more about it below.

A talent passport is a long-term authorization for legal residence in France. It can be issued by an applicant through participation in the Talent Passport program. The permit is issued under a simplified program for 4 years at a time. In the future, the applicant can apply for permanent residence and, if desired, receive a French passport at the end of the migration path.

One of the main bonuses of the program - the main applicant can be accompanied by a spouse and children. Husband/wife have the right to be officially employed in France, and children - to attend school and receive education on an equal basis with other residents. 

This type of residence permit was added to the immigration legislation in July 2017. The main goal of the project is to attract foreign investors, narrow-profile qualified specialists, entrepreneurs, founders of promising startups, and diploma holders. Also, people who have distinguished themselves by exceptional achievements in the fields of art, sports, and culture can apply for a visa. It is important that the candidate is not from a member state of the European Union and meets the basic requirements of the migration legislation.

Specialists of the licensed agency GARANT.IN has done extensive work and has analyzed in detail all the requirements for future candidates, conditions of participation, necessary documents, rights, and privileges of future residents.

Talent Passport - a little bit about the program for obtaining a residence permit

Talent Passport is a separate category of residence permit, designed for applicants who can make a significant contribution to the development of art, science, or culture in France. For its approval in 2016, amendments and additions were proposed to the French legislation. The right to receive special status, privileges, and duties are enshrined and regulated by Article L313-20. 

The innovative project has proven to be quite successful - in the first year alone, the government approved more than 27,000 permits under the Talent Passport program. French Tech Visa was added to the annual French Tech Ticket program, which regulates the provision of necessary conditions for productive activity - offices, equipment, and project financing. In a word, everything for prosperous business in the country.

Unlike other types of residence permits, where the applicant gets a residence permit for a year, the French Tech Visa allows the applicant to request the right of residence for 4 years at a time. Family members can be included in the application at the same time, thus avoiding the further procedure of family reunification. 

Today, participation in the Talent Passport program is one of the fastest and most convenient ways to obtain a new status in France.

Which applicants can participate in the Talent Passport program?

The Talent Passport authorization is designed for 11 categories of applicants. Let's look at each category in turn and the requirements for it. 

Investor

  • Ownership of at least 10% of the shares of the firm in which the cash infusion will be made is required.
  • An investment tranche of at least 300,000 € in fixed tangible/intangible assets. The transaction must be made directly or through a company in which the investor holds at least 30% of the shares.
  • The investor commits to create or protect at least 4 jobs.

Company founder

  • Have a diploma proving a Master's degree (or other degree equivalent to a Master's degree) or proof of 5 years of professional experience.
  • Confirmation that the candidate's business project is of importance to the French economy.
  • Investment of at least 30,000 € in the development of their own business.
  • Existence of a license/permit to conduct business activities in France (if required by current legislation).
  • Confirmation that the candidate has the necessary level of solvency.

Developers and founders of innovative products

  • Finished the business project of the start-up.
  • Preliminary verification and approval of the applicant's project by the competent French authorities.
  • Availability of the necessary material support for the candidate for the duration of his/her stay in France.

Representative of a company based in France

  • The applicant must hold the position of authorized representative in a company based in France.
  • As a salaried employee or authorized representative, the length of service must be 3 months or more.
  • The applicant's annual total income starts from 54,000 €.
  • The candidate must have a power of attorney in place authorizing him/her to exercise the powers of the legal representative of the company in the territory of the French Republic.

Qualified employee

  • It is necessary to have a graduate diploma from a French university or possess the required level of qualification recognized in the established order.
  • To conclude a contract with a French employer for 3 years or more and an annual salary of 36,000 €.

Specialist of an innovative enterprise

  • The applicant has a specialist diploma at least at the Master's level.
  • Conclude an employment contract with a French employer for 3 years or more and an annual salary of 36,000 €.
  • The job is directly related to research, development, and application of innovation.

Qualified employee

  • A diploma confirming the completion of studies at a higher education institution for 3 years or more. Another option - the candidate to have 5 years of professional experience of the required level.
  • A signed employment contract with a French employer for 1 year or more. A specified annual salary of at least 54,000 €. 

Internal relocation of an employee within an international corporation

  • The applicant is an officially employed employee of a company opened abroad. His working experience in the company starts from 3 months.
  • Relocation of an employee within the framework of a paid activity in France between branches of one company or between companies of the same concern.
  • An employment contract concluded with a French employer for 3 months or more. A specified salary of at least 32,400 €. 

Research Associate

  • The applicant is a specialist with a confirmed diploma in the chosen specialty, the level starts with a Master's.
  • The planned activity in France is directly related to scientific research.
  • A confirmation is obtained from a public or private institution, which states the purpose and duration of the applicant's stay in France. 

Artist/artist

  • Documents confirming the candidate's status or authorship of a literary, musical, or artistic work.
  • Sufficient level of solvency for the specified period of stay. The money for the stay must come directly from the activities that the applicant carries out. The monthly amount from 1050 €.

Foreign resident with national or international recognition

  • Availability of documents that can confirm the authority and popularity of the applicant in a given area.
  • The purpose of the new status is to carry out scientific, literary, artistic, or other activities in the French Republic.
  • Sufficient level of solvency for the selected period of stay.

French Tech Visa - required documents for obtaining a permit

To obtain a long-term French residence permit under this program, in most cases, the applicant needs to provide the following list of documents:

  • A valid passport with a stamped D-category visa.
  • Resident's passport with copies of the pages where any entries are present.
  • Three photos for documents of 3,5*4,5 cm format.
  • For some categories a copy of diploma.
  • Questionnaire in duplicate filled in by the applicant.
  • Confirmation of the applicant's registered place of residence - a long-term rental agreement or an agreement confirming the purchase of housing in France.
  • Letter of invitation from the host country.
  • Marriage certificate and birth certificate if the applicant is traveling with family.
  • Receipts for payment of fees: tax 200 € and stamp duty 25 €.

Obtaining a new status under the Talent Passport program - main steps

During the process of obtaining a visa, the applicant may have to wait for an extraordinary stage or need to prepare additional documents. In general, the process is structured and in most cases, there is a clear algorithm of actions:

  • Consultations and receiving a call/invitation. The candidate can apply for qualified legal assistance to the migration agency GARANT.IN, consult with our specialists on participation in the program and with their help send a request. After the application is considered by the competent authorities, the applicant will receive an invitation letter. This document will be the basis for the French Tech Visa and the subsequent issuance of a residence permit for the chosen destination.
  • Issuance of an entry permit. To enter the territory of France, the candidate needs to issue a D visa. This can also be done with the support of our agency's lawyers. You can apply for a visa at the place of your actual residence.
  • Submission of documents for registration of residence permit. To obtain a card under the Talent Passport program, the future resident must visit the prefecture in Paris. It is desirable to do this accompanied by a qualified lawyer. It is necessary to make an appointment in advance to submit the documents. During the visit, the applicant must pay an administrative fee.
  • Registration of a resident card. After reviewing the candidate's dossier in the prefecture, the applicant receives temporary documents. With them, he can officially live and work not only in France but also in other EU countries. Within 60 days, the foreign national receives a physical Talent Passport card. For integration, adaptation, and related issues, you can always contact our lawyers.

What privileges a resident who applies for a residence permit through Talent Passport receives

By obtaining a new status under a simplified scheme, the applicant not only saves time and saves himself from unnecessary operations, but also gets access to several privileges:

  1. The opportunity to apply for French citizenship in the future. The residence permit issued through the French Tech Visa allows you to get a residence permit after 5 years of continuous residence. During this time it is allowed to leave the territory of the country for a total of no more than 10 months for the entire period. When applying for a permanent residence permit it is necessary to prepare an application and pass a test for knowledge of the French language at a level not lower than B1.
  2. Free movement in the countries of Europe. With the Talent Passport residence permit card, the resident can travel to the EU and Schengen countries without additional authorization.
  3. Long-term residence permit in France. Under the French Tech Visa program, a residence permit can be obtained for 4 years at once, not a year or two, as for other destinations. The permit can be prolonged, provided that the cardholder meets the conditions based on which the status was obtained.  
  4. Relocation for the whole family. Together with the main applicant, the husband/wife and minor children can move under the simplified system.
  5. Ability to unblock/open accounts and use other banking products in European financial institutions. With a Talent Passport visa, you can place money in any European bank, open deposit accounts, and safe deposit boxes, and withdraw the received capital under a simplified scheme.
  6. Development and growth of business projects. The French Republic has concluded over 100 agreements with other tax jurisdictions on the annulment of double taxation. With Talent Passport, it is possible to do business in any European country, become a tax resident, and enjoy certain benefits.
  7. Access to quality medicine and the ability to take out health insurance. With the French Tech Visa, residents can take out health insurance that covers most of the costs of services. In addition, they have access to a social security system designed for French citizens.

If your goal is to obtain a long-term visa under the Talent Passport program, schedule a consultation with our agency's lawyers. Together we will choose the optimal direction, and collect, certify, translate, and apostilize the necessary documents. If necessary, we will promptly issue the necessary certificates and other documents. 

We will submit documents for consideration and approval, help you to rent/buy real estate in the future, help you get or re-register your license, get a residence permit card, and find a school/school for your children. We understand how important it is not only to get the right permit but also to adapt comfortably to a new country. We are always in touch with our clients, promptly inform and respond to any changes and requests. Make your future better with us!