French Residence Permit under the "Passport-Talent" Visa

It is commonly believed that efforts to attract foreign investors' money are mainly undertaken by countries with weak, underdeveloped economies. The governments of powerful, economically stable countries are also interested in this. But as a rule, they try to "kill two birds at once": along with money, they also attract good, promising specialists, scientists, and modern-minded businessmen to the country. France is looking for investors who invest money not in real estate, but in business projects. It is on this idea that a program of long-term visa "Passport-talent" (passeport talent) was launched here.

On the attractiveness of France for Russian investors

The French government is becoming a European leader in attracting startups and talented people to the country by issuing them long-term visas. A lot is being done to implement this trend: taxation reform has been carried out and the labor code is being changed. According to data for February 2020, France has surpassed the UK and Germany in terms of attracting foreign investment. So if you consider yourself talented in business, if you know your value as a specialist or creative person - you should get acquainted with the passeport talent program.

It is important! Becoming attractive for foreign investors, France expects only those who seek not just to change their place of residence, but are ready to seriously and permanently carry out some useful activity in the country.

About the essence of the passeport talent project

The "passeport talent" project was launched in the summer of 2017. According to this program, the applicant can get a residence permit in France for 4 years at once. At the same time, he has the opportunity to extend this visa, and after 5 years of continuous residence in the country obtain permanent residence here, and after 10 years - citizenship.

A huge advantage is a fact that together with the main applicant of the visa "Passport-talent" can also get a visa "Passport-talent" for his spouse and children. These family members are also entitled to work in France (if the children are over 18 years old).

What categories of investors can benefit from the "Passport-Talent" program?

This residence permit is extremely diverse in terms of the categories of persons who are entitled to apply for it. In total, there are 11 of them, but for convenience, the list can be divided into 4 conditional groups:

1. Qualified and highly qualified workers.
2. Persons of free profession.
3. Persons of high national or international reputation.
4. Artists or distinguished authors of artistic works.

Let's look at these groups in a little more detail.

Skilled and highly skilled workers

This group includes 4 categories of applicants.

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• persons who have concluded an employment contract with a French company, enterprise, or institution with the status of "young innovative enterprise". The contract must be more than 3 months in duration and your monthly salary under the contract must be at least 2 times the minimum wage established in France.
• Employees of one of the companies belonging to an international group of companies. Applicants for the "passport-talent" must have at least 3 months of work experience in this company, and be seconded to a French company from the same group. Under the terms of the secondment, the applicant's monthly salary exceeds the French minimum wage by at least 1.8 times. A "passeport talent" visa is issued with the notation "employee on a business trip".
• persons sent on a business trip to a French research institution or university. The purpose of the business trip is to participate in scientific research. The applicant's diploma is at least a Master's degree. The residence permit is issued with the notation "scientific worker".
• Highly qualified workers who have signed an employment contract with an employer in France for at least a year (but no more than 4 years!), and with a salary of 1.5 times the minimum French.

People in free professions who are not employed

This group is also made up of four types of applicants.

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• businessmen who wish to open their own company in France. Among other conditions, the applicant must invest at least 30 thousand euros in the development of their business, as well as have at least 5 years of professional experience or a master's degree. The residence permit will be issued with a note: "Founder of the enterprise".
• persons who have made a direct investment in the French economy. Applicants may contribute funds to the authorized capital of only those companies in which they already own at least 10% of shares. At least €300k is invested in fixed tangible or intangible assets. Investments cannot be passive - only direct. For example, the purchase of securities is excluded.
• Applicants who are ready to realize an innovative economic project in France. Its value must be confirmed by the conclusion of the relevant French state institution. Based on the conclusion, a "passeport talent"  is issued with a note: "innovative economic project".

Important! This category of persons does not necessarily have to invest substantial sums of money in their innovative project. The main thing is to make your idea interesting to the French side. In addition, for such projects willingly allocate funds to various French "incubators". A startup visa is especially interesting for those Russians. Those who have studied at a French university plan to stay in the country after their studies.

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• persons authorized to be representatives in a company established in France. They provide a power of attorney to exercise the powers of a legal representative of a company operating in France, as well as a guarantee that their salary will be at least 3 times the French minimum wage (annual salary from 53,944.80 euros). Work experience in the company providing the power of attorney - at least 3 months.

Foreign persons with a high national or international reputation.

In this category, the residence permit is granted to applicants who can prove that they plan to carry out in France activities directly related to their high business reputation. This can be, for example, literary, educational, or scientific work. An agreement (contract) with the receiving party, lasting 3 months or more, should be attached to the application. It is also necessary to confirm the real availability of means of subsistence in the amount not lower than the national minimum wage at full-time work.

It is also checked whether the applicant is sufficiently well-known in the professional environment specified by him. The visa is issued with a note: "reputation at the national or interstate level".

Artists or distinguished authors of artistic works.

There are two types of applicants in this group.

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• persons receiving a residence permit as employed artists. In order to apply for a visa it is necessary to submit a certified employment contract for a period of 3 months or more. The hiring organization shows the inspection authorities its financial solvency. And also (if necessary) - the presence of a license to conduct entertainment events.
• Persons who are artists, but are not employed. To obtain a residence permit, they provide evidence that for at least three months will be involved in the territory of France in the preparation of a performance, concert, artistic production, etc. as a performing artist or author of an artistic work.

Conclusion

So, in front of us is a French business visa, but with very diverse conditions, suitable for many categories of investors. And, as you can see, most categories do not require serious financial subsidies from applicants. Here the emphasis is on your talent, ingenuity, and uniqueness. This is a residence permit in France for Russians for young, educated, intelligent, and ambitious people. By applying for a "Passport of Talent", you can count on support (including financial support) from the French side, while considering France as your country of residence.