It is commonly believed that efforts to attract foreign investors' money are primarily made by countries with weak, underdeveloped economies. In reality, powerful, economically stable governments are also interested in this. However, they usually try to "kill two birds with one stone": along with money, they attract good, promising specialists, scientists, and modern-thinking businessmen to the country. France seeks investors who invest not in real estate but in business projects. This idea led to the launch of the long-term Passport Talent visa program (French Tech Visa).

Advantages for Russian Investors | Passport Talent France

The French government is becoming a European leader in attracting startups and talented individuals to the country by issuing long-term visas. To implement this direction, much has been done: tax reform, changes to the labor code. According to data from February 2020, France surpassed the UK and Germany in the number of foreign investments attracted. So, if you consider yourself talented in business, if you know your worth as a specialist or a creative individual, you should familiarize yourself with the talent visa program.

Important! By becoming attractive to foreign investors, France expects only those who seek not just to change their place of residence but are ready to seriously and long-term engage in some beneficial activity in the country.

About the Talent Visa Project

The Passport Talent project was launched in the summer of 2017. According to this program, the applicant can receive a French residence permit immediately for 4 years. Moreover, it can be extended, and after 5 years of continuous residence in the country, you can apply for permanent residence, and after 10 years - citizenship.

A significant advantage is that along with the main applicant, the Passport Talent visa can also be obtained by their spouse and children. These family members also have the right to work in France (if the children are over 18 years old).

Applicants are attracted by the economic stability of France, the high standard of living, affordable prices compared to other European countries, and the opportunity to give their children a promising future.

Which Categories of Investors Can Use the "France Talent Visa" Program?

The program specifies 11 categories of persons who can apply for a residence permit under the Passport Talent project:

  1. Highly qualified employees.
  2. Major investors - foreign residents.
  3. Founders of a business project or company in France.
  4. Representatives of a company established in France.
  5. Creators of promising innovative startups.
  6. Highly qualified scientific researchers.
  7. Skilled workers.
  8. Employees of an international company transferred within the company to work in France.
  9. Participants/employees of a promising startup.
  10. Workers in the arts whose activities have been marked by prestigious international awards - actors, writers, artists.
  11. Foreign nationals who have received international or national recognition (e.g., outstanding athletes).

For convenience, the list can be divided into 4 conditional groups:

  1. Qualified and highly qualified workers.
  2. Freelancers.
  3. Individuals with high national or international reputation.
  4. Artists or renowned authors of artistic works.

Let's consider these groups in more detail.

Qualified and Highly Qualified Workers

This group includes 4 categories of applicants:

  1. Individuals who have signed an employment contract with a French company, enterprise, or institution with the status of "young innovative enterprise". The contract must exceed 3 months, and your monthly salary under the contract must be at least twice the minimum established in France.
  2. Employees of one of the companies in an international group of companies. Talent Passport applicants must have at least 3 months of work experience in this company and be seconded to a French company within the same group. According to the conditions of the secondment, the applicant's monthly salary exceeds the French minimum by at least 1.8 times. The French Tech Visa is issued with the note "seconded employee".
  3. Individuals seconded to a French research institution or university. The purpose of the secondment is to participate in scientific research. The applicant's diploma must be at least a master's degree. The residence permit is issued with the note "scientific researcher".
  4. Highly qualified workers who have signed an employment contract with an employer in France for at least one year (but no more than 4 years!) and with a salary 1.5 times higher than the French minimum wage.

Freelancers

This group also consists of four types of applicants:

  1. Businessmen wishing to open their own enterprise in France. Among other conditions, the applicant must invest at least 30,000 euros in the development of their business and have at least 5 years of professional experience or a master's degree. The residence permit will be issued with the note: "enterprise founder".
  2. Individuals who have made a direct investment in the French economy. Applicants can contribute to the share capital of only those enterprises in which they already own at least 10% of the shares. At least €300,000 must be invested in fixed tangible or intangible assets. Investments cannot be passive - only direct. For example, the purchase of securities is excluded.
  3. Applicants ready to implement an innovative economic project in France. Its value must be confirmed by a conclusion from the relevant French government agency. Based on the conclusion, a permit is issued with the note: "innovative economic project".

Important! This category of individuals does not necessarily invest large sums of money in their innovative project. The main thing is that your idea interests the French side. Additionally, various French "incubators" are eager to allocate funds for such projects. The startup visa is especially interesting to Russians who have studied at a French university and plan to stay in the country after their studies.

  1. Individuals authorized to be representatives in a company created in France. They provide a power of attorney to exercise the powers of the legal representative of a company operating in France, as well as a guarantee that their salary will exceed the French minimum by at least 3 times (annual salary of at least €53,944.80). The length of service in the company providing the power of attorney is at least 3 months.

Foreign Nationals with High National or International Reputation

In this category, applicants receive a residence permit if they can prove that they plan to engage in activities in France directly related to their high business reputation. This could be, for example, literary, educational, or scientific work. A contract with the host party for at least 3 months must be attached to the application. Also, you must confirm the actual availability of funds for living, at least equal to the minimum wage accepted in the country for a full working day.

The applicant's sufficient level of fame in the professional field indicated by them is also checked. The visa is issued with the note: "reputation at the national or interstate level".

Artists or Renowned Authors of Artistic Works

This group includes two types of applicants:

  1. Individuals receiving a residence permit as employed artists. To apply for the visa, you need to provide a certified employment contract for at least 3 months. The hiring organization shows the inspecting authorities its financial viability and, if necessary, a license to conduct entertainment events.
  2. Individuals who are artists but not working as employees. To obtain a residence permit, they provide proof that for at least three months they will be engaged in preparing a performance, concert, artistic production, etc. in France as a performer or author of an artistic work.

Benefits of Obtaining a Residence Permit under the Passport Talent Program

As with any official status, the Passport Talent residence permit not only requires the applicant to fulfill obligations but also provides many benefits:

  1. Legal stay in a European country without renewal/re-issuance. Under the Passport Talent program, the visa is issued for 4 years, while in other European countries it is a maximum of one to two years.
  2. Possibility to extend the status. If the candidate does not violate the program conditions, they can renew the talent visa indefinitely. It is important to submit documents for renewal in a timely manner - 90 days before the permit expires. The application must include all documents confirming the right to further residence in France.
  3. Possibility to adjust the status. Upon the expiration of the visa, the candidate can apply for a change in residency status if there are other grounds for legal stay in France. After 5 years of residence in France, they can apply for permanent residence.
  4. Free travel across Europe. The visa holder can visit all countries within the European Union and Schengen area without special permits. Moreover, they can stay in each of them for up to 90 days within six months.
  5. Ability to earn an official income. The Passport Talent visa allows you to be officially employed by a local company or register as a self-employed individual with the right to engage in work.
  6. Access to quality healthcare and social assistance. With a resident visa, the applicant can seek medical care, access the banking sector, and use social products on par with local citizens.
  7. Residence permit for the entire family. The applicant who has obtained the visa under the Talent Passport can include their spouse and children in the application. If the children are underage, they receive a minor foreigner's card. Adult children and the spouse of the candidate have the right to legally work, receive education, or engage in entrepreneurial activities.

Conclusion

Thus, we have before us a French business visa with very diverse conditions suitable for many categories of investors. Moreover, as can be seen, most categories do not require significant financial contributions from applicants. The focus here is on your talent, inventiveness, and uniqueness. This residence permit in France is for young, educated, smart, and ambitious Russians. By applying for the talent visa, you can count on support (including financial) from the French side, considering France as your place of residence.

If you are interested in obtaining a residence permit/permanent residence/citizenship of any country, come for a consultation with the specialists of the migration company GARANT IN. Each country offers several options for obtaining a new status with its advantages. You need to state your request - relocation, opening a business, investment immigration, profitable investment without moving, entering the international market. Our specialists will select the most optimal program to solve the client's tasks.

Cooperating with us will help avoid running around institutions and getting rejections. We have been working in the field of investment immigration for many years and know how to prepare documents so that the applicant is guaranteed approval. We will help you choose real estate, complete related transactions and permits, help you adapt to the new country, and stay in touch even after a long time. Don't miss the chance for a better life!