France’s “Passeport Talent” Residence Permit for an Entrepreneur from Kazakhstan

Marat is an entrepreneur and investor from Almaty, Kazakhstan. Over the past 10 years, he has built a successful business in the IT sector and startup investments, regularly participating in European accelerators and industry events in Paris and Berlin. After receiving an invitation from a French business incubator to launch a project in the French market, he decided to apply for a residence permit under the Passeport Talent program.

Client's Objectives

Marat’s main goals were to:

• Regularize his long-term stay in France
• Launch his own tech project in Paris
• Obtain the right to reside in the EU and travel freely within the Schengen Area
• Secure legal residence status in France for his wife and child

Why “Passeport Talent” Was Chosen

The Passeport Talent program was selected due to its flexibility and numerous advantages for foreign entrepreneurs:

• Fit with the applicant’s profile: This category is ideal for startup founders and business owners recognized in France, particularly when backed by an accredited incubator.
• 4-year residence permit: One of the longest available residency statuses, allowing the applicant to focus on business development without the need for annual renewals.
• Family inclusion: The program allows applicants to include their spouse and children. The spouse receives the right to work in France, and the children gain access to education.
• Ability to apply directly from a third country: With a valid UAE residence permit, Marat was able to apply through the French Consulate in Abu Dhabi without returning to Kazakhstan.

Preparation and Document Submission Process

Legal experts at GARANT.in provided full support at every stage—from strategy planning to securing resident status in France.

1. Case Analysis and Category Selection

The legal team conducted a preliminary assessment of Marat’s goals, business history, and international experience. The chosen category was “entrepreneur / projet économique innovant”, supported by participation in an officially recognized incubator in France.

2. Compiling the Documentation

A comprehensive set of documents was required, including:

• Confirmation of participation in the incubation program and a letter of support
• A detailed business plan for the project in France, adapted to local market realities
• Documentation of entrepreneurial experience (company registrations, income certificates, startup portfolio)
• Proof of sufficient financial means: personal bank statements, income reports
• Long-term rental agreement for housing in France
• International health insurance coverage and police clearance certificates
• Documents for the spouse and child, including certified translations and apostilles

3. Verification, Apostilles, and Translation

The entire document package was translated, apostilled, and accompanied by cover letters to comply with the requirements of the French Consulate.

Visa Issuance and Relocation

Following submission of the documents to the French visa center in Abu Dhabi, the process unfolded as follows:

• The application review took about 4 weeks, including preliminary project approval by the French Ministry for the Economy (DGE).
• The family received long-stay national visas (VLS-TS) under the Passeport Talent program, valid for 12 months and renewable within France.
• After receiving their visas, Marat and his family relocated to France. Their one-year rental apartment, located near the La Défense business district in Paris, was eligible for renewal.

Residence Permit (Carte de Séjour) Issuance in France

To obtain full resident status, Marat completed the process of applying for the Passeport Talent carte de séjour, which involved:

• Online registration of the VLS-TS visa on the ANEF (Agence nationale des titres sécurisés) portal
• Booking an appointment at the local prefecture
• Preparing the full set of documents: copies of passports and visas, lease agreement, business documentation, photos, health insurance certificates, and proof of address
• In-person visit to the Paris Prefecture for biometric submission
• He received a récépissé — a temporary residence permit valid for up to three months

About six weeks after submission, Marat was issued a four-year plastic residence permit under the Passeport Talent program.

Outcomes and Benefits

• Marat officially registered his business and began implementation of his project within the incubator
• His wife obtained a work permit and was employed by an international company
• Their child was admitted to a public school in France
• The entire family received four-year residence cards, with the option of renewal and eventual naturalization
• They gained access to healthcare, education, banking services, and free movement across EU countries

Client Testimonial

“Passeport Talent gave me the opportunity to launch a project in one of Europe’s leading startup markets. Thanks to the GARANT.in team, everything was organized smoothly—from business documentation to relocating my family. I was especially pleased that my wife received the right to work and my child could access education. France has opened up completely new opportunities for us.”

If you are a professional, entrepreneur, investor, or participant in a cultural project seeking to establish yourself in France, Passeport Talent is your opportunity. The GARANT.in team supports you at every stage—from strategic planning to obtaining your residence card.