Talent Visa to France

Target Audience of the Talent Visa

If residents of an EU country, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland want to live and work in France, they can just relocate there and start looking for a job. Things are rather simple for the Algerians too but we won't focus on them in this article.

If people who originate from other states want to move to France for work or self-fulfillment, they can try to apply for the Talent Visa in advance. Its target audience includes the following types of individuals:

• Employees with a high qualification and a high salary
• Researchers
• Performers and artists
• People with remarkable achievements in education, academic activities, sports, or literature
• Business founders and stakeholders
• Investors
• Owners and staff members of an innovative enterprise
• International company workers
• Legal company representatives who come to France to oversee the organization's activities

However, it doesn't mean that any company founder or investor can apply. All the individuals from the list need to meet the strict criteria for this visa variety.

For instance, the minimum investment amount is EUR 300,000 and you can complete it by using either tangible or intangible assets. The only way to make the investment is through a company from a foreign country — so you can't do it as a private individual. It's mandatory that at least 30% of the company's capital belongs to you or you personally own the business. After you transfer the funds, the recipient company should keep developing and either maintaining or creating jobs for the next 4 years.

Each case is individual. It's advisable to discuss your situation with an experienced consultant before you apply for the visa. They will explain to you how to prepare to maximize your odds of approval.

Apart from your personal circumstances, there are three criteria that are relevant to all applicants — let's have a look at them.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for this visa variety, it's essential to tick three boxes:

• Obtain an employment contract with a French company – depending on your circumstances, you might need to secure an employment contract for a period of at least three months to at least twelve months
• Have 5 years of relevant job experience or 3 years of relevant higher education
• Get a gross salary that exceeds the specific limit for your employment type — see below to check the exact numbers

For highly qualified specialists, the gross salary threshold is 1.5 times the official average annual one in France.

For staff members of innovative economic projects, it's enough to earn the legal minimum wage of a French worker, employed on a full-time basis. It's because the county fosters innovation and strives to promote progress by any means.

For three categories of visa holders, the salary should equal at least the minimum wage multiplied by a certain coefficient. For staff members of international companies, this coefficient is 1.8, for R&D professionals it's 2, and for those who perform corporate duties in French organizations, it's 3.

Performers and artists are allowed to earn significantly less than the above-mentioned employees. It's enough for them to make at least 70% of the French minimum wage and show proof of having enough funds to sustain themselves.

Overcoming the Language Barrier

To obtain a talent passport to France, it's mandatory to pass a language test. The good news is that the language proficiency requirements for this type of visa are milder than for the others.

Taking Your Family with You

You'll be able to take your spouse and kids to France with you. Just like you, they will get their multi-year renewable residence permits. They won't have to repeat your complex application process. All they need to do is to arrive in France and visit a police station together with you. Depending on your country of origin, your family members might need a visa to join you.

Even if your children have already come of age, they will be able to relocate to France together with you. All your dearest and nearest will have the right to study, work, and run a business in this country. They will be able to choose any type of work they wish because your Talent Visa restrictions won't apply to them.

Application Scheme

If you have the Blue Card issued in a third-party EU state and have lived in that state for at least 18 months, you can relocate to France and apply for the Talent Visa within 30 days after entering the country.

If you lack the Blue Card of another EU state, here is the step-by-step application scheme. Make sure to get down to it no earlier than three months before your planned relocation:

1. Prepare the required documents and fill in the application
2. Submit your application to the closest embassy or consulate of France
3. Wait until your application is approved and a visa is issued to you
4. Move to France
5. Apply for a residence permit online — please mind that it's impossible to do it remotely and in advance
6. Get a certificate of approval — it will substitute the residence permit until you get it
7. Visit the local prefecture in person to collect the permit

You'll be allowed to start working from day one in France. It won't be necessary for you to obtain any additional permit to carry out your professional activities.

Paperwork

When applying from abroad, be ready to prepare these papers:

• Filled-in application form
• Passport
• Three passport-style photos
• Proof of having the required qualification
• Employment contract
• Employer certificate
• Letter that describes your upcoming scope of responsibilities
• Social security certificate
• Confirmation of paying social security contributions
• Receipt for paying the fee
• Letter that names the person who will be in charge of the administrative formalities related to your employment in France

When applying for the visa or its renewal from France, add the following items:

• Your existing visa or Blue Card
• Proof of address in France
• Declaration that you have no more than one spouse
• Proof of having paid all your taxes in France

Depending on your individual circumstances, you might need to include some other documents in the set.

Expenses

Here are the typical expenses related to obtaining and renewing the Talent Visa:

Renewal

The Talent Visa remains valid for 4 years. To renew it, you should apply online at least 90 days before the current one expires. You'll be asked to prove with documents that you still meet the eligibility criteria. Plus, be ready to attach the papers that confirm your professional activities within the previous year.

Switching to Another Type of Residence Permit

It can happen so that your situation changes while you are in France but you want to keep living in this country. For instance, you may decide to get married to a local. Then, instead of renewing your Talent Visa, you can apply for another type of residence permit. It will be necessary to do so at least two months before your visa expires.

While the authorities will be reviewing your application, you'll be able to monitor your status progress online.

Obtaining the French Residency and Citizenship

After having legally resided in France for five years, you can apply for citizenship. For selected categories of people, it's enough to stay in the country for a couple of years. Among others, these include foreigners who have delivered meaningful services to this state or graduated from a French university. Both routes are technically available for Talent Visa holders but it would be rare to use them. In regular circumstances, after you get a Talent Visa, you can renew it in four years and then, apply for citizenship in a year.

If you don't want to become a French citizen, you can remain a resident. Then, you'll be able to renew your Talent Visa (or another type of permit if you switch to it) as many times as you wish — provided that you meet the eligibility criteria. This option is popular among expats from states that fail to recognize dual citizenship. They might prefer to keep their old passports for some reason. France recognizes dual citizenship — so if you get its passport, you won't have to renounce your homeland's one.