France Talent Passport - Business Creation

French “Talent Passport – Business Creation” is a program offered to foreign company founders from outside the EU, the EEA or Switzerland who plan to set up a company in France. Subject to the nature, characteristics and duration of the proposed project, the “Talent Passport – Business Creation” residence permit will be granted for a duration from 1 to 4 years in maximum on a renewable basis.

To be eligible, the applicant must provide evidence of: 

• A qualification corresponding to a Master’s degree or equivalent, or at least 5 years of commensurate professional experience.
• Existence of a real and serious plan to form an economically viable business in France. The applicant must duly obtain a letter certifying the existence of a real and serious plan to form an economically viable business in France from competent authorities, namely the process of “DRIEETS”.
• Incorporation of a legal entity in France.
• An investment of at least EUR 50,000 in the planned business. A bank certificate of capital deposited in the company bank account in France is required.
• Sufficient annual financial means corresponding to the latest statutory national minimum wage (SMIC) in France, i.e. EUR 20,511.40 as of January 1st, 2023.

French “Talent Passport – Business Creation” legal spouse and minor children of Talent Passport holder are authorized to apply for “Talent Passport – Family” residence permit which authorizes them to stay and undertake any paid employment in France as long as the residence permit of the Talent Passport holder is valid.

Algerian citizens are not eligible to this program, subject to the stipulations of the French-Algerian Agreement.

The main applicant must be 18 years old and above. The children as being the dependents of the main  applicant must be under 18 years old. 

No, there is no medical pre-requirements to apply for this program 

The French “Talent Passport – Business Creation” grants you to stay in France with the validity period from 1 to 4 years in maximum, depending on the nature, the characteristics, and the duration of the business you plan to set up. This Talent Passport residence permit is renewable.

The legal spouse and dependent children under 18 years old of the Talent Passport’s holder benefit from the “accompanying family” status.
The spouse shall apply and will be issued a “Talent Passport – Family” residence permit with the validity period as same with the holder of Talent Passport The minor children shall apply and will be issued a travel document for minor children.

The advantages of the French “Talent Passport –Business Creation” are the following: 

• Renewable residence permit valid up to 4 years. 
• Right to live and work in France
• Free mobility within the Schengen Area for a period of up to 6 months per year.
• Free access to high standard Public Education and Healthcare System
• Pathway to obtaining Permanent Resident or Citizenship after 5 years of residence in France

Yes, any applicant must earn sufficient annual financial income corresponding to the latest statutory national minimum wage (SMIC), i.e. EUR 20,511.40 as of January 1st, 2023.

Yes, any applicant must do an investment of at least EUR 50,000 in the planned business.

The procedure to apply to the French “Talent Passport – Business Creation” is the following:

Step 1: Applicants must open a corporate bank account for their company in France for investment capital injection.

Step 2: Applicants must complete the procedure of DRIEETS by means of submitting the valid business plan and supporting documents for the purpose of obtainment of a letter certifying the existence of a real and serious plan to form an economically viable business in France.

Step 3: Applicants must incorporate their legal entity with the local competent Registry of Commerce and Companies in France (RCS).

Step 4: Applicants apply for their French long-stay visa “Talent Passport” with the French Embassy or Consulate in their residence’s country.

Step 5: Applicants must arrive in France and apply for the residence permit within 3 months of validity of their long-stay visa. The residence permit will be issued at the local competent Prefecture where the applicants reside in France.

Please contact HLG if you wish to receive a comprehensive list of the required documents to apply to the French “Talent Passport – Business Creation”.

The fees listed in the table below are information only and remain at the sole discretion of the competent authorities as per the laws and regulations: