Passeport talent

Requirements for the Applicants

Businessmen
Establishing a business

• There should be an objective and reasonable business plan for creation of a commercial, trading or industrial enterprise. In exceptional cases, a plan to acquire a controlling interest  in an existing business may be considered.
• The minimum investment should be  €30,000
• The applicant should be a certified specialist (at least a master's level) or have at least 5 years of professional experience of a comparable level.

Direct investments

• The investments should be at least €300,000.
• You may  through a company that you manage personally or in which you own at least 30% of the capital. You can also make personal investments. In this case, you should acquire at least 10% of the capital of the French company.
• It is necessary to create or maintain job positions for at least  4 years after the investment.

Innovative project

• There should be an innovative economic project to be implemented in France.
• You should get  an official positive opinion about  the project from the French authorized organization.
• You should provide personal financial support at a level not lower than the minimum wage in France.

Authorized representative in a French company

• You should have at least 3 months of work experience as an employee or an authorized representative in an enterprise or company belonging to the same group.
• You should get a power of attorney to exercise the powers of the legal representative of this enterprise in France.
• The salary should be  at least €55,000 per year.

Specialists
Young innovative enterprise

• The term of the employment contract should be at least 3 months.
• The work should be  directly related to a business research and development project.
• The salary should be at least €37,000 per year.

Transfer within an international group of companies

• The applicant should have at least 3 months of work experience in this company.
• The business trip should be valid for more than three months.
• The salary should be from €33,000 per year.

Science or higher education institution

• There should be a business trip related to research or higher education.
• There should be a diploma that is not lower than the master's level.
• There should be a host agreement signed by the French authorities.

Highly qualified employees ("Blue Card" holders)

• The term of the employment contract should be at least one year.
• You should have a state-recognized diploma confirming at least three years of study or at least 5 years of professional experience of a comparable level.
• The salary should be from €53,000 per year.

Cultural figures and prominent personalities

• Availability of financial security for the duration of life in France.
• Documentary evidence of the right to a residence permit of this type (for example, an agreement with a museum, theater, gallery or a certificate of merit of the applicant).

Documents

General package

• A valid international passport.
• National passport and copies of all its pages.
• Two completed application forms.
• Three color photographs 35x40 mm.
• Confirmation of the available resources for the planned period of stay (bank statement).
• Proof of payment of consular and service fees.

Additional package

• A copy of the diploma.
• Supporting documents related to the basis for obtaining a visa: a business plan, an application form completed by an employer, an agreement with an organization in France, etc.

For family members

• Birth, marriage, divorce certificates.

Foreign language documents must be translated and notarized.

Rights and Obligations

The applicant and their spouse have the rights to:

• Work and do business in France.
• Renew the residence permit an unlimited number of times as long as the basis remains.
• Get permanent residence after 5 years, subject to permanent residence in the country, as well as French citizenship on the basis of naturalization. To do this, you will need to pass exams in the knowledge of the French language, legislation, culture and history of France. French law allows you to obtain  second citizenship.
• The holders of a French residence permit can travel to Schengen zone without a visa and stay in other countries for up to 90 days in half a year.
• Applicant's minor children are required to attend school.
• Businesses and individuals are required to pay French taxes (upon obtaining tax resident status). Taxes are high, so it's a good idea to ask about optimization options in advance.