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Obtaining a residence permit in France under the talent visa program for start-up founders. Service offer

This category of residence permit (French Tech Visa for Founders) is one of the options of the talent visa program (Passeport Talent) and intended for entrepreneurs wishing to live and do innovation business in France.

Advantages of this program

  • no need to have active business in France at the time of obtaining initial residence permit, since the residence permit is issued based on the business plan;
  • no initial investment is required;
  • no requirement to reside in France;
  • residence permit is issued for up to 4 years and may be renewed;
  • French residence permit enables visa-free entry in Schengen countries;
  • quite fast procedure of reviewing a business project and obtaining a residence permit – 4 to 6 months;
  • possibility to obtain residence permits for family members: spouse (with the right to work), children financially dependent on the main applicant;
  • possibility to apply for a French permanent residence permit and/or citizenship after living in the country for 5 years.

Basic business project requirements

  • the project must be approved by an accredited business incubator or accelerator;
  • the project must be recognized as innovative in one of the six areas approved under the program (artificial intelligence, fintech, cybersecurity, etc.).

Basic applicant requirements

  • proof of having in a bank account an amount of money that is not less than the minimum annual salary in France – EUR 21 876.40*;
  • no criminal record;
  • health insurance policy;
  • (when obtaining a residence card) rented or owned dwelling in France.

*The amount is recommended to be increased to EUR 30 000 in the case of obtaining a residence permit for spouse, and to EUR 40 000 in the case of obtaining a residence permit for a family with children.

Procedure of obtaining and required time

1. Preparation of the project presentation.

Obtaining approval from accredited organizations.

Obtaining a letter recognizing the innovative nature of the project from the Ministry of Economy of France.

This stage takes 2 to 3 months.

Collection of other personal documents to apply for visa.

2. Applying for and obtaining a type D visa in the French consulate in the country of citizenship or residency of the applicant – 1 to 3 months.

3. Entering France on the type D visa (the visa is valid for 90 days) and obtaining a residence permit.

Total: 4 to 6 months are required for the complete procedure until residence cards are obtained.

Residence permit is valid for up to 4 years.

Renewal of a residence permit

Residence permit renewal is applied for 2 to 4 months before the expiration of the current residence permit.

In order to renew their residence permit, the applicant must incorporate a company and show progress in the implementation of the project based on which the initial residence permit was issued as well as prove that they have enough money to reside in France (at least the minimum annual salary in France – EUR 21 876.40).

Obtaining a permanent residence permit or citizenship

After living in France for 5 years, one can apply for a permanent residence permit or citizenship. In both cases, living implies staying in the country for at least 183 days a year, being a tax resident of France, filing a tax return, and paying taxes.

Permanent residence permit requires passing the French language test with B1.

Citizenship requires passing the French language test with B2, passing a social and cultural test and an interview in the prefecture.

France allows multiple citizenship, so there is no need to renounce the first citizenship.

Fees for obtaining a residence permit for start-up founders*

Service
Fee (EUR)
Assistance in obtaining a residence permit for the main applicant, including:
· consultations on the drafting and presentation of the business plan of a start-up project;
· assistance in applying for project approval to accredited organizations;
· assistance in applying to the Ministry of Economy of France for the recognition of the project as innovative;
· consultations and assistance in the preparation of a type D visa application and a set of supporting documents considering individual circumstances of the applicant;
· consultations and assistance in the preparation of a residence card application.
from 16 000**
Obtaining a residence permit for family members:
- spouse;
2 000
- major children (each);
2 000
- minor children (each).
1 500
Service fees are paid step by step:
70% – advance payment;
30% – after obtaining the project approval from accredited organizations and state authorities and before filing a type D visa application.

The following expenses are NOT included in service fees and shall be paid by the applicant separately:
- translation and certification of documents (~ EUR 500, depending on the amount of documents);
- health insurance (~ EUR 200 per person);
- government fees and duties for visa and residence permit (EUR 325 each);
- dwelling rental (to obtain a residence permit).

Services in formation and administration of a company in France can be provided upon an individual request (initial residence permit does not require incorporation of a legal entity).

*The service fees are effective as of Marсh 2026; VAT is not included.

**The service fees may vary depending on the initial data of the business project.

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from EUR 16 000
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