Who it’s for
A multi-year visa for highly-qualified workers, researchers, company founders and investors, valid for up to 4 years and renewable.
- Highly-qualified employee — a salary threshold plus a Master’s degree or equivalent experience
- Young qualified professional — under 30, Master’s degree, with its own salary threshold
- Company founder — an innovative business in France, via a BPI France- or incubator-recognised project
- Investor — a minimum €300,000 investment in a French company, with job-creation or job-maintenance commitments
- Researcher — a hosting agreement with a French research or higher-education institution
- Artist or cultural professional — recognised talent in the arts, literature or culture
The thresholds move, so check the date
Salary thresholds are indexed to the SMIC or to a reference average salary and are revised annually, typically each 1 January. With the 2026 SMIC increase they have likely moved higher than in prior years.
Our knowledge base currently carries two figures for the highly-qualified employee route: €66,600 a year, and a range commonly cited near €43,000–€58,000 depending on the sub-route and year. Treat both as approximate and confirm the current number for your category on france-visas.gouv.fr before you rely on it.
A threshold quoted anywhere, including here, is only as current as the day it was checked. The consulate applies the figure in force when you apply.
What it gives you
- 4-year validity, renewable, with a simplified renewal process
- Your spouse or partner receives automatic work authorisation
- Family members apply as “Passeport talent famille”
- A path to permanent residency after 5 years of continuous residence
- You can change employer within the same category by notification
- Exempt from the post-arrival medical visit and the integration contract that other categories are summoned to
Applying
The standard visa documents, plus proof that you qualify for your specific category — an employment contract, a business plan, or project documentation. The application fee is €225–€250 depending on the consulate, and processing runs 2–10 weeks depending on consulate and category.