France · Startup Visa
France Startup Visa: Talent Card for Founders
France channels founders into the multi-year talent card, in its project leader category. Company creators show EUR 30,000 of funding, while innovative founders backed by the French Tech ecosystem use a streamlined certificate known as the French Tech Visa.
- Startup route
- Talent card – project leader (incl. French Tech Visa)
- Minimum capital
- EUR 30,000 for the company-creation route
- Permanent residence
- 5 years (EU long-term resident card)
- Citizenship
- 5 years; 2 years in specific cases
Talent card – project leader: company creation
This category of the multi-year talent card is aimed at founders setting up a real and serious company in France. Applicants need a master's-level degree or five years of comparable professional experience, resources at least equal to the full-time annual gross minimum wage (EUR 22,404.20), and evidence that the project is funded with at least EUR 30,000 of own or borrowed money. Before filing, the founder requests an opinion from the ministry in charge of the economy on whether the project is real and serious. The card runs for up to four years and costs EUR 350 in tax stamps.
- Validity
- Up to 4 years
- Minimum funding
- EUR 30,000 committed to the project
- Resources
- At least EUR 22,404.20 gross a year
- Government fee
- EUR 350 (EUR 50 stamp duty + EUR 300 tax)
- Processing time
- Varies; confirm with the consulate or prefecture
- Family
- Spouse and children receive talent-family cards
- Leads to
- EU long-term resident card after 5 years
Requirements
- A master's degree or five years of comparable professional experience.
- A real and serious company project in France.
- Evidence of at least EUR 30,000 of funding, from own or borrowed money.
- Resources at least equal to the annual gross minimum wage of EUR 22,404.20.
- An opinion from the ministry in charge of the economy on the project.
- Company registration documents or self-employed social affiliation, plus a criminal record extract for a first talent application.
How to apply
- Request the economy ministry's opinion on the company project before applying.
- Apply for a long-stay visa at the French consulate in the country of residence.
- Within two months of arrival, apply for the multi-year talent card online through ANEF.
- Collect the card at the prefecture and pay EUR 350 in tax stamps.
French Tech Visa for Founders (talent card – innovative economic project)
The French Tech Visa is a simplified procedure for founders of innovative startups, not a separate visa category. A founder supported by an incubator, or backed by letters of support from research bodies, companies or other ecosystem players, applies online for a personal certificate issued by DRIEETS Île-de-France. The certificate is then used to obtain the talent card for an innovative economic project, valid for up to four years and renewable while the situation is unchanged. Innovation is read broadly, from new products to new business models. Each co-founder applies individually and must hold an executive role. Algerian nationals are excluded.
- Validity
- Up to 4 years, renewable
- Certificate time
- About 8 days; up to 2 months if incomplete
- Resources
- At least EUR 22,404.20 gross a year
- Government fee
- EUR 350 for the talent card
- Family
- Spouse and children may join and work
- Eligibility
- Non-EU founders; Algerian nationals excluded
Requirements
- An innovative economic project to develop in France.
- Support from an incubator, or letters of support from ecosystem players such as laboratories or companies.
- Recognition of the project by a public body, obtained through the certificate procedure.
- An executive role (corporate mandate) in the company for every co-founder who applies.
- Resources of at least the annual gross minimum wage.
How to apply
- Each founder files an individual online request for the French Tech certificate.
- DRIEETS Île-de-France reviews the file and issues a nominative certificate with a unique number.
- Use the certificate to apply for a long-stay visa or the talent card.
- After arrival, complete the multi-year talent card application through ANEF.
Entrepreneur/liberal profession residence card
Founders who do not meet the talent card thresholds can consider the temporary residence card for entrepreneurs and liberal professions. It covers commercial, craft, industrial and liberal activities, and the applicant must show that the activity is economically viable and that they respect public order. The card is valid for one year and renewable, which makes it a shorter-cycle alternative to the four-year talent card. Applicants abroad first obtain a long-stay visa from the consulate, then apply for the card at the prefecture.
- Validity
- 1 year, renewable
- Activities
- Commercial, craft, industrial or liberal
- Key test
- Economic viability of the activity
- Government fee
- Varies; confirm with the prefecture
- Processing time
- Varies; confirm with the consulate
Requirements
- A commercial, craft, industrial or liberal professional activity in France.
- Evidence that the activity is economically viable.
- Respect for public order.
- A long-stay visa when applying from abroad.
How to apply
- Prepare a business plan and financial documents showing viability.
- Apply for a long-stay visa at the French consulate.
- Validate the visa online after arrival and pay the associated tax.
- Apply for the card at the prefecture and renew it each year.
Choosing among France's founder routes
France has no single startup visa. The talent card groups several profiles, and its project leader category has three pathways: company creation, an innovative economic project and direct economic investment. The company creation pathway suits experienced founders with at least EUR 30,000 committed to the venture, while the innovative project pathway rewards innovation and ecosystem backing instead of a fixed capital amount. A separate corporate officer category exists for legal representatives of a French business with three months of group seniority and pay of at least EUR 67,212.60 a year.
For incubated founders, the French Tech certificate settles the question of innovation before the visa stage, because the project is assessed when the certificate is issued. Both talent pathways lead to a card of up to four years, and spouses and children follow through the simplified talent-family procedure rather than full family reunification. The one-year entrepreneur card remains available for smaller ventures that fit neither profile.
Questions and answers
Is the French Tech Visa a real visa?
It is a streamlined procedure rather than a separate visa. Founders obtain a nominative certificate from DRIEETS Île-de-France, then use it to apply for the long-stay visa and the multi-year talent card for an innovative economic project, valid for up to four years.
How much money does a founder need for a French talent card?
The company creation pathway requires evidence of at least EUR 30,000 of funding for the project, plus personal resources at least equal to the annual gross minimum wage of EUR 22,404.20. The innovative project pathway sets no capital minimum but applies the same resource threshold.
Can co-founders apply together under the French Tech Visa?
Several people can share one project, but each founder files a separate request and receives a personal certificate with a unique number. Every applicant must hold an executive role, known as a corporate mandate, in the company, and the company does not need to be registered yet.
What does the talent card cost?
The card costs EUR 350, made up of EUR 50 in stamp duty and EUR 300 in tax, paid with tax stamps bought online or at an authorized tobacco shop. Proof of payment is requested when the card is handed over at the prefecture.
Official sources
- Talent card: multi-year residence card of a foreigner in France - Service Publicwww.service-public.gouv.fr
- French Tech Visa - La mission French Techlafrenchtech.gouv.fr
- French Tech Visa for Founders - Démarches simplifiéesdemarche.numerique.gouv.fr
- Can a foreigner set up a company in France? - Service Public Entreprendreentreprendre.service-public.gouv.fr
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in France.
Startup visa
Long-stay visa from a French consulate, then a talent card via ANEF
02Temporary residence
Talent card for up to 4 years; spouse and children get talent-family cards
03Permanent residence
EU long-term resident card after 5 years, with B1 French and a civic exam
04Citizenship
Naturalization after 5 years, or 2 in some cases; B2 French; dual allowed