Startup Visa in France
One documented route of this kind in France, with its conditions, documents, official government fees and process.
Talent Passport — Innovative Economic Project (French Tech Visa)
A 4-year multi-year Talent Passport residence permit for non-EU nationals who have an officially recognised innovative economic project to develop in France. Known commercially as the French Tech Visa for Founders, it requires endorsement from a French public body or accredited ecosystem actor. Financial means must be at least equivalent to the minimum wage (€22,404.20/year as of 1 June 2026).
- Processing time
- Varies by consulate for the long-stay visa; no statutory deadline published for the innovation recognition step
- Validity
- Up to 4 years, renewable under the same conditions
- Language requirement
- No statutory language requirement for initial grant
- Permanent residence
- 5 years of continuous legal residence in France
- Citizenship
- 5 years of legal residence with demonstrated integration
Requirements
- Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationality (Algerian nationals excluded)
- Innovative economic project to be developed in France
- Official recognition of the project's innovative nature by a qualifying French public body or French Tech-labelled incubator
- Adequate means of support: at least equivalent to the annual SMIC (€22,404.20 as of 1 June 2026)
- Valid passport
Required Documents
- Valid passport required
- Attestation recognising the innovative nature of the project (from DRIEETS or labelled incubator admission letter) required
- Business plan or project description demonstrating the innovative nature of the project required
- Proof of financial means equivalent to the SMIC (bank statements, investor commitments, etc.) required
- Proof of accommodation in France required
- Passport photographs required
Official fees
- Long-stay visa application (standard rate, from 1 May 2026) 300 EUR
- First-issue residence permit tax (standard rate, from 1 May 2026) 300 EUR
- Permit stamp duty (from 1 May 2026) 50 EUR
- Permit renewal (standard rate, from 1 May 2026) 250 EUR
Process Steps
-
1
Prepare the innovative project dossier
Document the innovative nature of your economic project. If not yet supported by a French Tech-labelled incubator, prepare to seek an attestation from DRIEETS via the official platform at demarche.numerique.gouv.fr.
-
2
Obtain project recognition
Apply for the attestation recognising the innovative nature of the project through the official French Tech Visa for Founders platform, or obtain an admission letter from a French Tech-labelled incubator.
-
3
Apply for a long-stay visa
Submit the visa application with the project recognition document at the French consulate in your country of residence. Pay the €300 long-stay visa fee (standard rate from 1 May 2026).
-
4
Arrive in France and apply for residence permit
After arrival, apply at the prefecture for the multi-year 'talent — innovative economic project' card. Pay the permit tax (€300 + €50 stamp = €350).
-
5
Receive the 4-year Talent Passport card
The prefecture issues the residence card valid for up to 4 years, renewable under the same conditions.