A French Tech Visa is a specialized program established by the French government to attract and streamline the entry of talented individuals within the technology and innovation sectors.
This initiative aims to make it easier for innovative entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, and investors to live and work in France, specifically within the thriving French tech community.
Categories of French Tech Visa
The French Tech Visa offers a simplified procedure for the following three types of international tech talent to obtain a multi-year residence permit known as the “Talent Passport.“:
- French Tech Visa for Employees – This category is designed for employees of French startups recognized as innovative, provided they have a valid employment contract.
- French Tech Visa for Founders – Founders of startups selected by partner incubators can apply for this visa, making it easier to establish and grow their businesses in France.
- French Tech Visa for Investors – Foreign business angels or investment funds looking to establish a presence in France can benefit from this visa category, facilitating investment activities in the country.
Seeking assistance from French immigration specialists such Lexidy, will help you navigate through the complex process of applying for a French Tech visa. You can schedule a free consulation with Lexidy, and determine the best course of action for your needs.
Who Can Apply for a French Tech Visa?
All citizens of countries outside of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland can apply for a French Tech Visa.* However, these citizens must meet a few requirements to qualify.
*Algerians have different requirements.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for a French Tech Visa?
The eligibility criteria for a French Tech Visa depends on each of the three categories of tech talent:
Requirements for Employees
To qualify for a French Tech Visa for employees, you must work for a company acknowledged as innovative by the Ministry of Economy and must provide documentation demonstrating:
- A gross annual salary of a minimum of double the statutory national minimum wage (SMIC), which equates to €42,406 as of January 1, 2024.
- An ongoing employment contract with an employer based in France, either permanent or for a fixed term of at least three months.
- Active involvement in the company’s R&D projects or a significant connection to the project’s economic, social, international, and environmental development efforts.
Requirements for Founders
To be eligible for the French Tech Visa for founders, you must meet the following requirements:
- Present evidence of an innovative business project you plan to develop in France.
- Obtain official recognition of the project’s merit from a public-sector body.
- Demonstrate sufficient annual financial means, equivalent to at least the statutory national minimum wage (SMIC), which stands at €21,203 as of January 1, 2024.
Requirements for Investors
Foreign investors applying for a French Tech Visa for investors can do this either by investing personally, through a company they control, or through a company where they own at least 30%. To qualify you:
- Must also commit to creating or preserving jobs within four years.
- Invest a minimum of €300,000 in assets.
Supporting Documents for a French Tech Visa
The required documents for a French Tech Visa application are:
- A visa application form (CERFA n°14571*05) duly completed and signed.
- France-Visas receipt.
- A valid passport issued within the last ten years, with a validity of at least three months beyond the visa expiry date.
- Three recent passport photos according to France visa photo requirements.
- For Employees:
- Form CERFA n°15614*04, which outlines the key elements of the employment agreement.
- An employment contract with an innovative new company, valid for three months, demonstrating a gross annual salary of at least double the statutory national minimum wage (SMIC), equivalent to €42,406 as of January 1, 2024.
- A certificate confirming that the employer has been officially recognized as an innovative new company by the French Ministry of Economy.
- A social security certificate for temporary employment abroad or a sworn statement affirming the application for registration with the French social security system.
- A written letter that delineates the job responsibilities and outlines the purpose of the assignment.
- An up-to-date excerpt from the commercial register (extrait K-bis) for the employer, in cases where the employer is a legal entity, or an extrait K or craft license (titre d’artisan) for individual employers.
- Proof of the payment of social security contributions and, if the employer has the obligation, proof of payments into the paid leave scheme (caisse des congés payés).
- Proof of employee’s qualifications and experience relevant to the position in question.
- A letter appointing a legal entity or an individual already established in France to handle the mandatory administrative procedures on behalf of the applicant
- For Founders:
- A letter confirming your selection by an incubator or accelerator affiliated with the French Tech Visa program.
- An official letter from a governmental body that certifies the innovative nature of your project.
- Proof of financial means equivalent to the statutory national minimum wage (SMIC), which amounts to €21,203 as of January 1, 2024.
- For Investors:
- Proof of your position within your own company, which entails either running a company or holding a stake of at least 30%.
- Your investment strategy.
- A letter demonstrating your commitment to generating employment opportunities in France.
- Proof of your direct investment or a formal commitment to invest a minimum of €300,000 in tangible or intangible assets within France over four years.
Many of the required documents for a French Tech visa may seem confusing. If you’re having trouble understanding what you really need, or you are unable to provide any of the documents listed above, we advise you seek the help of a professional. Lexidy offers assistance for Tech visa applicants through their lawyers who specialize in the French immigration system. You can schedule a free consulation with Lexidy and get the help you need.
Before Applying for a French Tech Visa
If You Are Applying for a French Tech Visa for Employees:
Request a certificate certifying your company’s innovative nature. Your employer initiates this process via the platform. Supporting documents must be submitted to show eligibility.
If You Are Applying for a for French Tech Visa for Founders:
- Step 1: Apply for French Tech Visa partner incubators and accelerators. To apply for French Tech Visa partner incubators and accelerators, apply through the standard selection process. You can also apply to French Tech Capital-backed incubators or accelerators. Seek support from two French Tech ecosystem members for letters of support.
- Step 2: Apply for recognition of the innovative nature of your project. If you have support from certain French Tech organizations, you can apply for recognition of your innovative project on a website. The DRIEETS IDF (Direction générale interdépartementale de l’économie, de l’emploi, du travail et des solidarités Ile-de-France) will evaluate your project based on specific criteria. If your project is innovative, you will receive a letter from the Ministry of the Economy, which you will need for your visa application.
If You Are Applying for a French Tech Visa for Investors:
- Get an acknowledgement letter. Apply for an acknowledgement letter concerning an investment project through this link.
- Wait for the acceptance letter. The French tech mission will provide an official acceptance letter confirming your eligibility for the French Tech Visa for investors.
How to Apply for a French Tech Visa?
The application process for a French Tech Visa includes the following steps:
- Complete the Online Application. Start by filling out the long-term application form on France-Visas. To start the application, you must first open an account. The online process includes clear on-screen instructions to assist you at each stage.
- Submit Required Documents. You have the option to upload your documents during the online application. Additionally, you must present these documents in person when attending your appointment.
- Download the Completed Form. After completing all the steps, you can download the finalized form. Print, sign, and include this form in your application package.
- Schedule an Appointment. It’s crucial to book an appointment for the in-person submission of your visa application. You can initiate this by selecting your preferred submission location.
- Attend the Visa Appointment. You must provide biometric data during your appointment, submit your application, and sometimes attend an interview.
- Pay Visa Application Fees. Make sure to pay the necessary application fees during your visa appointment. The visa application fee is 99 EUR.
- Track Your Visa Application. Keep tabs on the progress of your application by regularly checking your application page.
After Arriving in France
- Apply for a residence permit. After arriving in France, foreign talent should start the application for the relevant Talent Passport on the platform. The residence permit for French Tech Visa for employees applicants is known as the “Talent Passport – Employee of an innovative company”, for French Tech Visa for founders applicants is known as the “Talent Passport – innovative economic project”, and for French Tech Visa for investors applicants is known as “Talent Passport – business investor”.
- Certificate of Approval. Once the application is reviewed and validated by the Prefecture via the platform, you will receive a certificate of approval. This certificate serves as a temporary residence permit until your appointment at the Prefecture to obtain the definitive residence permit.
- Track the online application. You can regularly check their application status through your online account between the application and receiving the definitive residence permit. They should also respond to requests to complete their application and stay updated on the decisions made.
- Go to the Prefecture. At the place of residence in France, go to the Préfecture or Sous-Préfecture and get your definite residence permit.
- Step 5: Pay the tax. You will need to pay a tax of 200 EUR to the French Immigration and Citizenship Office (Office Français de l’immigration et de l’intégration – OFII) and a 25 EUR stamp duty.
Note: If you currently reside in France with a different type of residence permit, you must initiate a status change through the website. During this process, they must provide evidence of their eligibility for the requested residence permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Validity of a French Tech Visa?
The French Tech Visa is valid for four years. The validity of the visa is based on the nature, characteristics and duration of the proposed project, the planned investment in France, and the duration of the employment contract.
Can I Renew My French Tech Visa?
You can extend your French Tech Visa, and this renewal is possible as long as your circumstances in France remain consistent, meaning that you continue to meet the initial criteria for obtaining the visa. You must submit your renewal application on this website two to three months before the expiration of the residence permit. The administration fee is 225 EUR.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a French Tech Visa?
The fee for a French Tech Visa is 99 EUR. Furthermore, after your residence permit is issued in France, you will need to pay a tax of 200 EUR to the French Immigration and Citizenship Office. Apart from this tax, a 25 EUR stamp duty is also charged on residence permits.
When Should I Apply for a French Tech Visa?
You should apply for a French Tech Visa three months before your arrival date in France. If you are applying when in France, the application process should be completed three months before your residence permit expires.
Can I Bring Family Members With Me?
You can bring family members when you hold a French Tech Visa. The spouse and dependent children are granted accompanying family status. The spouse can apply for a ‘Talent Passport – Family’ residence permit, which allows the family to reside in France and engage in any paid employment as long as the foreign employee’s residence permit remains valid. Administrative costs are associated with obtaining these permits, including €225 for the spouse’s residence permit and €99 for each visa issued to accompanying family members.
When Can I Apply for a Residence Card?
You can apply for a residence card after 5 years of legal and uninterrupted residence in France. This card grants you the right to reside in France and engage in any professional activity, provided you hold the necessary qualifications, especially if you work in regulated professions. Residence cards are initially issued for 10 years and can be renewed on a renewable basis.
What is the French Tech Ticket?
The French Tech Ticket is a government-backed initiative aimed at attracting talented international entrepreneurs to start their businesses in France. It offers a comprehensive support package that includes funding to cover initial professional expenses, a residence permit for entrepreneurs (and their families), and incubation in one of France’s partner incubators. Participants also benefit from mentoring, administrative assistance, and extensive networking opportunities within the French tech ecosystem.
This program underscores France’s commitment to fostering global innovation and establishing itself as a leading hub for startups and technology.