Talent Porteur de Projet — Business Creation

The Talent Porteur de Projet (Business Creation) is a multi-year residence permit that lets non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals live in France and create a new commercial, craft, industrial, or agricultural business. Established under Article L421-16(1°) of CESEDA, it is aimed at foreign entrepreneurs who hold a Master's degree (or equivalent experience), have a genuine business creation project, and can invest at least €30,000. Previously known as the Passeport Talent, the card was renamed and consolidated under the single "talent-porteur de projet" mention in 2025.

• Master's degree or equivalent, or at least 5 years of relevant professional experience at a comparable level
• A real and serious business creation project certified by the Ministry of Economy via the Demarches Simplifiees platform
• Minimum €30,000 investment in the venture (own funds or borrowed capital)
• Annual resources at least equal to the full-time gross SMIC (€22,404.20)
• The card only authorizes commercial activity tied to the approved project; salaried employment requires a separate permit

• Passport valid for at least 6 months
• Proof of domicile less than 6 months old and an e-photo code
• Diploma (Master's or equivalent) or proof of 5 years of professional experience
• Attestation from the Ministry of Economy on the legitimacy of the business plan
• Proof of at least €30,000 in financing (own or borrowed funds)
• Business registration documents (articles of association, Kbis extract, SIREN number) or proof of self-employed registration
• Criminal record extract from the country of origin (first application)
• Signed commitment to respect the principles of the French Republic

The card is issued for up to 4 years and is renewable. Renewal applications should be filed 2 to 4 months before expiry via the ANEF portal, demonstrating the company's continued activity and business income at least equal to the SMIC (€22,404.20). Late applications incur a €180 surcharge. After 5 years of legal, uninterrupted residence, holders may apply for a renewable 10-year resident card that permits any professional activity.

Spouse and dependent minor children receive talent-famille residence permits valid for the same duration as the main card and may take up paid employment in France. No separate family reunification procedure is required — relatives can apply alongside the main applicant or join later. Each family member's residence permit costs €350 and the long-stay visa €300 at the normal rate.

France taxes residents on their worldwide income. Tax residence is determined under Article 4 B of the General Tax Code based on household location, principal professional activity, or center of economic interests. Bilateral tax treaties may apply to prevent double taxation.

The process has two stages. First, obtain certification of the business plan's legitimacy from the Ministry of Economy via the Demarches Simplifiees platform, submitting a detailed business plan, multi-year financial projections, and proof of at least €30,000 in financing. Second, once the attestation is issued, apply for the long-stay visa via France-Visas (from abroad) or a status change via the ANEF portal (from within France). On arrival, validate the VLS-TS online within 3 months and pay the applicable fees. Applicants must also show annual resources at least equal to the full-time gross SMIC of €22,404.20.

Current fees are €350 for the residence permit (€300 tax + €50 stamp duty), €250 for renewal, and €300 for the long-stay visa at the normal rate. Paying the fee does not guarantee approval; the prefecture has 4 months to respond, after which silence constitutes an implicit refusal.