The Talent - Porteur de Projet (Investissement Économique Direct) is a multi-year residence permit enabling non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals to reside in Reunion and make a direct economic investment of at least €300,000 in fixed assets on French territory. Established under CESEDA Article L421-16(3°), the permit targets investors who create or commit to creating employment within four years. Reunion is a French overseas department where French immigration law applies in full, but it is not part of the Schengen Area. The card was renamed from "Passeport Talent" to "Talent - Porteur de Projet" by Décret n° 2025-539 du 13 juin 2025. A simplified French Tech Visa pathway is also available for venture capitalists and business angels.
Direct investments include share capital investments, reinvested earnings, and loans between affiliated companies. Purely financial investments such as passive portfolio holdings or stock market investments with no operational involvement are excluded. The investment can be made personally or through a company the investor manages or in which they hold at least 30% of the capital. The investment must begin execution within one year of card issuance, or the card may be withdrawn.
The standard pathway involves applying for a long-stay visa from a French consulate abroad via the France-Visas portal, submitting proof of the investment project. Since Reunion is outside the Schengen Area, the visa must specifically cover Reunion or all French territories. Upon arrival, validate the visa online within 3 months via the ANEF platform and pay the €300 residence permit tax and €50 stamp duty.
The French Tech Visa pathway offers a simplified procedure for venture capitalists and business angels: first apply through the Démarches Simplifiées platform for an acceptance letter from the Mission French Tech, then proceed with the standard visa/permit application.
For applicants already in Reunion, submit a status change application 4–2 months before the current permit expires via the ANEF portal. Processing takes approximately 2–3 months; the administration must respond within 90 days of a complete file submission.
The permit is valid for up to 4 years and is renewable. Apply for renewal 2–4 months before expiry via the ANEF portal. Continuing investors must document ongoing investment and employment creation. Completed investors must present new investment plans. Late applications incur a €180 surcharge.
Spouse and dependent minor children receive "talent-famille" residence permits for the same duration as the main card. Family members may engage in any paid employment in France. No separate family reunification procedure is required — family members can apply simultaneously or join later. Each family member pays €350 for the residence permit and €99 for the long-stay visa.
France taxes residents on worldwide income. Reunion residents benefit from a 30% income tax reduction (capped) for DOM residents under Article 197 I.3 of the Code Général des Impôts. Bilateral tax treaties may apply.
After 5 years of legal, uninterrupted residence (cumulative absences must not exceed 10 months), holders may apply for a 10-year carte de résident (resident card), which permits any professional activity.