Imiatlas

🇫🇷 France

France Work Visa: requirements and how to apply

Multi-year residence permit (up to 4 years) for researchers, startup founders, executive talent, and skilled tech workers.

Official France work visa page

Passeport Talent (Qualified Employee / French Tech)

Multi-year residence permit (up to 4 years) for researchers, startup founders, executive talent, and skilled tech workers.

Typical duration
Up to 4 years renewable
Path to permanent residency
Eligible for 10-year EU Long-Term Resident Card or citizenship after 5 years (or 2 years for French university graduates)

Main requirements

  • Masters degree or 5 years experience
  • Salary floor ≥ statutory multiples of SMIC

Official page

Documents usually needed for France

  • Recognized Master’s degree or equivalent professional qualification
  • Employment contract with French entity or validated business creation plan
  • Annual gross salary meeting Passeport Talent minimum threshold (typically 1.5x to 2x SMIC)
  • Submission via France-Visas portal and validation through OFII upon arrival
  • Passport valid for at least 6 months and a compliant photo (make yours here)

Application steps

  1. 1

    France-Visas Application Submission

    Create file on France-Visas portal and book appointment at TLScontact or VFS Global center.

    2 - 4 weeks

  2. 2

    Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS) Issuance

    Consulate issues long-stay visa stamped Talent Passport or Employee with multi-entry validity.

    2 - 4 weeks

  3. 3

    Online OFII Validation & Carte de Séjour

    Validate visa online within 3 months of arrival to receive multi-year Carte de Séjour at the local Préfecture.

    1 - 2 months

More about moving to France

Find a licensed adviser

For advice on your own case, use a licensed immigration lawyer or adviser. Always check they are registered before you pay anyone. Imiatlas does not refer or review cases.

Look for a lawyer registered with the national bar association or law society in France. The official immigration website explains any rules on who may represent applicants.

Ministère de l’Intérieur & France-Visas (OFII)

General information to help you research, not legal advice. Rules change often: always confirm with Ministère de l’Intérieur & France-Visas (OFII) on the official website before applying.