What is the Talent Passport?
The Talent Passport (passeport talent) is a multi-year residence permit valid for up to four years, designed to attract highly qualified profiles. It allows you to work in France while giving you real legal stability during your stay.
What are the advantages of the Talent Passport?
The Talent Passport has many advantages. It allows you to:
- Work and travel in France and throughout the European Union.
- Use the simplified “accompanying family” procedure and avoid family reunification, which is longer and more restrictive.
What are the different types of Talent Passport?
There is no single Talent Passport. The name actually covers several categories, each matching a specific profile and situation. The conditions therefore vary depending on the category you apply for.
| Category | Who it is for | Degree | Experience | Contract | Min. gross salary/year | Other conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualified employee | Employees hired by a company in France | Master’s level | or 5 years | Yes, min. 3 months | €39,582 | Employer established in France |
| EU Blue Card | Highly qualified non-Europeans | 3 years of higher education | or 5 years | Yes, min. 6 months | €59,373 | Non-Europeans only |
| Medical and pharmacy professions | Doctors, dentists, midwives, pharmacists | Recognised medical degree | – | No | €41,386 | Authorisation to practise in France |
| Intra-group transfer (pivot local) | International intra-group secondees | – | 3 months’ seniority in the group | Yes | €39,582 | Management or expert position in a French subsidiary |
| Researcher | Researchers, teacher-researchers | Master’s level | – | No | – | Hosting agreement (approved institution) |
| Project founder | Foreign entrepreneurs and investors | Master’s level | or 5 years | No | – | Innovative or job-creating project |
| Corporate officer | Company executives | – | – | No | – | Manager, chair or CEO in France |
| Artistic and cultural profession | Artists, culture professionals | – | – | No | €17,112 | Proof of professional recognition |
| National or international reputation | Recognised personalities | – | – | No | – | Proof of reputation + project in France |
How do you obtain a Talent Passport?
The procedure depends on whether you are abroad or already in France.
If you are abroad
You must go to the French consulate in your country of residence to apply for a long-stay visa. The type of visa issued depends on the length of your stay in France: if your stay is under 12 months, you will receive a long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit, marked “passeport talent”. Once in France, you simply validate this visa online on the dedicated website.
If your stay is 1 year or longer, the consulate issues a 3-month long-stay visa marked “talent”. You must then apply for a residence card at the prefecture of your département of residence within 2 months of entering France.
If you are already in France
If you already hold another residence permit, you must apply for a change of status on the dedicated website, proving your eligibility for the Talent Passport category you are applying for. The application must be started between 4 and 2 months before your current permit expires.
What are the conditions for the Talent Passport?
Which documents are required for a Talent Passport?
| Category | Specific documents |
|---|---|
| Qualified employee | Employment contract, degrees or proof of experience, proof of salary |
| EU Blue Card | Employment contract (min. 6 months), degree certifying 3 years of higher education or proof of 5 years’ experience, proof of salary (min. €59,373/year) |
| Medical and pharmacy professions | Assignment decision or authorisation to practise, proof of salary (min. €41,386/year) |
| Intra-group transfer | Proof of seniority in the group |
| Researcher | Hosting agreement from the approved institution |
| Project founder | Project presentation file |
| Corporate officer | Articles of association, company registration extract (Kbis) |
| Artistic and cultural profession | Proof of professional recognition |
| National or international reputation | Proof of reputation and resources |
How long does it take to get a Talent Passport?
Processing times run from the submission of a complete application: 90 days for a decision on the talent card, and 30 days for EU Blue Card holders coming from another Member State.
These are the legal maximums. In practice, times may vary between prefectures and depending on how complete the application is.
How do you renew your Talent Passport?
To renew your Talent Passport, apply between 4 and 2 months before your current residence permit expires.
Renewal applications are made exclusively online through the ANEF platform (Administration Numérique des Étrangers en France), so there is no need to go to the prefecture.
You must provide documents proving that you still meet the conditions for the permit, together with an activity certificate from your employer or a certificate of professional activity covering the last 12 months.
The Talent Passport is renewable and can be valid for up to 4 years. For family members, if the holder has lived in France for at least 5 years with a talent-family residence permit, renewal cannot be refused and is granted for 4 years.
Administrative fees of €150 apply on renewal: a €100 tax and a €50 stamp duty, payable online.
From residence permit to Talent Passport
-
Find an assignment
And become an umbrella employee at OpenWork.
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Contact the prefecture
To find out which documents your application requires.
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OpenWork provides the certificates
You receive the certificates your application needs.
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Submit the complete application
At the prefecture.
Would you like your family to join you?
If you have obtained a Talent Passport, your spouse and minor children can benefit from a specific residence permit: the “Passeport talent – Famille” card. It allows them to live legally in France for the entire validity of your Talent Passport and counts as a work permit: your spouse can take up any professional activity on arrival, without applying for any additional authorisation.
| Criterion | Accompanying family (Talent Passport) | Family reunification (employee permit) |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Much faster | Very slow |
| Required residence period | None | At least 18 months in France |
| Deadline | None | 6 months |
How do you apply?
Family abroad: through France-Visas, completed on the ANEF platform. Family already in France: change of status at the prefecture.
Which documents are required?
The residence card of the spouse or parent, civil status documents proving the relationship, proof of address and an e-photo.
How long and how much?
Validity is aligned with the main worker’s card. Fees: €225 for the spouse’s permit, and €99 for the visa of each family member.
Talent Passport and umbrella employment: how does it work?
Umbrella employment (portage salarial) is based on a three-way relationship between you, OpenWork and your client — with real advantages for Talent Passport holders.
Faster than setting up a company
No company to create: a fixed-term or permanent umbrella contract gives you access to the French general social security system for employees — health, unemployment, pension.
Further reading
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Talent Passport valid?
As long as the employment contract, up to a maximum of 4 years; for a fixed-term contract of 12 months or less, a long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS).
Is the Talent Passport renewable?
Yes: the application is made online before the permit expires.
Do you need to speak French to obtain the Talent Passport?
No: neither prior residence nor knowledge of French is required.
Can you travel freely in Europe with the Talent Passport?
Yes, within the Schengen area.