Talent status – Qualified employee
Employees recruited by an “innovative new company (JEI)” can obtain a multi-year “Talent” residence permit. This scheme facilitates settlement and work in France for individuals involved in research and development projects.
In summary
- This residence permit is for foreign employees recruited in an “innovative new company” (JEI, tax status) to participate in a research and development project.
- It requires an employment contract in France of at least three months and a minimum gross annual salary of €39,582 (as of August 31, 2025).
- The “Talent” residence permit is issued for a period of up to four years and is renewable under certain conditions.
- It serves as a work permit, enabling the holder to legally undertake professional activity from the moment it is issued.
- The employee may be joined by their accompanying family, whose members have the right to reside in France and, in the case of a spouse, the right to work.
Who does it apply to ?
The “Talent – Employee recruited in an Innovative New Company (JEI)” status is for nationals of countries outside the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland who want to work in France for more than three months.
It enables them to obtain the “Talent – Qualified Employee – Employee recruited in an Innovative New Company (JEI)” status.
Algerian citizens are subject to a specific regime, separate from this status.
What are the eligibility requirements ?
To be eligible for a residence permit as an employee of an “innovative new company (JEI)”, the applicant must meet the following conditions:
- Demonstrate an annual gross salary at least equal to the reference salary set by decree, i.e. €39,582 as of August 31, 2025.
- Have a permanent or fixed-term employment contract of at least three months with an employer established in France.
- Actively participate in the business’s research and development project.
- Be employed by an “innovative new company (JEI)”.
How to obtain “Innovative New Company (JEI) Status?
“Innovative new company (JEI)” status is a tax status granted to innovative businesses that meet the following criteria:
- Business founded in the last 11 years.
- Consolidated workforce of fewer than 250 employees.
- Revenues of less than €50 million.
To secure this status, a business can request an advance tax ruling from the tax authorities before hiring the foreign employee. The tax authorities have three months to respond. If no response is received, the request is considered to have been accepted.
The ruling, or failing that, the request for a ruling, must be included in the application for a long-stay visa or a “Talent” residence permit. You can access the application template via the dedicated page.
What activities are permitted ?
The “Talent – Employee of an Innovative New Company (JEI)” status authorizes its holder to reside in France and undertake paid employment.
The multi-year “Talent” residence permit serves as a work permit for its entire validity period.
It is possible to recruit an international candidate already present in France under the “Talent – Employee recruited in an Innovative New Company (JEI)” status without initiating a new application process, provided that the new position offered continues to meet the eligibility requirements of this permit and that the new employer also holds “Innovative New Company (JEI)” status.
What is the length of the authorized stay?
The permitted length of stay for a holder of the “Talent – Qualifie Employee” permit is four years, which is renewable.
Long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit
When the intended stay is less than one year, the applicant can obtain a long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS) Talent, valid for up to 12 months. This visa must be validated online after arrival in France and then enables the applicant to apply for a “Talent” residence permit, which is valid for four years, provided that they remain in France.
What procedure must be followed ?
When the employee resides outside of France, the application must be submitted to the competent French consular authorities in their country of habitual residence.
- The long-stay “Talent” visa application is submitted online on the official France-Visas website. While the visa application process is handled personally, the employer must assist their future employee with the process.
- The process can be initiated up to three months before arrival in France.
- Upon arrival in France, the visa authorizes the employee to work.
- The Talent residence permit application is then finalized on the dedicated platform. While the visa application process is handled personally, the employer must assist their future employee with the process.
A certificate of approval is issued while the applicant waits for the residence permit to be issued by the Prefecture.
When an employee already resides in France with another residence permit, they must apply for a change of status on the dedicated platform.
- The application must be submitted between two and four months before the expiry of the current permit. While the visa application process is handled personally, the employer must assist their future employee with the process.
- The applicant must demonstrate that they meet all the eligibility requirements for the “Talent” permit.
Good to know
Between submitting the application and receiving the residence permit, the foreign talent can check the status of their application on their online account, respond to any requests to complete their file and learn about the decisions made.
The exact list of required documents is provided to the applicant by the authority responsible for processing the application and is available on the France-Visas website.
For reference, you can find the list of required documents.
The administrative cost includes:
- An administrative fee of €300.
- Stamp duty of €50 upon collection of the residence permit at the Prefecture.
In addition to these fees, there is the cost of the long-stay visa, which is €99.
How to extend the stay in France ?
The renewal application must be submitted no earlier than four months and no later than two months before the expiry of the residence permit via the dedicated online platform.
The applicant must demonstrate that they continue to meet the eligibility requirements, notably by providing proof of recent employment, which can be uploaded to the website mesdroitssociaux.gouv.fr.
The renewal fee is €250.
In the event of a change in professional circumstances, a change of status can be requested via the dedicated platform for a “Talent” permit, or at the Prefecture of the applicant’s place of residence for other categories of residence permits, no earlier than four months and no later than two months before the expiry of the previous residence permit, provided that the requirements of the new permit are met.
After five years of continuous and legal residence in France, an application for a residence permit can be submitted.
This permit authorizes residence and the carrying out of any professional activity (subject to the applicant having the qualifications required for regulated professions).
It is issued for a period of 10 years and is renewable.
What about accompanying family members?
The spouse and dependent minor children of the holder of the “Talent” status can benefit from accompanying family status.
The spouse can obtain a “Talent – Family” residence permit, authorizing the stay and the exercise of any salaried activity for the duration of the validity of the employee’s permit.