French Tech Visa for Founders
France offers a dedicated framework for international founders of innovative startups. The French Tech Visa for Founders procedure enables founders to relocate to France to develop an innovative project and benefit from the status of “Talent – Innovative Economic Project”.
In a nutshell
- The French Tech Visa for Founders procedure is for founders of international startups from outside the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
- It grants the status of “Talent – Innovative Economic Project.”
- The project must be recognized as innovative by the French authorities.
- The residence permit can be issued for up to four years and is renewable.
- The founder can settle in France with their family.
Who does it apply to?
This procedure enables applicants to obtain a “Talent – Innovative Economic Project” residence permit, enabling them to establish a long-term presence in France and conduct business.
EU/EEA and Swiss nationals can create and manage a business in France without any specific residency requirements.
Algerian nationals are subject to a specific regime regarding business creation.
French Tech Visa procedure
The French Tech initiative aims to foster successful startups in France and enhance the attractiveness of the French ecosystem to international talent. The French Tech Visa is a simplified procedure, enabling three types of individuals to obtain a “Talent” residence permit:
- Startup founders.
- Employees recruited by innovative businesses (Employees).
- International investors (Investors).
What are the eligibility requirements?
To obtain the “Talent Innovative Economic Project ” multi-year residence permits, the founder must demonstrate:
- An innovative economic project to be developed in France.
- Official recognition of the project’s innovative nature by theRegional Directorate forthe Economy, Employment, Work and Solidarity (DRIEETS).
- Adequatemeans of support, equivalent to the minimum wage, i.e. €21,876.36 as of January 1, 2026.
What activities are permitted?
The “Talent – Innovative Economic Project ” status authorizes its holder to reside in France to develop their innovative business project and to carry out the associated commercial activity.
What is the length of the authorized stay?
Under the French Tech Visa for Founders procedure, a residence permit for a maximum of four years may be issued. The duration granted depends on the nature, progress and characteristics of the submitted project. The permit 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 “Talent” visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS), 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.
How to obtain “Talent – Innovative Economic Project ” status?
Preliminary step: Recognize the innovative nature of the project
The project leader must:
- Be selected by a French Tech partner incubator or accelerator or be supported by a French Tech Capital.
- Alternatively, obtain a letter of support from two recognized stakeholders in the French Tech ecosystem (research organizations, businesses, qualified individuals, laboratories, etc.).
Once selected or the necessary support has been obtained, the founder must submit an application for recognition of the project’s innovative nature on the dedicated platform.
If the project is considered to be innovative, the Ile de France Regional Directorate for the Economy, Employment, Work and Solidarity (DRIEETS IDF) will issue an official certificate.
This certificate must then be attached to the application for a long-stay visa or “Talent” residence permit, along with the other supporting documents.
Visa or residence permit application
If the founder resides abroad, the application for a long stay “Talent” visa must be submitted to the relevant French consular authorities. This visa allows entry into France and immediate commencement of professional activity. Upon arrival in France, the founder must immediately access the online platform for residence permit applications to finalize the process.
If the founder already resides in France, they must apply for a residence permit or a change of status via the online platform, within the regulatory deadlines. The procedure must be initiated no earlier than four and no later than two months before the expiry of the previous residence permit.
Good to know
Between submitting the application and receiving the residence permit, the foreign national can check the status of their application on their online account, respond to any requests to complete the file, and view the decisions made. Once the application is validated by the Prefecture via the platform, the foreign national will receive a certificate confirming the favorable decision, which serves as a temporary residence permit while they wait for their appointment at the Prefecture to collect the official residence permit.
The Prefecture determines the duration of the “Talent” residence permit issued.
The exact list of required documents is provided by the authority in charge of the application and on the official France-Visas website.
For reference, you can find the list of required documents.
The administrative cost includes:
- An administrative fee of €300.
- €50 in stamp duty is payable upon submission of the residence permit at the Prefecture.
In addition to this fee, there is the cost of the long-stay visa, which is €99.
How to extand the stay in France?
The renewal application must be submitted no earlier than four months and no later than two months before the permit expires on the dedicated platform.
The founder must demonstrate the continued and serious pursuit of their innovative project and provide proof of sufficient resources corresponding to the minimum wage (€21,876.36 as of January 1, 2026).
The renewal fee is €250.
In the event of a change in professional circumstances, a change of status can be considered within the regulatory timeframes, provided the requirements of the new permit applied for are met. The application must be submitted on the dedicated platform.
After five years of regular and uninterrupted residence in France, an application for a residence permit can be submitted (subject to obtaining the necessary qualifications in the case of regulated professions). This permit is valid for 10 years and authorizes the carrying out of any professional activity.
What about accompanying family members?
The spouse and minor children of the holder of the “Talent – Innovative Economic Project” status can benefit from accompanying family status and settle in France.
At a glance
This page explains how the French Tech Visa for Founders procedure works, a scheme designed to facilitate the relocation of international start-up founders to France. It is based on institutional sources such as the French Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry for the Economy, France-Visas, the DGE, the French Tech Mission and Business France. It presents information covering eligibility conditions, recognition of the innovative nature of the project and the steps to follow to launch a start-up in France. It uses the example of a foreign entrepreneur launching their start-up in France and wishing to reside there with their family.