“Talent – Business Creator” status
France offers a clear framework for creating, structuring and developing a business over the long term. The “Talent – Business Creator” status enables non-European foreign entrepreneurs to start and develop a business in France, with the right of residence of up to four years, which is renewable.
In a nutshell
- The “Talent – Business Creator” status is for non-European foreign entrepreneurs looking to start a business in France.
- It is based on an economically viable business plan, recognized as genuine and serious by the government, and led by an entrepreneur with sufficient qualifications or experience.
- The residence permit is issued for up to four years and is renewable.
- The holder can settle in France with their family.
Who does it apply to?
The “Talent – Business Creator” status applies to foreign nationals from outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland who wish to start and develop a commercial, craft or industrial activity in France.
Nationals of the EU, the EEA and Switzerland can freely work in France without a specific residence permit.
Algerian nationals are subject to the specific provisions of the Franco-Algerian agreement.
What are the eligibility requirements?
To obtain the “Talent – Business Creator” residence permit, applicants must meet all the following conditions:
- Hold a degree at least equivalent to a master’s degree or demonstrate at least five years of professional experience at a comparable level.
- Present a genuine and serious business creation project in France that is economically viable and recognized by the government. A certificate must be obtained from the dedicated platform.
- Make a minimum investment of €30,000 in the business project.
- Have sufficient resources, at least equivalent to the minimum wage, €21,876.36 as of January 1, 2026.
Acquiring a business
Acquiring a stake in a French business can be considered a business creation project if it leads to effective control. Other investment projects fall under the category of “Entrepreneur / Liberal Professional”.
What activities are permitted?
The “Talent – Business Creator” residence permit authorizes the exercise of the commercial, craft or industrial activity that justified its issuance, exclusively within the framework of the submitted project.
What is the length of the authorized stay?
The length of the residence permit depends on the nature and duration of the business project. The maximum duration is four years, which is renewable, provided that the conditions are met
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.
How to obtain the “Talent- Business Creator” status?
- Step 1 – Recognition of the project’s genuine and serious nature
The applicant must request a certificate recognizing the genuine and serious nature of their business creation project from the Ministry for the Economy.
The application is submitted exclusively through the dedicated online platform.
- Step 2 – Visa or residence permit application
The procedure varies depending on the applicant’s place of residence.
If the applicant resides abroad, the long-stay “Talent” visa application is submitted to the French consular authorities in their country of residence via the official France-Visas website.
The visa allows entry into France and the immediate commencement of professional activity. Upon arrival in France, the foreign talent must access the dedicated “Talent” residence permit application platform to finalize the application process.
If the applicant already resides in France, they must apply for a change of status to the “Talent – Business Creator” residence permit via the dedicated platform, no earlier than four months and no later than two months before their current permit expires.
Good to know
Throughout the process, foreign talent can check the status of their application in their online account. Once the application is validated by the Prefecture via the platform, the foreign talent will receive a certificate confirming a favorable decision, which will serve as a residence permit while they wait for the appointment at the Prefecture to collect the residence permit.
The detailed list of required documents is provided during the application process on the official platforms and on the France-Visas website.
You can also find the list of required documents on our dedicated page.
The applicant must pay:
- An administrative fee of €300.
- Stampduty of €50 upon collection of the residence permit.
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.
The applicant must:
- Demonstrate that they continue to meet the conditions for issuing their permit.
- Provide proof of the company’s continued business activity and demonstrate an income equivalent to the minimum wage, which is €21,876.36 as of January 1, 2026.
The administrative cost of renewal is €250.
If the professional situation changes, a request a change of status must be submitted no earlier than four and no later than two months before the residence permit expires, in the case of a “Talent” permit application submitted via the dedicated platform, or at least two months before the expiry of the residence permit for all other types of residence permits, through the Prefecture. The eligibility requirements for the new residence permit must be met.
After five years of regular and uninterrupted residence in France, it may be possible to apply for a 10-year residence permit.
This permit:
- Authorizes residence and the exercise of any professional activity (subject to obtaining the necessary qualifications for regulated professions).
- 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 “Talent” status can benefit from accompanying family status, enabling them to reside legally in France.
For further information, please visit our dedicated page on rules applicable to accompanying amily.
At a glance
This page explains the conditions for accessing the “Talent – Business Creator” status for foreign entrepreneurs wishing to move to France to start a commercial activity. It is based on institutional sources such as the French Ministry of the Interior, prefectures, France-Visas, the MEAE, the DGE and Business France. It presents information covering eligibility criteria, administrative procedures and residence permit renewal conditions for directors who have created a company in France. It uses the example of a company director with a structured and economically viable business creation project in France, completing the formalities required to lawfully carry out a commercial activity in France and settle there with their family.