Although France does not offer a Golden Visa program, it provides a path for France residency by investment under its French Passport Talent residence framework. This residency framework has existed for 15 years and has offered residency to researchers, scientists, entrepreneurs, artists, and other highly qualified individuals. Typically, it is a multi-year France residence permit, which is valid for up to 4 years. Under the investment category, the applicant is required to make at least a €300,000 investment into a qualifying French operating company, either investing in a French company or holding shares in one.
Residency by Investment
Family Members Included
Right to Work in France
Schengen Travel
Path to Citizenship
Permanent Residence
Minimum Investment
Investment Type
Investment Holding Period
Minimum Stay Required
Processing Time
Does France Have a Golden Visa Program?
Compared to common Golden Visa programs in Europe, France does not offer a typical Golden Visa program. However, investors can be eligible to apply for French residency by Investment under the existing Passport Talent – Direct Economic Investment framework.
The investment route requires a direct investment of €300,000 in a French company, either by investing in it or becoming a shareholder. Thus, it provides investors with an active investment opportunity through meaningful economic contribution.
Benefits of France Residence by Investment
To qualify for France Residence by Investment, investors can benefit from:
- The program offers French residency for up to 4 years, renewable as long as you meet legal requirements, and it may also be possible for investors to renew their residency without any minimum stay requirement.
- Family inclusion is possible; you can include your spouse and minor children in your application.
- The minimum investment level is accessible compared to other Golden Visa programs in Europe. Unlike some second residency programs, you complete your investment after visa approval, although you must demonstrate access to the required funds earlier in the process.
- Through the residency rights granted under the framework, investors will have the right to live, work, access French education and healthcare systems, and run a business in France. Besides, they can benefit from visa-free access to the Schengen Area.
- By making an investment, investors will make an active investment into an operating French business, and may earn potential dividend income and capital appreciation.
- After five years of genuine residence in France, investors may become eligible to apply for French citizenship, provided they meet the applicable residence, language, integration and other legal requirements.
Who is Eligible to Apply for France Golden Visa
The Main Applicant
Investors can qualify for France Residency by Investment if they are:
- Non-EU nationals
- Have a clean criminal record
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate that their investment funds come from lawful sources.
- A qualifying investment must be made in an eligible French operating company. The investment may generally be made directly, or through a company that the applicant manages or in which they hold at least a 30% interest, subject to confirmation under the applicable legal requirements.
Family Eligibility
The main applicant can include their:
- Spouse
- Dependent children under 18.
France Golden Visa Investment Options
For the France Residency by Investment, applicants must make at least a €300,000 investment. The company must be an active French operating business, and it:
- is already operating
- has real business activities
- is not a shell company
- can demonstrate why it needs the investment
Basically, France wants to see whether your investment will help the business expand its operations, finance growth, develop new projects, or create and preserve new jobs.
Option 1: Invest in a Publicly Listed French Company
Typically best suited for investors with a higher risk tolerance, this option allows investors to acquire shares in a publicly listed French company. By having direct ownership of shares, they might be able to receive dividends and an increase in the share price. However, there is no guaranteed return or payback.
Option 2: Invest in a Private French Company
For investors seeking a more structured investment, this option gives investors the opportunity to invest in the equity of a private French operating company. Under this option, the investment can offer indicative annual returns around 4-5%, subject to the terms of the investment agreement. It may also include a contractual buyback option after five years, depending on the agreed terms.
France Golden Visa Requirements
Source of Funds & Banking
Before submitting your application, your €300,000 investment amount must be held in Europe. There are two ways to meet this requirement:
- If you already have a European bank account, the funds can remain in that account while you prepare your application.
- If you do not have a suitable European bank account, you may use an approved escrow account arranged through the program.
Whichever option you use, the bank or escrow provider will carry out standard Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks. They will also issue the necessary confirmation to support your visa application.
As part of the compliance process, you should be prepared to provide documents showing where your money comes from. Depending on your circumstances, this may include bank statements, tax records, proof of the sale of assets, dividend records, inheritance documents, company ownership information, or other evidence demonstrating the source of your funds and wealth.
How to Apply for France Residency by Investment?
Step 1: Determining your eligibility
The process begins with a preliminary assessment. During this, the investor’s profile is examined to determine whether it meets the program’s legal requirements.
Step 2: Sign Up and Prepare the Funds
Once you decide to proceed, you sign the service agreement and place €300,000 into either:
- your existing European bank account, or
- an approved escrow account.
The bank or escrow provider will carry out standard identity and compliance checks (KYC/AML).
Step 3: Prepare Your Application
Then, you must collect all the required documents from the French company, the bank or escrow provider, and the relevant French authorities for your application.
Step 4: Apply for the Visa
You submit your application at the French consulate in your country of residence. Processing times vary by country, but appointments and visa decisions are generally completed within a few weeks to a few months.
Step 5: Travel to France
Once your visa is approved, you receive a one-year multiple-entry visa and travel to France within the required timeframe.
Step 6: Complete the Investment
Before your residence permit appointment, the €300,000 is transferred from your European bank account or escrow account into the qualifying French company.
Step 7: Receive Your Residence Card
You attend your appointment at the local prefecture in France and receive your four-year residence card, allowing you to live in France under this program.
France Talent Passport to Permanent Residency & Citizenship
France’s Passport Talent program is to attract international talents, it is not structured as a path for permanent residence or French citizenship. Naturalisation under French law does not automatically grant citizenship or permanent residence. For someone to get France permanent residency card, they:
- Legal residence in France for at least 5 years.
- Must also show that they have stable financial resources, full health insurance coverage,
- A B1 level of French language proof
- Prove that they are well integrated into French society.
- Have a clean criminal record
For French citizenship:
- Usually 5 years of legal and continuous residence in France
- Minimum 18 years old.
- B2 level in spoken and written French.
- Pass the NAT civic test on French history, values, rights, and duties.
- Provide proof of stable income or resources.
- Show integration into French society and respect for French Republic values.
- Have a clean criminal record.
How Does France Compare to Golden Visa Programs in Europe?
Unlike traditional Golden Visa programs in countries such as Portugal, Greece, and Italy, France does not offer residency by investment. However, under its France Passport Talent program, it provides Project Leader category. It is suitable for investors who want to make an active contribution to the French economy in exchange for residency rights in France.
To qualify for a French Talent Passport, investors must invest at least €300,000 into an existing business or established business in France. Additionally, although family inclusion is possible, it is limited when compared to Golden Visa programs.
As every investor’s aim is different from each other, the key difference here is based totally on the investor’s expectations from a residency program. Portugal Golden Visa has been widely used by investors seeking a residency pathway with the possibility of permanent residence and citizenship. In the meantime, Greece and Italy have generally attracted investors interested in lifestyle benefits, second homes, and real estate-based options.
Get Golden Visa: How We Can Help You
At Get Golden Visa, we have been providing assistance through 16 residency and citizenship by investment programs worldwide. Our role as a global mobility consultancy is to analyze every investors’ goals and family plans for a better understanding. Rather than promoting a single program, we offer an independent approach, centering each investor at the center.
To discover your options today, reach out to our team by fulfilling the form below.
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What is a Talent Passport in France?
Talent Passport is a type of French residency permit that can be valid for up to 4 years, renewable as long as you qualify. This multi year residence permit aims to contribute to France’s economy, culture, and science by granting residency rights to qualified foreigners.
Eligibility depends on several categories. These include researchers, scientists, artists, investors, entrepreneurs, academicians, company representatives, and highly qualified individuals. We will explain the details below.
Who is Eligible to Apply for Talent Passport France?
1. Skilled Employees
Under France Talent Passport, you can qualify as a skilled employee. One of its advantages is that your French employer does not need to apply for a separate work permit, and they are exempt from the tax normally charged for hiring a foreign talent.
Your residence permit is valid for the same length as your employment contract, up to a maximum of 4 years.
Before you apply, you need to make sure you meet the requirements. This residence permit is available under one of three categories stated below. Also, each category has its own eligibility criteria and demands different documentation.
2. EU Blue Card
If you qualify for the EU Blue Card, you will also have the right to live and work in France. However, the validity of your residence permit depends on the length of your employment contract.
If your employment contract is 2 years or longer, your EU Blue Card will be valid for the same duration as your contract, up to a maximum of 4 years. If your employment contract is shorter than 2 years, your card will be valid for the length of the contract plus an additional 3 months, up to a maximum of 2 years.
To qualify for the Talent EU Blue Card (Highly qualified employees), you meet all of the following requirements:
- a higher education degree that required at least 3 years of study, or
- at least 5 years of professional experience at a level comparable to a higher education qualification, in a field related to the job you will perform in France.
- You have an employment contract for at least 6 months.
- Your annual gross salary is at least €59,373, which corresponds to 1.5 times the average annual gross reference salary.
If you are going to work in one of the professions listed by the French Ministry responsible for immigration, having only 3 years of relevant professional experience within the last 7 years will be enough.
You may also be eligible if you already hold an EU Blue Card issued by another EU Member State and have lived there for at least 1 year. In that case, you must apply for the French EU Blue Card within one month of entering France.
3. Medical and Pharmacy Professions
If you are considering applying for the Medical and Pharmacy Professions category under Passport Talent France, you need to meet two main requirements:
- You must be authorized to practise your profession in France. This means you need an official document such as an appointment decision, a temporary authorization to practise, or a full authorization to practise.
- You must earn at least €41,386.48 in gross annual salary, which is the minimum salary threshold for this permit.
4. Researcher
If your goal is to come to France for academic research or university teaching, you can qualify for the researcher residence permit under the France’s Passport Talent Visa. To be eligible, you will need to satisfy a few key requirements:
- You must hold a Master’s degree or a qualification of an equivalent level.
- Your stay in France must be for the purpose of conducting research or teaching at a higher education institution.
- You must have a hosting agreement with an approved public or private research or higher education institution in France. This agreement should confirm your researcher status and clearly state the purpose and length of your stay.
If your research project includes spending time in another EU country under a mobility programme, this must be reflected in your hosting agreement. Also, if you are working under a hosting agreement, you must receive a minimum gross salary of €2,200.
On the other hand, if you are already a researcher in another European country and are coming to France for more than three months to continue part of your research, you can also apply under this route.
5. Project Leader
To establish a business or make a major investment in France, you may be suitable for applying for a Project Leader residence permit. There are three categories:
- Entrepreneur: You must have a Master’s degree (or five years of comparable professional experience), an innovative economic project, at least €30,000 to fund it, and sufficient income to support yourself and your family members (minimum €22,404.20 per year).
- Innovative Project: Your business idea must be officially recognized as innovative, and you must meet the same minimum financial resource requirement.
- Investor: You must invest at least €300,000 in France and contribute to creating or safeguarding jobs. You can either establish a business or invest in an existing business in France.
Here, for the Investor route, you must make your investment in an operating French company and keep it for at least 5 years. Thus, it allows you to become part of a real French business and benefit from its potential growth. Depending on the investment structure, you may also receive returns during the holding period and have a clearer exit plan after the required five years.
6. Corporate Officer
You can qualify under this category if you
- Work as a legal representative of a company or organisation based in France.
- Have at least 3 months of experience as an employee or company director within the same company group.
- Receive a gross annual salary of at least €67,212.60 (three times the French minimum wage).
7. Artistic and Cultural Profession
For an artist or creative professional looking to work in France, this category can be suitable. Firstly, you must prove that you are performing as an artist or as a creator of literary or artistic works.
Additionally, you must provide enough financial resources during your stay in France, which must be at least €1,306.91 per month. Here the important thing is that 51% of this income must come from your artistic activity.
If you plan to work as an employee, you must also provide contracts showing that you will work for at least 3 months within a 12-month period with organisations or companies involved in creating or promoting artistic or intellectual works.
8. National or International Reputation
To apply under this category, the French government’s Talent Visa requires you to demonstrate that you have recognised national or international standing, or that your presence in France will make a significant and lasting contribution to the country’s economic development, regional planning, or influence.
Your activity in France must be related to a field such as science, literature, arts, intellectual work, education, or sports.
You must also prove that you have sufficient income, with a minimum annual gross amount of €22,404.20, which is equivalent to the French minimum wage.
Talent Passport France Requirements
Basically, you will be required to submit the following documentations:
- Valid passport
- Long-stay visa or current residence permit (if applying from France)
- Proof of address
- Recent passport-style photo / e-photo
- Proof of income or financial resources
- Documents showing your professional activity in France
- Signed commitment to respect French Republican values
How to Apply for French Talent Passport
Step 1: Determine your eligibility criteria
To start your application process, you must check which category you are eligible for. This step is crucial as it will determine the required documents you need to submit.
Step 2: Gather your documentation
Upon deciding on your eligibility criteria, you must start collecting all the required documents and complete the application forms. For detailed information, please visit the official website .
Step 3: Submit your application
For those living abroad, they must submit your visa application to the French consulate. At this stage, French consular authorities will give you a long stay visa marked as “Talent” if you will stay less than 12 months. However, after arriving in France, you must validate it online within 3 months.
If your stay is 12 months or longer, you will receive a 3-month “Talent” long-stay visa and must apply online for your residence permit after arrival in France.
Please note that if you are living in France at the time of your application, you must submit your application online at the earliest 4 months and at the latest 2 months before the expiry of your current residence card.
4. Validate your visa
You must submit your application online between 4 and 2 months before your visa or residence document expires. After submitting, you will immediately receive a digital confirmation of your application.
4. Wait for the prefecture’s decision
The local prefecture reviews your application and confirms whether your residence permit is approved. Once approved, you must pay €350 in taxes:
- €50 stamp duty
- €300 tax fee
You can buy the electronic tax stamp online or from an approved retailer.
5. Get your residence card
When your card is ready, you will collect it from your local prefecture. In most areas, you need to book an appointment. The card is generally valid for the same duration as your project or French employment contract, up to 4 years.
6. Bring your family members
Talent Passport holders can include your spouse and minor dependent children through a simplified process. For this, you must apply for a “Talent Family” residence permit without going through the standard family reunification procedure.
Talent Passport France Processing Time for 2026
The France Talent Passport process usually takes around 2-3 months from preparation to approval, depending on the consulate and the complexity of the application.
First, you need to prepare your documents and submit your application to the French consulate in your country of residence. Once the consulate reviews and approves your application, you receive your Talent long-stay visa.
After you arrive in France, you complete the required online formalities, and the prefecture finalises the residence permit process. Once approved, you receive your Talent Passport residence card.
FAQ’s on France Passport Talent
Can a US citizen just move to France?
Not exactly. As a US citizen, you can visit France for up to 90 days without a visa. However, if you want to live in France long-term, you need a residence permit or long-stay visa such as French Passport Talent.
Can I live in France permanently if I buy a house?
Buying a property in France does not automatically give you residency rights. You can own a home, but you still need to qualify for a French residence permit through another route.
Is France cheaper to live in than the USA?
It depends on where you compare. In general, many daily expenses in France, such as healthcare and public transportation, can be more affordable than in the US. However, major French cities like Paris can be expensive, especially for housing.
Can I still collect my Social Security if I move to France?
Yes, in many cases US citizens can continue receiving their Social Security payments while living in France.
