If you are not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen and you have a tech job offer in France, you will most likely move on a Talent residence permit. The “French Tech Visa” is the name La French Tech uses for the Talent routes that suit startup employees, founders and investors. This guide covers the three routes most software engineers use, what they cost and how long each step takes.
Figures are from Service-Public, the French government’s official information site, as checked in September 2026. Thresholds change, so check the linked pages before you apply.
The short answer
- Most engineers use one of three Talent permits: qualified employee, employee of an innovative company (the French Tech Visa for employees) or EU Blue Card.
- For all three, your employer does not need to apply for a work authorisation (Service-Public).
- The minimum gross annual salary is €39,582 for the first two routes and €59,373 for the EU Blue Card.
- The residence card is valid for up to 4 years and costs €350 in fees. The long-stay visa you apply for first costs €99.
- Your partner and children can come with you on a Talent (family) card.
Which Talent permit fits you?
| Route | Main conditions | Minimum gross salary per year |
|---|---|---|
| Talent – qualified employee (salarié qualifié) | A master’s-level diploma (or a recognised equivalent) and an employment contract of more than 3 months | €39,582 |
| Talent – employee of an innovative company (French Tech Visa for employees) | You are hired by a “young innovative company” (JEI) or a company recognised as innovative by the Ministry of the Economy, in a role linked to its research and development | €39,582 |
| Talent – EU Blue Card (carte bleue européenne) | A higher-education diploma from at least 3 years of study, or 5 years of comparable professional experience, and a contract of at least 6 months | €59,373 |
Source: Service-Public, “Carte de séjour talent”. The €39,582 reference salary is set by a ministerial order (arrêté of 21 August 2025, published on Légifrance). The Blue Card threshold is 1.5 times that amount.
How to choose
- You have a master’s degree and a salary of at least €39,582: the qualified employee route is usually the simplest.
- You’re joining a startup: ask whether the company is a JEI or recognised as innovative. If it is, the French Tech Visa route for employees is open to you, even without a master’s degree. La French Tech explains how companies qualify.
- You earn at least €59,373 and may later move within the EU: the EU Blue Card lets you move to another EU country after 12 months under simpler rules (Directive (EU) 2021/1883).
Your employer’s HR team or immigration adviser usually decides which route to use. It helps to know the options before you sign.
Looking for employers that already do this? See companies that sponsor visas in France and all visa sponsorship jobs.
Step by step (applying from outside France)
1. Get a signed job offer and contract
The contract needs to show the salary and the length of the job. For the Blue Card, the contract must last at least 6 months. For the other two routes, more than 3 months.
2. Gather your documents
Typical documents are your passport, your signed contract, your diplomas and proof of the employer’s status (for the innovative company route). France-Visas gives you the exact list for your case when you fill in the online form. Diplomas in a foreign language may need a translation; the online form tells you what is required.
3. Apply for a long-stay visa on France-Visas
Apply online on France-Visas, then book an appointment at the French consulate or visa centre in your country. The long-stay visa fee is €99 (France-Visas FAQ). The fee is not refunded if the visa is refused.
How long it takes: France-Visas says a decision usually takes about 15 days, and it can take longer in some cases. Add time for the appointment itself, which depends on your consulate.
4. Travel to France
What you receive depends on the length of your contract (Service-Public):
- Contract of 1 year or more: a 3-month long-stay visa marked “talent”. You must apply for your residence card online within 2 months of arriving.
- Contract of less than 1 year: a long-stay visa that counts as a residence permit (VLS-TS). You must validate it online within 3 months of arriving.
5. Apply or validate online (ANEF)
Both steps happen on the Interior Ministry’s platform for foreign nationals, ANEF. You create an account, upload your documents and pay the fees online. The platform tells you when and where to collect your card.
6. Pay the fees
For the Talent residence card you pay €350: a €50 stamp duty plus a €300 tax (Service-Public). You can buy the tax stamps online or from a tobacconist (bureau de tabac).
7. Collect your card
Keep every confirmation and receipt that ANEF gives you, and download copies. You may need them for your employer, your bank or social security while your card is being made.
Costs at a glance
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Long-stay visa application | €99 |
| Talent residence card (stamp duty + tax) | €350 |
| Translations, document copies, travel to the consulate | Varies |
Some employers pay these costs. Ask before you accept the offer.
How long the permit lasts
- Qualified employee and innovative company routes: the card lasts as long as your contract, up to 4 years.
- EU Blue Card: if your contract is 2 years or longer, the card lasts as long as the contract, up to 4 years. If it is shorter than 2 years, the card lasts the length of the contract plus 3 months, up to 2 years.
Source: Service-Public.
Bringing your family
Your spouse and minor children can get a Talent (family) residence card. They don’t need to go through the normal family reunification procedure (Service-Public). La French Tech notes that family members can take any job in France.
Other things to know
- No French required for the permit. The conditions listed on Service-Public for these Talent routes don’t include a French language test. You will still need some French for daily life; see how to get a tech job in France without speaking French.
- French matters for the long term. Since 1 January 2026, a first resident card requires French at level B1. This includes Talent and EU Blue Card holders who apply for an EU long-term resident card after more than 5 years (Service-Public).
- No integration contract. Holders of a Talent or Talent (family) card don’t have to sign the Republican Integration Contract (contrat d’intégration républicaine, CIR) (Service-Public).
- Already in France? If you already hold another French residence permit, you apply on ANEF from France. Service-Public explains the deadlines for a change of status.
- Doesn’t fit? Other permits exist, including the standard “employee” (salarié) permit, which has different conditions. Check Service-Public or ask your employer’s immigration adviser.
After you arrive
The permit is only the first step. Next come a bank account, social security registration, health cover and your first tax return. Our relocation checklist for France walks through each one. For salaries and take-home pay, see software engineer salaries in France and tax basics for tech workers in France.
Frequently asked questions
What is the French Tech Visa?
The French Tech Visa is the name La French Tech uses for the Talent routes that suit startup employees, founders and investors. For employees, it is the Talent permit for staff of an innovative company: a JEI or a company recognised as innovative by the Ministry of the Economy, with a salary of at least €39,582 gross a year.
Can I get a Talent permit without a master’s degree?
Yes, on two routes. If a young innovative company (JEI) or a company recognised as innovative by the Ministry of the Economy hires you in a role linked to its research and development, you don’t need a master’s degree. The EU Blue Card accepts 5 years of comparable professional experience instead of a 3-year degree.
How long does it take to get a French Talent visa?
France-Visas says a decision on the long-stay visa usually takes about 15 days, and it can take longer in some cases. Add time for your consulate appointment. After you arrive, you have 2 months to apply for your residence card on ANEF, or 3 months to validate a VLS-TS if your contract is shorter than a year.
How much does a Talent permit cost in 2026?
You pay €99 for the long-stay visa application, which isn’t refunded if the visa is refused, and €350 for the Talent residence card: a €50 stamp duty plus a €300 tax. Translations, document copies and travel to the consulate cost extra. Some employers cover these costs, so ask before you accept the offer.
Do I need to speak French to get a Talent permit?
No. The conditions Service-Public lists for these Talent routes don’t include a French language test, and Talent cardholders don’t sign the Republican Integration Contract (CIR). French matters later: since 1 January 2026, a first resident card requires level B1, including for Talent and EU Blue Card holders who apply after more than 5 years.
Can my partner work in France if I have a Talent permit?
Yes. Your spouse and minor children can get a Talent (family) residence card without going through the normal family reunification procedure, and La French Tech notes that family members can take any job in France. Rules change, so check the current conditions on Service-Public before your family applies.
Find a job that sponsors
- Visa sponsorship jobs in France
- Jobs you can apply for from abroad
- English-speaking tech jobs in Paris and in Lyon
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change. Always check the official pages linked above before you apply.