2024-2025 Reform
What has changed
Law no. 2024-42 of 26 January 2024 and decree no. 2025-539 of 13 June 2025 have profoundly reshaped France's foreign talent attractiveness framework.
- "Talent Passport" has become "Talent" — new official nomenclature
- Merger and rationalisation of categories under CESEDA
- Creation of a specific pathway for medical professions
- Overhaul of salary thresholds indexed to the SMIC
The 8 categories
One permit, eight categories
The Talent residence permit covers 8 categories. Each targets a specific profile of foreign talent wishing to settle in France.
Talent — Qualified Employee
Art. L. 421-9 CESEDA
≥ €39,582/year
Up to 4 years
Employment contract with a French company, bachelor's degree or 5 years' experience
Talent — EU Blue Card
Art. L. 421-11 CESEDA
≥ €59,373/year (standard) / €41,386/year (shortage)
Up to 4 years
Contract ≥ 12 months, master's degree or 5 years' professional experience
Talent — Researcher
Art. L. 421-13 CESEDA
Hosting agreement
Up to 4 years
Hosting agreement with an approved research organisation
Talent — Innovative Company
Art. L. 421-16 CESEDA
≥ €39,582/year
Up to 4 years
Company recognised as innovative (JEI, French Tech, BPI, CIR)
Talent — Corporate Officer
Art. L. 421-17 CESEDA
≥ €65,629/year
Up to 4 years
Director or corporate officer of an establishment in France
Talent — Project Creator
Art. L. 421-18 CESEDA
Investment ≥ €30,000 + sufficient resources
Up to 4 years
Genuine and serious economic project, master's degree or proof of experience
Talent — National or International Renown
Art. L. 421-19 CESEDA
Variable
Up to 4 years
Renown in scientific, literary, artistic, sporting or educational fields
Talent — Medical Profession
Art. L. 421-13-1 CESEDA (new)
Per agreement
Up to 4 years
Doctor, pharmacist, dental surgeon — practising authorisation required (ARS)
2026 Thresholds
Salary threshold table
Thresholds are indexed to the 2026 SMIC: €1,823.03/month gross, i.e. €21,876.40/year.
Scheme
Annual gross threshold
SMIC multiplier
Qualified Employee / Innovative Company
€39,582
1.8×
EU Blue Card (standard)
€59,373
2.7×
Corporate Officer
€65,629
3×
EU Blue Card (shortage)
€41,387
1.89×
French Tech Visa
A fast-track procedure, not a separate permit
The French Tech Visa is not a standalone residence permit. It is a fast-track procedure that facilitates obtaining a Talent permit for three categories of beneficiaries.
Employees
Employees recruited by a French Tech-labelled company or a recognised acceleration programme laureate.
Founders
Company founders supported by a French Tech-labelled incubator.
Investors
Foreign investors wishing to invest in the French technology ecosystem.
Accompanying family
"Talent (family)" card
The spouse and adult children of a Talent permit holder are entitled as of right to a "Talent (family)" card allowing them to reside and work in France, without a separate work authorisation.
ANEF Procedure
The fully digital procedure
Since the deployment of ANEF (Administration Numérique pour les Étrangers en France), the entire procedure is conducted online.
01Online application
The employee or employer submits the application via the ANEF portal with scanned supporting documents.
02Prefecture review
Standard timeframe: 90 days. Fast-track for complete French Tech-eligible applications: 30 days.
03Consular validation
For first-time arrivals: long-stay visa issued by the French consulate in the country of origin.
04Permit issuance
Multi-year residence permit (physical card) issued after validation and biometric capture at the prefecture.
Administrative fees
Procedure costs
Current administrative fees are €225 (residence permit tax + fiscal stamp). From May 2026, these fees will be revised to between €150 and €350 depending on the permit category.
Current fees: €225
From May 2026: €150 – €350 depending on category