How to Move to France as a Non-EU National
To move to France as a non-EU national, you first choose a residence route that matches your project: creating a company, an innovative project, an investment, or living in France without working. You then apply for a long-stay visa with the French consular authorities in your country of residence, and complete your residence formalities after arrival.
Choose your route
| Route | For whom | Main conditions | Professional activity in France |
|---|---|---|---|
| Talent Startup | Founders of an innovative project recognised by the Ministry of Economy | Project recognised by the Ministry of Economy; no minimum investment; resources at least equal to the French minimum wage, €22,404.20 gross per year [Service-public] | Developing your project |
| Talent Business Creation | Entrepreneurs who create a company in France | Investment of at least €30,000 in your company; a master's degree or five years of professional experience; resources at least equal to the minimum wage [Service-public] | Running your company |
| Talent Investor | Investors | Investment of at least €300,000 in France; creation or preservation of jobs [Service-public] | Managing your investment |
| Visa D Visiteur | Retirees and financially independent people | Resources of at least €1,477.93 net per month for a single person; health insurance for the whole stay [Service-public] | None: the visitor visa does not allow you to work [Service-public] |
Family: on the three Talent routes, your spouse and minor children are included in the same application, and your spouse can work in France. On the Visa D Visiteur, your spouse and children under 18 are included.
The three Talent routes are explained together on our Talent page. Each route has its own requirements on its page.
Before you apply
- Check that your project matches one route, and that you can show the resources it requires. For the visitor visa, you must be able to live on your own resources [Service-public].
- Prepare a valid passport and your civil status documents. Documents in a foreign language may need a translation.
- Apply for the long-stay visa with the French consular authorities in your country of residence; France-Visas indicates where to apply [Service-public][France-Visas].
- For some routes, a step comes before the visa: for example, the recognition of an innovative project by the Ministry of Economy for Talent Startup [Service-public].
Requirements change: check each fact against the official source on the day you apply.
Settle in France
After arrival, you validate your long-stay visa online or apply for your residence permit, depending on the visa issued [Service-public]. You also need housing, a French bank account, and health insurance. Our Relocate Onboarding service supports you with these steps; Relocate Onboarding and the Talent Business Creation program include help with opening a bank account.
Frequently asked questions
How do I move to France as a non-EU national?
Choose a residence route that matches your project, apply for a long-stay visa with the French consular authorities in your country of residence, and complete your residence formalities after arrival.
Can I move to France without a job offer?
Yes. The Talent routes for founders, entrepreneurs, and investors, and the visitor visa, do not require a job offer. Each has its own conditions.
How do I move to France from Dubai?
If you live in the UAE, you apply for your long-stay visa with the French consular authorities in the UAE, as the visa is requested in your country of residence [Service-public]. The route you choose depends on your project, not on your country.
Which French residence permit can a non-EU national get?
It depends on your project. For founders, entrepreneurs, and investors, the Talent permits are multi-year permits of up to 4 years. For people who want to live in France without working, there is the visitor visa.
How long does it take to get a residence permit in France?
It depends on the route and on the authorities. For the Talent routes, the process usually takes between 3 and 6 months in our experience, as an indication only.
Official sources
- Service-public.gouv.fr, "Carte talent : carte de séjour pluriannuelle" — page updated by Service-public on 1 June 2026, checked by EU Unlockr on 10 November 2026
- Service-public.gouv.fr, long-stay visas for France — checked by EU Unlockr on 10 November 2026
- France-Visas, where to apply — checked by EU Unlockr on 10 November 2026
- Service-public.gouv.fr, "Carte de séjour temporaire visiteur" — page updated by Service-public on 1 June 2026, checked by EU Unlockr on 10 November 2026
Written and reviewed by the EU Unlockr editorial team. Published 10 November 2026. Facts last verified 10 November 2026 against the official sources listed on this page. This page is general information, not legal advice; EU Unlockr is not a law firm.
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