Talent Business Creation Visa France — Requirements and Process

Is this route for you?

It suits you if you want to build and run a company in France, and you can invest at least €30,000 in it.

It does not suit you if you are looking for salaried work in France, or for a passive investment: the company is a real project that you run. If you are building an innovative tech project, look at Talent Startup. If you plan to invest €300,000 or more, look at Talent Investor.

How the process works

1. Eligibility assessment (EU Unlockr). We review your profile and your project, and confirm whether Talent Business Creation is the right route.
2. Business plan and project file (you and EU Unlockr). We prepare the business plan and the project file with you.
3. Opinion on the project (Ministry of Economy). The ministry reviews whether the project is real and serious [Service-public].
4. Long-stay visa (French consulate). You apply for a long-stay "talent" visa with the French consular authorities in your country of residence [Service-public][France-Visas].
5. Company registration and residence permit (French administration and partners). Your investment is released from escrow when the company is registered, and you complete your residence formalities after arrival. We support you through these steps.

Processing time is indicative only: in our experience, it is usually between 3 and 6 months. It is not a promise, because it depends on the authorities.

Costs

Costs are separate and should not be added into a single figure:

• EU Unlockr fees: from €12,000, paid in three instalments of 40%, 30%, and 30%. The exact amount and terms are set in your service agreement.
• Your investment: at least €30,000, which remains your company's capital.
• Administrative fees: visa and residence permit fees, charged by the French authorities.
• Third-party costs: company registration, translations, health insurance, travel, and accommodation, paid directly to the providers.

Another route: the "entrepreneur / liberal profession" permit

France also has a separate residence permit for entrepreneurs and liberal professions ("entrepreneur / profession libérale"). It is for people who run a commercial, craft, industrial, or liberal activity as their main activity in France, registered with the companies' formalities office [Service-public].

• The first card is valid for a maximum of one year. A four-year card can then be requested, subject to conditions that include French at level A2 [Service-public].
• The activity must be economically viable and bring at least €1,867.02 per month [Service-public].
• No minimum investment or degree is set, but the activity must match your qualifications or professional experience [Service-public].

EU Unlockr does not support this permit: we work on the Talent Business Creation route. We mention it so that you can compare the two.

Risks and common mistakes

• Presenting a project that is not real and serious: the opinion of the Ministry of Economy is a key step.
• Underestimating the resources you must show for your family, in addition to the €30,000 investment.
• Confusing the residence route with the company formalities: creating the company is one step of the route, not the whole route.
• Situations that need a lawyer's advice: a previous visa refusal or removal order, a complex tax residence, or a criminal record. EU Unlockr is not a law firm and will tell you when you need one.

For the company formalities themselves, see our guide How to open a company in France as a foreigner.

Frequently asked questions