French Tech Visa – Benefits, Eligibility, Application Process

France, a global hub for innovation and technology, beckons talent worldwide through its enticing French Tech Visa program. Designed to attract skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts, this visa opens doors to a vibrant ecosystem of creativity, collaboration, and cutting-edge advancements. Let’s delve into the critical aspects of the French Tech Visa and explore why it’s a game-changer for those seeking to make their mark in the dynamic realm of technology.

The French Tech Visa is a special initiative by La French Tech, the French government’s tech ecosystem support organisation. It aims to simplify the process for international talent to work and thrive in the French tech scene. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, an employee, or an investor, the visa offers tailored programs to suit your aspirations.

• Founder-Entrepreneur Visa: For startup founders launching or joining an innovative company in France.
• Employee Visa: Catering to employees joining a French startup or scale-up.
• Investor Visa: Designed for investors contributing to the French ecosystem.

• Valid for 4 Years – The allure of the French Tech Visa lies in its extended validity, spanning a generous four-year period. This allows international talent to immerse themselves in the French tech landscape with a sense of stability and continuity.
• No Work Permit Required – Salaried talent passport holders under the French Tech Visa program enjoy a streamlined process as they are exempt from applying for a separate work permit. This simplifies the administrative journey for those contributing skills to the French tech sphere.
• Family Inclusion – Recognizing the importance of a supportive environment, the French Tech Visa extends its embrace to include family members. The visa welcomes the talent and ensures a family-friendly experience, making it conducive for a holistic relocation.
• Renewable – The French Tech Visa is renewable under the same conditions as long as your situation in France remains unchanged (i.e. the criteria for obtaining it are still met).
• Adapts to Life Changes – If the initial conditions are no longer met due to life changes, individuals can apply for another residence permit, be it a talent passport or an alternative that aligns with their evolved circumstances.

The French Tech Visa for Employees is dedicated to talented people who are nationals of a country outside the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland (with the exception of Algerians), and who have signed an employment contract with a start-up (considered to be an innovative company) established in France. The company must meet one of the 3 criteria to be recognised by the Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industrial Sovereignty and be able to offer its international talent the “Talent Passport”. This residence permit can be granted if the talent is recruited to carry out duties related to the company’s research and development project or to the economic, social, international and environmental development of this project. To be eligible for the French Tech Visa for Employees –

• You need to have a master’s degree or higher
• Work contract of at least 3 months with an eligible French employer
• The gross annual salary of at least twice the French minimum wage (so just under €36k as of January 2022).

• The employer you’re going to work for provides a letter showing the company’s innovative nature.
• You start your application as an employee here. The procedure differs if you’re already living in France.

• The Cerfa form that shows your salary and the position in the company
• Social security certificate of temporary employment abroad or sworn declaration of application for registration with French social security system
• A letter showing your duties in the company
• An up-to-date excerpt of the commercial register for the employer, if it is a legal entity, or an extrait K or craft license if the employer is an individual
• Social security contributions payment proof (if your employer is subject to this obligation)
• Documents providing evidence of your skills and experience corresponding to the position
• Form Cerfa no. 15614*04, stating the conditions of the employment contract
• A permanent employment contract or a fixed-term employment contract for at least three months with an employer established in France, showing gross annual pay of at least 2 times the average annual gross salary as of January 1, 2022
• A copy of a master’s degree equivalent qualification

The French Tech Visa for Founders is for start-up founders who are nationals of a country outside the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland (except for Algerians) who wish to set up their innovative projects in France and develop their start-ups there.

To be eligible for the French Tech Visa for Founders, the founder must prove:

• The existence of an innovative economic project that they wish to develop in France
• Recognition of the project by a public body (State, local authorities, public establishments, publicly-owned companies, etc.)
• Adequate means of subsistence, with income equivalent to the minimum wage

• Get admitted to one of the partner incubators, or French Tech Visa partners, through their regular selection processes; or admitted to an incubator or accelerator supported by one of the 13 French Tech Capitals; or you can obtain support from a player in the French Tech ecosystem (research organisations, laboratories, qualified personalities, or companies).
• Apply to get recognition for the innovative nature of your project.
• The DRIEETS IDF will issue an official letter if they acknowledge the innovative nature of your project.
• Start your application as a startup founder. The procedure differs if you’re already living in France.

• A letter stating that you’ve been selected by a French Tech Visa partner incubator and accelerators
• An official letter from the public body that certifies the innovative nature of your project
• Evidence of financial means corresponding to the statutory national minimum wage.

The French Tech Visa for Investors is designed for foreign managers from countries outside the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland (except for Algerians) who wish to carry out an investment project in France.

To be eligible for the French Tech Visa for Investors, the manager must make a direct economic investment:

• either personally
• or through a company that he manages
• or through a company where he holds at least 30% of the capital.

They must also meet the following cumulative conditions:

• (undertake to) create or safeguard jobs in France within 4 years of the investment
• (undertake to) make an investment of at least €300,000 in tangible or intangible fixed assets in France

Direct investments are defined as investments in share capital, reinvested profits or “loans between affiliates”. Exclusively financial investments are therefore excluded from the scheme.

• Start your application here. 
• After reviewing your profile and investment history, the French Tech Mission will issue you an official acceptance letter declaring that you are qualified for the French Tech Visa for Investors.
• You start your application as an investor. The procedure differs if you’re already living in France.

• Proof of your role in your own company (you either run a company or has a stake of at least 30%)
• Your investment plan and a letter of commitment to creating jobs in France
• Proof that you have invested directly, or have committed to invest directly, at least €300,000 in fixed tangible or intangible assets in France over four years.

1. Long-stay visa authorising your employee to enter France – EUR 99 (INR 9022)
2. The tax to the French Immigration and Citizenship Office (“Office français de l’immigration et de l’intégration – OFII”) – EUR 250 (INR 22800)
3. Stamp duty (Processing fee) – EUR 25 (INR 2280)

Embarking on a tech journey in France through the French Tech Visa isn’t just about work; it’s about becoming part of a dynamic and forward-thinking community. From the charming streets of Paris to the innovation hubs across the country, France welcomes tech enthusiasts to contribute to and benefit from its thriving ecosystem. The French Tech Visa is your ticket to unlocking a world of opportunities in the heart of European tech innovation. Ready to make your mark?