Japanese applicants · French Republic
EU Blue Card (Carte Bleue Européenne) for Japanese citizens
EU-wide highly qualified worker permit requiring a degree and a gross annual salary of at least EUR 59,373 in France.
This page covers the EU Blue Card (Carte Bleue Européenne) specifically for Japanese applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to Japan. The general eligibility criteria apply to everyone.
- Processing time
- 2–8 weeks at consulate.
- Government fees
- Visa fee €99; residence permit tax €225.
- Typical duration
- Up to 4 years; renewable.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Bilateral context
No nationality-specific treaty frameworks apply to this combination.
Consular processing: a French Republic consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence
Tourist entry vs. this route
Tourist-entry rules for Japanese nationals are set by DGEF and change periodically — check the official entry-requirements page. The EU Blue Card (Carte Bleue Européenne) is a separate application from any tourist entry.
Key figures for Japanese applicants
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
Salary you must earn
€59,373/yr
EU Blue Card France
Verified 1 June 2026 · Service-Public.fr - Passeport talent
Time to permanent residence
Talent Passport -> 10-year resident card around year 5 -> naturalisation from around 5 years where integration and language criteria are met.
Leads to Carte de resident / EU long-term resident, then French citizenship by naturalisation.
Visa overview
France's implementation of the EU Blue Card Directive targets highly qualified workers with a degree and a high-salary employment contract. Service-Public currently lists a gross annual salary threshold of EUR 59,373 for the EU Blue Card category. Blue Card holders can move between EU Member States after 12 months. After 5 years in the EU (including 2 in France), holders can apply for EU long-term resident status.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Employment contract of at least 12 months with a French employer.
- ✓Gross annual salary of at least EUR 59,373 under the current Service-Public EU Blue Card guidance.Direction générale des étrangers en France (DGEF) / Service-Public.fr (DILA) ↗
- ✓Higher-education qualification (at least 3 years of study — licence level).Direction générale des étrangers en France (DGEF) / Service-Public.fr (DILA) ↗
Common blockers
- !Salary below the published EUR 59,373 EU Blue Card threshold.Direction générale des étrangers en France (DGEF) / Service-Public.fr (DILA) ↗
- !Contract shorter than 12 months.
Typical evidence
- ·Employment contract.Direction générale des étrangers en France (DGEF) / Service-Public.fr (DILA) ↗
- ·Degree certificates with sworn translation.
- ·Passport.Direction générale des étrangers en France (DGEF) / Service-Public.fr (DILA) ↗
Application pathway
Secure qualifying employment
The role must meet the salary and contract-length requirements.
Apply for VLS-TS at consulate
Apply for a long-stay visa annotated "Carte bleue européenne".
Validate and work
Validate online via ANEF. After 12 months, you have intra-EU mobility rights.
Not sure French Republic is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer work sponsored routes that Japanese nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are Japanese citizens eligible for the EU Blue Card (Carte Bleue Européenne)?+
Eligibility for the EU Blue Card (Carte Bleue Européenne) is set by DGEF and is not nationality-restricted. See the criteria below for the published requirements.
Where do Japanese applicants typically file the EU Blue Card (Carte Bleue Européenne)?+
a French Republic consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by DGEF — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do Japanese applicants need a tourist visa for French Republic as well?+
Tourist-entry rules for Japanese nationals are set by DGEF and change periodically — check the official entry-requirements page. The EU Blue Card (Carte Bleue Européenne) is a separate application from any tourist entry.
What salary do Japanese applicants need for the EU Blue Card (Carte Bleue Européenne)?+
The EU Blue Card France floor is €59,373/yr, effective 1 June 2026 (Service-Public.fr - Passeport talent). Your occupation's published going rate may bind higher — whichever is greater applies.
How long until permanent residence in French Republic?+
Talent Passport -> 10-year resident card around year 5 -> naturalisation from around 5 years where integration and language criteria are met. The route leads to Carte de resident / EU long-term resident, then French citizenship by naturalisation. See Service-Public.fr - French nationality for the qualifying-residence rules.
Should I choose the Talent Passport or the EU Blue Card for France?+
The Talent Passport is generally more attractive for France specifically: the salaried qualified Talent Passport threshold is EUR 39,582, compared with EUR 59,373 for the EU Blue Card, and family work rights are broadly comparable. Choose the Blue Card if you plan to move between EU countries — the Blue Card's intra-EU mobility rights after 12 months are its main advantage over the Talent Passport.
Can I combine Blue Card time in France with time in other EU countries?+
Yes. After 5 years of Blue Card residence in the EU (of which at least 2 must be in France), you can apply for EU long-term resident status. The key advantage is that Blue Card time in Germany, Netherlands, or any other EU Member State counts toward the 5-year total — Talent Passport time in France counts only toward French residence milestones.