French Republic · work unsponsored · Leads to settlement
Talent Passport — Researcher (Passeport Talent Chercheur)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Multi-year residence permit for researchers with a hosting agreement (convention d'accueil) from a French research institution.
- Processing time
- 2–6 weeks at consulate.
- Government fees
- Visa fee €99; residence permit tax €225.
- Typical duration
- Up to 4 years; renewable.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Overview
The Talent Passport for researchers is issued to foreign nationals conducting research in France under a hosting agreement (convention d'accueil) from an approved institution. No salary threshold applies — the convention d'accueil is the qualifying document. Covers university researchers, post-docs, and visiting scientists. Family accompaniment is automatic.
Guidance by nationality
Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.
Indian applicants
Indian researchers in France concentrate at CNRS, INSERM, INRIA, and major universities (Sorbonne, Paris-Saclay, Toulous…
Chinese applicants
Chinese researchers are a significant cohort at French research institutions. The Franco-Chinese doctoral and post-docto…
American applicants
American researchers in France benefit from extensive Franco-American academic exchange networks including Fulbright Fra…
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Hosting agreement (convention d'accueil) from a French research institution approved by the Ministry of Higher Education.
- ✓Master's degree or equivalent.
Common blockers
- !Institution not on the approved list of research hosts.
- !No convention d'accueil — a simple employment contract is not sufficient.
Typical evidence
- ·Signed convention d'accueil.
- ·Degree certificates.
- ·Passport.
Application pathway
Obtain a convention d'accueil
The French research institution issues a convention d'accueil on your behalf.
Apply for VLS-TS at consulate
Apply for a long-stay visa annotated "Passeport Talent — Chercheur".
Validate visa and begin research
Validate online via ANEF within 3 months of arrival.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- ApplyApplicantStart the France-Visas application ↗
Researcher completes the official long-stay visa application after receiving the hosting agreement.
France-Visas · verified
- Official guidanceSponsorCheck researcher Talent Passport rules ↗
French host institution and researcher confirm convention d'accueil and residence-card requirements.
Service-Public.fr / DGEF · verified
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Frequently asked questions
Is there a salary requirement for the researcher Talent Passport?+
No. The convention d'accueil from the approved research institution is the sole qualifying document. There is no minimum salary threshold for this category, unlike the salaried-employee Talent Passport.
Can I change research institutions on a researcher Talent Passport?+
Yes, but you need a new convention d'accueil from the new institution and must notify the préfecture. The new institution must be on the approved host list.
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