French Republic · work sponsored · Leads to settlement

Talent Passport — Salaried Employee (Passeport Talent Salarié)

By Sam Parks · Last reviewed: 18 April 2026

Multi-year residence permit for qualified employees earning at least 2× the French minimum wage (SMIC), issued directly for up to 4 years.

Requires employer sponsorshipLeads to permanent residencyUp to 4 years; renewable.

Processing time: 2–8 weeks at consulate; 2–4 months for préfecture renewals.
Government fees: Visa fee €99; residence permit tax €225 (verify on service-public.fr).
Typical duration: Up to 4 years; renewable.
Sponsorship required: Yes
Leads to permanent residency: Yes

Reviewed 18 April 2026Direction générale des étrangers en France (DGEF) ↗

Overview

The Talent Passport for salaried employees is France's headline skilled-migration route. It grants a multi-year residence permit (up to 4 years, renewable) to foreign nationals with a qualifying employment contract and salary of at least twice the annual SMIC (approximately €44,000 gross per year in 2025 — verify the current SMIC on service-public.fr). The permit covers the holder and their family (spouse receives a "vie privée et familiale" permit with automatic work rights). After 5 years of continuous residence, holders can apply for a 10-year carte de résident.

Guidance by nationality

Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

✓Employment contract with a French employer for a qualified position.
✓Gross annual salary of at least 2× the annual SMIC (approximately €44,000 in 2025 — always verify the current SMIC).
✓Qualifications: master's degree (licence + 5) or equivalent professional experience.
✓Employer must file a declaration with the DREETS (formerly DIRECCTE) — no separate work-permit procedure needed.

Common blockers

!Salary below 2× SMIC threshold.
!Qualification level below master's equivalent and insufficient professional experience.
!Employment contract not for a position classified as "qualified" by DREETS.

Typical evidence

·Employment contract specifying salary and job title.
·Degree certificates with sworn translation (traduction assermentée) into French.
·Passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned stay.
·Proof of accommodation in France (attestation d'hébergement or rental agreement).

Application pathway

Secure a qualifying job offer
The employer must offer a contract meeting the salary and qualification criteria. No separate labour-market test is required for Talent Passport — the employer files a declaration with DREETS.
Apply for a long-stay visa (VLS-TS)
Apply at the French consulate in your country of residence for a VLS-TS annotated "Passeport Talent — Salarié". Submit employment contract, qualifications, and personal documents.
Enter France and validate the visa
Within 3 months of arrival, validate your VLS-TS online via the ANEF platform. This activates your residence permit.
Apply for renewal at the préfecture
Before expiry, apply at your local préfecture for a multi-year carte de séjour pluriannuelle (up to 4 years).
Apply for 10-year carte de résident
After 5 years of continuous legal residence, you may apply for a 10-year carte de résident (long-term EU residence).

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

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.

ApplyApplicant
Start the France-Visas application ↗
Applicant completes the official long-stay visa application for the Talent Passport salaried category.
France-Visas · verified 24 May 2026
Official guidanceApplicant + sponsor
Check Talent Passport rules ↗
Applicant and employer confirm the salary, qualification, contract, and residence-card requirements before filing.
Service-Public.fr / DGEF · verified 24 May 2026

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Frequently asked questions

What is the salary threshold for a French Talent Passport?+

You need a gross annual salary of at least twice the SMIC (salaire minimum interprofessionnel de croissance). In 2025, the annual gross SMIC is approximately €22,000, so the threshold is roughly €44,000 gross per year. The SMIC is revised annually on 1 January — always verify the current figure on service-public.fr.

Can my family join me on a Talent Passport?+

Yes. Your spouse automatically receives a "vie privée et familiale" residence permit with unrestricted work rights — no separate work permit needed. Children under 18 are also covered. This is one of the most generous family-accompaniment provisions in Europe.

Do I need to speak French for a Talent Passport?+

No French language requirement at the application stage. However, you will need to demonstrate A2 French for the 10-year carte de résident application, and B1 for naturalisation. Starting French early is strongly recommended.

How is the Talent Passport different from a standard French work permit?+

The standard work permit (autorisation de travail) requires a full labour-market test (opposabilité de l'emploi) and is issued for 1 year. The Talent Passport skips the labour-market test entirely, is issued for up to 4 years, and gives your spouse automatic work rights. It is faster, longer, and more flexible.

Can I change employer on a Talent Passport?+

Yes, but you must notify the préfecture and ensure the new position still meets the salary and qualification criteria. The new employer must file a fresh DREETS declaration. You do not need a new visa but may need a modified carte de séjour.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

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Overview

Eligibility

Typical criteria

✓Employment contract with a French employer for a qualified position.
✓Gross annual salary of at least 2× the annual SMIC (approximately €44,000 in 2025 — always verify the current SMIC).
✓Qualifications: master's degree (licence + 5) or equivalent professional experience.
✓Employer must file a declaration with the DREETS (formerly DIRECCTE) — no separate work-permit procedure needed.

Common blockers

!Salary below 2× SMIC threshold.
!Qualification level below master's equivalent and insufficient professional experience.
!Employment contract not for a position classified as "qualified" by DREETS.

Typical evidence

·Employment contract specifying salary and job title.
·Degree certificates with sworn translation (traduction assermentée) into French.
·Passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned stay.
·Proof of accommodation in France (attestation d'hébergement or rental agreement).

Application pathway

Secure a qualifying job offer

The employer must offer a contract meeting the salary and qualification criteria. No separate labour-market test is required for Talent Passport — the employer files a declaration with DREETS.

Apply for a long-stay visa (VLS-TS)

Apply at the French consulate in your country of residence for a VLS-TS annotated "Passeport Talent — Salarié". Submit employment contract, qualifications, and personal documents.

Enter France and validate the visa

Within 3 months of arrival, validate your VLS-TS online via the ANEF platform. This activates your residence permit.

Apply for renewal at the préfecture

Before expiry, apply at your local préfecture for a multi-year carte de séjour pluriannuelle (up to 4 years).

Apply for 10-year carte de résident

After 5 years of continuous legal residence, you may apply for a 10-year carte de résident (long-term EU residence).