French Tech Program for Startup Founders and Investors

The French Tech Visa is a special program that makes it easier for tech talent, founders, and investors to move to France and contribute to the tech ecosystem. It falls under the broader "Talent Passport" visa category. Here's a detailed overview of the requirements and application process for the French Tech Visa:

1. Eligibility

The French Tech Visa is open to three categories of individuals, and each category has different requirements :

• Tech Talent (employees)
• Founders
• Investors

A. Tech Talent (Employees)

To qualify as a tech talent, you must:

• Be hired by an eligible French company. The company must be recognised as an "innovative company" by the Ministry of Economy.
• Hold a position that requires a high level of expertise (technical roles, engineering, or managerial positions in tech).
• Earn a salary of at least twice the French minimum wage (SMIC), approximately €39,300 gross per year (as of 2024).

B. Founders

To qualify as a founder, you must:

• Intended to launch or develop a startup in France.
• Be accepted into a French Tech-approved startup incubator or accelerator.
• Have sufficient financial resources, typically at least the French minimum wage for a year (~€19,747 as of 2024).

C. Investors

To qualify as a tech investor, you must:

• Plan to invest in a French company, particularly in the tech sector.
• Make a direct investment of at least €300,000.
• Own at least 10% of the company’s capital, or serve on the board of directors.

2. General Requirements

Regardless of your category, you will need the following:

• Valid passport: Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay in France.
• Proof of residence in France: This could be a rental agreement or an invitation letter from someone in France.
• Health insurance: Proof of comprehensive health insurance covering your stay.
• Clean criminal record: Some categories may require a certificate showing no criminal convictions.

3. Application Process

The process depends on whether you apply from abroad or in France. The general steps include:

A. Tech Talent (Employees)

Company Sponsorship: The company that hires you must be an "innovative company" recognised by the Ministry of Economy.

Job Offer & Contract: You must receive a job offer, and the company will guide you through the visa application process.

Submit Your Application:

Submit the application at the French consulate in your home country (if abroad) or through the prefecture (if you are already in France).

Required documents include your passport, job contract, proof of the company’s innovative status, and salary details.

If your application is successful, you will receive a long-term residence permit valid for 4 years.

B. Founders

Acceptance into an Incubator: First, you must be accepted into a French incubator or accelerator approved by French Tech.

Submit Your Application

You must apply at the French consulate or through the prefecture in France.

Provide documents like a passport, proof of resources, an acceptance letter from the incubator, and a detailed business plan.

Once approved, you will get a long-term residence permit (Talent Passport) for up to 4 years.

C. Investors

1. Meet Investment Criteria: Ensure you meet the minimum investment threshold of €300,000.
2. Submit Your Application

Apply through the French consulate or prefecture.

Provide documentation about your investment, company details, and a statement of your role in the company.

3. Approval: You will receive a residence permit valid for up to 4 years.

4. Residence Permit

Once you are in France, you can apply for a Talent Passport residence permit that is valid for 4 years and renewable. After 5 years of residency, you may apply for permanent residency or French citizenship if you meet the requirements.

5. Family Members

The French Tech Visa also allows family reunification:

Spouses and dependent children can apply for a Talent Passport - Family visa, which gives them the right to live and work in France for the duration of their visa.

6. Timeline

Processing times will depend on the embassy or prefecture and can take between 1 to 3 months for visa processing.

7. Cost

The application fee for the Talent Passport visa is approximately €99.

8. Renewal Process

After 4 years, you can apply to renew your visa by:

• Providing updated employment contracts, business plans, or investment details.
• Continuing to meet the financial and professional criteria of your original visa category.

Case 1: Applying from Cameroon

For applicants in Cameroon, the French consulate in Yaoundé is the primary consulate for processing visa applications.

Process for Applying from Cameroon:

1. Prepare Required Documents:

Passport (valid for the duration of your stay in France).

An employment contract or acceptance letter (for employees or founders).

Proof of resources (if applicable, especially for founders).

Invitation letter or acceptance into a startup incubator (for founders).

Investment documents (for investors).

Proof of residence in Cameroon.

Clean criminal record.

Health insurance covers the entirety of your stay.

2. Online Application:

You must start by filling out the online application form via France-Visas portal (france-visas.gouv.fr).

After completing the application, the portal will guide you to schedule an appointment at the nearest French consulate.

3. Visa Appointment at the French Consulate in Yaoundé:

You will submit your application and supporting documents to the French consulate.

At the appointment, biometric data (fingerprints and photos) will be collected.

Pay the visa fee (€99 or local currency equivalent).

4. Processing Time:

Visa applications from Cameroon typically take 2 to 3 months to process. You should plan to apply early, considering any delays in processing times.

Consulate Contact Information

• French Consulate in Yaoundé:

Website: Ambassade de France à Yaoundé

Address: 1 Avenue Rosa Parks, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Phone: (+237) 222 22 79 00

Case 2: Applying from Ivory Coast

The French consulate in Abidjan handles visa applications for residents of Ivory Coast.

Process for Applying from Ivory Coast:

1. Prepare Required Documents: Similar to the Cameroon process, gather documents including your passport, job contract, business plan (for founders), investment proof (for investors), and other supporting documents.
2. Online Application via France-Visas Portal:

Begin by filling out your visa application online via the France-Visas website.

After completing the online application, schedule an appointment at the consulate.

3. Visa Appointment at the French Consulate in Abidjan:

Submit your application and attend your appointment at the French consulate.

Biometric data (fingerprints and photo) will be collected during the appointment.

Pay the visa fee (€99 or equivalent in local currency).

4. Processing Time:

Visa applications from Ivory Coast generally take 1 to 2 months to process.

Consulate Contact Information:

• French Consulate in Abidjan:

Website: Ambassade de France à Abidjan

Address: Rue Lecoeur, Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Phone: (+225) 20 20 75 00

Case 3: Applying from the USA

For applicants from the USA, the process is slightly more straightforward due to the established visa processes for the USA. Visa applications can be handled by any of the French consulates in major cities across the country.

Process for Applying from the USA:

1. Prepare Required Documents: Ensure you have your passport, employment contract or incubator acceptance letter, investment proof (for investors), health insurance, financial documents, and other necessary paperwork.
2. Online Application via France-Visas Portal:

Start by filling out your application via France-Visas.

The portal will prompt you to book an appointment at one of the French consulates in the U.S. (you can choose a consulate closest to your residence).

3. Visa Appointment at a French Consulate:

Submit your application at your nearest French consulate (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, etc.).

During your appointment, your biometric data (fingerprints and photos) will be collected.

Pay the visa application fee (approximately $120 or €99).

4. Processing Time:

Visa applications from the USA typically take 2 to 4 weeks for processing, depending on the consulate and the time of year.

Consulate Contact Information:

You can choose from a range of consulates in the U.S. based on your location, such as:

• French Consulate in New York:
• Website
• Address: 934 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10021
• French Consulate in San Francisco:
• Website
• Address: 88 Kearny Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94108

Key Points for All Locations

• Language Requirements: While there is no strict requirement for speaking French for the visa, having knowledge of French is beneficial, especially if you plan to stay long-term.
• Application Fee: The visa application fee is €99 (or local currency equivalent) for all applicants.
• Processing Time: Processing times vary depending on the location, but you should allow between 2 to 3 months to account for any potential delays.

If you are applying from Cameroon, Ivory Coast, or the USA, make sure to start the process early, especially if your plans involve launching a startup or accepting a job in France soon. Each country's consular services can have slightly different processing times, but the France-Visas portal is the main gateway for all applications.