France Talent Visa: New Salary Requirements

France has updated the rules for obtaining a residence permit under the Talent Visa program, designed for highly qualified foreign specialists. The decree of the Ministry of the Interior dated August 29, 2025, establishes a new income benchmark for this program and repeals earlier regulations.

Higher salary thresholds

Since late August 2025, the benchmark is based on the average gross annual salary in France. For the Talent – Qualified Employee card, the threshold rose from €35,891 to €39,582 per year. The category includes intra-company transferees, employees of innovative firms, and foreign graduates of French universities.

For the Talent – EU Blue Card, the calculation remains at 1.5 times the average salary, which now equals €59,373 per year (previously €53,836.50). Both categories thus saw an increase in the minimum income required to obtain or renew residence permits. The decree applies not only to mainland France but also to overseas territories such as Saint Barthélemy and Saint Martin, while repealing two 2016 regulations.

Application process

According to Service-Public.fr, applications can be submitted both within France and from abroad. The Talent Visa includes three categories:
- qualified employee;
- employee of an innovative company;
- intra-company transferee.

Applicants must provide a passport, proof of residence, a diploma, and an employer’s certificate. When applying abroad, the process begins at a French consulate; within France, applications go through the ANEF portal or prefecture. After submission, an electronic receipt confirms the applicant’s legal stay until a decision is issued.

EU Blue Card specifics

To qualify for the EU Blue Card, applicants must meet three conditions:
- hold a degree of at least three years of higher education or have five years of comparable work experience;
- sign an employment contract for at least six months;
- prove an annual salary of at least €59,373.

The Blue Card may also be granted to foreigners who have lived at least one year in another EU country under this scheme and apply within one month of entry into France. For subsequent relocations, the period shortens to six months.

Required documents include a valid passport, visa or residence permit, proof of French address, diplomas or professional experience certificates, a labor contract, and employer attestations. Previous Blue Card holders must provide a copy. Employers must also confirm social contributions.

Fees, duration, and family benefits

Applicants pay a stamp duty and tax totaling €225. The card is valid for the duration of the employment contract, up to a maximum of four years.

Family members benefit from a simplified process: spouses and children can obtain the Talent – Famille card without the standard family reunification procedure. In case of refusal, the decision can be appealed. If the prefecture gives no answer within four months, the application is considered rejected by default, which can also be contested.