Foreign Executives and Associates in France: Understanding Visa and Residency Requirements

A non-EU/EEA national who intends to hold an executive corporate office or a high-level salaried management position within a French company is required to obtain a specific residence permit.

The “Passeport Talent” as the Primary Permit

The most relevant permit for this profile is the Passeport Talent. This multi-year residence permit is designed to attract highly skilled professionals who make a significant contribution to the French economy. Its primary advantages include:

• Multi-year Validity: It is typically granted for an initial period of up to four years, renewable.
• Family Accompaniment: It grants immediate family members (spouse and minor children) corresponding residence permits with the right for the spouse to work.
• Streamlined Procedure: The application process is generally more direct than standard work permit procedures.

The specific category is often the Passeport Talent – Mandataire social (Corporate Officer), though other Passeport Talent categories may apply depending on the role.

Key Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Passeport Talent – Mandataire social, the executive must typically meet the following prerequisites:

1. Hold a Corporate Mandate: Be formally appointed as a legal representative (e.g., gérant, président, directeur général) of a company established in France.
2. Meet a Minimum Salary Threshold: Justify a gross annual remuneration that exceeds a legally defined threshold (currently three times the French minimum annual salary, or SMIC).
3. Seniority: Possess at least three months of seniority as an employee or corporate officer within the same company or group.

The process involves obtaining a long-stay visa (VLS-TS) from the French consulate abroad, followed by the application for the physical Passeport Talent card at the local préfecture upon arrival in France.