Talent Porteur de Projet — Business Creation

The Talent Porteur de Projet (Business Creation) is a multi-year residence permit that allows non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals to establish a new business in Martinique, a French overseas department where French immigration law applies in full. The permit is governed by Article L421-16(1°) of CESEDA, as amended by the 2024 immigration law, and was renamed from Passeport Talent by Decree 2025-539. It is administered by the Préfecture de Martinique in Fort-de-France.

• Master's degree or equivalent, or at least 5 years of relevant professional experience
• Real and serious business creation project certified by the Ministry of Economy via the Démarches Simplifiées platform
• Minimum €30,000 investment in the venture (own funds or borrowed capital)
• Annual resources at least equal to the gross SMIC (€21,876.40 as of January 2026)
• Valid passport with at least 6 months validity
• Criminal record extract from country of origin (first application)
• Proof of domicile in Martinique (less than 6 months old)

The process has two stages. First, obtain certification of the business plan from the Ministry of Economy via the Démarches Simplifiées platform, submitting a detailed business plan, financial projections, and proof of at least €30,000 in financing. Second, apply for the long-stay visa via France-Visas (from abroad) or submit a change of status via the ANEF portal (from within Martinique). The Préfecture de Martinique processes applications entirely online through the ANEF platform, with no in-person appointment needed. Within 3 months of arrival, validate the visa online and pay applicable fees.

Martinique is not part of the Schengen Area, so applicants must obtain a specific overseas long-stay visa rather than a Schengen visa. This overseas visa does not permit entry to metropolitan France or the Schengen zone. The residence permit, however, grants the right to reside throughout all French territories. Martinique offers significant tax advantages for business creators, including ZFANG (Zone Franche d'Activité Nouvelle Génération) abatements of 50-80% on taxable profits in priority sectors and reduced VAT rates (8.5% standard vs. 20% in metropolitan France).

• May only exercise commercial activity connected to the approved business project
• Salaried employment requires a separate work permit
• Work authorization is limited to the territory where the card was issued (Martinique)
• Business must be registered through the guichet unique for business formalities

Processing time: 4-8 weeks for visa at consulate; 2-3 months at the Préfecture de Martinique; implicit refusal after 4 months of silence

Fee: €225 residence permit (€200 tax + €25 stamp duty) + €99 long-stay visa fee

Spouse and minor children receive talent-famille residence permits valid for the same duration as the main card. Family members may engage in paid employment in France without restriction. No separate family reunification procedure is required. Each family member pays €225 for the residence permit and €99 for the visa.