Talent Visa — Business Creation

The Talent - Porteur de Projet (Création d'Entreprise) is a multi-year residence permit enabling non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals to create a new business in Reunion. Established under CESEDA Article L421-16(1°), the permit targets entrepreneurs who hold at least a Master's degree (or equivalent professional experience) and invest at least €30,000 in their venture. Reunion is a French overseas department where French immigration law applies in full, but it is not part of the Schengen Area. Previously known as the "Passeport Talent," the card was renamed to "Talent - Porteur de Projet" by Décret n° 2025-539 du 13 juin 2025.

• Non-EU/EEA/Swiss national
• Master's degree or equivalent, or at least 5 years of relevant professional experience
• Real and serious business creation project certified by the Ministère de l'Économie
• Minimum investment of €30,000 (own or borrowed funds)
• Annual resources at least equal to the gross SMIC (€21,876/year as of January 2026)
• Business covers commercial, craft, industrial, or agricultural activity
• Passport valid for at least 6 months
• Proof of accommodation in Reunion
• Criminal record extract from country of origin

• Valid passport
• Proof of domicile in Reunion (less than 6 months old)
• e-photo code
• Diploma (Master's or equivalent) or proof of 5 years professional experience
• Attestation from Ministère de l'Économie certifying business plan legitimacy
• Proof of financing of at least €30,000 (bank statements, loan agreements, or investor commitments)
• Business registration documents (articles, Kbis extract, SIREN number) or proof of self-employed registration
• Criminal record extract from country of origin (first application)
• Signed commitment to respect republican principles

The application has two stages. First, obtain certification of the business plan from the Ministère de l'Économie via the Démarches Simplifiées platform by submitting a detailed business plan, multi-year financial projections, and proof of €30,000 financing. Second, apply for the long-stay visa (if abroad) via the France-Visas portal, or submit a status change application (if in Reunion) via the ANEF platform. Since Reunion is outside the Schengen Area, the visa must specifically cover Reunion or all French territories. Processing takes approximately 2–3 months; silence after 4 months constitutes implicit refusal.

Upon arrival, validate the visa online within 3 months and pay the €200 OFII tax and €25 stamp duty. Register the business through the guichet unique des formalités des entreprises.

The permit is valid for up to 4 years and is renewable. Apply for renewal 2–4 months before expiry via the ANEF portal, demonstrating continued business activity and income at least equal to the SMIC. Late applications incur a €180 surcharge.

Spouse and dependent minor children receive "talent-famille" residence permits for the same duration as the main card. Family members may engage in paid employment in France. No separate family reunification procedure is required — family members can apply simultaneously or join later. Each family member pays €225 for the residence permit and €99 for the long-stay visa.

• Residence permit: €225 (€200 tax + €25 stamp duty)
• Long-stay visa from abroad: €99
• Late renewal surcharge: €180

France taxes residents on worldwide income. Reunion residents benefit from a 30% income tax reduction (capped) for DOM residents under Article 197 I.3 of the Code Général des Impôts.

After 5 years of legal, uninterrupted residence (cumulative absences must not exceed 10 months), holders may apply for a 10-year carte de résident (resident card), which permits any professional activity.

• The card only authorizes commercial activity related to the specific business project presented; salaried employment requires a separate permit
• Reunion is not part of the Schengen Area, so a Schengen visa is insufficient for entry
• Residence permits issued in Reunion are valid throughout all French territories where CESEDA applies
• Algerian nationals are subject to separate provisions under the French-Algerian Agreement of 1968
• The civic training component of the Integration Contract in Reunion includes a specific module on the history and geography of Reunion