France launches ‘French tech visa’ program’ to woo entrepreneurs, innovators and startups

France has launched a ‘French tech visa‘ program , a fast-track four-year residence permit program to lure entrepreneurs, innovators to its country.

According to the French President, Emmanuel Macron last week Thursday — in English: “At a time when some people think that walls are a solution, we do think that openness is the right path, because the challenges we face are global.

“We want the pioneers, the innovators, the entrepreneurs of the whole world to come to France and work with us on green technologies, food technologies, artificial intelligence, on all the possible innovation.”

The French President said that he wants France to “become a country of unicorns.”

According to the Visa website, the French Tech Visa is open to three categories of tech talent – startup founders, employees, and investors – and allows them to live and work in France.

• It is valid for four years, on a renewable basis.
• It is extended to immediate family members: spouses also receive residence permits authorizing them to live and work in France. Dependent children are authorized to live in France as well.
• No additional work permit is required.

The French government gives a strong case for entrepreneurs, innovators to come to France:

‘There has been a very strong dynamic over the past few years around France’s 10,000 startups.

• Venture capital investment doubled between 2014 and 2015 and remained elevated in 2016 (increasing from $1B in 2014 to $2B in 2015 and to $2.4B in 2016),
• 60% of 18-29-year-olds in France report wanting to create their own companies,
• and France’s startup ecosystem has grown faster than any other European ecosystem in the past 5 years. Today France has the highest number of VC deals in Europe.

Behind the well-known success stories of Criteo, Blablacar, and OVH, there are many hyper-growth-stage French startups around the world: Cellectis, Drivy, Scality, Sigfox, Vestiaire Collective, and Algolia to name a few.

Our country has many business and job opportunities for talented tech professionals.”

“Come find out for yourselves!”