VISAHJELP

Talent passport — EU Blue Card (Carte bleue européenne)

Long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS Talent) under the **Carte bleue européenne** sub-track of the Talent Passport regime per F16922. Implements EU Directive 2021/1883 (Blue Card recast) in France. For highly qualified foreign workers with: a 3-year higher-education diploma OR 5 years of comparable senior professional experience (reduced to 3 years for ministry-listed professions); a contract ≥6 months; and a gross annual salary ≥€59,373 (1.5× the reference). The Blue Card carries **EU-wide mobility rights** — after 12 months in France the holder can move to another Blue Card member state under simplified conditions (reduced to 6 months for further moves). The Blue Card's validity tracks contract duration: ≥2-year contract → carte valid for the contract duration up to 4 years; <2-year contract → contract duration + 3 months, capped at 2 years.

LAST VERIFIED · 2026-05-14 SOURCE: France-Visas · Independent · not affiliated

From the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs

“Decisions by the Embassy of France in Hanoi or Consulate-General in HCMC. Post-arrival: VLS-TS Talent validation on the ANEF portal within 3 months. **Card validity per F16922**: if the supporting contract is ≥2 years, the Blue Card is delivered for the contract duration up to 4 years; if <2 years, the contract duration + 3 months, capped at 2 years. Préfecture fee per F16922: €350 (€50 timbre + €300 taxe). Carte talent-famille (F35792) for accompanying family. **No work permit, no opposition test**. EES does NOT apply.”
— French Ministry of Foreign Affairs · French consulates

What you need

  • Per F16922 (3 cumulative conditions): (1) **Diploma sanctioning ≥3 years of higher education** OR **5 years of comparable senior professional experience** relevant to the intended profession (reduced to **3 years acquired in the 7 preceding years** for professions listed by ministerial order); (2) **Employment contract of ≥6 months minimum**; (3) **Gross annual salary ≥€59,373** (1.5× the reference gross annual salary). Welcome to France (Vérifié 11 May 2026) confirms the €59,373 threshold set as of 31 August 2025. EU-mobility variant: if the applicant has held an EU Blue Card in another EU country for ≥12 months, they can apply for the French Blue Card within 1 month of entry to France; the prior-residence requirement drops to 6 months for further intra-EU moves.

Checklist

15
  • Long-stay visa application form — Cerfa 15614-02 (passeport talent), online + signed *
  • Two recent identical biometric photos (35mm × 45mm, ICAO standard) *
  • Original passport (validity covering the Talent card period + 3 months; 2+ blank pages) *
  • Passport copies — bio-data page + all pages with visas, stamps, or residence permits *
  • Vietnamese documents — notarised + sworn translation into French or English *
  • Diploma ≥ 3 years higher education OR 5 years comparable senior experience (reduced to 3 in last 7 for ministry-listed professions) *
  • Employment contract — CDI or CDD ≥ 6 months at salary ≥ EUR 59,373 *
  • Accommodation evidence — lease, hotel/Airbnb (first weeks), employer-arranged housing, or attestation *
  • Health insurance covering arrival until enrolment in Sécurité sociale *
  • Birth certificate (with notarised translation) *
  • Marriage certificate (if accompanied by spouse — see also carte talent-famille F35792)
02

Fees

  • Visa fee — EUR 99 (standard long-stay) *
  • Préfecture card-issuance fee — EUR 350 (EUR 50 timbre + EUR 300 taxe) at carte delivery via timbres fiscaux *
  • TLS Contact service fee — EUR 25 per applicant *
  • TLS Contact appointment confirmation *

Sign in and unlock to see the full tips for each item.