France — Work (Talent Passport — EU Blue Card (high-salary skilled job))

Main requirements

A degree showing at least 3 years of higher education, or 5 years of comparable, relevant experience (3 years within the last 7 for listed professions); an employment contract of at least 6 months; gross annual salary at least 1.5× the reference average, i.e. €59,373 (service-public and the 21 August 2025 arrêté setting the reference at €39,582; it is updated by a new arrêté each year, so check before signing). The employer needs no work authorisation and pays no foreign-employment tax.

Documents

Passport; employment contract; bachelor's degree or proof of experience (CV, work certificates); licence/registration if the profession is regulated; France-Visas form; photos.

Language

The official source sets no language level for the Blue Card itself; the employer decides. Since 1 January 2026 a first multi-year card requires a civic exam and A2 French, but only for cards covered by the integration contract (CIR); talent cards, including the Blue Card, are not. The EU long-term resident card (for Blue Card holders after 5 years) requires the civic exam and B1 French, so start French now.

Costs and proof of funds

Official visa fee at most €99 plus €40 VFS; after arrival, if the card is issued, €350 (€300 tax + €50 stamp). Bring money for the first months (rent, deposit, until first pay); no separate proof-of-funds amount is stated for this card in the official source.

Steps and timeline

Find a job and sign the contract; file the long-stay talent visa on France-Visas; book and submit at VFS Tehran; for stays of a year or more you get a 3-month visa and must apply online for the card within 2 months. With a contract of 2+ years the card matches the contract, up to 4 years.

Iran-specific notes

Per the embassy, VFS Tehran appointments for work visas are booked on the VFS site (visa.vfsglobal.com/irn/fr/fra). The Tehran visa service was suspended in July 2025 and, per the embassy, has accepted files again since 14 June 2026; it can close suddenly, so check embassy notices before applying. The embassy warns only VFS gives appointments, VFS charges €40 and the official visa fee is at most €99; anyone promising a guaranteed visa is a scam. Some employers are more cautious with Iranians because of sanctions and payroll/banking issues.

After arrival (work while studying, post-study stay, permanent residence)

Spouse and minor children get a talent-famille card through the accompanying-family procedure, without family reunification. After 5 years of legal stay you can apply for the EU long-term resident card, which requires the civic exam and B1 French.