How to get a French talent visa: American arts couple share their experience

An American couple working in the performing arts have told of their joy after receiving ‘talent’ visas to come to work in France after their first application was rejected.

Singer and actress Ashley Brown and husband Aaron Shuman, a musician and composer, will be moving to Paris, which has been their dream since they say they “fell in love” with France on a trip last year.

Ms Brown said: “It feels surreal. We had gotten rejected for our first one and we dug deep and reworked the dossier. It means we will be in France in a few weeks. We're so incredibly grateful.”

The couple decided to apply for a talent visa under the renommée (‘renown’) category based on their careers in the arts.

“Lots of people will swear that you need to be famous to get this visa, but it's just not true,” said Ms Brown. “A part of the visa process is presenting a project related to your industry.”

Music events in Paris

As part of their project, they are developing a Paris-based music event, though its form is still evolving and will depend on the contacts they make.

They are seeking collaborators in Paris’s creative sector, including event producers, photographers, graphic designers, videographers, venue owners, caterers, DJs, musicians and writers (people can make contact via Aaron@mymusicpassport.com).

Ms Brown, 37, has worked in commercials, television shows, films, and regional and off-Broadway productions in the US, while Mr Shuman, 36, has worked in performance, composition and arranging, often with composer and music director Bill Ross, who is known for work on major Hollywood franchises, theme-park productions, awards shows and collaborations with artists including Barbra Streisand.

“We’re industry pros and we’re really looking forward to developing work in France,” Mr Shuman said. He is leading the early development of the project, which the couple say will continue to evolve once they are in the country.

Ms Brown added: “We’ve always collaborated creatively over the years. We were passing ideas back and forth about something that would impress and be sustainable at the same time. We stumbled upon the music event concept and the possibilities came flowing after that.”

The couple are currently based in Atlanta, Georgia, where they will soon celebrate five years of marriage after meeting through the theatre world.

Why they chose to move to Paris

Ms Brown said she grew up attending a private school where she was surrounded by French speakers from Canada, Africa and France, and studied French from the age of five to 18.

A chance to sing the Swiss national anthem in French at a performance at the Swiss consulate in Atlanta reignited her love of the language, and her father’s death in 2025 strengthened her wish to start a new chapter in life.

Their decision to relocate was cemented after a month-long trip to France last year..

“We wanted to make sure we were experiencing it as a local would,” Ms Brown said.

“We walked everywhere, checked out neighbourhoods, took trains and trams, went grocery shopping and cooked every day, and made an effort to speak as much French as possible.”

Initially considering Lyon and Toulouse, the couple ultimately settled on Paris after spending time in the capital at both the start and end of their trip.

“I adored Toulouse and wanted to be there, but Aaron was beyond certain that it had to be Paris. It seemed a pretty amazing second choice, so I relented,” Ms Brown said.

She has been actively building connections in France, reaching out to contacts and participating in online communities, describing the response as unexpectedly welcoming.

During their trip, they also met with a French teacher for in-person lessons and connected with professionals they had first met through Facebook groups and industry networks.

Their plans initially see Mr Shuman working as a composer, performer and private music instructor while continuing to develop the project.

Ms Brown plans to collaborate on the initiative while also working in communications, helping clients improve their public speaking, speech writing, stage presence and accent.

As with other ‘talent’ visas, the renommée visa allows people with significant skills to develop careers and projects likely to boost France’s economy and/or its reputation in cultural, scientific or other spheres.

Applicants must show they have annual income equivalent to the gross Smic minimum wage (€22,404 a year) or more.

Holders may do any kind of work. Employers do not need to obtain a work permit or show they have advertised the position to other applicants.

Holders are not required to sign a Republican integration contract, so there is no associated language or civic test, and they may bring family members on visas that also permit work.

Holders apply after arrival for a carte de séjour under the same heading, which may be issued for up to four years and renewed if their career and projects have developed as planned.