Recently, the government of France announced the creation of a single visa for eSports players. Now, participants in e-sports championships can apply for a ‘talent’ visa to obtain authorization to compete in French territory, which previously could only be achieved with a tourist or work visa.
The intention is to regularize the industry and, from there, encourage amateur practices, removal of blockages within the sport and the promotion of major events for the community.
Amélie Oudéa-Castera, Minister of Sports, wrote on her Twitter an “inter-ministerial instruction that allows the use of the talent passport for high-level sportsmen”, stressing that the measure will serve to facilitate the hiring of foreign players in order to strengthen the French teams.
French president defends eSports inclusion in the Olympic schedule
Since last year, France has sought to encourage the growth of eSports, in addition to President Emmanuel Macron supporting the entry of electronic games into the schedule of the Olympic Games.
The country will host the next edition of the event in 2024, concentrating sports disputes in the capital Paris. Parallel to the Olympics, there will be the “Olympic eSports Week” to be played in France. However, there is still no more detailed information about the event.
“I don’t forget electronic sports. Another area of excellence in France, with teams like Team Vitality or Karmine Corp. We have a historic opportunity: that of the 2024 Olympic Games. two worlds and host the biggest sporting events in the world that year: the Major of CS:GO, the World of League of Legends and The International of Dota 2”, said the French president, in 2022.
France will host the first Major CS:GO tournament of this year, scheduled for March 8th and 21st, with a prize pool worth US$ 1 million.
