Citizens from the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries enjoy streamlined access to living, working, or establishing businesses in France, with minimal formalities and full labor market access. However, certain jobs, such as military and legal professions, are restricted to French citizens due to high unemployment rates. As a result, finding a job in France may pose challenges for non-French or non-European citizens.
Obtaining a work visa for France as an EU and EEA citizen
EU citizens must register with the Mairie of their commune of residence within 3 months of arriving in France. They also have the option to apply for a residence permit at their local sous-préfecture or préfecture if desired. While a work visa is not mandatory, having one can facilitate access to social benefits, housing applications, and registration with French employment agencies.
There are several types of residence permits in France, depending on the individual's situation:
To work as an employee
To work as an employee in France, you can apply for a residence permit that aligns with the end date of your employment contract for up to a maximum of 5 years. Renewal is possible and is free of charge.
You will need to present the following documents when you apply at the prefecture:
- a valid identity card or passport;
- proof of address;
- three recent passport-size photos;
- proof of health and/or maternity insurance;
- employer's certificate of employment.
For self-employed professional activities (e.g., self-employed, craftsman, shopkeeper)
Again, you can obtain a residence permit that expires up to 6 months after the end of your professional activity, and it can be renewed at no cost.
The following documents are required for your work visa application:
- valid ID or passport;
- proof of address;
- three recent passport photos;
- proof of health and/or maternity insurance;
- proof of activity and documents relating to the exercise of the activity, such as registration in the legal registers (Trade and Companies Register or Trade Register), membership of professional and social security organizations, insurance policies, minutes, professional lease, invoices for the purchase of equipment, sales and/or service contracts, declaration of turnover, or receipts and purchases.
For comprehensive details on residence permits in France for European nationals and to determine the appropriate permit for your situation, visit the French public services website. There, you can fill out a questionnaire tailored to your circumstances and quickly learn about required procedures, supporting documents, and more.
Important:
The new immigration law (promulgated on January 26, 2024) may modify some of the information provided above. Therefore, you should refer to the official French government website.
Obtaining a work visa for France for non-EU nationals
In France, priority in the labor market is given to French nationals, followed by EU nationals. However, due to shortages in certain critical sectors of the economy, non-European workers are also welcomed and can obtain a work visa.
To obtain a work permit in France, foreign workers must be in possession of an official job offer from a French company and a fixed-term employment contract signed by both parties.
There are several stages to the procedure.
Firstly, the prospective employer must contact France Travail (formerly Pôle Emploi) to post the job offer in all centers and make it accessible to French nationals. Subsequently, the job offer must be advertised through the EURES network, the employment portal for European nationals.
Previously, if no French or European candidate responded to the job offer after two attempts, employers could file a work visa application with the DREETS (Regional Directorate for Economic Affairs, Employment, Labor and Solidarity). However, as of April 6, 2021, DREETS is no longer authorized to process work permit applications for foreign employees. Employers must now apply online through the website of the Direction générale des étrangers en France.
Here are the different types of work permits available in France:
- Salaried Work Visa;
- Temporary Work Visa;
- Talent Visa;
- Intra-Company Transfer Visa (professional mobility visa);
- Start-up Visa (French Tech Visa).
Good to know:
All of this might seem lengthy and challenging but don't lose heart. If a company has initiated the recruitment process for you, chances are high that the outcome will be positive, and you'll soon be able to work in France!
What is the "talent passport" residence permit?
The "talent passport" residence permit is designed for foreign nationals who possess exceptional and rare skills that have the potential to contribute significantly to France's economic, intellectual, scientific, or cultural development.
There are four main categories in which a foreign national may qualify for a talent passport visa:
- a company recognized as a "young innovative company";
- a company belonging to the same international group of companies as your employer;
- a public or private research or higher education organization;
- a highly qualified employee with rare skills and expertise.
Each of these categories has specific requirements, although they share similarities such as the type of visa (long-stay), the situation of the employee or prospective employee (such as salary and duration of the employment contract), and the necessary supporting documents.
Applicants can apply for this special residence permit and obtain the corresponding work visa either from the French embassy or consulate in their home country or directly in France if they already possess a residence visa. The visa's issuance depends on a specific career plan, and the final decision rests with the French Ministry of the Interior.
The talent passport is valid for 4 years and can be renewed as needed. It offers the advantage of permitting employment in any economic sector. Additionally, the beneficiary's family members can accompany them on the same visa and obtain a multi-year residence permit, allowing them to work in France as well (if they are over 18 years old).
Please note:
The new immigration law may change some of the information presented above. Please refer to the official French Administration website for further information.
Working in France with a "seconded ICT employee" multi-annual residence permit
Foreign managers and experts can apply for an "ICT employee on secondment" visa when they are being assigned to France by a company within their corporate group. ICT stands for "Intra-Corporate Transfer".
This multi-year residence permit is valid for up to 3 years, and the application process varies depending on whether the individual comes from a Member State or another country. For non-EU nationals, it is granted if the assignment exceeds one year and is linked to a long-stay visa or valid residence permit (details below).
Both employee and employer must provide proof of the following:
- at least 6 months' seniority in the employing company's group;
- an agreement on an employment contract with the company of origin sending the employee to perform senior management or expert functions in France;
- the home and host companies belong to the same group.
Please note that no employment contract is signed with the host company in France.
This visa is ideal for employees who do not plan to settle permanently in France. After three years as an ICT secondee, you have two options: either return to your home country at the end of the assignment or apply for a change of status to another residence permit that permits long-term work and settlement in France, potentially leading to permanent residency.
Coming to France to work on a long-stay visa
Individuals holding a long-stay visa do not need to apply for a residence permit or "carte de séjour". The long-stay visa is issued by the OFII (French Office of Immigration and Integration) to foreign workers with employment contracts lasting 12 months or more, as well as to spouses of French citizens, visitors, and students. A fee is required for this visa, which must be validated within 3 months of arrival in France. It will be marked "salarié" for a permanent contract or "travailleur temporaire" for a fixed-term contract.
When you apply, you'll need to present supporting documents, such as the work permit granted to your employer, as well as the following:
- copies of diplomas, proof of qualifications, and certificates of employment;
- passport photos;
- travel document (passport).
Can I work in France on a long-stay student visa?
All students planning to study in France for an extended period are authorized to work to supplement their income. However, students must not exceed 964 hours per year, roughly equivalent to 20 hours per week. Many companies across various sectors offer part-time job opportunities to foreign students, whether related to their studies or not. For further details, visit the Campus France website and use the visa wizard to simulate your options.
To obtain a long-stay student visa, you'll need to present the following supporting documents:
- passport photos;
- if applicable, proof of legal residence in the country (residence permit, green card, visa, and various forms depending on your country of origin);
- a passport issued less than 10 years ago, with at least two blank pages, valid for at least 3 months from the date on which you plan to leave the Schengen area, or valid for at least 3 months from the date on which your visa expires;
- pre-registration certificate;
- last diploma obtained;
- proof of accommodation for the first 3 months (hotel reservation, lease or signed letter from host, copy of lease, copy of host's ID);
- a scholarship certificate (which must mention the total cost of the program, as well as the amount remaining once the program has been paid for, which must be at least 615 euros per month).
With this visa, students are permitted to travel freely outside France and worldwide, even without validation, during the first 3 months after arriving in the country. However, it's important to note that after this initial three-month period, if the visa hasn't been validated before leaving France, a new visa will be required to re-enter the country. Visa validation can be completed online through the Ministry of the Interior's dedicated webpage.
For further information on long-stay and student visas, please consult the OFII and France Visas websites.
In all other situations, you will need to apply for a residence permit at the nearest prefecture. Work visas for France vary depending on the specific circumstances (employment, seasonal work, visitor, seconded employee, etc.).
Useful links:
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