A Guide to Visa Types and Work Permits in France

Work Permits and Employment-Based Visas

There are many work permit and employment visa types for expats who want to work in France. Each has their own conditions. This subsection will touch on some of the different work permits and visas that are most applicable for professional workers.

Work Permits in France

If you are an EU and EEA citizen, you do not require a work permit to take up employment in France. You are also exempt from obtaining a work permit if you are a foreign employee who will work for less than three months in the following fields:

• Sporting, cultural, artistic and scientific events.
• Conferences, seminars and trade shows.
• Production and distribution of cinematic and audiovisual works, shows and recordings.
• Modeling and artistic posing.
• Personal service workers and domestic workers working in France during their private employers’ stay in the country.
• Audit and consulting in IT, management, finance, insurance, architecture, and engineering, under the terms of a service agreement or intra-company transfer agreement.
• Occasional teaching activities by invited lecturers.

If you are the spouse of a French citizen, parent of a French child, or close family member of a French employee in possession of a temporary ‘Private and Family Life’ residence permit, you are also exempt.

Otherwise, citizens from anywhere else usually require a work permit, no matter your length of stay. The exception is if you are in possession of a long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS) visa or residence permit. These visas also act as a work permit.

Types of Work Permits for France

The work permits you are eligible for in France will mainly depend on you having a job offer, the length of your contract, and even what you do for a living. If you fall under the Talent Passport category, you may not need a work contract to qualify.

What is the Talent Passport?

The “Talent Passport” permit is intended for non-EU nationals to live and work in France. It includes the following categories:

• Skilled recent graduates.
• Employees of an innovative company.
• Highly skilled workers (EU Blue Card holders).
• Employees on a “mission” with a French work contract.
• Researchers/scientists.
• Champions of an innovative economic project.
• Company representatives.
• Economic or financial investors.
• Artist/performers.
• An internationally or nationally renowned person in sports, science, arts, education, literature, etc.
• This permit acts also as a four-year renewable residence permit. It costs 269 EUR (320 USD).

You may be eligible for the “talent passport” permit described above if your job contributes to France’s economic attractiveness.

The “talent passport” is valid for four years, on a renewable basis, and can be extended to immediate family members so that spouses and children receive resident permits allowing them to work and live in France too. With this visa, no additional work permit is required.

Salaried and Temporary Worker

The Salaried and Temporary Worker permit is divided into two subcategories (Salaried and Temporary). This permit is issued to employees working for a French company.

The length and duration of your job contract affects the subcategory you qualify for. The Salaried subcategory is for workers with contracts lasting longer than a year. The Temporary Worker category is for workers with contracts lasting less than twelve months.

France Work Permit Requirements

For most work permits, the employer is in charge of submitting the work permit application on behalf of the employee. This must be done at least two months before the worker’s start date.

Required Documents

• A letter explaining the employee’s role or the reasons for their recruitment and detailing the duties they will be performing.
• France work permit application form:
  • If the employee lives outside France – Cerfa no. 15187*1 in four copies.
  • If the employee is already in France – Cerfa no. 15186*1 in four copies.
  • An up-to-date excerpt of the commercial register for legal entities (extrait K-bis) and sole proprietors (extrait K); a craft license (titre d’artisan); or, failing that, for private individuals, a tax notice.
  • For intra-company transfers, evidence of the relationship between the company established in France and the company established abroad.
  • Copy of the employee’s passport or national identity document.
  • For employees already resident in France, a copy of the residence permit authorizing them to stay in France.
  • Employee’s CV/résumé or other evidence of their skills and experience.
  • Where applicable, a copy of any qualifications or certificates required for the position in question.
  • Where the position in question is subject to specific regulatory conditions, evidence that these conditions are met.
  • Evidence of efforts made to find a candidate already in the French labor market.

If the employer is established outside France, the application must also include the following:

• • Certificate of employment from the company established outside France or initial employment contract, providing evidence of at least three months’ service.
  • A sworn declaration of application for registration with the French social security system.
  • Where applicable, a sworn declaration of application for registration with the relevant paid leave scheme (caisse des congés payés).
  • Where applicable, a letter appointing a person established in France to complete the required administrative formalities in its name and on its behalf.

French Work Visas

Below is a list of some of the employment-based visas available for France that a professional expat can apply for along with the relevant work visa cost and requirements for France.

Short-Stay Work Visa

These are issued to foreign workers who intend to work for less than 90 days in France. This visa will cost 60 EUR (70 USD). If you are from the EU/EEA/Switzerland, then you do not need this visa.

If you are from Australia, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, Mauritius, Mexico, St Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, US, or Venezuela, you do not need a visa either. However, a work permit arranged by your employer is still needed for you to legally work in France.

Long-Term Work Visa for France

If you are a non-EU/EEA/Switzerland national with an intended period of stay that exceeds 90 days, you will need to apply for a long-stay visa. This visa de long séjour will be adapted to your specific reason and duration of stay. These visas can be issued for a variety of reasons, including various work-related purposes. Applying for this France work visa costs 99 EUR (120 USD).

Workers who apply for this visa and have family members coming with them can have their employer start the “accompanying family member” procedure at the same time as the worker’s application.

Business Visa for France

In order to apply for a French visa for business purposes, you will need:

• •  an invitation letter from the French company with their address and the dates of your visit (letter must state coverage of expenses for the applicant);
  • a certificate from your employer allowing your business travel;
  • proof of previous trade relations between the two companies if applicable;
  • business bank statements (last six months);
  • memorandum and Article of Association in original certified copy (registered with joint stock companies) Trade License (first issued and present renewal), Proprietorship/Partnership documents.

Self-Employment Visas

Self-employed workers in France will be issued the long-stay visa equivalent to a (VLS/TS) residence permit, as described in the previous subsection. The self-employment visa will bear the statement “entrepreneur/profession libérale” (self-employed in regulated ‘liberal’ profession).

This visa must be validated within 15 days of your arrival into France, after which it is valid for one year. It is renewable.

Self-Employment Visa Requirements for France

To work in France as a self-employed worker you will need the following documents:

• Passport
• Complete application form
• Copy of your business license
• Company bank statements (last six months)
• Income Tax Return
• Proof of accommodation
• Proof of medical insurance
• A letter outlining your self-employment activities and what you intend to do
• Clear criminal record

Keep in mind that these documents may need to be officially translated into French.

Setting Up a Business

Should you plan on setting up a business, you must also be able to demonstrate the economic viability of your intended business/project. You must also meet all of the specific requirements (qualifications/diplomas, etc.) if your line of work is regulated. A 30,000 EUR (35,500 USD) investment in the new business is required, and you must hold at least a master’s degree or be able to prove a minimum of five years of professional work experience.

If you can produce all of this, you will be issued a long-stay visa bearing the statement “passeport talent” “créateur d’entreprise” (Skilled residence permit – Business creator), valid for four years. If you are staying for under a year, then you will just be given a long-stay visa, equivalent to a (VLS/TS) residence permit, bearing the statement “passeport talent”.

Tech Visa

If you are a startup founder and applying for the tech visa, you must found your startup in a partner incubator and have financial resources equivalent to the French annual minimum wage. Your startup project must be approved by the Direccte (French Administration) via an official letter sent to you by the incubator.

Investors

Investors must invest at least 300,000 EUR (350,500 USD), own at least 10% of the company they are contributing to, and plan to create jobs within at least four years following the investment. They must also be investing directly or via a company in which they have at least a 30% share. Investors will be issued a long-stay visa bearing the statement “passeport talent” “investisseur économique” (Skilled residence permit – Investor), valid for four years. If you are staying for under a year, you will just be given a long-stay visa, equivalent to a (VLS/TS) residence permit, bearing the statement “passeport talent”.

Performers

If you are a self-employed performer, you must justify production or performance for a minimum duration of three months in France, and submit proof of your financial resources (at least equal to 70% of the minimum legal wage in France for a full-time worker). In this case, you will be issued a long-stay visa bearing the statement “passeport talent” “profession artistique et culturelle” (Skilled residence permit – artistic and cultural profession).

French Self-Employment Visa Process

It is advisable you apply for your visa from your country of origin. In some cases, it is possible to apply if you are already in France or elsewhere. You will need to fill out the application form online and submit all the required documents mentioned earlier.

Self-Employment Visa Cost and Approval

The cost is 99 EUR (120 USD). Applications are usually processed within a month but it is best to give yourself at least three months, just in case. Once approved, you can travel to France and apply for your “Carte de Sejour” (resident ID card). Keep in mind that if your application is rejected, all fees related to your visa request are non-refundable.

To learn about France’s self-employment program, check out our Working in France article.

Residency Permits: Temporary and Permanent

If you plan to move to France you must be wondering how to apply for a French temporary residency, and possibly how to then become a permanent citizen. For those moving to France and coming from the EU, there is no need to worry about a visa or residence permit.

However, if you are moving to France from outside the EU and are staying for more than three months, you will need to find out how to apply for a temporary residence permit. This is France’s carte de séjour (_CDS)_ — the official residence permit. We will also discuss in depth how to become a French permanent residence.

Contrat d’intégration républicaine (CIR)

Any non-Europeans wishing to settle in France must sign the CIR or Contrat d’Intégration Républicaine. This is a mutual contract to ensure the best possible integration of foreigners into French society. During an interview, professional, social, and language needs are assessed to see if any assistance is required for the expat.

Knowledge of French up to the A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is desired. However, you can access language lessons if you do not meet this standard. Newcomers must also attend two civic training sessions. Meeting the requirements of this contract is one of the conditions for a residence permit.

Application for a Temporary Resident Permit

France’s carte de séjour temporaire are residence permits valid for up to a year. If you wish to stay in France, you will need to renew it annually.

• VLS-TS – the French long-stay visa (described above) which also serves as a temporary residence permit once validated at the OFII offices in France.
• Carte de Sejour for employees or temporary workers

Applying for the Carte de Sejour for employees or temporary workers must be done at the closest préfecture or sous-préfecture (prefecture and sub-prefecture), at least two months before the expiration date of your long-stay visa. If you live in Paris, you must go to the police headquarters. If there is not a préfecture or sous-préfecture in your area, pay a visit to the mairie (local town hall office) where you can also apply.

Requirements and Fees for French Visas and Permits

Documents needed for the carte de séjour temporaire include the following:

• Long-stay visa
• Work permit
• Passport
• Birth certificate
• Last three pay stubs
• CIR contract
• Medical certificate
• Proof of payment
  • The Carte de Sejour for employees or temporary workers has a fee of 269 EUR (320 USD).

How to Get Permanent Residency in France

Permanent residency cards in France are called Carte de Résident (CR). They are valid for ten years and renewable. Note that if you leave France for more than two consecutive years, you will lose this permanent resident status.

After five years, you also have the option to apply for the EU long-term resident card. This is for applicants who have held the European Blue Card. This is also a renewable card, valid for up to ten years.

Benefits of Permanent Residency

There are some benefits to getting permanent residency in France. Some of France’s permanent resident benefits include:

• Legal access to the European Union
• Entry into Schengen countries without requiring a visa
• An extended period of stay before having to renew residency (ten years)

To apply, your France permanent resident application must be submitted to your local prefecture.

France Permanent Resident Application Requirements

To apply for the CR, you must have lived in France for at least five years (this period is reduced to only three years under certain circumstances, such as if you are joining a family member who already has permanent residency, or if you are married to a French national).

Some of the required documents (both copies and originals) you will most likely need when applying for a carte de séjour residence permit may include:

• Proof of residence (e.g. lease, utility bills, rent receipts)
• Employment contract and proof of income
• Bank statements
• Birth or marriage certificates
• Medical certificate
• Health insurance
• Integration into French society and sufficient knowledge of the language

It is advisable that you consult your local préfecture for any additional paperwork you may need for your specific situation. For documents that are not in French, you will need to provide official, court-certified translations. Préfecture, consulates, police stations, or an independent relocation service provider can offer recommendations for this.

The application fee for a permanent resident card for France is 269 EUR (301 USD).

Family Visa for France

In relation to the temporary residency permit, non-French, non-EU, and non-EEA nationals with family ties to a French resident can apply for the Carte de Sejour for Private and family life. This temporary residency permit allows family members to work, is valid for up to a year, and renewable. This is also issued immediately for accompanying family members of working expats under the “Talent Passport” permit.

In relation to the permanent residency permit, the CR is also available for spouses of French citizens or parents of a French-born child. It allows family members to work, is valid for 10 years, and renewable.

French Spouse Visa Process

France offers family reunification visas for spouses who wish to join their partner in France. Conditions depend on a variety of factors including nationality, the kind of permit the spouse in France has, and the length of time they have been living in France.

If you are joining your spouse who is not an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, the following conditions have to be met for you to join them:

• Your family member must have been living in France for at least 18 months (12 for Algerians) and hold a valid, one-year residence permit.
• Sufficient funds to support you in France (equal to the monthly minimum wage)
• Adequate accommodation for you in France (22 to 28 sqm place for a couple, depending on the city and region)

How to Apply for the Spouse Visa

The spouse in France will need to go to the OFII office to apply. If the application is accepted, the partner who is joining will then be responsible for applying for their long-stay visa, equivalent to a residence card (VLS-TS), free of charge, from a French consulate or embassy in their country of origin.

Once they receive this visa, the joining spouse has three months to enter France and register with the local OFII, which must be done within two months of their arrival. The joining spouse will have to apply for a residence card if they plan to stay past a year.