We know France for its incredible work-life balance. French residents are so serious about this that the French Government adopted a law that includes the “right to disconnect,” allowing employees to turn off work notifications during their time off. Other benefits of working in France include a minimum monthly wage, a 35-hour workweek, generous overtime compensation, and several holidays and vacation time.
To complement this work-life balance, France offers delicious cuisine, beautiful scenery and climate, and rich history and culture. It is no wonder that many foreign workers look to France for a short or long work contract.
The work opportunities are wide in France and run the gamut from entry-level to senior levels. Expats can search for jobs on local sites like Strategies Emploi and The Local. With the right qualifications, a French company may offer you a contrat (French for “contract”) — and you will need one before you move.
If you are moving to France to work, you will need a work visa. Depending on your planned length of stay, there are different types of visas. You may even qualify for a EU Blue card as one of the Talent Passport residence permits. The Talent Passport, also known as Passport-Talent visa, is a type of French work visa granted to those who can use their talent and bring economic prosperity to France. With the Talent Passport residence permit with the mention “EU Blue Card,” non-EU/European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss citizens can come to France as highly qualified workers and bring along family members. The initiative was adopted in 2009 and matches EU national salary and working conditions to educated or experienced non-EU foreign workers.
From temporary to the long term, there are many types of work opportunities in France. In this article, we will discuss work visa requirements and how you can get a French work visa.
Still, if you need additional information, browse French Immigration advisors on Relocate, learn more about their areas of expertise and how their advice may help you make informed decisions about your relocation goals.
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Generally, any foreign national wishing to work in France needs a work visa. As with any rule, there are exceptions. European Union (EU) or EEA member states are exempt from the work permit requirement — as are third country nationals engaging in professional activities, such as modeling, domestic work, and athletic events. A full listing of exemptions is on the Welcome to France fact sheet.
Typically, most expats must apply and get a visa before taking paid employment.
The requirements for getting a French work visa largely depend on where you are from and do not necessarily mean a travel visa is unnecessary. France-Visas, the official visa website for France, lists the requirements for various types of work, including: Short- or long-term employees, Seasonal workers (travailleur saisonnier), Language assistants or teachers, Models or assistants, Medical professionals, Airline crew members, and Internships.
Common documents you may need include the following:
The following lists the various types of work visas that may apply to your professional purpose. Whether you are self-employed or on a seasonal contract, the steps you need to take depend on your situation.
The Passeport Talent Residence Permit allows you to stay and work in France for up to four years. You can also bring your family and they can live and work in France too. The purpose of the Talent Passport is to simplify the process for talented foreign and self-employed people and build the economic attractiveness of France.
Performers, researchers, and highly qualified professionals are just some of the situation types that fall under this type of visa.
If you are self-employed or want to engage in liberal work activities, such as industrial, agricultural, commercial, or artisanal, you can apply for a long-stay “entrepreneur/profession Liberale” visa. For regulated industries, such as legal or medical, applicants must meet education requirements.
This type of visa is for young professionals between the ages of 18 and 30. To qualify, you must meet certain conditions, such as meeting the age requirement and already working. If your application is accepted, you can receive a long-stay visa, which allows you to live and work in France for up to a year.
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Travailleur temporaire may apply to a number of situations where you’re working as a temporary worker. You can receive a long-term residence visa when granted a fixed-term contract with an employer.
The type of work that can apply to this professional situation includes foreign language teaching or reading and medical professions.
In English terms, this designation means seasonal worker. If working in the tourism industry or agriculture, you can apply for this long-stay visa.
Seasonal workers can and often work for more than one employer. When the seasonal work contract expires, and you find new employment, the employer provides the work permit that allows you to stay in the country.
If granted a permanent employment contract, your work visa bears the statement “Salarie”- meaning employee. The type of employer can range from a corporate organization to a private employer, such as a domestic job.
When visiting France for a professional training course or professional internship, you may apply for a short- or long-stay visa with the ‘“Stagiaire” designation. Translated to English, this means trainee.
When submitting your visa application, attach a signed training agreement. The agreement must also include the signature of your employer, the training organization, or the company hosting the event.
To get a French work visa, applicants must apply through the dedicated online portal. The French government recommends starting early but no earlier than three months before your departure date.
The application process can be somewhat overwhelming. Fortunately, Relocate can connect you directly to French Advisors, who can help you get started with your work permit application. Below we will take a closer look at getting your work visa and ways our Advisors can help you.
There are a few ways you can determine whether or not you need a visa. One way is through a short quiz on the France-Visas website. After answering a few questions, you will learn whether or not your stay will require a visa and what supporting documents you will need for your specific situation. For instance, a long-stay visa (90 days or longer) generally requires more supporting documents, such as an employment agreement and travel health insurance.
Another way is to connect with one of our qualified Advisors at Relocate. They can provide more detailed advice on both the specific type of visa you will need and any supporting documents.
It is a good idea to have all your documents handy so that you can easily access them while filling out the application. To begin, create an account and follow the prompts.
When applying, provide the original and a copy of your travel document, recent ID pictures, and the required supporting documents for your professional situation.
It is important to note that documents in languages other than French or English need to be translated into French in order to be considered for review.
Arrange a time to visit the visa application center. Ensure there is enough time for the application review and appointment. When arriving at your scheduled appointment, bring all your required documents and a copy of each. Your application will be reviewed, and this will also be the time they collect your biometric data. Biometric data is technical lingo for a mugshot and fingerprints, and it is required for persons aged 12 and up.
From here, you will pay the visa fee, and the service provider will forward all the supporting documents to the French consulate for further review. What was once the Direccte (the Foreign Labor Department of the local employment authorities) is now run by the French Ministry of Interior. This department oversees foreign workers and determines whether the foreign employee’s skills and qualifications match the job and whether they are in the best interest of the job market and area.
While waiting for their final decision, it is a good idea to get in touch with one of Relocate’s French Advisors to learn more about any outstanding items during your visa application process.
You can track your work permit application through the France-Visas website. You may need to provide specific information to prove your identity, such as a reference number or date of birth.
After they process your application, you can pick up your passport from the visa application center or request it by postal services.
Fingers crossed the French government sends good news! Once approved, you can work in France upon arrival. However, within three months of your arrival, you will need to submit a declaration to the French Immigration and Citizenship Office (Office Français de L’immigration et de L’intégration — OFII).
Some may get a rejection, and this can happen for a number of reasons. Namely, the employment contract with the French company may fall under “jobs in tension,” meaning EU nationals can fill these positions. If rejected, you can appeal informally to the deciding agency free of charge.
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Reduce the risks of the application process with Relocate. How? Through our independent marketplace for global migration, you can browse qualified Advisors in France, submit a general inquiry, or request consultations directly with French Advisors who have the expertise you need to make getting a French work visa less burdensome.
Find the perfect Advisor for your relocation needs.
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