Living in France is a dream for everyone. Retiring on the Cote d’Azur or running your own business online with a view of the sea or the Eiffel Tower is working like a dream come true.
But what should you do if you want to live and work in France? In most cases, you will need a visa. As a resident of Europe, this is easy, but if you live outside Europe, the path to a residence permit is a bit more complicated. But certainly not impossible.
If you can prove that you already have an income from online activities or dividends and are not going to rely on social security, then the chance is much greater. It is often an administrative process if a French company has already hired you.
In France, the French are preferred in the job market, but those who have a specialization or speak their languages well have a chance of finding an excellent job that the French cannot fill.
Those from EEA and EU countries enjoy the same level of access to the labour market as French citizens, with minimal paperwork and formalities. Unfortunately, due to the high unemployment rate, specific jobs, such as those in the legal profession and military, are only available to French nationals. This can make it harder for non-Europeans to find work in France. But once you have a job, you can also consider buying a home on the French Riviera.
Obtaining a work visa for France as an EU and EEA citizen
European Union (EU) residents living in France must first register with their local Mairie. They can also request a residence permit at their local préfecture or sous-préfecture. Although work visas are not required, having one can help an individual access various benefits and housing applications.
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 maternity insurance;
- employer’s certificate of employment.
For self-employed professional activities (e.g., self-employed, craftsman, shopkeeper)
You can apply for a residence permit to stay in France for up to six months after your professional activity ends. The permit is free to renew.
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 maternity insurance;
- In addition to the necessary documents, such as a trade or company register registration, you also need other documents related to the activity. These include social security or professional group membership, insurance policies, invoices for purchases and sales, and receipts and expenses.
The French public services website provides information about EU nationals’ residence permits and the appropriate license. You can also complete a questionnaire to learn more about the various procedures involved in obtaining a license.
Obtaining a work visa for France for non-EU nationals
Due to the priority given to French nationals in the labour market, non-Europeans are often granted work visas. However, this does not mean they can immediately start working in France. To get a work permit in France, a foreign worker must first have a job offer from a local company and a signed contract.
Before posting the job offer, the employer must contact FranceTravail to make it widely accessible to French workers. They must then publicize the job position through the EURES employment portal for European citizens. If no one responds to the job offer within two business days, the employer can apply for a work visa.
In the past, employers could apply for a work permit with DREETS if no one from either European or French candidates responded to the job position after two attempts. On April 6, 2021, the agency no longer allows foreign employees to submit work permit applications. To apply online, employers should go to the DGREF’s website.
Here are the different types of work permits in France:
- Salaried Work Visa;
- Temporary Work Visa;
- Talent Visa;
- Intra-Company Transfer Visa (professional mobility visa);
- Start-up Visa (French Tech Visa).
Nothing is impossible:
Even though the process may seem daunting, getting a work permit in France is still possible. If the company you’re interested in working for has already started the recruitment process, you can expect positive results.
What is the “talent passport” residence permit?
The residency permit, known as the talent passport, is granted to foreign nationals with exceptional skills that can help boost France’s scientific, cultural, and economic development. There are four main categories that individuals can qualify for.
- 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.
Although each type of work permit has specific requirements, they can be issued to foreign workers in different ways. For instance, the type of visa that an individual can use for a long-stay stay is different from the one that they can use for a work visa. In addition to the documents needed for the work permit, the other requirements for the residence permit include the country of residence and the supporting documents.
The decision to issue a work visa depends on the individual’s career plan. The talent passport can be used for four years and can be renewed. It allows foreign workers to work in any economic sector in France. In addition, the beneficiary’s relatives can also obtain a residence permit if they’re over 18 years old.
Attention:
The new immigration law may change some of the information presented above. Please refer to the official French Administration website for further details.
Working in France with a “seconded ICT employee” multi-annual residence permit
Foreign experts and managers working in France as part of a corporate group can also apply for an ICT employee on secondment visa. This type of residence permit allows them to stay in the country for up to three years. The application process can vary depending on the individual’s country of residence.
This type of visa can also be granted to non-EU nationals working for a company with a long-term contract with an organization in France. The employer and the employee must provide the necessary documents to secure the approval.
- at least six 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 type of visa is also ideal for workers who want to stay in France longer but don’t plan on permanently living there. After three years, the ICT secondee can either return to their home country or apply for a residence permit that allows them to stay for a long time in France.
Coming to France to work on a long-stay visa
With a long-stay visa, foreign workers can stay in France without applying for residence permits or a carte de séjour. The OFII issues these visas to workers with contracts lasting more than a year and to the spouses of French citizens and students.
For this type of visa, a fee must be submitted within three months of the individual’s arrival in France. It can be marked as “salarié” or “travailleur temporaire.” After completing the necessary documents, the foreign worker must return to their home country to present the residency or work permit.
- copies of diplomas, proof of qualifications, and certificates of employment;
- passport photos;
- travel document (passport).
Can you work in France on a long-stay student visa?
Students who plan on studying in France for a certain amount of time can work to support their living expenses. However, they must not work more than 964 hours in a year. Employers in various sectors in the country offer part-time positions to foreign students, regardless of whether they’re related to their studies. To learn more about the various options for getting a long-stay permit, visit the official website of Campus France.
- 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 ten years ago, with at least two blank pages, valid for at least three months from the date on which you plan to leave the Schengen area, or valid for at least three months from the date on which your visa expires;
- pre-registration certificate;
- last diploma obtained;
- proof of accommodation for the first three months (hotel reservation, lease or signed letter from host, copy of lease, copy of host’s ID);
- a scholarship certificate (which must mention the program’s total cost and the amount remaining once the program has been paid for, which must be at least 615 euros per month).
Students with this type of visa can freely travel outside of France within the first three months following their arrival. However, a new visa must be issued if it has not been validated before returning to the country. Individuals can visit the Interior Ministry’s website to get a validated visa.
For further information on long-stay and student visas, please consult the OFII and France Visas websites.
In most cases, a residence permit is required for foreign workers in France. However, work visas for different circumstances can vary. For instance, an individual working in a seasonal or non-traditional position might need a work permit.
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