Work VISA

Are you planning to move to France? Let’s find out if you require a work permit or visa to work in France. In this article, we have discussed the procedures for applying for a French work visa.

Some nationalities require a work visa to legally work and live in France. A number of different types of work permits are obtainable depending on your employment position in France. Few exemptions are also available for this purpose. The work permits are linked closely to one’s status of residence in France. In most scenarios, before making an application for a work permit, you will have to acquire an offer from a company in France for full-time employment.

Do you require a work visa in France?

If you are coming from the EU/EEA (including Croatia) or Switzerland you do not need a work permit to work in France. Also, if you are accompanying a family member who holds a work permit specifically for highly skilled jobs then you may also not require a work permit. Others who do not fall under these 2 categories need to obtain permission to work in France. This authorization is necessary before a residence or visa permit can be granted. In most cases, your prospective employer will arrange for the authorization to work. Hence, the first thing you can plan is finding a job. · Working for less than 90 days

If you wish to work in France for lesser than 90 days period, your employer should ideally obtain a temporary work permit for you which is approved by the French Ministry of Labour. The same authorization is sent to the French Consulate or Embassy in the applicant’s home country where he can apply for a visa. People from Canada, Brazil, Australia, Israel, Mauritius, St. Kitts and Nevis, Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Mexico, Seychelles, Singapore, US or Venezuela, South Korea, Japan can enter France without a visa but in this case, your employer needs to arrange for a valid work permit for you at the port of entry.

· Working for more than 90 days

If you wish to work in France for more than 90 days duration, you will have to apply for a long-stay work visa. This visa also acts as your residence permit.

Different types of visas to work in France

Many types of residence permits and visas are available through the French government authorities suitable to the requirements of each case, length of stay, the reason for stay, and for all types of work and jobs.

 

1. The new “Talent Passport” permit

In an attempt to bring in more foreigners and expatriates, the French government in 2016 decided to streamline and ease the procedures to obtain working permits for non-(EU / EEA/ Swiss) citizens. ‘Talent Passport’ permit is one of the provisions made for this purpose. It includes 10 categories viz:

· Economic or financial investors

· Researchers/scientists

· Highly-skilled workers (eu blue cardholders)

· Skilled recent graduates

· Artist/performers

· Company representatives

· Employees of an innovative company

· Champions of an innovative economic project

· A person nationally or globally renowned in science, literature, arts, education, sports, and so on

· Employees on a ‘mission’ with a french work contract

If in the eyes of the French authorities, you have the potential to make a substantial contribution to the French economy in any intellectual, cultural, sporting, humanitarian or scientific manner, and if you are involved in a project in the capacity of a professional or an employee, then you are fit to apply for this 4-year renewable residence visa. The Talent Passport permit has different requirements depending on the category you fall into.

2. ‘Employed’ or ‘salaried’ and temporary workers’ permit

After completing 18 months in the long-stay residence permit marked employee or temporary worker, you may plan to take your family to France. Spouses and minor children should apply for a 1-year visitor’s visa (with no work permit) and sign the CAI (Contrat d'Accueil et d'Intégration)

3. EU Blue Card for highly skilled/educated workers

Highly skilled workers can apply for this 1 to 3 years of residence or work permit. To be eligible you should meet the following requirements:

1. Must hold a degree/ diploma including 3 years of higher education or 5 years of professional experience in a specific field.

2. An employment contract for a minimum of 1 year

3. Monthly salary to be 1.5 times of the French average gross annual salary requirements

Under this scheme, for 2 years, you have to work in the field for which you were admitted to and later you may take up any highly skilled position. After 18 months you are allowed to work in any other EU nation.

4. Employees on assignment (sometimes called ‘expatriate employee’) permit

If you are working for at least 3 months in a company out of France and are transferred to one of your employer’s associate companies located in France with a salary of 1.8 times the minimum wage, then you can apply for this permit. It is valid for 3 years and then it is renewable. Your spouse is not allowed to work before completing 6 months in France. Rules differ for senior managers.

5. ‘Exceptional economic contribution’ permit

 

Under this scheme, foreign investors who invest in tons of money or promise to create 50 jobs become eligible for a 10-year residence permit. The spouse along with the children gets the same rights.

6. Students and graduates

Students can take up part-time work while pursuing a course in France. Different types of student visas are available viz.

1. (‘Schengen’ short-stay student visa)

2. (visa for sitting entrance exams)

3. (Temporary long-stay visa)

4. (Long-stay visa)

5. Extended stay research scholar visa An international student on a study visa in France, one can take on paid work of 964 hours in a whole year which contributes to around 60 percent of full-time employment for a year while you are studying the course and hold a valid residence permit. You may work in an educational institution with one-year contracts running between 1st Sep to 31st Aug. You must at all times remember to balance work and studies.

After graduation-

After completion of a master's degree or a degree equivalent to a 5-year study program or a professional license, one can apply for an additional 1-year temporary residence permit which will be non-renewable. This will allow you to work up to 60 % of the normal working hours to support your livelihood while searching for a full-time job. If you are lucky to find a job that pays you 1.5 times the minimum wage, you can send a request to the local préfecture and get your status changed from student to full-time employee. If you want to start your own company while you stay in France for this one year you may apply for an auto-entrepreneur” (freelance) visa. The company business should be related to your field of study and the viability must be demonstrated.

On completion of graduate studies, you may want to extend your stay in France for a year and look for job opportunities in your desired field. When you find a job, you

should apply for a work permit, attach your offer letter and subsequently apply for a resident visa. Recent graduates are now eligible to apply for ‘Talent Passport’ Visa.

Internship-

You must be a registered student with a university or college in your home country. The internships shall be related to the field or subjects you have studied. While internships are mostly unpaid you might receive some allowance from your employer. It is important for you, your college/ university in your home country, and your employer to sign the internship. A proof of financial security, return flight reservations and proof of accommodation must be submitted while applying for a visa for this purpose.

7. Scientists/researchers permit

 

With a Master's degree or above, you may be interested in carrying out research or teaching at a college. Scientists or researchers permit allows applying for a temporary scientific activity residence permit. You are asked to provide the details of your status and duration of the research project along with a ‘ hosting agreement’ from a recognized university or research institution.

8. Seasonal workers permit

 

If you have signed a seasonal contract that lasts more than 3 months, you automatically become eligible for a residence permit of 3 years. It is renewable for a further 3 years duration. It allows you to work for a maximum of 6 months period out of 12 months. Hence, you are permitted to have a continued 6 months stay in France. You can sign several contracts running in succession but in any case, your stay should not exceed 6 months in 1 year. The family is not allowed to join you on this visa.

9. Au pairs

 

Individuals between the age of 17 to 30 can work as an au pair with a French host family. The host family should execute an au pair contract and register it with the Dirrecte. You should also accept an admission letter to a language school directing 10 hours/week attendance from you before you get your visa.