Work in France
France has been the most popular travel destination in the world for the past thirty years. This country in Western Europe is endowed with all the amenities one could ask for in an international travel destination. Rich in natural and architectural history, it is renowned for its unparalleled hospitality, style of life and cuisine and wine. A few cities that are highly prized for their rich cultural histories and stunning monuments are Bordeaux, Lyon, Toulouse, the Loire Valley, Paris, Strasbourg and Toulouse. France is well known not only for its well known cities but also for its unique ski resorts in the French alps. There is nothing quite like the serenity found in the little charming French village scattered all over the country. France is a country that you should visit as soon as possible because it has more than 200 “Remarkable Gardens” and over 45 UNESCO World Heritage sites. These are must see for anyone planning a tour of France. Get your France visa online now to avoid missing out on an incredible vacation.
You will need to apply for the proper type of France visa if you want to visit the country for anything besides tourism. Based on your intended purpose of travel you can apply for a business, work, student or tourist visa to France. All of the different types of France visas have different eligibility and requirements and if you don’t meet any of them you risk having your application denied and having to reapply for a France visa.
What is a work visa?
A foreign national with a work visa can enter a country and work there for a particular period of time. You are not allowed to work without a valid work visa in any foreign country. Different countries have different eligibility requirements and different processes for granting a work visa. Depending on the type of employment it could be either on a temporary or permanent work permit and it can also change according to the property of the visa.
More information on the France Work Visa can be found below
For those who want to work in France for three to twelve months a long stay work visa or work permit for France is issued. After getting your work visa you are eligible to apply for a variety of long stay work permits. The kinds of work that can be done in France with each type of work permit has requirements and eligibility criteria that are specific to that category.
You can apply for the right France work visa easily depending on the employment offer, contract and field of work.
Different France work visa types
- Short stay work visa: for people who intend to travel to France for business or short term employment a short stay work visa is granted. The visa is valid for six months and has a three month stay period. It is not renewable.
- Temporary French work visa: You apply for a “travailleur temporaire” if the work requires more than ninety days. Your 3 to 12 month temporary France work visa is valid. You can apply if you plan to work in France as a modelling assistant, teaching, modelling agency worker or language teacher.
- Long stay work visa France: you will require a long stay France work visa if you intend to work there for more than a year. Depending on the length of your job this renewable visa can be valid for one to four years. This visa is applicable to workers in senior management, innovation, medicine and other fields.
- Special case work visa: France issues special work visa
- Volunteer visa – for candidates who want to volunteer in France. Only three categories of volunteer work are eligible for it: Civil volunteering, association based volunteer work and European voluntary service(EVS).
- Student trainee visa – for students who wish to take up employment that is related to their university courses. This visa is applicable for medical students who wish to take employment like nurses, doctors, pharmacists.
Types of France work permit
You need a valid work permit issued from France after entering France with a valid work visa in order to work in terms of your employment. A list of types of france work permits are listed below:
Talent passport permit
In 2016 the French government implemented the “passport talent” program to enable non EU/EEA(European Economic Area) citizens to obtain specific work permits with the aim of attracting more foreign nationals. This work permit includes the following categories:
- Skilled recent graduates
- Employees on a ‘mission’ with a French work contract
- Researchers or Scientists
- Employees of an innovative company
- Champions of innovative economic project
- Highly-skilled workers (EU Blue Card Holders)
- Employees of an innovative company
- Artists and Performers
- Company representatives
- Economic or financial investors
- Person who is famous nationally or internationally for literature, arts, education, sports, science and so on.
A person can apply for the talent passport permit, which is equivalent to a four year France residence visa, if they believe they have the ability to contribute to the French economy in any way intellectually, culturally or even through sports, culture, science or humanitarian activities. The requirements for the Talent Passport Permit vary based on the category.
It can also be extended to the visa holder’s immediate family which includes spouses and children giving them residence and employment permit.
EU Blue card
Highly skilled workers are granted this visa. It is a one to three year residence permit. An applicant needs to meet certain requirements in order to be granted this permit:
A degree or diploma attesting to three years of postsecondary education or five years of professional experience in a relevant field. A minimum monthly salary of 1.5 times the average gross annual salary of France is also required of the applicant as it is a work contract which is at least of 1 year validity.
Employees on assignment permit
This work permit for France is granted to individuals who have worked a minimum of three months in a non French company and moved to one of the employer’s French based companies earning 1.8 times the minimum wage. This work permit is a renewable permit and valid for 3 years.
Exceptional economic contribution permit
If they intend to invest significant sums of money or create more than 50 jobs in France, foreign nationals are eligible for this work permit. A 10 year French residency permit is the same as the Exceptional economic contribution permit. The applicant’s minor children and spouse are granted equal rights.
Scientists/researchers permit
A temporary resident permit for scientific activity may be obtained by applicants with a master’s degree or higher who must conduct research at the university level.
Seasonal workers permit
An individual who works under a seasonal contract for a duration exceeding three months is qualified to apply for a seasonal workers permit.
Extended stay research scholar permit
An extended stay research scholar visa is available if you want to work in France while holding a student visa. You may work in educational institutions for 964 hours over the course of a year from September 1 to August 31, with this permit.
Eligibility for France work visa
The applicant needs to meet the following requirements in order to be qualified for a work visa to france:
- A valid passport is requirement for the applicant
- A job offer in France has been extended to the applicant
- Must possess each and every document listed on the application
- Candidates are not permitted to work longer than the hours specified in their individual work permits.
Documents required to apply for France work visa
- A valid passport with expiry at least 3 months beyond the intended duration of stay.
- Photocopy of the first and last page of the passport.
- Completed application for a French visa
- CV of the employee
- Copies of all education qualifications
- Past employment testimonials
- Recent colour photographs
- Employer’s reference letter
- An detailed explanation of what kind of the work that the candidate will be doing in France
In addition to the documents listed below, the Embassy or consulate may ask you to provide additional documents in order to process your France work visa.
Application process for France work visa
The employer must apply and make arrangements for the employee’s work visa in order for them to be granted one. A job in France would therefore be the first requirement.
Your employer needs to get a temporary work permit approved by the French Ministry of Labor if you intend to work in France for less than three months. However, your employer must apply for a long stay work visa which will also serve as your residence permit if you intend to work in France for longer than three months.
- Depending on the nature of your work and length of your employment the first step in applying for a France work visa is to verify the type of permit you need.
- After selecting the type of work permit you need to apply for, fill out the application for a work visa to France and make arrangements for the necessary paperwork.
- After completing the application successfully you will need to make an appointment at the Visa Application Center(VAC) to turn in your paperwork and biometrics.
- You are now prepared to submit your application after finishing your work visa for France and obtaining all necessary paperwork.
- You must provide your biometric data, which includes your fingerprints and facial recognition on the day of your appointment at the VAC.
- After completing the France work visa application process you must now wait for the Embassy or Consulate to make its decision.
Processing time
After all the necessary paperwork is submitted to the french Embassy or consulate the processing time for a work visa to France is typically 15 to 20 working days. However, depending on the type of France work visa you have applied for, the processing time for the visa may differ.
When to apply
Up to three months before your planned travel date you can apply for a work permit in France. This will allow you enough time to properly make other arrangements and submit all of your documents.
