how to get a visa to work in france

How to Apply for a France Work Visa?

• Completed French Work Visa Application Form. Make sure you complete the form correctly and honestly.
• Two Photos. You should submit two photos alongside with the other documents. They must be no older than three months.
• Your valid passport. Before you apply, check your passport for its validity and date of issuance. It must have been issued within the last 10 years ...
• Proof of financial means. The French authorities want to know how you will be financing yourself while in France. That is why you should submit the ...

Full Answer

Do you need passport and visa to work in France?

You do not need a visa or permit if you’re travelling to France for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for: running or attending job interviews going to court as a witness

Does an US citizen need a visa to travel to France?

France Schengen Visa requirements A valid passport or Travel document. ... A valid U.S. ... One application form filled out completely and signed by the applicant (please read carefully the explanations) One photo, which must be glued on the application form. ... Bank and credit card statements for the last 3 months. Official itinerary with closed dates of travel. More items...

How to apply for a working holiday visa in France?

Working Holiday Visa Application Process

• Collect the required documents for a French working holiday visa. The first thing you have to do in order to start your Working Holiday visa application process is to collect ...
• Book an appointment. ...
• Pay French Working Holiday Visa Fee. ...
• Attend the French working holiday visa interview. ...

How to get a work permit and visa for France?

• provide documentation, often including a bachelor’s degree or higher, a detailed CV, information about the work, and evidence of sufficient funding.
• meet other criteria as set out by the Commission Nationale des Competences et Talents,
• show a work contract, typically for at least three months, approved by the DIRECCTE.

How do you become eligible to work in France?

If you're from the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you are free to work in France without a work permit. If you're coming to France with a family member who has a permit for certain types of highly-skilled work, you also may be able to work without a work permit. Most other people need permission to work in France.

How hard is it to get a work visa in France?

A long-stay work permit in France can take some time. The average duration is about six weeks. According to the law, a long-stay visa application has to be processed within 2 months but in reality, processing times and costs vary according to conditions and the nationality of the employee.

Are foreigners allowed to work in France?

The foreign national may begin work immediately upon arriving in France, subject to obtaining the work permit and then the appropriate long-stay visa. A long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit can be granted if the duration of the contract or of the planned mission is less than 12 months.

How do I get a visa to work and live in France?

The application process for this visa is similar to the short-stay visa process. You can apply by visiting a French embassy or consulate in your home country or you can do it online. Standard documentary requirements are: Travel ID such as a passport which is valid for at least three months after your travel dates.

How much does a French work visa cost?

120 USDLong-Term Work Visa for France 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.

How long can I stay in France without a visa?

90 daysU.S. citizens planning to enter and visit France as tourists do not require a visa. Citizens are permitted to remain in the country a maximum of 90 days.

Is it easy to get a job in France?

It's hard to get employed in France France has some of the tightest employment laws in the world. It can be expensive to take new staff, because of the cost the company has to pay towards pensions, healthcare, and other benefits.

Can you work in France with a tourist visa?

What does the working holiday visa authorise? The working holiday visa allows you to remain in France for one year as a tourist while letting you work. It is granted for a maximum of 12 months and is not renewable, except for Canada, which has a specific agreement.

Does an employer have to sponsor a work visa?

An employer is not required by law to sponsor for an H-1B visa a candidate who is not eligible to work in the United States.

What documents do I need to work in France?

You submit a work permit and visa application (form 15619-01, 'authorisation to work for a salaried employment'), signed by your employer, to the French consulate or visa centre. Your employer submits a secondment declaration on SIPSI. You validate your long-stay visa online if you're staying for 12 months or less.

How much is a French long stay visa?

How Much Does a French Visa Cost?Visa typeFees in EuroFees in DollarsOther Long Stay Visas99110.10Long stay visa for an adopted child by a French citizen1516.70Children applying for short stay visas4038.90For African nationals8088.435 more rows

How long does it take to get a French visa?

How Long Does it Take to Get a French Visa? Your French visa application will be processed within five to 20 working days. Whereas, if you have applied for a France long-stay visa, you will get a reply for 15 to 20 days, or up to 2 months in some specific cases.

Is it hard to get a job in France?

Finding a job in France, like in any foreign country, is not particularly easy. Thankfully, though, it's not impossible, despite what some would have you believe. Patience may just be the key to landing that dream job.

What level of French is required to work in France?

In general, anyone who moves abroad to study in France will need at least a B2 level of the language, which is intermediate. While it may seem like another unfair article limiting foreigners from moving to France, not understanding the language can severely hinder those trying to attain a diploma.

How long does it take to get a French visa?

How Long Does it Take to Get a French Visa? Your French visa application will be processed within five to 20 working days. Whereas, if you have applied for a France long-stay visa, you will get a reply for 15 to 20 days, or up to 2 months in some specific cases.

How much is average salary in France?

The average salary in France. According to recent figures from the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), the average salary in France in 2022 is €2,340 net per month, or €39,300 gross income per year. This has risen slightly from an average of €2,238 per month in 2016.

Do you need a work visa in France?

If you’re from the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you are free to work in France without a work permit. If you’re coming to France with a family member who has a permit for certain types of highly-skilled work, you also may be able to work without a work permit.

Working for less than 90 days

If you’re working in France for less than 90 days, your employer must get you a temporary work permit.

Working for more than 90 days

If you’re working in France for more than 90 days, you must apply for a long-stay work visa. This is also your residence permit. Your employer draws up a work contract and sends it to the local division of the French Ministry of Labor. If any family members are joining you, then the employer must also start the accompanying family member procedure.

Different types of visas to work in France

There are many different types of residence permits to work in France, each one with its own requirements. Some permits provide exemptions from other general requirements for migrants coming to live in France; for example, the requirement for migrants to sign the Contrat d’Accueil et d’Intégration (CAI).

Finding work in France

To find a job in France, take a look at Pôle Emploi, the French national employment website, or the European Employment Services EURES.

How to get a work visa in France?

Before you can get a French work visa, you must find a job. Your employer then applies for a work visa on your behalf, at their local Ministry of Labour. The process is managed regionally, with variations in the processes applied, so the time this takes can vary.

How long do you have to be in France to get a working visa?

However, other types of working visas require you to be in France for 18 months before you can apply for your family members to join you.

What documents do I need?

To get your visa at your home country’s French embassy, you'll need to take along your personal documents, including:

How to get a French visa?

To get your visa at your home country’s French embassy, you'll need to take along your personal documents, including: 1 Valid passport (this must have been issued in the last ten years and last until past the point that your visa runs out) 2 Complete and signed application and residence forms 3 Passport signed photos 4 You might have to show evidence of your travel plans including pre booked return flights, depending on the visa type you're applying for 5 Application fee and in some cases a stamped and self addressed envelope

What is the French economy?

The French economy is the sixth largest in the world, with finance, services and manufacturing contributing to a healthy and stable GDP. If you do want to move to France, you might need to secure a work visa before you can get started in a new job. Make sure your paperwork is all in order and avoid any unnecessary stress with this handy guide ...

How much does it cost to get a visa?

The cost of getting your visa will vary slightly by country and visa type. For a US citizen seeking a long term visa the current processing cost is around $100.

What do you need to apply for a skills and talents visa?

If you're applying for one of the more comprehensive visa types - such as the ‘skills and talents’ visa, which grants extensive rights to holders, you'll be asked for more information and documentation. In this case you have to prove your competence to carry out the highly skilled or entrepreneurial role you’re moving for and will have to provide evidence of your qualifications and skills.

What is a work permit in France?

A work permit issued in an overseas department or region (Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte and Reunion Island) is only valid in that department. Foreign talent holding such a permit and who would like to come to mainland France to work as an employee must obtain a new work permit.

What is a copy of a residence permit in France?

For employees already resident in France, a copy of the residence permit authorizing them to stay in France.

What must an employer have attempted to find a candidate already in the French labor market?

Before submitting the application, the employer must have attempted to find a candidate already in the French labor market with the help of government agencies (e.g. Apec and Pôle Emploi) or private organizations.

What is a letter appointing a person established in France?

Where applicable, a letter appointing a person established in France to complete the required administrative formalities in its name and on its behalf.

What is accommodation in France?

Any arrangements made by the employer to allow the foreign national entering France to have access to accommodation under normal circumstances .

Can a foreign national be rejected for work?

Helpful tip: Employment levels as grounds for rejection. Applications for work permits by foreign nationals can be rejected on the grounds of employment levels. Indeed, applications for work permits by foreign nationals can be rejected on the grounds of employment levels by the competent services.

Who is responsible for monitoring foreign workers?

Since April 1, 2021, the Ministry of the Interior has been responsible for monitoring foreign workers. This mission was previously carried out by the Direccte ( foreign labor department of the local employment authorities ).

How long does a French visa last?

Receive a gross annual salary (before bonuses) of a minimum the French minimum salary. The first long-stay visa will last 12 months if your work contract is longer than 3 months.

What are the advantages of working in France?

The four main advantages are: No work authorisation from the DIRECCTE is required (the local division of the French Ministry of Labour). You get a four-year residence permit passed the initial one-year permit (or long-stay visa). Your spouse and children have access to a facilitated visa request to join you in France.

How long does an expatriate assignment visa last?

The Expatriate assignment visa has been created for employees already employed by a company abroad that wish to be transferred to France for a limited duration (up to 4 years).

How long does an intra company transfer visa last?

The Intra-Company Transfer visa has been created for employees already employed by a company abroad that wish to be transferred to their French entity for a limited duration (up to 3 years).

Why is it important to get a work visa in France?

Because the French work visa is closely tied to residency status, it’s important for employment to be established before employees begin the process of obtaining a permit to move to France.

How to apply for a long stay visa in France?

The employer has to begin the process of getting authorization for employees to work in France. Here are the steps of the process involved with obtaining a long-stay visa: 1 The employer must sign a contract with the French sponsoring company. 2 The French employer will file an application with the Labor Department, or “DIRECCTE.” 3 Once it has been approved, the National Agency for the Reception of Foreign Nationals and Migration, or “OFII,” will process the application. 4 The OFII will inform the employer of the application’s approval and hand the information over to the French Consulate in the country where the employee currently resides. 5 The employee will be contacted and asked to make an appointment online to apply for a work visa. The visa can then be picked up at the French Consulate. It will function as a permit for work and residence in France.

What is the EU Blue Card?

EU Blue Card: This type of visa allows highly qualified individuals from third-world countries to enter, live in, and work in France.

How long can a French worker stay in France?

Short-term visa, or visa de court sejour: The short-term French work visa can authorize training assignments for up to 90 days. This visa does not allow for an extension of stay, so be sure to obtain an alternative visa if it’s possible that the employee will need to stay in France for a longer time period.

What department do French employers file with?

The French employer will file an application with the Labor Department, or “DIRECCTE.”

How long does a passport last?

An original passport or travel document (Note that for US citizens, the passport must have been issued no longer than 10 years ago, be valid for at least three months after their return to the US, and have at least two blank visas pages left)

When will France-Visas be available online?

As of April 7, 2021, France-Visas will provide students with the possibility of sending digital copies of their supporting documents when completing their visa application online. This optional procedure will allow an accelerated process by the external service provider (ESP). This feature will at first be accessible only to applicants for long-stay student visas residing in a country where the visa application is outsourced to an ESP and available online.

When will France-Visas digitize?

Digitization. As of April 7, 2021, France-Visas will provide students with the possibility of sending digital copies of their supporting documents when completing their visa application online. This optional procedure will allow an accelerated process by the external service provider (ESP).

When will the British citizenship be allowed to enter France?

On 1 January 2021, new conditions will apply for the entry and residence of British citizens and members of their families in France. All the applicable rules are available on the government websites.

Can you refuse a visa application if you don't have a receipt?

It must not have the word " DRAFT ". In case of absence of a document present on your receipt, your visa application can be refused.