A Guide to Visa Types and Work Permits in France

Jump right in:

• Work permits & employment-based visas
• Self-employment visas
• Temporary residency permits
• Permanent residency permits
• Family visa

There are many work permit and employment visa types for expats who want to work in France. If you're an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen you can work in France without any permit at all. For everyone else, a work permit is generally required, regardless of how long your contract is.

Each has their own conditions. This subsection will touch on some of the different work permits and visas that are most applicable for professional workers.

Work permits in France

There are some exceptions, if you're a foreign employee coming to France for less than three months for specific short-term activities.

• Sporting, cultural, artistic and scientific events.
• Conferences, seminars and trade shows.
• Production and distribution of cinematic and audiovisual works, shows and recordings.
• Modeling and artistic posing.
• Personal service workers and domestic workers working in France during their private employers’ stay in the country.
• Audit and consulting in IT, management, finance, insurance, architecture, and engineering, under the terms of a service agreement or intra-company transfer agreement.
• Occasional teaching activities by invited lecturers.

If you are the spouse of a French citizen, parent of a French child, or close family member of a French employee in possession of a temporary ‘Private and Family Life’ residence permit, you are also exempt.

Otherwise, citizens from anywhere else usually require a work permit, no matter the length of stay. The exception is if you are in possession of a long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS) visa or residence permit. These visas also act as work permits.

Work permit application process

Your employer applies for your work permit. They responsible submit application through France's immigration portal, at least three months before your start date. Once it's approved, you use it to apply for your visa or residence permit.

The type of permit you qualify for depends on your job, your contract length, and your qualifications. Here are the main ones to know:

• Salaried Worker Permit — for employment contracts lasting more than 12 months
• Temporary Worker Permit — for fixed-term contracts under 12 months
• Talent Residence Permit — France's flagship permit for skilled professionals

Talent passport (Passeport Talent)

The “Talent Passport” permit is intended for non-EU nationals to live and work in France. It's designed for people who bring real value to France's economy, and it covers a surprisingly wide range of profiles:

• Highly skilled workers and EU Blue Card holders
• Researchers and scientists
• Employees of innovative companies
• Company representatives
• Economic or financial investors
• Artists/performers
• Internationally recognized figures in sports, science, education, or the arts

You may be eligible for the “talent passport” permit described above if your job contributes to France’s economic attractiveness, simply means how appealing France is to global talent, investors, and businesses and if your work contributes to that.

The “talent passport” is valid for four years, on a renewable basis, and can be extended to immediate family members so that spouses and children receive resident permits allowing them to work and live in France too. With this visa, no additional work permit is required.

**Documents required **

• Letter explaining the employee’s role and why they are being recruited
• Copy of the employee’s passport
• France work permit application form
  • If the employee lives outside France – Cerfa no. 15187*02
  • If the employee is already in France – Cerfa no. 15186*03
• Tax notice or up-to-date register for legal entities
• Evidence of the relationship between the company established in France and the company established abroad for intra-corporate transferees
• Copy of the employee’s residence permit for employees already living in France
• Copies of the qualifications or certifications for the employee’s role
• Proof that regulatory conditions are met for the position in question, if applicable
• Evidence that the company made efforts to find a French candidate for the position
• Copy of the employee’s certificate of employment or employment contract with at least three months of service for companies outside of France
• Copy of the declaration of registration with the French social security system
• Registration with the paid leave scheme (caisse des congés payés), where applicable
• Letter appointing an employee to complete required administrative formalities, where applicable

French work visas

• Citizens of France do not need a France work permit to work in their country.
• Citizens of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) countries, or Switzerland do not need a work permit to live and work in France as well.
• Students also do not need to get a work permit to work as it is a part of their residence permit.
• Citizens of other countries may need a work visa or work permit to live in France and work in the country.

Short stay work visa

These are issued to foreign workers who intend to work for less than 90 days in France. This visa will cost 90 EUR (approx. 105 USD). If you are from the EU/EEA/Switzerland, then you do not need this visa for under three months.

Citizens of countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, and others can enter France without a visa for short stays (up to 90 days). However, this visa exemption only applies to tourism or business visits—not employment. Read more short-term visas.

Long-term work visa for France

If you are a non-EU/EEA/Switzerland national with an intended period of stay that exceeds 90 days, you will need to apply for a long-stay visa. This visa de long séjour will be adapted to your specific reason and duration of stay. Applying for this France work visa costs 99 EUR (approx. 115 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.

Business visa for France

If you're visiting France for meetings, conferences, or corporate reasons, your application needs a few key things. Citizens of EU, EEA member states, and Switzerland may work and conduct business in France without any work permit or visa You'll need an invitation letter from the French company you're visiting confirming dates, their address, and that they're covering your expenses plus a letter from your own employer approving the trip.

Self-employed workers are issued a long-stay visa labeled "entrepreneur/profession libérale", which is valid for one year and renewable. This visa must be validated within 15 days of your arrival into France, through the ANEF portal. Don't skip this step, it's mandatory.

Self-employment visa requirements for France

To work in France as a self-employed worker you will need the following documents:

• Passport
• Complete application form
• Copy of your business license
• Company bank statements (last six months)
• Income Tax Return
• Proof of accommodation
• Proof of medical insurance
• A letter outlining your self-employment activities and what you intend to do
• Clear criminal record Keep in mind that these documents may need to be officially translated into French.

French self-employment visa process

You should apply for your visa from your country of origin. In some cases, it is possible to apply if you are already in France or elsewhere. You will need to fill out the application form online and submit all the required documents mentioned earlier.

Self-employment visa cost and approval

The cost is 99 EUR (120 USD). Applications are usually processed within a month but it is best to give yourself at least three months, just in case. Once approved, you can travel to France and apply for your “Carte de Sejour” (resident ID card). Keep in mind that if your application is rejected, all fees related to your visa request are non-refundable.

To learn about France’s self-employment program, check out our Working in France article.

Investors visa

Investors must invest at least 300,000 EUR (350,500 USD), along with sufficient annual financial means corresponding to the French minimum wage (SMIC) 21,875 EUR (approx. 25,600 USD) and own at least 10% of the company they are contributing to, and plan to create jobs within at least four years following the investment.

• They must also be investing directly or via a company in which they have at least a 30% share.
• Investors will be issued a long-stay visa bearing the statement “passeport talent”, “investisseur économique” (Skilled residence permit – Investor), valid for four years.
• If you are staying for under a year, you will just be given a long-stay visa, equivalent to a (VLS/TS) residence permit, bearing the statement “passeport talent”.

Performers visa

The visa covers singers, writers, performers, designers, filmmakers, and other creative professionals with a significant portfolio or recognized achievements.

• You must justify production or performance for a minimum duration of three months in France
• Submit proof of your financial resources (at least equal to 70% of the minimum legal wage in France for a full-time worker).

In this case, you will be issued a long-stay visa bearing the statement “passeport talent”, “profession artistique et culturelle” (Skilled residence permit – artistic and cultural profession).

If you're moving to France from within the EU, no visa or residence permit needed. But if you're coming from outside the EU and planning to stay for more than three months, you'll need to get familiar with the carte de séjour France's official residence permit.

Republican Integration Contract (CIR)

Any non-Europeans wishing to settle in France must sign the CIR or Contrat d’Intégration Républicaine. One time formal step that happens before you receive any residence permit. During a short interview at the OFII office, your language level, professional background, and social needs are assessed. You attend 4 civic training sessions and if needed, receive free French language lessons. Signing the CIR is a condition for receiving your first residence permit. This is a mutual contract to ensure the best possible integration of foreigners into French society.

Application for a temporary resident permit

France’s carte de séjour temporaire are residence permits valid for up to a year. If you wish to stay in France, you will need to renew it annually. If you entered France on a long-stay visa (VLS-TS), that visa already acts as a temporary residence permit you just need to validate it online through the ANEF portal within three months of arrival. The Carte de Sejour for employees or temporary workers has a fee of 225 EUR (approx. 263 USD).

Applying for the Carte de Sejour through ANEF portal is for employees or temporary workers must be done at the closest préfecture or sous-préfecture (prefecture and sub-prefecture), at least two months before the expiration date of your long-stay visa.

Requirements and fees for French visas and permits

Documents needed for the carte de séjour temporaire include the following:

• Long-stay visa
• Work permit
• Passport
• Birth certificate
• Last three pay stubs
• CIR contract
• Medical certificate
• Proof of fee payment

After living in France for five years, you can apply for the Carte de Résident, a 10-year renewable permanent residence card. Note that if you leave France for more than two consecutive years, you will lose this permanent resident status.

After five years, you also have the option to apply for the EU long-term resident card. This is for applicants who have held the European Blue Card. This is also a renewable card, valid for up to ten years.

Benefits of permanent residence

There are some benefits to getting permanent residence in France. Some of France’s permanent residence benefits include:

• Legal access to the European Union
• Entry into Schengen countries without requiring a visa
• An extended period of stay before having to renew residence (ten years)

To apply, your France permanent residence application must be submitted to your local prefecture.

How to apply for permanent residence

To apply for the CR (Carte de Résident), you must have lived in France for at least five years (this period is reduced to only three years under certain circumstances, such as if you are joining a family member who already has permanent residency, or if you are married to a French national).

Your application goes to your local préfecture. Here's what you'll typically need:

• Proof of residence (e.g. lease, utility bills, rent receipts)
• Employment contract and proof of income
• Bank statements
• Birth or marriage certificates
• Medical certificate
• Health insurance
• Integration into French society and sufficient knowledge of the language

The application fee for permanent residency is 350 EUR (approx. 410 USD). Always verify the current amount at your local préfecture before applying.

In relation to the temporary residency permit, non-French, non-EU, and non-EEA nationals with family ties to a French resident can apply for the Carte de Sejour for Private and family life. This temporary residency permit allows family members to work, is valid for up to a year, and renewable. This is also issued immediately for accompanying family members of working expats under the “Talent Passport” permit.

In relation to the permanent residency permit, the CR is also available for spouses of French citizens or parents of a French-born child. It allows family members to work, is valid for 10 years, and renewable.

Spouse visa

For spouses specifically, France offers a family reunification visa. To qualify, your partner in France must have been living there for at least 18 months (12 months for Algerian nationals) and hold a valid one-year residence permit. They'll also need to show sufficient income, at least equal to the monthly minimum wage and adequate accommodation for you both.

The process starts with your partner applying at the local OFII office. If accepted, you then apply for a long-stay VLS-TS visa, free of charge from the French consulate in your home country. Once you receive it, you have three months to enter France and must register with OFII within two months of arrival.