Work permit in France for a foreign employee


work permit FranceForeigners who enter France to take up paid employment must have a work permit in France (also called a work permit in France for a foreign employee). Otherwise, he cannot be hired. The work permit can take the form of either a visa or a residence permit, or a document separate from the residence document. Penalties are provided for in the event of the employment of an illegal worker.

Foreign worker must also realize that they cannot apply for work permit in France if they do not have a job offer. Otherwise, it is better to apply as self-employed.

If you are a citizen of a European country, you are not concerned.

What is it about?

The work permit in France allows a foreigner to exercise a salaried job in France.

  • Please note that if you do not have a job offer in France, you can apply for a VISA as a self-employed and work as an independent contractor in France.

It can take one of the following forms:

  • Visa
  • Residence permit
  • Document separate from the residence document ( receipt for 1st application or for renewal of a residence permit authorizing work, temporary work permit – APT) .

Who is concerned?

You are concerned by the work permit application if you are a foreigner and want to work as an employee in France. Regardless of the nature of the employment contract (private or public) and its duration.

However, some foreigners are exempt from the obligation to apply for a work permit.

VLS-TS or “private and family life” residence permit

Your long-stay visa serving as a private and family residence permit (or your residence permit) allows you to practice the profession of your choice. You do not need a work permit.

VLS-TS or “employee” residence permit

You must apply for a work permit before starting your activity.

VLS-TS or “temporary worker” residence permit

You must apply for a work permit before starting your activity.

“Seasonal worker” residence permit

You must apply for a work permit before starting your activity.

Resident card or “long-term resident – EU” card

Your resident card (or long-term resident card – EU ) allows you to exercise the profession of your choice. You do not need a work permit.

“Talent Passport” residence permit

Your passport talent residence permit allows you to practice the profession of your choice. You do not need a work permit.

“ICT seconded employee” residence permit

Your ICT seconded employee residence permit allows you to exercise the profession of your choice. You do not need a work permit.

VLS-TS or “student” residence permit

With a student VLS-TS (or residence permit ), you do not need a work permit within the limit of 60% of the annual working time (964 hours). If you wish to work beyond this limit, you must apply for a provisional work permit (APT) before starting your activity.

Residence permit “job search or business creation”

With a job search or business creation residence permit, you do not need a work permit.

Working holiday visa

If you have a working holiday visa, you are automatically granted the work permit, unless you are in New Zealand or Russian.

A posted employee working for a European service provider

If you are a posted employee (under certain conditions) in France and work for a European service provider, you do not need a work permit.

Sporting, cultural, artistic, and scientific events

If the benefit is less than or equal to 3 months, you do not need a work authorization.

Conferences, seminars, and trade shows

If the benefit is less than or equal to 3 months, you do not need a work authorization.

Cinematographic, audiovisual, entertainment

If the benefit is less than or equal to 3 months, you do not need a work authorization.

Modeling and artistic pose

If the benefit is less than or equal to 3 months, you do not need a work authorization.

Personal services (household employee) during the stay in France of a private employer

If the benefit is less than or equal to 3 months, you do not need a work authorization.

Audit and expertise missions in IT, management, finance, insurance, architecture, and engineering as a seconded employee under contract

If the benefit is less than or equal to 3 months, you do not need a work authorization.

Teaching provided as a visiting professor

If the benefit is less than or equal to 3 months, you do not need a work authorization.

Schengen short-stay visa

You must apply for a work permit before starting your activity.

To know

Asylum seekers who have not received a response to their request within 6 months can also apply for a work permit. They must produce a certificate of submission of an asylum application for more than 6 months.

Filing of the application by the employer

It is your future employer who must apply for a work permit in France (also called the introduction procedure ).

He must follow several steps:

  • Publication of the job offer with the public employment service for 3 weeks, accompanied by an application for introduction
  • Transmission of the file to the administration if the offer is unsuccessful

The application for introduction must contain the following documents:

  • Commitment to pay the tax corresponding to the applicant’s salary
  • Employment contract
  • Printed on the housing conditions of the future employee

The employer must check the title authorizing the foreigner to work in France with the prefecture of the place of employment (unless the foreigner is registered on the list of job seekers), at least 2 working days before the effective date of hire. In practice, the employer must send an email with the attached copy (scan) of the work permit. At the prefect’s request, the foreigner may be required to produce the original document.

The Prefet notifies the employer of his response within 2 working days of receiving the request. Without a response within this period, the employer’s obligation to ensure the existence of the work permit is considered fulfilled.

It is forbidden for any individual or any legal person (company, association, etc.) to hire or retain a foreign worker without a work permit.

Illegal employment of a foreigner is an offense punishable by criminal penalties (imprisonment, fines, and additional penalties such as a ban on practice).

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* Would you consider applying as self-employed?