How to get a France work permit? – A complete guide!

France is declared the most desirable country for work. It has the lowest unemployment rate and highest GDP in Europe. It is a capital for fashion, technology, and defense machinery. It is evident for people to consider France for their career expansion. You need a work visa to make a career in France. Here are the France work permits and what you need to do.

Why work in France?

According to the recent research conducted by Totally Money, France is the best country to work in Europe. It studied the work culture of 12 European countries. Among them, France had the maximum number of happy employees. 

France has 35 hours of work a week, which is 5-6 hours per day. You get 25 days of paid holiday leave to high-salaried employees. The average annual salary of a person in France is £ 54,048/-. 

France is investing more in technology and defense machinery. The industries contribute 20% of the annual GDP of the country. France is also the biggest producer of nuclear power. It is investing approximately €1.5 billion in artificial intelligence. So, you can see the brewing job opportunities in France that can prove beneficial. 

Who needs a work permit in France?

The France government has a different department to manage foreign employees. The France Ministry of Labor, called DIRECCTE, manages the work permits. You will need a temporary work visa if you work for less than three months. The French Embassy gives the authorization for the permits. 

If you work for more than three months, you will be required to get a long-stay work visa. Your work permit can also be considered your resident permit in France. It goes through the local division of the French Ministry of Labor. If your family members are joining you, you must apply for a different permit.  

Who’s exempted from a work permit in France?

The France government has different rules for European countries. You won’t need a short-stay visa if you are from the European Union, European Economic Area, and Switzerland. There are also some countries besides Europe that don’t need a permit to work in France. They are as follows-

• Australia
• Antigua
• Barbuda
• Bahamas
• Brazil
• Canada
• Israel
• Japan
• Mauritius
• Mexico
• St Kitts
• Nevis
• Seychelles
• Singapore
• South Korea
• United States
• Venezuela

Five types of work permits in France

The French Ministry of Labor has divided work permits into five categories. These categories are based on the type of work and duration for it. It helps the department manage foreign employees with ease. 

The French government provides a contract to give foreigners a chance to blend into society and find work. This facility is given to the migrants. This contract is called CAI. If you want to live with your family in France, they might have to sign this contract before getting a visa. 

Let’s see the different types of work permits in France!

Talent passport permit

This is the newly introduced work permit from the French government. It was introduced in 2016 to attract more foreign employees. This passport talent includes several categories. They are as follows-

• Skilled recent graduates
• Employees of an innovative company
• Highly skilled employees
• Employees on a mission in contract with the French government
• Researchers or scientist
• Champion of an economic project
• Economic or financial investors
• Company representatives
• Artists and performers
• Renowned personality in arts, science, or literature

This is a four years renewable passport permit. If you are contributing significantly to the French economy, then you are eligible for this work permit. You need to meet the criteria set by the department and show your work contract to the DIRECCTE.

You can get more information on the French Public Service website or the French National Assembly website. If the government allocates this permit, your family members won’t have to sign the contract with the French government. The needed documents are as follows-

• A bachelor’s degree or higher degree that you have
• Resume
• Information about work
• Evidence of sufficient funds

EU Blue card permit

This work permit is given to highly skilled personnel. You need to have a degree or a diploma of three years along with five years of professional experience. You also need a work contract for at least a year. To be eligible for this permit, you must earn 1.5 times more than the average salary in France. 

This work permit is valid for five years. It is renewable. After five years, you will be eligible to work in the European Union countries. Your family members will also get the work and residence permit with you. They won’t have to sign the migrant contract.

The employee on Assignment permit

To be eligible for this work permit, you must have worked for at least three months outside France. If your company sends you on an assignment to France, you will get this permit. You should be earning 1.8 times the minimum wage in France.

Your spouse can live with you on this permit, but they can’t work. They will have to spend at least six months in France to be eligible for employment. You or your partner won’t have to sign the contract under this permit. 

Exceptional economic contribution permit

This work permit is given to the people making a great financial contribution to the French economy. They must invest at least €10 million and create a minimum of 50 jobs to be eligible for this permit. 

This France work permit is renewable and is valid for ten years. The applicant’s family gets the same rights as the applicant.

Scientists and researchers permit

As the name suggests, this permit is for the researchers. This permit needs you to have a master’s degree in any stream. It is a renewable permit for one year. You can renew it for four years. 

To apply for this permit, you need to show evidence of your status and the duration of your research work. You should also have an agreement from a scientific organization or university to prove your research purpose. Your family will be permitted to stay with you, but they must sign the contract. 

The application process and France work visa requirements

Whatever the permit you are eligible for, this is the standard process you must follow. It is a very simple process with quick steps. It won’t be much hassle if you keep the documents ready. You should apply for the permit three months before your intended travel.

Step1- Go to the France Ministry of Labor’s website or the French embassy’s website and determine which work permit suits you. 

Step2- Fill out the French visa application and attach the required documents. You also need to submit your biometrics. Check if you have gathered everything and submit it at the Visa Application Center.    

Step3- The French embassy will contact you for the further process. It takes about 15-20 working days for the embassy to respond.

Key takeaways

• The France work permit is divided into five categories and requires you to have a job before the application.
• If you are from the European Union, you don’t need a permit to work in France.
• Learning French will help you more when you apply for a work permit and start working there.

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FAQs

Q1. Is it easy to get a work permit in France?

Answer: The French government has made the application process for work permits easier since 2016.

Q2. How much would it cost to get a French work permit?

Answer: It will cost you about $120 for a long-stay work permit in France.

Q4. Can I work in France with a tourist visa?

Answer: You can stay in France for 3 months on a tourist visa, but you are not allowed to work.

WRITTEN BY

Aastha

Study Abroad Expert

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