Information for foreign nationals seeking job in France

1. The new "Skills and Talents" permit

You have a project. The "Skills and Talents" permit, valid for an initial period of three years and renewable thereafter, allows you to carry out any professional activity of your choice in connection with your project.

It is intended to allow you to participate in the economic development of France and/or your country of origin.

Your family will receive a Private and Family Life permit, which will enable them accompagny you to France and work there.

You must submit your application to the French Consulate. The Ambassador will decide whether or not you are eligible for this permit.

2. The "Salaried and Temporary Worker"

Different residence permits can be issued opening up access to specific professions in France.

 The "Salaried" temporary residence permit
 The "Temporary Worker" residence permit
 A permit granted under a bilateral agreement

The list of prefessions you can carry out in France can be consulted on www.immigration.gouv.fr

3. The new "Employee on Assignment" permit

You have been employed for at least three monthsby a compagny based abroad. You are eligible to apply for this permit, valid for an initial period of three years and renewable thereafter.

You can apply for this permit if you are:

 seconded to one of the compagny’s establishments in France or to another compagny within the same group.

 temporarily hired by a compagny based in France which is part of the same group as your employer.

In both cases, you need to provide evidence of a gross salary equal to 1.5 times the minimum wage. After a continuous secondment of 6 months in France, your family members will be entitled to a Private and Family Life permit allowing them to seek employment.

4. The "Employee on Assignment" card for senior managers or high-level executives

You are employed by a French company that is part of an international group. If you have a very responsible role or if you receive a gross monthly salary that is greater than or equal to 5,000 euros, you will be issued with a residence permit valid for a period of three years.

Your family can accompany you with a "visitor" residence permit which will allow your spouse to work.

5. The Seasonal Worker permit

You are employed under a seasonal employment contract with a period of more than three months.

A temporary residence permit, valid for three years and renewable thereafter, allows you to carry out seasonable work for a maximum of 6 months over a period of 12 consecutive months.

You can cumulate several contracts in succession, provided that commit to spending no more than 6 months per year in France and to maintain your usual residence outside of France.

This permit does not allow your family to join you.

6. The "Scientific" permit

If you have a master’s degree or equivalent, you can come to France to carry out research or teaching activities.

You must prove yous status as a researcher and the planned duration of your research work, and present a convention d’accueil (hosting agreement) from an accredited French research institution or teaching facility.

The permit will be issued to you by the prefecture on the presentation of the required long-stay visa and your hosting agreement, endorsed by the French Consulate in your country of origin.

Medical Examination

Foreign nationals arriving in France as employees must present an endorsed employment contract and obtain a medical certificate from the ANAEM (Agence Nationale de l’Accueil des Etrangers et des Migrations).

This medical examination can be carried out in your country of origin, if the ANAEM has a delegation there, or in France within three months of your arrival in the country.

Foreign employees with an endorsed employment contract can carry out their professional activity as soon as they arrive in France.

However, their work permit may be withdrawn if they do not obtain a medical certificate within three months.

For holders of the Skills and Talents permit, the medical certificate can be obtained a posteriori within a period of six months.

Contacts

Ministry for Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Co-development
101, rue de Grenelle - 75323 Paris cedex 07
www.immigration.gouv.fr

Prefectures
www.interieur.gouv.fr

French Embassies and French Consulates abroad
www.diplomatie.gouv.fr

ANAEM
Agence Nationale de l’Accueil des Etrangers et des Migrations
www.anaem.fr

AFII
Agence Française pour les Investissements Internationaux
www.invest-in-france.org