France is worth visiting for tourism purposes as it is considered one of the most beautiful and popular European countries as well as for work. However, most foreign nationals need a visa to be able to work in France.
French Long-stay Work Visas have been designed for people who want to come to France for work and stay for more than three months, up to a year. Each of them has its own set of requirements and eligibility criteria, as well as duties that must be completed correctly in order to receive a long-stay Work Visa.
To fully and effectively complete the application procedure for a France long-stay Work Visa, each applicant must go through a series of processes.
However, the first important thing you have to do is finding out if you do need a France long-stay Work Visa. It is determined by your country and the region of France that you plan to visit. Some internationals who intend to enter France for employment and stay for more than three months do not need to obtain a long-stay visa in order to stay.
Every other citizen, regardless of which part of France they intend to visit, will be required to obtain a long-stay visa in order to enter and stay in the country. In virtually all cases, however, a residence permit and a work permit are required to be able to work.
Check out all of the Work Visa categories to see if you fall into one of them. After that, get ready to begin the application procedure.
What are the different types of French work visas?
These are visas for persons who want to travel to France and stay for more than 90 days for the sole purpose of working.
- For Salaried Employees in France – for anyone interested in working in France for up to a year. A work contract validly signed by the DIRECCTE must be shown when applying for this type of visa.
- For the Purpose of Starting and Running a Business or Company – If you want to start and run a business or firm in France, you’ll need to apply for this form of visa, whether you’re doing so on your own or with the help of another organisation. Remember that you will be requested for more paperwork than normal to demonstrate that you have the financial resources to start the firm.
- For Professionals and self-employed individuals in France – some professions, including as bailiffs, notaries, judicial administrators, and insurance general agents, are not available to non-EU citizens. Others, such as doctors, attorneys, and architects, will require permission from the appropriate professional body. Before applying for this form of visa, make sure you know what you’ll need to do to practise your trade in France.
- Sports visa for long-term stay in France – every athlete who wishes to enter and stay in France for up to a year must follow certain processes in order to be allowed to participate in sports events. If the applicant is employed and will be paid for the activity they are performing, they must apply as a “salaried employee”. When the candidate will not be paid, he or she must apply as a “visitor.” In this situation, the sports club or institution must finance the applicant’s stay in France, including lodging, insurance, transportation, and other expenses.
- Volunteer work in France requires a long-term stay visa in France – this is a visa for persons who want to do humanitarian work in France for more than three months and up to one year. If you want to apply for a visa like this, keep in mind that you’ll have to do it through a French foundation or association that has been recognised by the French authorities as a registered charity or public utility.
- Work visa for the French International Organization – this sort of visa is required for applicants who will be doing an official assignment in France with an international organisation.
Required documents for French Work Visa
The requirements may differ from nation to country, though the differences are unlikely to be significant; therefore, ensure that you acquire the documents in accordance with your own country’s laws. To apply for a French work visa, you must submit the following documents:
- Completed application for a French work visa. Make sure you fill out the form completely and truthfully.
- A passport valid for at least three months after your planned stay in France and has been issued within the last ten years. To be able to affix the visa sticker on the passport, it must have at least two vacant pages.
- You need to provide two visa photos no older than three months.
- Financial proof is required. The French authorities are curious as to how you plan to fund your stay in France. You can prove it by bank statements from the last few months, rental income is a source of income, benefits plan for retirement. If you’re going to work in France, you’ll need a contract that specifies your wage and others.
- A letter from a sponsor saying that they are willing to fund your expenses for the duration of your stay, together with documents confirming the sponsor’s financial position (i.e. bank statements of last 3 months, other).
- A certificate of criminal record stating that you are not involved in any open criminal cases.
- Proof of payment of the French work visa application fee.
These are the main documents you will need to provide while applying for the French Work Visa. Other documentation demonstrating your ability to support yourself in France for the duration of your stay, like a certificate of criminal record stating that you are not involved in any open criminal cases, proof of payment of the French work visa application fee or police certificate for professionals and independents visas, etc. Make sure you check the specific supporting documentation for your visa category.
Visa Appointment
Usually, you can book an appointment online. However, some nations do not provide this service, in which case you will need to visit the embassy or consulate in person to schedule an appointment.
Make sure you arrive at the embassy on time on the day of your appointment. Relax and try not to be frightened. Wear something that is both comfy and stylish. It is strongly recommended that you organize your documents ahead of time in the sequence specified.
How much is the visa application fee?
Pay the visa fee on the day of your interview and keep the receipt; you’ll need it later to show the consular official as confirmation that you’ve paid the price. A long-stay Work Visa in France costs EUR 99. The following individuals, however, do not have to pay the fee:
- a member of a French national’s family
- A EU/EEA or Swiss citizen’s family member
- A French citizen adopts a child.
