Probably the toughest visa to obtain, here are the requirements for a work permit:
Please note that the citizens of the European Union, Andorra, Liechstenstein, Monaco are exempt of this procedure, as are foreign government employees and international civil servants who are assigned to a diplomatic mission or to an international organization, and their employees, traders, scientists, artists, sailors working on a ship stationed at a port in France or US crewmembers. That does NOT mean you are exempt from the visa requirements. Another procedure applies.
The foreign worker must obtain a contract draft from a French or a foreign company in France. The employer in France files an application with the appropriate administration for approval, then a visa can be issued by a consulate of France.
Computer engineers: they should present the documents required for a short stay visa, even in the case of a long stay visa.
For a short-stay work visa (up to three months)the employer in France should provide the future employee with a contract which has been countersigned by the DDTEFP (Direction départementale du travail, de l'emploi et de la formation professionnelle). Then the future employee should apply for a short stay visa (Schengen visa) if needed. This visa is valid up to 3 months, and the residency card is not required. The applicant must provide:
- A passport valid for a period of three months beyond the applicant's last day of stay in the Schengen states. Please make sure your passport has a blank page to affix the visa.
- Two short-stay visa application forms completely and legibly filled out. Print in black. Indicate also your phone numbers and e-mail.
- Passport size photographs glued on each form.
- If you are an immigrant, proof of resident status in the country where applying, with a copy.
- contract countersigned by the DDTEFP (+ 1 copy)
- A proof of travel health/accident insurance with worldwide coverage (+ 1 copy).
- Prepaid self-adressed envelope if you apply by mail. Only Express mail, Priority mail, certified mail (registered mail) will be accepted, if not the personal appearance will be required. Note that the personal appearance is the basic rule.
- Processing fee: payment by credit card (Visa, Mastercard) (especially for files sent by mail) or money-order made out to "Consulate general of France" or certified checks. Cash is accepted only if you apply in person. Checks are rarely accepted at consulates.
For the long-stay visa, in order to obtain a work permit for his/her future employee, the employer should contact
Office des Migrations Internationales ( O.M.I )
44 rue Bargue
75732 Paris cedex 15
In order to avoid complications, the names of the accompanying spouse and children under 18 year old must be included on the worker file.
When the application is accepted, O.M.I sends the file to the French Consulate depending on the residence of the foreign worker and a mail to the latter. The worker should apply in person at the appropriate consulate.
You must supply the following documents when you apply:
- A passport valid for a period of three months beyond the applicant's last day of stay in the Schengen states. Please make sure your passport has a blank page to affix the visa.
- Two long stay visa application forms completely and legibly filled out. Please print in black. Indicate also your phone numbers and e-mail.
- Passport size photographs glued on the forms.
- A proof of resident status in country where you are applying, if you are an immigrant
- The visa fee: payment by credit card (Visa, Mastercard) (especially for files sent by mail) or money-order made out to "Consulate general of France" or certified checks. Cash is accepted only if you apply in person. No personal checks.