WORK PERMITS

Citizens of European Union (EU) countries, European Economic Area (EEA) countries, Switzerland, Monaco or Andorra do not need a permit to work in France. Nationals of all other countries may not take up employment in France, whether temporary, paid or unpaid, unless they have obtained a work permit (autorisation de travail) before arriving in the country. It is important to note that each work permit is restricted to the profession and geographical area requested.

Your prospective employer will need to present a signed copy of your work contract to the Direction Départementale du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Formation Professionnelle (French Ministry of Labour) for approval.

Once your contract has been approved, it will be forwarded to the French Agency in Charge of Migration and Welcoming Foreign People (Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration) for transmission to the appropriate French Consulate in your country. You can then proceed with visa formalities.

Your French consulate will require you to undergo a medical examination by an approved doctor in order to obtain the right to work in France.

For your work permit to be approved, your prospective employer will have to justify to French authorities why you are a better candidate for the job than an EU, EEA, Monacan or Andorran national.