“Employee” residence certificate
Date of update
Algerian nationals recruited for a period of more than 3 months by a company established in France must apply for a residence certificate marked “salaried employee“.
Eligibilty
Under the agreement signed by France and Algeria, a one-year “employee” residence certificate may be issued to Algerian nationals wishing to exercise a salaried professional activity, and showing evidence of:
- A long-stay visa “Employee”
- A customary medical check-up
- The work permit received from the competent services. The work permit application process is the responsibility of the future employer. More information on our dedicated factsheet : work permit.
Authorised length of stay
The validity period of this residence permit is 12 months, renewable subject to conditions.
Procedure
Steps
Residing abroad
Applicants residing outside France may go to the French diplomatic consular authorities of their place of residence to apply for an “Employee” long-stay visa.
The procedure should be initiated no earlier than three months before the date of arrival in France. The visa application must be initiated on France-Visas webiste.
This visa is valid for 3 months and entitles its holder to engage in a salaried professional activity immediately upon arrival in France.
Once in France, employees must apply to the Prefecture of their place of residence in France for the “Employee” residence certificate, as soon as possible, and within 2 months of their arrival in France.
Residing already in France
If applicants are already living in France under a different type of residence permit, they will need to apply to the préfecture (office of the Prefect, the local representative of national government) in their place of residence for a change of status. The application for a residence certificate must include the work permit previously obtained by the employer.
The procedure should be initiated two months before the previous residence permit expires.
Subject to eligibility, the relevant party will be given a certificate of residence marked “Employee”.
Documents required
Applicants can obtain a list of exactly which documents are required for a residence permit application from the authority responsible for handling the application, either in person or via its website.
As an indication, hereafter the list of required documents that must be submitted with an application for a certificate of residence marked “Employee” :
Cost
The first residence certificate is issued free of charge.
The long-stay visa authorizing entry into France costs is €99.
Once in France, employees must apply to the Prefecture of their place of residence in France for the “Employee” residence certificate, as soon as possible, and within 2 months of their arrival in France.
Extending the stay
Renewal
The holder of a residence certificate must obtain a renewal of the work permit before the certificate expires in order to renew it.
Once the work permit has been obtained, the application to renew the residence certificate must be submitted to the préfecture or sous-préfecture of the place of residence. The procedure must be initiated within two months of the expiry date of the certificate.
Administrative cost: 225 €
Change of status
In the event of a change in the holder’s professional circumstances, a change of status may be considered at the prefecture in the two months before the residence permit expires. They will be required to prove eligibility for the new residence permit requested.
Accompanying family
Families accompanying foreign talents with this type of status are not eligible for the fast-track procedure, but can apply for a residence permit independent of that of the primary applicant (visitor status, employee status if the person in question has found a job in France for example).
Otherwise, families may apply for residency in France under family reunification terms. Family reunification terms apply when foreign nationals having resided in the country legally for at least 12 months wish to have their spouse and children join them.
For more information on the family reunification procedure, please check the French administration website