Temporary residence permits marked “Temporary worker” and “Employee”
Themes
Date of update
Employees who are nationals of the EU, EEA or Switzerland are automatically entitled to pursue their activity in the same way as a French national. Algerian citizens are subject to the stipulations of the French Algerian Agreement.
Various categories of employees holding an employment contract with an employer established in France may be eligible for a multi-year “Talent” residence permit.
For foreign employees who do not meet the conditions for one of the “Talent” status, access to the French labour market remains possible thanks to the temporary residence permits:
- For employees with a limited employment contract, the residence permit “Temporary worker” allows the exercise of a salaried activity.
- For employees with a permanent employment contract, the temporary residence permits for “Employees” allows the exercice of a salaried activity.
In each situation, the employer must obtain the work permit in advance. The opposability of employment may be possible prior to the analyse of the work permit application.
Conditions
Foreign employees not eligible for the “Talent” residence permit or any other residence permit authorising salaried activity may benefit from the stay and access to employment in France thanks to the “Employee” or “Temporary worker” residence permit.
To be eligible, employees must have evidence of the following:
- A permanent employment contract or a limited employment contract.
- A work permit obtained in advance by the employer in France.
When deciding whether to issue a work permit, the competent authority considers the principle of opposability of employment situation. Check our fact sheet on work permits to learn more about the procedure.
Authorized 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” or a “Temporary worker” long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (Visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour – VLS-TS).
The French consulate delivers a VLS-TS valid for up to 12 months depending on the lenght of the employement contract. This VLS-TS authorises its holder to engage in a salaried professional activity upon arrival.
The application should be initiated online on the France-Visas website.
Once in France, employees must validate their VLS-TS online, via the dedicated platform: administration-etrangers-en-france. No application for a residence permit with the Prefecture is required during the first year of stay.
The foreign national is then asked to attend a compulsory medical examination and, or welcome visit.
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, must include the work permit obtained by the employer.
If the applicant changes of employment or employer, the new employer must apply for a new authorization on the dedicated platform.
Subject to eligibility, the relevant party will obtain a “Employee” or “Temporary worker” residence permit valid for one year, renewable.
The request should be initiated at least two months before the previous residence permit expires.
Required Documents
Applicants can obtain a list of exact documents required for a residence permit application from the authority responsible for handling the application, either in person or via its website.
For information, hereafter the list of required documents that must be submitted with an application for a residence permit “Employee” or “Temporary worker”.
Cost
Applicants must pay a tax of €200 when the long-stay visa equivalent to resident permit (VLS-TS) is validated online. A tax stamp duty of €25 is also charged on residence permits. The payment of the tax and the stamp can be submitted online.
This administrative cost of €225 is different from the cost of the long-stay visa authorizing entry into France i.e €99.
Helpful tip : All foreign nationals whishing to stay in France with a residence permit must sign a contract of commitment to the principles of the Republic.
The contract must be signed and respected in order to obtain, validate and renew any residence permit.
Extending the stay
Renewal
Renewal applications must be made 4 to 2 months before the expiry date of the residence permit, to the prefecture of the place of residence in France.
Applicants must provide documents showing that they continue to meet the conditions of issuance of their residence permit:
- Should the employee hold the same job, documented proof will come in the form of the work permit issued for the position held, a certificate of employment or a copy of the last 3 pay slips and the certificate of payment of social security contributions provided by the employer.
- When the employee wishes to change employer within 1st year, the case is referred to the competent authority for review, before a new work permit can be issued.
Important : The residence card can be delivered for a specific area and, or an determined professionnal activity.
At the end of the first regular year of stay with a temporary “Employee” residence permit, foreigners may request the issuance of a general multi-annual residence permit for “Employees”, for a period of 4 years.
Helpful tip: The temporary residence permit “Employee” or “Temporary worker” cannot be consecutilvely renewed more than 3 times.
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 between 4 and 2 months before the expiry date of the residence permit. It will be necessary to meet the eligibility conditions of issuance for the new residence permit requested.
Residence card
At the end of 5 years of legal and uninterrupted residence in France, workers holders of “Employee” residence permit may apply for the resident card entitling the bearer to reside on French soil and engage in any professional activity (provided they hold the necessary diplomas, if working in a regulated professions).
Residence cards are issued for 10 years and can be renewable.
Accompanying Family
Families accompanying holders of a “Employee” or “Temporary workers” residence permit 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 18 months wish to have their spouse and children join them.
For more information on the family reunification procedure: service-public.fr.