🇫🇷 France · Work Visa
Work permit categories, eligibility, sponsorship, application steps, and processing times.
Quick answer
Non-EU nationals generally need a work authorisation and a long-stay visa or residence permit to work in France; the 'Talent Passport' covers skilled workers, founders and researchers. EU/EEA citizens work freely. The process involves the employer, labour authorities and French consulates.
Long-stay and work visas are applied for through France-Visas, the official visa portal; after arrival the OFII validates the visa. Skilled workers, researchers and investors often use the "Passeport Talent" route.
- Most non-EU nationals need a long-stay visa (VLS-TS) that also serves as a residence permit for the first year.
- Salaried work usually requires employer-obtained work authorization before the visa is issued.
- The multi-year "Passeport Talent" covers qualified employees, the self-employed, researchers and investors.
Official authorities
- France-Visas
Official portal for French visa applications.
- OFII
Immigration office — visa validation and integration.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Talent Passport (Passeport Talent)?
It is a multi-year residence permit for qualified professionals, company founders, investors and researchers, often with a simpler process and family benefits.
Do EU citizens need a work permit in France?
No — EU/EEA and Swiss citizens have free access to the French labour market without a permit.
Can my family come with me?
Yes — Talent Passport holders and many work-permit holders can bring family under family-accompaniment provisions.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- Government of France — Office of the French Prime Minister — government policies, ministers, and key legislation
- France Public Services (Service-Public) — France's unified administrative services — residence permits, taxes, social security, civil records
- French General Tax Directorate (DGFiP) — French income tax, VAT, wealth tax filing; tax residency determination; French tax number (NIF) application