Types of Work Visa for France

France long-stay Work Visas have been established for people who wish to enter France and remain there for more than three months, up to a year, under work purposes. There are special requirements and eligibility criteria for each of these, and tasks one has to correctly fulfill, in order to be able to successfully obtain a long-stay Work Visa.

What are the Categories of the French Work Visa?

These are visas for people who intend to come to France and remain for a period longer than 90 days, with the single purpose of engaging in a paid activity.

French Salaried Employees Visa

For people who wish to work in France for up to one year. When applying for this type of visa, one must present a work contract duly endorsed by the DIRECCTE.

French Work Visa for Creating and running a business or company

If you wish to create and run a business or company in France, then you will have to apply for this type of visa, whether this will be your personal initiative or in collaboration with another company. Do not forget that you will be asked for extra documents than usually required, as showing proof you have the financial means to create the planned business.

French Work Visa for Professionals and independent workers

There are some professions, which are not authorized to the non-EU nationals as bailiffs, notaries, judicial administrators and insurance general agents, etc. Others as doctors, lawyers, architects, etc. will need authorization from the relevant professional body. Therefore make sure to check what you will need to do to engage in your profession in France, before applying for this type of visa.

French long stay Sports visa

Every sportsman or sportswoman that wish to enter and remain in France for up to one year have to follow some procedures in order to be permitted to engage in sports activities. If the applicant is employed and will receive a salary for the activity they are engaged in, they will have to apply as a “salaried employee”.

On the other hand, when the applicant will not be receiving a salary, he or she must apply as a ‘visitor’/ however, in this case, the sports club or institution must sponsor applicant’s stay in France, including their accommodation, insurance, transport, etc.

French long stay visa for Volunteer work

This is a visa for people who wish to engage in humanitarian work in France, for up to one year and more than three months. If you are planning to obtain such a visa, keep in mind that you will have to start the visa application process through a French Foundation or Association recognized by the French authorities as registered charity / public utility.

French International Organization work visa

Applicants who will be taking an official assignment in France with an international organization will have to apply for this type of visa.

The requirements might change from country to country, though the changes cannot be many; therefore take care to collect the documents according to the requirements in your home country. The documents you need to submit to apply for a French work visa are the following:

• Completed French Work Visa Application Form. Make sure you complete the form correctly and honestly.
• Two Photos. You should submit two photos alongside with the other documents. They must be no older than three months.
• Your valid passport. Before you apply, check your passport for its validity and date of issuance. It must have been issued within the last 10 years and valid for a minimum of 3 months after the end of your planned stay in France. The passport must have at least two blank pages in order to be able to put the visa sticker on it.
• Proof of financial means. The French authorities want to know how you will be financing yourself while in France. That is why you should submit the following documents that apply to your situation, as a part of this requirement:
  • Recent bank statements.
  • Employment contract stating your salary, if you will be working in France.
  • Income from rented property.
  • Retirement benefit plan.
  • A letter of declaration from a sponsor stating the readiness to cover your costs for the period of stay, accompanied by documents that confirm possession of money of such sponsor (i.e. bank statements of last 3 months, other).
  • Other documents that prove you have the means to support yourself for the whole duration of stay in France.
• Certificate of criminal record showing that you have ha no open crime case involvement.
• Proof of paid French work visa fee.

Additional documents for salaried employees’ visa

• OFII form. Which is a form completed to apply for a residence permit in France, for stays longer than three months
• Work contract. The original work agreement alongside with a copy of it must be submitted, approved by the DIRECCTE. Once approved, the OFII will inform the employer, and then forward the approval to the competent French consulate.
• Police certificate. A National Criminal History Record Check, which you will have to obtain at your home country, and must not be older than three months.

Source: Worldwide Travel Visa Guide