How to obtain a work visa in France

Obtaining a work visa in France is a regulated process overseen by the relevant authorities. It relies on close coordination between the employer, the future foreign employee, and the competent administrations, both in France and in the applicant’s country of residence.

To obtain a visa authorising residence in France, several steps must be followed, from preparing the application file through to entry into the country.

Obtaining a work visa in France: a residence-based procedure

The procedure for obtaining a work visa in France varies depending on the foreign national’s applicable residence status, their country of origin, and the type of visa requested.

This article focuses exclusively on long-term professional stays carried out within a company established in France, excluding intra-company transfers and short-term assignments within the Schengen area.

Main work visas for residence in France

The most commonly issued work visas in France include:

• Standard employee visa
• Talent visa
• Young professional visa, depending on agreements between France and certain countries
• Seasonal worker visa

Each visa category is subject to specific conditions relating to length of stay, salary level, and the profile of the foreign national.

Step 1: obtaining a prior job offer for a professional residence visa

The first step in obtaining a professional residence visa for France is to secure a formal job offer issued by an employer or company established in France.

This offer is essential for compiling the visa application file and serves as the basis for the administrative assessment.

Step 2: administrative validation of the application (excluding Talent visas)

For procedures outside the Talent category, prior administrative validation is required before submitting the visa application. This pre-validation takes the form of a work authorisation.

This step determines whether the application is admissible and must be completed before any action is taken with the authorities in the applicant’s country of residence.

The application file must include all documents required by the official platform (information about the company, the position offered, and the employee’s situation).

Average processing times are approximately two months (based on timelines observed in 2025).

Step 3: submission of the residence visa application

Once the application file has been validated, the residence visa application may be submitted.

An appointment must be scheduled with the competent authorities in the country of residence, either directly or via an approved service provider, in order to submit the required documents in person.

The application file typically includes:

• a valid passport,
• documents provided by the employer,
• supporting documents relating to the applicant’s personal situation,
• information relating to the intended length of stay.

For Talent visas, the procedure is simplified: the assessment of the professional project is integrated directly into the visa review process, without separate prior validation.

Step 4: processing of work visa applications

The visa application is then reviewed by the competent authority.

The average processing time is approximately two weeks, during which the passport is retained.

After obtaining the work visa for France

Once the visa has been granted, entry into France is permitted in accordance with the authorised validity period.

he employee may start work from the visa’s effective date, subject to compliance with the residence conditions specified.

Post-arrival formalities and securing residence status

After arrival in France:

• if the visa issued is a VLS-TS, it must be validated online;
• in other cases, an additional procedure must be completed with the Prefecture of the place of residence.

These formalities are carried out via the official ANEF platform or the Démarches Numériques portal, and in some cases directly at the Prefecture. They are essential to secure the foreign national’s legal situation in France, particularly with regard to the authorised length of stay and their integration within the company.