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Work Visa France

If you are a company director, a scientist or a seasonal worker, Bilimoria & Associate can help you on different permits issued for work in France. 
France has kept its borders open to skilled workers and the rules have been made ever more favourable to group companies and international service agreements via a number of recent reforms., in spite of recent efforts to limit the immigration of unskilled foreigners to France.  
A number of categories of work permit and  temporary work visas exist, notably a new hire of a foreign  person, the transfer of a foreign employee to France for a limited time to perform a specific function, and special provisions for high-level employees of international groups. A special provision is provided  for foreigners sent to  France to open a representative office of a foreign company. A foreign professional may also obtain a work visa as an independent (non-salaried) professional or officer of a French company. 
Specific categories are provided for scientists performing research work or performing a teaching position at a university level, artists/performers and musicians, film artists, living language teachers, secondary school teachers via exchange programs, university teachers and other teachers of higher learning,  researchers, interpreter/guides, camp counsellors, air pilots and crew, models, bull-fighters, student interns, professional interns, students requesting the right to work during period of study or during vacation periods, public service hospital workers, and private medical and pharmacy professionals.
These range from the working holiday visa for France covering seasonal workers, to permits for senior company executives.    
a) The skills and talents permit -   This is a France work visa that allows visitors to carry out any professional activity related to their project. It is valid initially for a period of three years and may be renewed. Accompanying family members may also stay and work in France under a private and family life permit.
b) The salaried and temporary worker permit - Applicants from several different fields may be able to obtain a work visa for France under this category. To find out whether your profession qualifies you for a residence permit as a salaried or temporary worker, contact Global Visas.
c) The employee on assignment permit -  Employees of companies based abroad can apply for this type of French work visa. It covers employees working on secondment at their company’s French premises, or in a company that is part of the same group. The permit is valid for three years and is renewable.
d) The employee on assignment card - This is for senior managers and executives employed by a French company that is part of an international group. Those whose position or salary level meets the criteria can obtain a residence permit to work in France for three years. Families can obtain a visitor residence permit.
e) The seasonal worker permit - This is a work permit for France that covers those engaged in seasonal activities for more than three months. Applicants can obtain a temporary residence permit valid for three years and renewable, allowing them to work for a maximum of six months during a 12-month period.
f) The scientific permit - This France work visa covers applicants who hold a master’s degree and want to carry out research or teaching activities. Scientists will require a valid hosting agreement and a residency permit to qualify for a scientific permit. For more information see the Student Visa France page or take our free assessment now.
g) Intra-company and affiliate cross-border transfers - Three options exist for international intra-company and affiliate cross-border transfers of key personnel: 
(1) the favoured high level executive (cadre dirigeant) category
(2) temporary employee transfer (detachment) category, and 
(3) the common law regime new hire category
The first category mentioned, the high level executive category, allows for considerable time savings but has stringent requirements regarding minimum salary, seniority with the group and existence of group relationship. The temporary employee transfer category may provide a short-term solution where the minimum pay or international group criteria are not satisfied for the high level executive category. Finally if employment in France shall be long-term, the new hire option is more time-consuming, but is a viable option.
Under the standard procedure for application for a work permit, the French employer prepares the petition, often with the assistance of French counsel.  The petition involves submission of the employee's (and accompanying family's) personal documents and diplomas, with sworn translation if not in French, with letters/certifications from the French employer explaining the need for the foreign worker, and information regarding the lodging of the employee and an undertaking to pay Immigration Office (ANAEM) dues. This file is presented to the DDTEFP. At the same time, a job posting is made at the regional French Unemployment Office (ANPE). 
A certification of job posting for five weeks is then submitted to the DDTEFP, who then rules on the application. The DDTEFP thereafter sends the approved file to the ANAEM, who performs a cursory review and then forwards the file to the French Consulate abroad. The employee must appear personally at the foreign Consulate to process the entry visa. Immediately upon arrival in France the employee (and  accompanying family) must submit to a medical examination, and will thereafter be issued a work permit (carte de séjour salariée).

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