Work Authorization for Foreigners in France: Complete Guide

For a non-European foreigner to work legally in France, they must generally obtain a work authorization issued by the French administration. This authorization can be integrated into the residence permit or be a separate document.

This guide details the different work authorizations, procedures to follow, and exceptions.

🔐 What is a Work Authorization?

A work authorization is an administrative document that allows a foreign national to work legally in France.

It can take several forms:

Direct mention on the residence permit (e.g., "authorizes its holder to work")
Provisional Work Authorization (APT): separate document for temporary situations
Long-stay visa mentioning the right to work

⚠️ Working without authorization is an offense punishable by law (fine, ban from territory, etc.).

👥 Who Needs a Work Authorization?

Persons Exempt from Work Authorization

EU/EEA and Swiss citizens: freedom of movement and work
Holders of a 10-year resident card
Refugees and stateless persons
French spouses with "private and family life" residence permit
Certain residence permits explicitly mentioning work authorization

Persons Requiring Work Authorization

Third-country nationals (outside EU/EEA)
Foreign students: limited to 964 hours/year (authorization included in residence permit)
Asylum seekers: possible after 6 months of procedure
Visitors: prohibited from working (except status change)

📋 Different Types of Work Authorizations

1. "Employee" Residence Permit

For whom: employees on permanent or fixed-term contracts of at least 12 months.

Procedure:

The employer submits a work authorization request to DIRECCTE (or DRIEETS depending on regions)
If accepted, the employee applies for an "employee" residence permit mentioning work authorization

Duration: 1 year, renewable

2. "Temporary Worker" Residence Permit

For whom: employees on fixed-term contracts of less than 12 months, seasonal workers, temporary workers.

Duration: contract duration (maximum 1 year), renewable up to 3 cumulative years

3. Provisional Work Authorization (APT)

For whom: persons awaiting a residence permit or changing status.

Duration: 3 to 6 months, renewable

4. "Student" Residence Permit

Authorizes part-time work: maximum 964 hours per year (approximately 20h/week).

No additional procedure necessary, authorization is included in the residence permit.

5. Passeport Talent

For whom: highly qualified profiles (qualified employees, researchers, entrepreneurs, etc.).

Work authorization is automatically included in the residence permit.

6. European Blue Card

For whom: highly qualified workers with a salary of at least 1.5 times the average French salary.

Work authorization is integrated into the residence permit.

🏢 Employer Procedures

The employer plays a key role in the work authorization application.

Step 1: Verify Employment Situation Opposability

The employer must verify whether the proposed position is subject to the employment situation, i.e., whether priority must be given to candidates residing in France.

Shortage occupations: for certain shortage occupations (list set by decree), the employment situation is not opposable, facilitating the hiring of a foreigner.

Step 2: Compile the File

The employer must provide:

CERFA form for work authorization application
Employment contract or hiring promise
Company KBIS (less than 3 months old)
Proof of unsuccessful search (Pôle emploi ads, etc.) if employment situation is opposable
Payment receipt for employer tax (approximately €55 to €300 depending on contract duration)

Step 3: Submit the Application

Online or by mail submission to DIRECCTE / DRIEETS of the workplace.

Step 4: Await Decision

Average delay: 2 to 4 months.

If the application is accepted, the employer receives a work authorization which they transmit to the employee.

📝 Employee Procedures

If You Are Abroad

The employer obtains the work authorization
You apply for a long-stay visa at the French consulate with the work authorization
You arrive in France
You validate your visa via ANEF within 3 months
You receive your residence permit

If You Are Already in France

The employer obtains the work authorization
You submit a residence permit application via ANEF
You provide the work authorization and other supporting documents
You receive a receipt while awaiting the decision
You receive your residence permit

⏳ Processing Times

Work authorization application: 2 to 4 months
Residence permit issuance: 2 to 3 additional months

Total: 4 to 7 months between application submission and permit receipt.

⚠️ The employee can start working as soon as they receive a receipt mentioning work authorization.

💶 Cost of Work Authorization

For the Employer

Employer tax (paid upon submission):
- Fixed-term contract less than 3 months: approximately €55
- Fixed-term contract 3 to 12 months: approximately €300
- Permanent contract or fixed-term contract over 12 months: approximately €300

For the Employee

Residence permit: €225 (tax stamp)
Long-stay visa (from abroad): €99

🔄 Change of Employer

If you change employers, your situation depends on your residence permit:

"Employee" Residence Permit

You must inform the prefecture of the change. If the new job meets your permit conditions, you can change without new authorization.

"Temporary Worker" Residence Permit

You must obtain a new work authorization for the new employer.

Passeport Talent or Resident Card

You are free to change employers without additional authorization.

❌ Refusal and Appeals

Common Refusal Reasons

Opposable employment situation (resident candidates have priority)
Insufficient salary or precarious contract
Lack of suitable diplomas or qualifications
Incomplete file

Possible Appeals

Administrative appeal: ask DIRECCTE to re-examine the file
Contentious appeal: refer to the administrative court within 2 months

🚀 Shortage Occupations (2025 List)

Certain occupations are in shortage, facilitating the hiring of a foreigner (no employment situation opposability):

Construction and public works sector (masons, electricians, plumbers)
IT and digital (developers, data scientists, engineers)
Health (nurses, nursing assistants)
Restaurant and hospitality (cooks, servers, receptionists)
Transport and logistics (drivers, delivery persons)
Agriculture (agricultural seasonal workers)

⚠️ This list evolves regularly. Check the Interior Ministry website for the updated list.

🤝 VisaPref Assists You

The work authorization procedure can be complex, especially for employers hiring a foreigner for the first time.

At VisaPref, we assist:

Employers in compiling the file and procedures with DIRECCTE
Foreign employees in obtaining their residence permit

👉 Contact us for tailored assistance.

❓ FAQ – Work Authorization

1. Can I work with a residence permit application receipt?

Yes, if the receipt mentions "authorizes its holder to work".

2. Can my employer hire a foreigner without work authorization?

No, it is an offense punishable by a fine of up to €15,000 per employee concerned.

3. How long is a work authorization valid?

It is valid for the duration of the employment contract, generally 1 year renewable.

4. Can I create my own business as a foreigner?

Yes, but you must obtain a "entrepreneur / liberal profession" residence permit or Passeport Talent entrepreneur.

5. Can a foreign student work full-time?

No, except during university vacations and after obtaining a diploma (12-month APS allowing full-time work).