Visa Types
France Work Visa Essentials
Apply to work in France, extend a work permit or hire a foreign worker.
Key Points for France Work Visa >>>
Do you need a visa to travel to France?
To visit France, Indians will need a Schengen visa.
France visa application is made online or offline?
This visa application must be made online from the govt official website
Do I need to give biometrics?
Yes, biometrics are required to obtain a visa.
Is there an interview required to obtain a France visa?
No, an interview is not usually required to obtain a France visa, but it may vary. The embassy may interview you by phone or in person.
What is the maximum length of stay permitted on a work visa?
A short-stay visa with a maximum validity period of 180 days with a consecutive presence (or not) equal to at least 90 day
A long-stay visa equivalent to a 12-month residence permit (maximum)
What kind of visa will we acquire from France?
It will be a physical sticker visa, which will be affixed to a page on your passport
Current Visa fees: (Updated on 16-10-2023)
|
Fee / Category |
Full rate |
Reduced rate |
Free of charge |
|
Schengen visa and Airport transit visa |
90 euros |
45 euros1 (children between the age of 6 and 12) |
Children under the age of 6, foreign spouse of French national and foreign members of families of nationals of other Member States of the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Other cases : see the pages specifics to the country |
|
Short-stay visa for Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion , Saint Martin and Saint-Barthélemy |
60 euros |
35 euros (children between the age of 6 and 12) |
Children under the age of 6, foreign spouse of French national and foreign members of families of nationals of other Member States of the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Other cases : see the pages specifics to the country |
|
Long-stay visa |
99 euros |
50 euros2 |
Foreign spouse of French national. Other cases : see the pages specifics to the country |
|
Adopted child |
15 euros3 |
-- |
-- |
|
Short-stay visa for New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Mayotte and French Southern and Antarctic Lands |
9 euros |
-- |
Foreign spouse of French national and foreign members of families of nationals of other Member States of the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Other cases : see the pages specifics to the country |
Step-by-step guide
Let us walk you through the process
- When applying for a visa to France as a Schengen State, it is crucial to determine the purpose of your visit, such as tourism, business, or education, to select the appropriate visa type.
- Consult the official website of the French embassy or consulate in your country to access detailed information on visa categories, requirements, and application procedures for Schengen visas.
- Ensure you meet the specific documentation, financial, and eligibility criteria for the chosen visa category to increase the chances of a successful visa application for France as a Schengen State.
On the FRANCE-VISAS website:
- Select “2. Begin your visa application”
- Register an account
- Complete the online questionnaire (your visa application form will be automatically generated and ready for printing)
At the conclusion of the visa application process, a list of required supporting documents and the visa fees will be shown;
- You will then be directed to the France-Visas page for appointment information.
For details on Schengen Biometric Exemption, click here
After completing your visa application, the next step is to book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre to provide biometric information, which includes your fingerprints and photo. You can choose a Visa Application Centre that is convenient for you and make an appointment through their online booking system or by contacting their customer service team.
Once you have made the appointment, you will receive an email confirming the details along with a letter of appointment. Please note that if you are traveling with family or a group, you will need to book individual appointments for each member.
To find out how much you need to pay for your visa application, you can click on the link provided on the website which will redirect you to the page displaying the visa application fees. If payment of service fees online is not possible, then you will have to pay both the visa fees and service fees in person at the Visa Application Centre during your appointment.
Attend your appointment as planned.
Unless otherwise advised, you must personally deliver your filled-out visa application form to the visa application centre together with your supporting paperwork.
After you have submitted your visa application, you will receive updates on the status of your application. You will receive an email and an SMS notification when your passport has been returned to the Visa Application Centre. Additionally, you can track the status of your visa application online through the France-Visas website. To access this service, go to “4. Track your application” on the website and enter your reference number and last name.
After you apply for a visa and it is processed, you can collect your passport and documents from the Visa Application Centre or have them delivered by courier, depending on your chosen mode of delivery. Third-party collection of documents or passports is generally not allowed, except in specific cases like immediate family members, group collections, or company representatives with authorization. If you choose courier delivery, you cannot change to counter delivery and vice versa. If a letter is included with the passport/envelope, you must collect it in person regardless of your chosen delivery method. You will need to bring a government ID card, the original ICR, and an authorization letter if someone else is collecting on your behalf.
DOCUMENT CHECKLIST
Here is a document checklist for applying for a work visa to France from India, covering different categories such as temporary work permit, employer-sponsored work permit, and self-employed work permit:
For Temporary Work Permit:
- Visa Application Form: Completed and signed visa application form.
- Passport: Original passport with at least two blank pages and a validity of at least three months beyond the intended stay.
- Passport-size Photographs: Recent color photographs.
- Employment Contract: A copy of your employment contract or letter of confirmation from the French employer.
- Work Permit: Proof of a valid temporary work permit or approval from the French authorities.
- Proof of Qualifications: Copies of educational certificates, degrees, and professional qualifications relevant to the position.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): A detailed CV outlining your educational background, work experience, and skills.
- Health Insurance: Proof of comprehensive health insurance coverage valid in France.
- Financial Documents: Bank statements to demonstrate your financial stability during your stay in France.
- Travel Itinerary: A detailed travel itinerary, including flight reservations.
- Travel Health Insurance: Proof of travel health insurance with coverage of at least 30,000 euros.
- Visa Fee: Payment receipt or proof of payment for the visa application fee.
- Birth Certificate: A copy of your birth certificate.
- No Objection Certificate (NOC): If currently employed, a letter from your employer granting permission to work in France.
For Employer-Sponsored Work Permit:
In addition to the documents mentioned above, provide:
- Attestation from the Employer: A letter from the French employer detailing the job offer, position, and duration of employment.
For Self-Employed Work Permit:
In addition to the documents mentioned above, provide:
- Business Plan: A detailed business plan outlining the nature of your self-employment activities and their viability in France.
- Proof of Funds: Evidence of sufficient funds to establish and sustain your self-employment in France.
- Business Registration: Documentation demonstrating the registration of your business in France.
Note that specific requirements may vary depending on your individual circumstances and the discretion of the French embassy or consulate. It's advisable to consult the official website of the French embassy or consulate in India for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the work visa application process for each category.
VISA APPLICATION FORMS
To apply for a France work permit visa from India, the following application forms may be required:
Long Stay Visa Application Form: This is the main application form for a long-stay visa, which includes the work permit visa category. It collects personal information, travel details, and purpose of stay in France.
OFII Form: OFII (Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration) is a form that needs to be completed and submitted upon arrival in France. It provides information about the visa holder's contact details, accommodation, and employment details.
Work Contract or Job Offer Letter: Depending on the specific requirements of your work permit visa application, you may need to provide a work contract or job offer letter from your prospective employer in France. This document should outline the terms and conditions of your employment, including job role, salary, and duration of employment.
Supporting Documents: Various supporting documents may be required to support your work permit visa application. These can include a valid passport, passport-sized photographs, educational certificates, CV/resume, proof of accommodation in France, proof of financial means, and any other documents specified by the French consulate or embassy.
It is important to note that the specific application forms and requirements may vary depending on the type of work permit visa you are applying for (e.g., intra-company transfer, skilled worker, researcher, etc.) and the specific procedures followed by the French consulate or embassy in India. It is recommended to visit the official website of the consulate or embassy or consult with the designated visa application center for accurate and up-to-date information on the application forms and requirements for a work permit visa to France.
VISA APPLICATION GUIDELINES:
Upon receiving a work permit for France, the following steps are typically involved in obtaining the work permit visa:
Gather Required Documents: Collect all the necessary documents for your visa application, including your passport, work permit approval letter, application forms, supporting documents (such as proof of accommodation, financial means, and travel insurance), and any other documents specified by the French consulate or embassy.
Complete Visa Application Form: Fill out the visa application form accurately and completely. This form usually requires personal information, details about your work permit, travel plans, and purpose of visit.
Schedule an Appointment: Visit the website of the French consulate or embassy in India and schedule an appointment for submitting your visa application. Make sure to select the appropriate visa category (such as work visa) and choose a convenient date and time for your appointment.
Attend Biometrics Appointment: On the scheduled date, visit the designated visa application center to submit your biometric data, which typically includes fingerprint scanning and photograph.
Submit Visa Application: Attend the visa appointment at the consulate or embassy and submit your visa application along with the required documents. The consular officer may ask you additional questions related to your work permit and purpose of stay in France.
Pay Visa Fee: Pay the applicable visa fee at the visa application center. The fee amount may vary depending on the visa type and duration of stay.
Track Application Status: After submitting your visa application, you can track the status of your application online or through the designated visa application center. Processing times may vary, so it is important to check the status regularly.
Collect Visa: Once your visa application is approved, collect your passport with the work permit visa from the visa application center or through a courier service, as per the instructions provided.
It is important to note that the specific procedures and requirements for obtaining a work permit visa for France may vary depending on the consulate or embassy handling the visa application. Therefore, it is recommended to visit the official website of the consulate or embassy or consult with the designated visa application center for accurate and up-to-date information on the visa application process.
Temporary Work Permit (Autorisation de travail temporaire):
- Skills and Talents Permit (Carte de séjour "compétences et talents"): This permit is for highly skilled individuals in specific fields such as science, arts, culture, sports, or business. It requires a job offer or a project in France and proof of expertise in the chosen field.
- Intra-Company Transfer Permit (Carte de séjour "salariéen mission"): This permit is for employees being transferred within a multinational company to work in France. It requires a valid employment contract and an assignment letter from the foreign employer.
Employer-Sponsored Work Permit (Autorisation de travail pour salariédétaché):
- Work Visa (Visa de travail): This visa is for individuals who have been hired by a French employer. The employer must provide a job offer, and the applicant must demonstrate that they possess the necessary qualifications and skills for the position.
- Seconded Employee Visa (Visa "salariédétaché"): This visa is for employees temporarily assigned to work in a French company by their foreign employer. The employee must have a work contract with the foreign employer and an assignment letter from the French company.
- European Blue Card (Carte bleueeuropéenne): This card is for highly skilled professionals who have a job offer in France in a field that requires a high level of qualification. It is similar to a work permit and allows the holder to work and reside in France.
- Scientific Researcher Visa (Visa "chercheurscientifique"): This visa is for researchers and scientists who intend to conduct research activities in France. It requires an invitation letter from a French research organization or institution and proof of academic qualifications.
Self-Employed Work Permit (Autorisation de travail pour travailleurindépendant):
- Professional Card (Carte professionnelle): This card is for self-employed individuals who want to establish a business or provide services in France. It requires a detailed business plan, proof of financial means, and proof of professional qualifications.
- The specific requirements and application processes may vary for each category. It is recommended to consult the official website of the French Embassy or Consulate in India or seek professional advice to understand the detailed requirements and procedures for each visa category.