Do I need a work visa in France?

If you come to France with a family member authorized for certain types of highly skilled work, you can work without a work permit.

Ukrainians need a work permit to work in France. They need this authorization before obtaining a visa. A prospective employer will organize this process on your behalf. To apply for a work permit, you need an employer; first of all, find a job. 

If you work in France for less than 90 days, your employer must obtain a temporary work permit for you. Your employer obtains this from the French Ministry of Labor, DIRECCTE (Direction regionale des enterprises, de la concurrence et de la consummation, du travail et de l'emploi) or d'accueil convention with the stamp of the local prefecture (French local government/administrative authority) if you are an academic, researcher or teacher. This authorization is then forwarded to the French Embassy where you apply for a visa.

To work in France for less than 90 days, you need a short-term work visa. Make sure your employer has issued you with a valid work permit (convention d'accueil) for the duration of your trip.

Contact the French consulate for the latest rules.

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If you work in France for more than 90 days, you must apply for a long-term work visa. It is also your residence permit. Your employer draws up an employment contract and sends it to the local department of the French Ministry of Labor. If one of the family members joins you, the employer must also begin the procedure of accompaniment of a family member. If DIRRECTE approves the contract, it is sent to the French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII).

After OFII approves the contract, it goes directly to the French Embassy in your country. You are then invited to visit the embassy in person to apply for a long-term visa.

It is necessary to submit 2 separate packages of documents (originals and photocopies) in the following order:

1. Two questionnaires filled out in French or English for a long-term visa with a date and signature.

2. Three photographs (head height should be from 25 to 30 mm), two of which must be glued to the questionnaire.

3. Work permit from OFII or DIRECCTE + photocopy.

4. CV (curriculum vitae) in French or English, Ukrainian employment record book, copy of the latest employment contract or certificate from the place of work (or newspaper or magazine articles for artists, for example, etc.).

5. Passport (has at least three blank pages issued no more than 10 years ago and valid for at least another 1 year and 3 months) and copies of all its pages (except blank ones). Persons with multiple passports must provide all of them when applying for a visa.

6. National passport and its photocopy.

7. Payment in EUR according to the current tariff.

If the employee is accompanied by members of his family, this must be indicated in the OFII questionnaire. They must submit the same package of documents, as well as confirmation of family connection with the employee (marriage certificate, birth certificate, both with apostille and translation).

If the child travels without one of the parents, it is necessary to submit a notarized permission of departure of the child (with apostille and translation) on behalf of the latter in favor of the parent who will accompany the child, indicating the purpose and timing of the trip to France. It is also necessary to add a copy of the national passport of the person who signed the permit.

We remind you that when applying for a short-term visa, it is allowed for minors to be entered into the passports of their parents, but in the case of filing documents for a long-term visa, it is mandatory to have their own passport (travel document of the child).

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IMPORTANT!

If the employee has been living in the territory for more than 18 months, they must apply to the OFII department with a request for family unification.

Note: Translation of identity documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, death, etc.) and parental permission must be performed by an accredited translator at the Embassy.

Upon arrival in France, you must register with L'Office Francais de l'Immigration et de I'Integration (OFII).

Permission for a talent passport

In 2016, the French government made it easier to obtain certain work permits for non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. One such example is a talent passport. Now this permission includes the following ten categories:

• recently qualified graduates
• employees of an innovative company
• highly skilled workers (EU Blue Card holders)
• employees on a business trip with a French employment contract
• researchers/scientists
• champions of innovative economic project
• economic or financial investors
• representatives of the company
• artists/performers
• a person, known internationally or nationally in the fields of science, literature, art, education, sports, etc.

In summary, if you are a manager, independent professional, or employee who, in the opinion of the French authorities, has the potential to make a significant contribution to the French economy, especially in the intellectual, scientific, cultural, sports, or humanitarian spheres and you will participate in a particular project, you can apply for this four-year residence permit with the possibility of renewal.

This permission has different requirements depending on which above category you all belong to, but some general requirements:

• Provide documentation that often includes a bachelor's degree or higher, a detailed CV, job information, and evidence of sufficient funding.
• Meet other criteria set by the National Competences and Talent Commission.
• Show an employment contract, usually for three months, approved by DIRECCTE.

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Information (in French) is available on the website of the French Civil Service and on the website of the National Assembly of France. If you receive this permission, your family members will receive an vie privée et familiale card. This allows your spouse to work legally in France. Neither you nor your spouse should sign a CAI.

After 18 months of a long-term residence permit marked as an employee or temporary worker, you can apply to transport your family to France. Spouses (partners excluded) and minor children can apply for a one-year guest visa (without the possibility of working). They must sign a CAI.

EU Blue Card for Highly Skilled/Educated Workers

This is a residence/work permit for a period of one to three years for highly skilled workers. 

To be eligible, you must have a diploma/degree confirming three years of higher education or five years of professional experience in a particular field, an employment contract for at least a year and a monthly salary of at least 1.5 times the French average annual salary (in 2017 this amount increased to 53,836 EUR per year). You must work in the field under which you were admitted to the scheme for two years; then you can take on any highly qualified work.

After 18 months in France, you can work in other EU countries. After five years, you are eligible for a renewable 10-year long-term residence card in the EU. Family members can obtain a private and family residence permit, which allows them to work in five years. They are also eligible for a long-term EU resident card. They are exempt from the CAI requirement.

It is possible that this special permit will be included in the qualification category of highly skilled workers (holders of the EU Blue Card).

Permission for an exceptional economic contribution

Foreign investors who invest large sums of money (at least 10 million EUR in tangible or intangible assets) or plan to create more than 50 jobs are entitled to a 10-year residence permit. Your spouse and minor children also receive the same rights. Your spouse is not required to sign a CAI.

It is possible that this special permit will now be included in the qualification category of economic and financial investors mentioned above.

Permit for seasonal workers

If you are working with a seasonal contract that lasts more than three months, then you are entitled to a residence permit for a period of three years, which can be renewed for the next three years. This allows you to work in a seasonal job for a maximum of six months out of every 12. Each year you can only stay in France for six months if you normally reside outside France, although you are allowed to enter into multiple contracts in a row, provided you do not exceed six months from one year in total. Your family cannot join you.

The European Commission has launched an online-based EU Talent Pool to help people fleeing Russia's invasion of Ukraine find jobs in the EU.

The pilot EU Talent Pool, available in English, Ukrainian and Russian, is being implemented through the EURES portal. It brings together public employment services, private employment agencies and employers from across the EU.

The site contains more than 3 million vacancies and 4000 employers, and new employers are invited to register on it.

The EU Talent Pool is open to all job seekers who enjoy temporary protection under the EU Temporary Protection Directive or adequate protection under national legislation that ensures their right to work.

How to apply?

• First, you need to register on the EURES portal.
• Once registered, the tool guides job seekers through a procedure where they can identify the skills they possess and upload their CV.
• The CVs published in the pilot EU Talent Pool will be available to public employment services in all participating countries, as well as to registered employers in all countries that are members of the European Network for the Cooperation of Employment Services (EURES). Job seekers can also browse all the vacancies published on the portal.

Who can start a business in France?

To start a business in France, you need to have a residence permit or be an EU citizen. You will also need a social security number and a French address. In addition, you must be at least 18 years old. Depending on your field of work, you may need a qualification or diploma that is recognized by the French authorities.

You should also seek professional advice from a French accountant or financial expert when you start your own business in France. The website of the French Ministry of Economy provides guidelines for foreigners wishing to start a business in France, with links to the relevant forms.

Registering your French business

Depending on the category of your business, your first step is to contact your CFE (registration center):

1. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) - if you want to open a shop or commercial company without elements of craft, trade or artisanal production.
2. Chambre de Métiers et de l'Artisanat (CMA) for artisans and craftsmen.
3. Les Greffes des Tribunaux de Commerce for companies of regulated professionals.
4. URSSAF for liberal professions and intellectual services, such as translators or website designers.
5. The Chamber of Agriculture for agricultural professions.

By setting up your business through a CFE, you can get more personalized guidance and advice. However, another option is to go directly to the government website Formalités d'entreprises (Formalities for Business) to set up your business online.

Documents required to register your French business

The documents you need to register depend on the type of business you are setting up. You will definitely need the following documents:

• Proof of address (such as a utility bill or lease agreement)
• Valid proof of identity (valid passport, national identity card or residence card)
• Social security card

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You may also be asked to provide additional information:

• Articles of association covering the legal, tax and social regulations governing the structure of your business (this applies, for example, to companies established as EURL, SARL, SA or SAS, but not for auto-entrepreneurs or EIRL)
• Confirmation of the permit for the intended use of your future business premises
• Previous tax returns or other relevant financial documentation
• Completed application for registration

Business Visa

A business visa to France is a permit to enter France and stay here for up to 90 days for a six-month period if permitted. It allows its owner to engage in entrepreneurial activities, such as:

• Attend meetings or conferences.
• Conducting or attending training.
• Conducting internal audits.
• Installation of equipment or provision of other temporary services for the client or local branch.

Who needs a business visa to France?

Every citizen of a third country who has not yet reached a visa-free regime with Schengen states must apply for a visa to France for business purposes..

How to apply for a French business visa?

Applying for a business visa to France means performing several procedures that are somewhat different from those for applying for other French visas.

Although initially the process of applying for a short-term business visa in France may seem difficult, in particular, if you apply for the first time, if you pay attention, you will notice that it is not that difficult.

You just need to follow these procedures in the order given and make sure that the requirements meet the criteria set by the French authorities.

Below is an explanation of each step in the process of applying for a business visa to France:

1. Fill out the application form for obtaining a French business visa

To apply for a French visa for business purposes, you will need to complete two forms:

• Online form on the French visa portal.
• Schengen visa application form, which is the same for all entry purposes and all Schengen countries.

First, fill out the form on the French visa portal. Provide all the necessary information correctly, and at the end you will receive a list of documents necessary for applying. This includes a Schengen visa application form.

You can find this form on the French visa portal or ask the French Embassy in your country of residence to provide it to you. Fill out this form on your computer, print it out and sign it at the end.

2. Collect the necessary documents for obtaining a visa to France

Copy the list you will receive after filling out the online form on the French visa portal, and start collecting all these documents.

In addition to the usually required documents for a French visa, you will also need to collect some additional documents for a business visa, namely:

• Completed application form for a French business visa.
• Two passport-sized photos in accordance with Schengen requirements. They should be no more than three months old.
• Your valid passport. It must be valid for at least 3 months after the end of the planned stay in France. The passport must have at least two blank pages so that you can stick a visa sticker on it.
• Copies of old visas. If you have ever had a visa to any country in the world, submit copies of these visas.
• Travel medical insurance for the entire stay in France. It should cover not only France, but also the entire territory of the Schengen area with a minimum of 30,000 EUR.
• Full travel itinerary. A list of things you plan to do while in France, including information on how you plan to get to France. Add supporting documents as a flight, railway reservation or document on the booked organized tour (where transportation is included).
• Proof of financial means. The French authorities want to know how you will finance yourself during your stay in France. 

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Therefore, as part of this requirement, you must provide the following documents relating to your situation:

1. The last statements from the bank.
2. An employment contract indicating your salary if you will work in France.
3. Income from rented property.
4. Retirement plan.
5. A letter of declaration from the sponsor about the readiness to cover your expenses for the period of stay, accompanied by documents confirming the possession of the money of such a sponsor (for example, an extract from the bank for the last 3 months, etc.).
6. Other documents confirming that you have the means to support yourself for the entire stay in France.

• Proof of stay in France. Another very important document that you need to provide is confirmation of where you will stay in France. 

According to the purpose of your trip, you must submit at least one of the following:

• Reservation of hotels or hostels.
• Certificate of reception of "Attestation d'accueil" with the seal of the city hall (for private visits).
• The rental agreement is called "Bail de location" in France if you stay in a rented place.

• Certificate of criminal record in the country of origin – which indicates the lack of involvement in an open criminal case.
• Confirmation of payment of the visa fee.
• An invitation letter from the French company you will visit and their detailed address along with the dates of your visit.
• A certificate from your employer that indicates/allows your business trip with an accurate description of the activities, motives, duration and place of your meeting, seminar, or conference.
• Proof of the previous trading relationship between the two companies, if any.
• Statement from the company's bank for the last 6 months.
• As for the applicant's expenses during their stay in the Schengen area, the employer or partner company must indicate the coverage of the costs in the invitation letter.
• If necessary, entrance cards to fairs or congresses.

Find out where you need to apply

Please note that when you fill out the online form, you will also be asked to make an appointment with the relevant French authorities in your country of residence to apply for a visa.

This can be any of the following:

• Embassy or Consulate of France.
• A visa application center, which is responsible for accepting visas on behalf of the French authorities.
• One of the three authorities listed above is located in a neighboring country to which the French authorities have transferred visas for outsourcing.

Sign up for a meeting

Once you know where to apply, schedule a visa meeting with relevant authority. You usually have to make an appointment online on their website or via phone call.

Make sure that the application date you are booking is at least two weeks before your estimated date of your trip and up to three months at maximum.

Attend a visa interview 

An interview to obtain a French business visa is mandatory for each applicant. The interview takes place on the same day you apply for a visa.

During the interview, the visa consul will ask you a few questions about your trip to France. You will also have to submit your documents to this person.

If this is your first time in five years travelling to Schengen country, you will also need to hand over your biometrics - face images and fingerprints - on the same day.

Pay the visa fee

On the day of admission, you must also pay the visa fee. The fee is necessary to cover the costs associated with the processing of your visa application.

When will I receive a response to my application?

As a rule, all French embassies are required to notify visa applicants wishing to travel to France for business purposes within two weeks of applying. In certain cases, this period may be extended for a few more days, and also if the authority responsible for processing your application receives too many applications at the same time.

How long can I stay in France with a business visa?

The longest you can stay in France is three months during six months. Please note that for how long you are allowed to stay in France depends on the French Embassy processing your visa. 

This can last from two days to three months and every other period in between. You can also get a one-time or multiple-entry visa, allowing you to return to France more than once within the permitted number of days of stay.

All this information will be on your visa sticker.