How to Get a Work Permit While in France

Vive la vie in France! If you are a student who fell in love with Balzac's country or an adventurer in search of intercultural business opportunities, you may want to know what you have to do to deserve your daily croissant and glass of wine (known for its cardiovascular virtues). If you want to stay in France, you need to get a work permit ("une carte de séjour"). Get one, and you can enjoy life à la française.

Instructions

1. Students can apply for a temporary work permit and work for a limited number of hours. It is an extension of their non-resident rights, not a form of sponsorship.

2. Seek a French company willing to sponsor you so that you can get a renewable work permit. Obtaining an internship can make the process easier. Researchers can benefit from exchange programs or partnerships with French research entities to obtain work status.

   An easy way to get sponsored is to use the tool you master the most: language. You can try to find a job at a local language school such as Berlitz. Such schools love native speakers. If you have a bachelor's degree or master's degree (the major does not necessarily matter), some English departments at local universities might hire you as a native speaker to lead language labs and conversation classes. Consider also private schools, as they may offer full-time positions (you need to be a French citizen to teach at the high school level in the public system) that qualify you for a work permit.

   Native speakers with a strong academic background can ask English departments if they need full-time lecturers. It is a little more difficult but depending on your area of expertise, academic work. and references -- stay in touch with your professors! -- you may be able to get sponsored this way.

3. Ask your company if it has French subsidiaries. If so, your company can become your direct sponsor and help you get a work permit.

4. Open a business in France. How about starting a language tutoring agency? U.S. residents starting a business have to provide the local authorities with a business plan. Download an application form on the Ministère de l'Economie, de l'Industrie et de l'Emploi's website (see link below). Click on "Propriété industrielle" under "Formulaires." Then click on "Transfers techniques internationaux" to download the pdf.

   Get in touch with the Ministère if you cannot download the form. Click on "Courrier" at the bottom of the webpage. Next, click on "Emploi et Formation Professionnelle." The link takes you to an online form where you can ask a representative where to get the "Transfers techniques internationaux" form. You should get a response within one to four working days.

5. Marry a French citizen. You will eventually get a work permit but not French citizenship (which is part of another administrative process).

Tips & Warnings

• You can find jobs in all sectors of the economy (civil engineering, food industry, agriculture, fishing, metalworking, electronics, maintenance, tourism, computing, scientific research, business). However, keep in mind that French authorities have a restricted list of careers available to foreign workers. If you are planning to apply for a work permit, your career must be in line with specific official requirements. For a case-by-case breakdown see the website of Office français de l'immigration et de l'integration.

References

• France Immigration Ministry document on French work permits (in French)
• France Immigration Ministry document on types of work permits and where to get them (in French)

Resources

• Office français de l'immigration et de l'integration
• How to open a business in France and get a work permit.
• Ministère de l'Economie, de l'Industrie et de l'Emploi. Application form. Application form.