Seasonal Worker Visa

France's Seasonal Worker Visa ("travailleur saisonnier") is a multi-year residence permit designed for non-EU nationals who carry out seasonal work in France - most commonly in agriculture, viticulture, fruit harvesting, and tourism or hospitality during peak periods such as the summer season and the ski season.

Its defining feature sets it apart from other work permits: the permit is issued for up to three years, but it does not grant continuous residence. Instead, the holder may work in France for a maximum of six months in any given year, returning to their country of residence between seasons, which must remain their principal home. The permit therefore suits people who genuinely live abroad and come to France for recurring seasonal employment rather than those seeking to relocate permanently.

The route is grounded in the EU Seasonal Workers Directive. It gives seasonal workers a clear legal status, protection of pay and working conditions equivalent to French workers, and the convenience of a multi-year card that removes the need to reapply for every single season over its validity.

You must have a seasonal employment contract with a French employer for work that is genuinely seasonal in nature - tied to a recurring period of the year, such as harvest or peak tourism. The employer must obtain a work authorisation for the seasonal role. You must commit to maintaining your principal residence outside France, returning home between seasons, since the permit does not allow you to settle. The salary and working conditions must meet French standards for the sector and at least the minimum wage (SMIC). You need a valid passport, adequate health cover for your periods in France, and accommodation arrangements for the work period. The total work in France is capped at six months per year across the permit's validity.

Step one: secure a seasonal employment contract with a French employer for genuinely seasonal work. Step two: the employer applies for the work authorisation for the seasonal role through the French administration's online platform. Step three: once authorisation is granted, create a France-Visas account and complete the long-stay visa application under the seasonal-worker (travailleur saisonnier) category. Step four: assemble documents - passport, biometric photos, the seasonal contract, the work authorisation, proof of accommodation, health cover and evidence of your residence abroad. Step five: attend an appointment at the French consulate or authorised visa centre in your country of residence, submit biometrics and pay the fee. Step six: receive the long-stay visa and travel to France for the season. Step seven: complete any required OFII formalities after arrival. Step eight: for subsequent seasons within the permit's three-year validity, you can return to seasonal work in France without applying for a brand-new permit each time, subject to a contract and the six-month annual limit.

The long-stay visa fee is around €99. After arrival, OFII formalities and any applicable residence tax add a modest amount, typically under €200 for seasonal status. The employer pays a tax to OFII for employing a foreign worker. Add certified translations of your contract, biometric photos and document legalisation. Because the permit is multi-year, these costs are spread across up to three seasons, making the per-season administrative cost relatively low. A worker should budget roughly €200–€400 in personal administrative costs for the initial application.

Processing depends first on the employer's work authorisation for the seasonal role, which usually takes a few weeks to around two months. Once authorisation is granted, consular processing of the long-stay visa typically takes two to six weeks. Because seasonal work is time-sensitive, both employer and worker should start well before the season begins. For subsequent seasons within the three-year permit, the absence of a full new application makes return considerably faster.

The Seasonal Worker permit allows you to work in France for a maximum of six months per year for the relevant seasonal employer, and you must return to your country of residence between seasons - France cannot become your principal home on this status. You are entitled to pay and working conditions equal to French workers in the sector. The permit does not lead to permanent residence or French citizenship, and seasonal periods do not count toward the continuous-residence requirement for settlement. Family members cannot generally accompany you on this status. If you wish to settle in France, you would need to qualify for and switch to a different permit, such as the salarié permit, based on a year-round job offer.