Salaried Worker Visa

The Salaried Worker Visa is France's standard route for non-EU nationals taking up employment with a French employer who does not qualify for the higher-end Passeport Talent or Blue Card streams. It covers two main contract types: the "salarié" permit for indefinite (CDI) contracts, and the "travailleur temporaire" permit for fixed-term (CDD) contracts.

The defining feature of this route - unlike the Passeport Talent - is that the French employer must usually obtain a work authorisation (autorisation de travail) before the visa can be issued, and for many roles this involves a labour-market test in which the employer demonstrates the position could not readily be filled locally. Some shortage occupations on France's official list (métiers en tension) are exempt from that test, which significantly speeds things up.

The salarié permit is issued as a long-stay visa valid as a residence permit and is renewable, leading over time to multi-year cards and settlement. It suits skilled and mid-level professionals with a concrete French job offer who do not meet the salary threshold of the EU Blue Card.

You need a binding job offer or signed contract from a French employer - a CDI for the salarié permit or a CDD for the temporary-worker permit. The employer must obtain a work authorisation from the French authorities, and for roles not on the shortage-occupation list this includes a labour-market test showing the post could not be filled from the local or EU workforce. The salary must meet or exceed the French minimum wage (SMIC) and be appropriate to the role. You should hold the qualifications or experience the position requires, a valid passport, and adequate health cover. There is no formal age limit. Roles on the métiers en tension shortage list are exempt from the labour-market test, broadening eligibility.

Step one: secure a job offer from a French employer and sign the contract. Step two: the employer applies for the work authorisation through the French administration's online platform; for non-shortage roles this triggers the labour-market test. Step three: once the work authorisation is granted, it is transmitted to the consular authorities. Step four: create a France-Visas account and complete the long-stay visa application under the salarié or temporary-worker category. Step five: assemble documents - passport, biometric photos, the work contract, the work authorisation, proof of qualifications and accommodation evidence. Step six: attend an appointment at the French consulate or authorised visa centre, submit biometrics and pay the fee. Step seven: receive the long-stay visa valid as a residence permit and travel to France. Step eight: within three months of arrival, validate the visa with the OFII and pay the residence tax. Step nine: before the visa expires, apply at your prefecture to renew, moving over time to a multi-year card. Family members may apply for reunification once eligibility conditions are met.

The long-stay visa fee is around €99. OFII validation after arrival adds residence tax and stamp duty of roughly €200–€225, and the employer pays a tax to OFII for hiring a foreign worker, which scales with the salary. Renewing at the prefecture carries further stamp fees of around €225. Add certified translations, biometric photos and document legalisation. Family reunification carries separate fees. A single applicant should budget roughly €450–€750 in personal administrative costs, with the employer bearing the OFII employer tax.

The biggest variable is the employer's work authorisation. For shortage-list roles exempt from the labour-market test, authorisation can be granted in a few weeks; for roles requiring the test, it can take one to three months. Once authorisation is issued, consular processing of the long-stay visa typically takes two to six weeks. OFII validation after arrival completes within days to a few weeks online. Prefecture renewals can take several weeks, with a récépissé covering legal stay meanwhile.

You must validate your visa with the OFII within three months of arrival. The salarié permit ties you to employment in France; changing employer or job may require a new work authorisation, especially in your first year, and the temporary-worker permit is limited to the duration of the fixed-term contract. Family members may join through family reunification once income and housing conditions are met. The salarié permit is renewable and leads to a multi-year card and ultimately a 10-year resident card. French naturalisation is generally available after five years of legal residence, and France permits dual citizenship. Building a stable, continuous employment record strengthens every renewal and settlement application.