Moving to France for work in 2025 requires choosing the right visa, meeting salary and qualification thresholds, and following employer-led and consular procedures precisely. This guide explains the main visa routes, up-to-date eligibility rules, the documentation you’ll need, the application workflow (both employer and applicant actions), timing and fees, and practical tips to avoid delays.
France Work Visa
- France issues a range of work visas and residence permits depending on job length and skill level: short-term contracts, temporary worker, salaried employee, seasonal work, intra-company transfers, and multi-year Talent / EU Blue Card permits.
- The multi-year Talent passport (including the EU Blue Card variant) is the main route for highly skilled workers; in 2025 new salary reference levels apply and must be checked against the job offer.
- For many long-stay (Type D) work visas the employer must first obtain a work permit or submit the recruitment file to French labour authorities; applicants then apply at the consulate in their country of residence.
Which visa should you apply for? (overview of main routes)
- Talent passport (Passeport Talent / EU Blue Card): Multi-year permit (up to 4 years) for highly skilled employees, researchers, investors, artists and certain graduates. Salary and qualification thresholds apply and vary by Talent category.
- Salaried employee / Temporary worker (Long-stay Type D): For contracts longer than three months (employer applies for the work permit). A “temporary worker” card exists for jobs subject to labour market tension.
- Seasonal worker permit: For short seasonal employment (typically 3–6 months within a year) with employer sponsorship and an approved contract.
- Intra-company transfer (ICT): For staff posted to a French affiliate under intra-company mobility rules.
- Short-stay professional visas: For missions or assignments under 90 days (or up to 180 days in some cases); different rules apply.
Eligibility: who can apply for each route?
- Talent passport / EU Blue Card: university degree or equivalent, a binding job offer with salary at or above the legal reference threshold for the chosen Talent subcategory (France set an updated annual reference salary in 2025). Strong professional evidence (contracts, diplomas, references) is required.
- Standard salaried work visa: job offer from a French employer for a position typically at RQF/level corresponding to the role, employer must seek local candidates first where applicable and secure the appropriate authorisation.
- Seasonal work: a valid seasonal employment contract and employer approval; applicants must meet age and health conditions.
- ICT / posted workers: proof of employment relationship, length of posting and employer documentation supporting the secondment.
Key 2025 changes to be aware of
- France updated salary reference levels for Talent-qualified employees and EU Blue Card permits in 2025; employers and candidates must ensure the offered gross annual salary meets the new thresholds.
- Administrative changes introduced since 2024–25 include a “temporary worker” card for certain tense occupations and streamlined processing targets for some Talent/EU Blue Card applications. Expect stricter documentation checks for recruitment and qualification recognition.
- New border systems (EES rollout) affect short-stay entry checks as of late 2025 and will not usually change long-stay visa processes, but be aware of entry formalities if you plan short trips around arrival.
Required Documents
Documents vary by visa but commonly include:
- Valid passport (min. 6 months recommended) and biometric passport photos.
- Signed employment contract or binding job offer specifying salary and contract duration.
- Proof of qualifications: diplomas, transcripts, certificates (with certified translation if not in French).
- CV and work references showing relevant experience.
- Employer-supplied recruitment proof and labour-market documents if required.
- Police clearance / criminal record certificate (if asked).
- Proof of adequate health insurance for the visa duration (often mandatory for consular stage).
- Completed long-stay visa (Type D) application form and payment of visa fee.
- Any Talent-specific documents (research project details, investor plans, exceptional achievements, etc.).
Also Check: New Zealand Seasonal Work Visa Process October 2025: Step by Step Application Process
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1: Employer prepares the recruitment file (when required)
For long-stay salaried roles the French employer typically submits a recruitment/work permit application to the regional labour authority. This file includes the contract, salary details and evidence that no suitable local/EU candidate was available (where a labour-market test applies). The employer must indicate the correct visa category (e.g., Talent, salaried employee, seasonal).
Step 2: Administrative approval & work permit decision
Regional labour and immigration services assess the file. For Talent / EU Blue Card streams the employer and post may be fast-tracked if salary and qualifications meet the threshold; for other roles, the review ensures compliance with employment law and quotas for tense occupations. If approved, the authorities issue an authorisation that allows the consular visa stage to proceed.
Step 3: Applicant submits the visa application at the consulate
With the employer’s approval/authorisation, the applicant books a consular appointment in their country of residence, submits the long-stay visa (D) application, pays the visa fee, provides biometric data and hands over originals of the required documents. Processing times vary by mission.
Step 4: Visa issuance and travel to France
Once the consulate grants the long-stay visa, travel to France and validate your visa within the required window (many visas require online validation or a visit to the regional foreigner office within three months of arrival). Short-stay professional trip rules differ and do not require a long-stay visa.
Step 5: Post-arrival formalities
Register with local authorities if required (municipal registration), attend any mandatory medical or integration appointments, obtain a residence card (titre de séjour) if applicable and enrol in social security. Talent passport holders get multi-year residence permits and may be exempt from certain labour-market steps