Short Stay Work Visa for France
If you intend to work in Metropolitan France, you do not require a visa anymore. The only requirement for you is to cross the border in possession of a temporary work permit.
This rule does not concern French Overseas Territories for which you still require to apply for a short stay work visa.
You are required to follow the OFII procedure if you intend to work in France for a period of more than 90days. Please refer to the long stay visa application page
HOW TO OBTAIN A TEMPORARY WORK PERMIT
Temporary work permits are issued in France by the local Departments of Work and Employment or DDTEFP.
Your employer or any of your representatives in France will have to contact the nearest DDTEFP in order to start a procedure in your behalf.
Once granted, the agreement will have to be forwarded directly to you, as you will not be allowed to enter the French Territory without it, nor be offered the possibility to work.
PARTICULARITIES
The temporary work permit requirement also applies if you intend to perform any artistic activity, modelling, farming or wine harvest, or any professional activity implying receiving a salary in France.
Domestic workers accompanying their employers to France must also obtain a temporary work permit from the competent French authorities (art. R.341-1 du Code du Travail).
Last updated 30/08/2010