Work Permit in France for Non-EU Citizens: 2026 Guide
Updated October 2026
To work in France, most non-EU citizens need a work authorisation (autorisation de travail). The good news: it is your employer who applies for it. Here are the rules in force and the steps, explained simply.
In short
- Your employer applies online for the work authorisation, not you.
- For jobs on the shortage list (métiers en tension), the employer does not need to publish the job offer first.
- The salary must be at least the French minimum wage (SMIC).
- Some residence permits already allow you to work without a separate authorisation.
Do you have a job offer in France? Take the free eligibility test
Who needs a work authorisation?
Citizens of the EU, the EEA and Switzerland do not need one. Most other foreign nationals do, unless their residence permit already allows them to work, for example:
- The 10-year resident card (carte de résident)
- The vie privée et familiale card
- The Talent Passport (passeport talent), including the EU Blue Card
- The student card, which allows part-time work up to 964 hours a year
Your employer applies online
Since 6 April 2021, the request is made only online, on the official ANEF website. The old DIRECCTE no longer handles these files. Your employer usually provides:
- The employment contract or a signed job offer
- A copy of your passport
- Your CV, diplomas and proof of experience
- Documents about the company
What the administration checks
The list of shortage jobs is made region by region. Read our article on jobs in short supply in France.
The main types of permits for work
- Employee (salarié): for a permanent contract
- Temporary worker (travailleur temporaire): for a fixed-term contract
- Seasonal worker (travailleur saisonnier): a card valid up to 3 years, for a maximum of 6 months of work per year
- Talent Passport and EU Blue Card: for highly qualified profiles, researchers, company founders and other talents, without a separate work authorisation
After the work authorisation
- If you live outside France: you apply for a long-stay visa at the French consulate. After arriving, you must validate your visa online within 3 months.
- If you already live in France: you apply to the prefecture for a residence permit that allows you to work.
Good to know: when a foreign worker is hired for the first time, a tax is due by the employer. Never pay anyone who promises you a "guaranteed" work permit.
When to contact TSA
- Your future employer does not know the procedure
- The work authorisation was refused
- Your visa was refused even though the work authorisation was granted
- You are already in France and want to change your status to work
TSA helps you and your employer prepare a complete file, in your language. When a case goes to court, our partner lawyers take over.
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Our Paris team supports people from all over Asia, from the first visa to French nationality. We speak English, French, Tamil, Hindi, Sinhala and other Asian languages.
Paris office: 10 Rue Saint-Vincent de Paul, 75010 Paris · helloweb[at]tsafr.com
Official sources: ANEF, official website for foreigners in France and list of métiers en tension on Légifrance
