VISAS
“Once approved, the ‘carte de séjour’ residency permit allows you to legally stay in France”
• Start-up creators (those launching an innovative business in France)
• Employees of foreign companies transferred to France
This visa off ers fl exibility in the types of work you can do and provides easier routes to obtaining a carte de résident (residency permit). However, it is more complex to acquire due to subjective criteria, so we recommend consulting an immigration lawyer for assistance in determining whether this visa is right for you.
d. VLS-TS Salarié (employee visa) The VLS-TS Salarié visa is for foreigners who wish to work as salaried employees in France. Applicants must already have a job off er from
More on the web
More visa advice…
FrenchEntrée's relocation pages are packed with information on every aspect of visas.
Find answers to questions such as: ‘How does the EU’s 90/180 day rule work?’, ‘What are the visas and legal procedures for running a gîte in France’ and ‘Why has my long-term French visa application failed’ on:
frenchentree.com/ living-in-france
a French employer before applying, and the employer is required to complete a labour market test to show that no local or EU worker could fi ll the position, or that there is a labour shortage in the industry (métiers sous tension). You will need an autorisation de travail (work authorisation) for your application to be valid. This visa is initially valid for one year, and it can be converted into a residency permit aſt erward. Applicants must also prove they have a suitable salary to support themselves and any dependents during their stay in France. It’s worth noting that other work visas
exist, such as the Seasonal Worker Visa and the Temporary Worker Visa.
THAT’S ALL FOLKS! This article focuses on the process for non-EU citizens moving to France, but there are various exceptions and exemptions, such as for spouses of EU citizens who do not need a visa and can apply directly for a residency permit. France is waiting for you and with the right preparation, you can defi nitely call France your new home. ■
Route to residency
Once you have been living in France for almost a year on a renewable VLS-TS visa and it is about to expire, you can apply for a carte de séjour (the standard French residency permit).
Steps to apply for a residency permit
1
Convert your VLS-TS visa: Before your initial VLS-TS visa expires (usually between 90 and 30 days before your visa’s expiry), apply for a carte de séjour at your
local préfecture. 2
Submit documentation: You will need to provide proof of income, address and medical cover. However, at this stage, you should be part of the
French healthcare system and likely to no longer need private health insurance.
32 l Expert Guide
3 4
Visit your local prefecture: In-person visits to your local prefecture (administrative offi ce in each département in France) are oſt en required to submit your application, provide biometric data and possibly conduct an interview.
Receive your carte de séjour: Once approved, this residency card allows you to stay in France legally. The carte de séjour is typically valid for one year initially, with
subsequent renewals leading to a multi-year permit (carte de résident) and eventually a 10-year permanent residency permit.
© Shutterstock
© Shutterstock
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