Foreigner employee: how are work authorizations issued?

Verified 01 January 2024 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)

An employer who wants hire a foreigner employee (excluding European Union) shall verify that the a work authorization. In some cases, the residence permit authorizes work. Where this is not the case, the employer must make a demand work authorization.

How are delivered work permissions? Conditions employment, of occupation exercised and remuneration should they be respected?

We're doing an update on the regulations.

The employer must verify that the work authorization application meets all of the 4 following conditions.

When a condition is not filled, work authorization is denied.

Step-by-step approach

Conditions for the proposed employment depend on different situations.

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General case

To apply for work authorization, the proposed job must complete one of the following conditions:

  • Figure Out on the list of tension looms
  • To have been published during 3 weeks to the bodies contributing to the public employment service (Pôle emploi for example). No valid applications was not received.

Foreigner with a "student" or "student mobility program" residence card

The foreigners student can work up to 964 hours per year. Beyond that, work authorization is required.

To apply for work authorization, the proposed job must complete one of the following conditions:

  • Figure Out on the list of tension looms
  • To have been published during 3 weeks to the bodies contributing to the public employment service (Pôle emploi for example). No valid applications was not received.

Please note

If the foreigner has finished his studies in France, the proposed job must match with the diplomas and the experience gained in France or abroad.

Foreigner with a "job search / company creation" card

The employer is dispensed to apply for work authorization if the whole the following conditions are met:

  • Contract work in relationship with the training or job searches of the foreigner
  • Remuneration at least equal to €2,650.38

If these conditions are not met, the proposed employment must complete one of the following conditions:

  • Figure Out on the list of tension looms
  • To have been published during 3 weeks to the bodies contributing to the public employment service (Pôle emploi for example). No valid applications was not received.

Foreigners student with a degree equivalent to the master's degree

The employer is dispensed to apply for work authorization if the whole the following conditions are met:

  • Diploma obtained within the year
  • Ccontract work in relationship with the training
  • Remuneration at least equal to €2,650.38

If these conditions are not met, the proposed employment must complete one of them the following conditions:

  • Figure Out on the list of tension looms
  • To have been published during 3 weeks to the bodies contributing to the public employment service (Pôle emploi for example). No valid applications was not received.

The employer must must complete all of the following conditions :

The trade by the future employee can be a regulated profession. In this case, the statutory operating conditions shall be respected.

Remuneration may not not be less to Smic: titleContent (or at the salary provided for in the collective agreement applicable to the company, if such remuneration is higher that the Smic: titleContent).

Apply online for work authorization to hire a foreigner

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