France Immigration Services

Immigration Summary

The ICT Salarié Detaché (EU Directive 2014/66) is for managers or specialists transferred within a group of companies to France for over 90 days up to three years, while remaining on home contract. The applicant must have been employed by the sending company for a minimum of six months.

ICT permits under Directive 2014/66 allow mobility within EU member states - i.e. work permission is not required for EU ICT permit holders to work in other member states for less than 90 days and a streamlined Mobile ICT permit application may be applicable if working in other member states for longer than 90 days.

The Passeport Talent - Salarié en Mission is for employees transferred within a group of companies and with a local contract in France for over 90 days. The duration of the residence permit will be in line with the French employment contract duration, up to four years and renewable. The applicant must have been employed by the sending company for a minimum of three months. For local contracts, the applicant must earn at least 1.8 times the minimum French legal monthly gross salary, and the same amount as a local staff member with the same educational background and performing the same duties.

The European Blue Card is an EU-wide (with some exceptions) immigration process for highly skilled employees with a local job offer in the destination country and a salary at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary for the specific job to be done. The Blue Card offers some concrete benefits to the applicant. The application is normally submitted at the relevant French consulate; however, it may also be possible for applicants already holding a different resident status within France to apply directly at the corresponding prefecture. The applicant must have a three-year graduate diploma or a minimum of five years' professional experience. The duration of the residence permit is aligned with the French employment contract duration, which must be at least 12 months. The residence card is granted for maximum four years and it can be extended for as long as the local work contract is valid.

The Local Hire (Salarié) process allows for the employment of a foreign national who will be locally hired in France with a contract of indefinite duration. Note that a labour market test must be carried out unless the position is on the Shortage Occupation List. After one year of residence and providing that the job title, employer company and salary amount has not decreased, the applicant may obtain a four-year residence permit with open right to work.

The Local Hire – Temporary Workers (Travailleurs Temporaires) process allows for the recruitment of a foreign national who will be locally hired in France for 12 months, renewable up to 18 months maximum. The applicant may change status in France to a long-term local hire (Salarié or Blue Card) provided that they fulfil the criteria.

The Foreign Service Providers (Détachés Hors Mobilité Intragroupe) process is for applicants employed by foreign companies on home contract and payroll, who provide a temporary service in France for over 90 days for a company in France on behalf of and under the authority of their employing company in their country of residence.

Short-Term Work (Up to 90 days) (Mobilité Intragroupe) is the standard process for short-term work of up to 90 days for intra-corporate transfers. Seniority of minimum three months within the home company is required. A work authorisation exemption may apply for audits and experts in information technology, management, finance, insurance, architecture and engineering, certain artistic and teaching activities, among other activities.

Short-Term (Up to 90 days) Foreign Service Providers (Détachés Hors Mobilité Intragroupe) is for applicants employed by foreign companies who provide a temporary service for up to 90 days in France for a company in France on behalf of and under the authority of their employing company in the country of residence. This route is expedited as there is no requirement for OFII (immigration office) approval, immigration medicals or a residence permit post-arrival. A work authorisation exemption may apply for audits and experts in information technology, management, finance, insurance, architecture and engineering.

The Van der Elst (Assignment from Within the EEA) process is for non-EEA nationals who are employed and contracted by a home entity in the EEA or Switzerland and sent on short-term assignment to France. A work permit is not required. For assignments over 90-days, an EU service provision residence card must be applied for at the local prefecture.

EU/EEA/Swiss nationals do not need a work or residence permit to take up employment in France. However, for assignees sent on secondment, a declaration should be submitted to the labour inspectorate prior to their arrival for the commencement of the assignment.

Our France team members are highly qualified and dedicated professionals with extensive experience in all aspects of France immigration. They come from the best of legal, consulting, in-house corporate and government backgrounds and bring a breadth of experience and insight both in immigration and a multitude of industry sectors. With a dedication to service and a consultative approach, our people act as your trusted advisors and partners in achieving your business goals in France.