Work of a foreigner in France: residence card - employee/temporary worker
Verified 01 May 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
You are a foreigner national (no European), you have found a job in France and you want to obtain a residence permit employee or temporary worker. If you are in DTA: titleContent, you are issued a residence permit employee. If you are in FIXED-TERM CONTRACT: titleContent, you are issued a residence permit temporary worker. What are the conditions and documents to be provided to obtain the residence permit? We're taking a look at the regulations.
Employee on permanent contract
Step-by-step approach
You are concerned if you fill in all of the following conditions :
- To be foreigner in France and wish to work as employee
- Have a work authorization
- Have a long-stay visa as a residence permit (VLS-TS) employee if you are admitted for the 1re times to stay in France.
Warning
The prefecture may refuse to deliver you your residence card if you have not complied with an obligation to leave the country (OQTF) or if you have committed any of the following acts:
- Forgery and use of forged documents
- Offenses severe or crimes (drug trafficking, trafficking in human beings, procuring, working conditions or undignified accommodation, among others)
- Violence against elected officials, public officials or security agents.
The regulations vary depending on your place of residence :
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You live abroad
Your employer must make the request for work authorization before your entry into France.
In case of agreement, the administration informs your employer, who must then inform you. You can apply for a long-stay visa as a residence permit (VLS-TS) using this online service:
You can start working as soon as you arrive in France.
Validation of VLS-TS
Within 3 months of your arrival in France, you must validate your VLS-TS and pay a tax that is added to the visa fee.
The approach on the internet allows to be in regular stay and to be able to cross the border of the Schengen area.
Validate a long-stay visa as a residence permit (VLS-TS) and pay the tax
Please note
The amount of the tax is €300.
Residence permit
You must submit the application for a residence permit to the prefecture or sub-prefecture of your home, no later than 2 months before the expiry date of your VLS-TS.
Check the deposit procedure on the website of your prefecture.
Warning
It is not possible to carry out the procedures in some sub-prefectures. Find out more on the website of your prefecture.
If your file is complete, you will receive a receipt pending the response of the prefecture.
You live in France
Your employer must make the request for work authorization.
You must submit your card application to the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home before the end of your residence permit. Check the deposit procedure on the website of your prefecture.
Warning
It is not possible to carry out the procedures in some sub-prefectures. Find out more on the website of your prefecture.
If your file is complete, you will receive a receipt pending the response of the prefecture.
The documents to be provided are different depending on your situation:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
At the end of the VLS-TS Employee
You are still in the job for which the visa was issued
Personal Information
- Passport (pages concerning civil status, validity dates, entry stamps and visas)
- Or consular certificate with photo
- Or photo ID
- Or consular card with photo
- Or certificate of nationality of less than 6 months with photo
- Long-stay visa coming to the end of validity
- Proof of address less than 6 months old
- 3 photos
If the request is made on the internet: indicate the code of the e-photo (provided by the photographer or the authorized booth on the photo board)
If you don't have an e-photo yet, you can locate a digital photo and signature service.
Reason for stay
- Work authorization corresponding to the position occupied
- Elements justifying the maintenance of the employment contract: personal social declaration of the employer concerning you before the application for renewal of the residence permit, activity certificate or professional activity certificate of the last 12 months
- If your employer is an individual employer: certificate of employment (Cesu: titleContent or other reporting body).
This online service allows you to access the certificate of professional activity:
Know the social benefits to which you may be entitled
- Signed copy of the commitment to respect the principles of the Republic
Supporting documents to be submitted at a later date, at the time the residence permit is issued
- Proof of payment of stamp duty
- Medical certificate issued by theOfii: titleContent.
You are unemployed
Personal Information
- Passport (pages concerning civil status, validity dates, entry stamps and visas)
- Or consular certificate with photo
- Or photo ID
- Or consular card with photo
- Or certificate of nationality of less than 6 months with photo
- Long-stay visa coming to the end of validity
- Proof of address less than 6 months old
- 3 photos
If the request is made on the internet: indicate the code of the e-photo (provided by the photographer or the authorized booth on the photo board)
If you don't have an e-photo yet, you can locate a digital photo and signature service.
Reasons for the stay
- Certificate of employer for France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi) justifying the termination of the employment contract
- Individual situation notice drawn up by France Travail.
Supporting documents to be submitted at a later date, at the time the residence permit is issued
- Proof of payment of stamp duty
- Medical certificate issued by theOfii: titleContent.
- Signed copy of the commitment to respect the principles of the Republic
You want to work in another job
Personal Information
- Passport (pages concerning civil status, validity dates, entry stamps and visas)
- Or consular certificate with photo
- Or photo ID
- Or consular card with photo
- Or certificate of nationality of less than 6 months with photo
- Long-stay visa coming to the end of validity
- Proof of address less than 6 months old
- 3 photos
If the request is made on the internet: indicate the code of the e-photo (provided by the photographer or the authorized booth on the photo board)
If you don't have an e-photo yet, you can locate a digital photo and signature service.
Reason for stay
- Attestation from the previous employer for France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi) justifying the termination of the employment contract
- Dematerialized work authorization produced by the new employer
- Signed copy of the commitment to respect the principles of the Republic
Supporting documents to be submitted at a later date, at the time the residence permit is issued
- Proof of payment of stamp duty
- Medical certificate issued by theOfii: titleContent.
You change status
Personal Information
- Passport (pages concerning civil status, validity dates, entry stamps and visas)
- Or consular certificate with photo
- Or photo ID
- Or consular card with photo
- Or certificate of nationality of less than 6 months with photo
- Long-stay visa or valid residence permit
- Proof of address less than 6 months old
- 3 photos
If the request is made on the internet: indicate the code of the e-photo (provided by the photographer or the authorized booth on the photo board).
If you don't have an e-photo yet, you can locate a digital photo and signature service.
Reason for stay
- Copy of the work authorization produced by the future employer
- Signed copy of the commitment to respect the principles of the Republic
Supporting documents to be submitted at a later date, at the time the residence permit is issued
- Proof of payment of stamp duty
- Medical certificate issued by theOfii: titleContent.
You have to pay €350 (tax of €300 + stamp duty of €50) by tax stamps.
Proof of payment is required when the card is handed over.
At the end of the investigation of your file, you will be in either of these situations :
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Your request is accepted
If your application is accepted, you are summoned to the prefecture for the issuance of the title.
Your request is denied
If the prefect has notified you of the refusal
The prefect's decision is yours notified by reasoned letter (explicit decision). Except in exceptional cases, this refusal shall be accompanied by a obligation to leave French territory (OQTF) determining the country to which you will be returned.
You can form a litigation before the administrative court. The use of a lawyer is not mandatory.
No response from the prefect on your request
If the prefecture hasn't responded after 4 months, this is an implied refusal.
You can then train within 2 months from this refusal :
- One administrative appeal (ex gratia before the prefect and/or hierarchical redress before the Minister of the Interior)
- And/or a litigation before the administrative court. The use of a lawyer is not mandatory.
Warning
If your receipt reaches the end of its validity period and you do not have a response from the prefecture, it is possible that the processing time will be extended. In this case, you can get the renewal of your receipt. Find out more on the website of your prefecture.
The card is given to you by the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home.
This card is valid 1 year and renewable.
Depending on your situation on the expiry date of your 1-year card, the residence card you can obtain will be different:
- If you are unemployed, and compensated by France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi), you can benefit from a new temporary residence card employee valid for 1 year. If at the end of this period you have not found a job, you will receive a new temporary residence card employee. Its duration is equal to that of your unemployment insurance entitlements.
- If you are still employedHowever, you must apply to renew your residence card. If it is accepted, you will receive a multi-annual residence card valid 4 years.
In addition, you must meet a condition ofrepublican integration assessed against the following criteria:
- Your attendance and the seriousness of your participation in the training prescribed as part of the Republican Integration Contract (CIR)
- Your knowledge of the French language at A2 level for the issuance of a first multi-year residence card, unless you are over 65 years of age
- Success at civic examination entry ‘multi-annual residence card for the issue of a first multi-annual residence card, unless you are over 65 years of age.
To examine your integration into the French business, the prefect takes into account the follow-up of your CIR.
Submission of the application for renewal of the employee residence card
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You are still in the job that justified the issuance of the last work authorization
You must submit the application for renewal of your residence permit to the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home, no later than 2 months before the expiry date. Check the deposit procedure on the website of your prefecture.
You must provide the following:
Personal Information
- Valid residence permit
- Passport (pages concerning civil status, validity dates, entry stamps and visas)
- Or consular certificate with photo
- Or photo ID
- Or consular card with photo
- Or certificate of nationality of less than 6 months with photo
- Proof of address less than 6 months old
- 3 photos
If the request is made on the internet: indicate the code of the e-photo (provided by the photographer or the authorized booth on the photo board)
If you don't have an e-photo yet, you can locate a digital photo and signature service.
Reason for stay
- Work authorization corresponding to the position occupied
- Personal declaration of the employer concerning you before the application for renewal of the residence permit, activity certificate or professional activity certificate of the last 12 months
- If your employer is an individual employer: attestation of compliance with the online declarations of the employment contract (Cesu: titleContent or other reporting body).
This online service allows you to access the certificate of professional activity:
Know the social benefits to which you may be entitled
Integration
- Certificate of knowledge of the French language at A2 level for the issuance of a 1re multi-annual residence card
- Certificate of Success at civic examination entry ‘multi-annual residence card ” for the issue of a first multi-annual residence card
- Signed copy of the commitment to respect the principles of the Republic
Supporting documents to be submitted at a later date, at the time the residence permit is issued
- Proof of payment of stamp duty
- Medical certificate issued by theOfii: titleContent.
You're out of a job
You must submit the application for renewal of your residence permit to the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home, no later than 2 months before the expiry date. Check the deposit procedure on the website of your prefecture.
You must provide the following:
Personal Information
- Valid residence permit
- Passport (pages concerning civil status, validity dates, entry stamps and visas)
- Or consular certificate with photo
- Or photo ID
- Or consular card with photo
- Or certificate of nationality of less than 6 months with photo
- Proof of address less than 6 months old
- 3 photos
If the request is made on the internet: indicate the code of the e-photo (provided by the photographer or the authorized booth on the photo board)
If you don't have an e-photo yet, you can locate a digital photo and signature service.
- Signed copy of the commitment to respect the principles of the Republic
Reason for stay
- Attestation from the previous employer to France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi) justifying the termination of the employment contract
- Individual situation notice drawn up by France Travail.
Supporting documents to be submitted at a later date, at the time the residence permit is issued
- Proof of payment of stamp duty
- Medical certificate issued by theOfii: titleContent.
You've changed jobs
You must submit the application for renewal of your residence permit to the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home, no later than 2 months before the expiry date. Check the deposit procedure on the website of your prefecture.
You must provide the following:
Personal Information
- Valid residence permit
- Passport (pages concerning civil status, validity dates, entry stamps and visas)
- Or consular certificate with photo
- Or photo ID
- Or consular card with photo
- Or certificate of nationality of less than 6 months with photo
- Proof of address less than 6 months old
- 3 photos
If the request is made on the internet: indicate the code of the e-photo (provided by the photographer or the authorized booth on the photo board)
If you don't have an e-photo yet, you can locate a digital photo and signature service.
- Signed copy of the commitment to respect the principles of the Republic
Reason for stay
- Attestation from the previous employer to France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi) justifying the termination of the employment contract
- Dematerialized work authorization issued to the new employer.
Supporting documents to be submitted at a later date, at the time the residence permit is issued
- Proof of payment of stamp duty
- Medical certificate issued by theOfii: titleContent.
Warning
It is not possible to carry out the procedures in some sub-prefectures. Find out more on the website of your prefecture.
Cost of renewing the employee residence card
You have to pay €250 (stamp duty of €50 + tax of €200 ) by tax stamps.
Proof of payment is required when the card is handed over.
If you submit your application after the deadline, except in cases of force majeure or presentation of a valid visa, you will have to pay, in addition to the cost of the card, a visa fee for regularization of €180.
Employee on a fixed-term contract
If you are already in France or come to France to work as an employee, you can obtain a temporary residence card. It is marked temporary worker if you have a fixed-term contract (CDD).
Step-by-step approach
You are concerned if you fill in all of the following conditions :
- To be foreigner and come to France to wish to work as employee
- Have a work authorization
- Have a long-stay visa as a residence permit (VLS-TS) temporary worker if you are admitted for the 1re times to stay in France.
Warning
The prefecture may refuse to deliver you your residence card if you have not complied with an obligation to leave the country (OQTF) or if you have committed any of the following acts:
- Forgery and use of forged documents
- Offenses severe or crimes (drug trafficking, trafficking in human beings, procuring, working conditions or undignified accommodation, among others)
- Violence against elected officials, public officials or security agents.
The regulations vary depending on your place of residence :
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You live abroad
Your employer must make the application onlinework authorization before your entry into France.
In case of agreement, the administration informs your employer, who himself warns you. You can apply for a long-stay visa as a residence permit (VLS-TS) using the online service below.
You can start working as soon as you arrive in France.
Validation of VLS-TS
Within 3 months of your arrival in France, you must validate your VLS-TS and pay a tax that is added to the visa fee.
The approach on the internet allows to be in regular stay and to be able to cross the border of the Schengen area.
Validate a long-stay visa as a residence permit (VLS-TS) and pay the tax
Please note
The amount of the tax is €300.
Residence permit:
You must submit your card application to the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home, no later than 2 months before the expiry date of your VLS-TS. Check the deposit procedure on the website of your prefecture.
Warning
It is not possible to carry out the procedures in some sub-prefectures. Find out more on the website of your prefecture.
If your file is complete, you will receive a receipt pending the response of the prefecture.
You live in France
You must submit your application for a card to the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home before the end of your residence permit. Check the deposit procedure on the website of your prefecture.
Warning
It is not possible to carry out the procedures in some sub-prefectures. Find out more on the website of your prefecture.
If your file is complete, you will receive a receipt pending the response of the prefecture.
The documents to be provided are different depending on your situation:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
At the end of the VLT-TS "Temporary worker"
You still occupy the fixed-term contract that justified the issuance of your last work authorization
Personal Information
- Passport (pages concerning civil status, validity dates, entry stamps and visas)
- Or consular certificate with photo
- Or photo ID
- Or consular card with photo
- Or certificate of nationality of less than 6 months with photo
- Long-stay visa coming to the end of validity
- Proof of address less than 6 months old
- 3 photos
If the request is made on the internet: indicate the code of the e-photo (provided by the photographer or the authorized booth on the photo board)
If you don't have an e-photo yet, you can locate a digital photo and signature service
- Signed copy of the commitment to respect the principles of the Republic
Reason for stay
- Work authorization corresponding to the position occupied
- Element of the employer's personal declaration concerning you before the application for renewal of the residence permit or certificate of professional activity of the last 12 months
- If your employer is an individual employer: certificate of employment (Cesu: titleContent or other reporting body).
This online service allows you to access the certificate of professional activity:
Know the social benefits to which you may be entitled
Supporting documents to be submitted at a later date, at the time the residence permit is issued
- Proof of payment of stamp duty
- Medical certificate issued by theOfii: titleContent.
You want to take another job under a fixed-term contract
Personal Information
- Passport (pages concerning civil status, validity dates, entry stamps and visas)
- Or consular certificate with photo
- Or photo ID
- Or consular card with photo
- Or certificate of nationality of less than 6 months with photo
- Long-stay visa coming to the end of validity
- Proof of address less than 6 months old
- 3 photos
If the request is made on the internet: indicate the code of the e-photo (provided by the photographer or the authorized booth on the photo board)
If you don't have an e-photo yet, you can locate a digital photo and signature service
- Signed copy of the commitment to respect the principles of the Republic
Reason for stay
- Attestation from the previous employer for France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi) justifying the termination of the employment contract
- Dematerialized work authorization issued to the new employer.
Supporting documents to be submitted at a later date, at the time the residence permit is issued
- Proof of payment of stamp duty
- Medical certificate issued by theOfii: titleContent.
In case of change of status
Personal Information
- Passport (pages concerning civil status, validity dates, entry stamps and visas)
- Or consular certificate with photo
- Or photo ID
- Or consular card with photo
- Or certificate of nationality of less than 6 months with photo
- Long-stay visa coming to the end of validity
- Proof of address less than 6 months old
- 3 photos
If the request is made on the internet: indicate the code of the e-photo (provided by the photographer or the authorized booth on the photo board)
If you don't have an e-photo yet, you can locate a digital photo and signature service
- Signed copy of the commitment to respect the principles of the Republic
Reason for stay
Copy of the work authorization produced by the new employer.
Supporting documents to be submitted at a later date, at the time the residence permit is issued
- Proof of payment of stamp duty
- Medical certificate issued by theOfii: titleContent.
You have to pay €350 (tax of €300 + stamp duty of €50) by tax stamps.
Proof of payment is required when the card is handed over.
At the end of the investigation of your file, you will be in either of these situations :
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Your request is accepted
If your application is accepted, you are summoned to the prefecture for the issuance of the title.
Your request is denied
If the prefect has notified you of the refusal
The prefect's decision is yours notified by reasoned letter (explicit decision). Except in exceptional cases, this refusal shall be accompanied by a obligation to leave French territory (OQTF) determining the country to which you will be returned.
You can form a litigation before the administrative court. The use of a lawyer is not mandatory.
No response from the prefect on your request
If the prefecture hasn't responded after 4 months, this is an implied refusal.
You can then train within 2 months from this refusal :
- One administrative appeal (ex gratia before the prefect and/or hierarchical redress before the Minister of the Interior)
- And/or a litigation before the administrative court. The use of a lawyer is not mandatory.
Warning
If your receipt reaches the end of its validity period and you do not have a response from the prefecture, it is possible that the processing time will be extended. In this case, you can get the renewal of your receipt. Find out more on the website of your prefecture.
The card is given to you by the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home.
This card is valid 1 year, it shall be renewable.
Duration of renewal
Your residence card can be renewed. The duration of its renewal shall be equal to:
- Either from FIXED-TERM CONTRACT: titleContent remaining to run
- Or the new fixed-term contract.
This duration may so be greater than 1 year.
Submission of the application
You must submit the application for renewal of your card to the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home, at the latest 2 months before the expiry date. Check the deposit procedure on the website of your prefecture.
The documents to be provided will depend on your situation:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
You still occupy the fixed-term contract that justified the issuance of your last work authorization
- Residence permit ending
- Passport (pages concerning civil status, validity dates, entry stamps and visas)
- Or consular certificate with photo
- Or photo ID
- Or consular card with photo
- Or certificate of nationality of less than 6 months with photo
- Proof of address less than 6 months old
- 3 photos
If the request is made on the internet: indicate the code of the e-photo (provided by the photographer or the authorized booth on the photo board)
If you don't have an e-photo yet, you can locate a digital photo and signature service - Proof of payment of the stamp duty (to be delivered at the time of delivery of the title)
- Medical certificate issued by theOfii: titleContent (to be delivered at the time of delivery of the title)
- Signed copy of the commitment to respect the principles of the Republic
- Work authorization corresponding to the position occupied
- Element of the employer's personal declaration concerning you before the application for renewal of the residence permit or attestation of activity or attestation of professional activity of the last 12 months:
This online service allows you to access the certificate of professional activity:
Know the social benefits to which you may be entitled
- If your employer is an individual employer: attestation of compliance with the online declarations of the employment contract (Cesu: titleContent or other reporting body).
You want to take another job under a fixed-term contract
- Residence permit ending
- Passport (pages concerning civil status, validity dates, entry stamps and visas)
- Or consular certificate with photo
- Or photo ID
- Or consular card with photo
- Or certificate of nationality of less than 6 months with photo
- Proof of address less than 6 months old
- 3 photos
If the request is made on the internet: indicate the code of the e-photo (provided by the photographer or the authorized booth on the photo board)
If you don't have an e-photo yet, you can locate a digital photo and signature service - Proof of payment of the stamp duty (to be delivered at the time of delivery of the title)
- Medical certificate issued by theOfii: titleContent (to be delivered at the time of delivery of the title)
- Dematerialized work authorization issued to the new employer
- Signed copy of the commitment to respect the principles of the Republic
Warning
It is not possible to carry out the procedures in some sub-prefectures. Find out more on the website of your prefecture.
Cost
You have to pay €250 (stamp duty of €50 + tax of €200 ) by tax stamps.
Proof of payment is required when the card is handed over.
If you submit your application after the deadline, except in cases of force majeure or presentation of a valid visa, you will have to pay, in addition to the cost of the card, a visa fee for regularization of €180.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Administrative information by phone - Allô Service Public
For more information on this subject, you can contact Allô Service Public.
Attention: the service does not have access to users' personal files and therefore cannot provide information on their progress.
- Lundi : de 08h30 à 17h30
- Mardi : de 08h30 à 12h15
- Mercredi : de 08h30 à 12h15
- Jeudi : de 08h30 à 17h30
- Vendredi : de 13h00 à 16h15
- Service free
The informants who answer you belong to the Ministry of the Interior.
Contract of commitment to respect the principles of the Republic
Residence card for business reasons
Withdrawal and refusal of the residence card
Taxes and stamp duty payable
Taxes payable by the employer
Business residence card: R421-1 to R421-5
List of parts to be supplied: points 1 to 2
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