Foreigners employee: how are work permits issued?

Verified 01 January 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

An employer who wishes hire a foreigner employee (excluding European Union) must verify that it has a work permit. In some cases, the residence permit authorizes work. Where this is not the case, the employer must make an request of work authorization. Work authorization is granted when the application completes 4 conditions Cumulative. We take a look at the regulations.

The conditions for the proposed job vary depending on the situation:

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General case

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

  • Figure on the list of jobs in tension
  • Have been published during 3 consecutive weeks in the 6 months prior to the filing of the application organizations contributing to the public employment service. For example, France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi). No valid application has not been received.

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

The student foreigner 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 on the list of jobs in tension
  • Have been published during 3 consecutive weeks in the 6 months prior to the filing of the application organizations contributing to the public employment service. For example, France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi). No valid application has not been received.

Please note

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

Foreigner with a "job search / company creation" card

Where the proposed job fulfills the 2 the following conditions:

  • Contract of work in relationship with the training or the foreigner's job search
  • Remuneration at least equal à €2,734.55.

The employer did not not to publish an offer of employment with organizations contributing to the public employment service. For example, France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi).

This job may not on the list of jobs in tension.

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

Where the proposed job fills the following 2 conditions:

  • Contract of work in relationship with the training
  • Remuneration at least equal to €2,734.55.

The employer did not not to publish an offer of employment with organizations contributing to the public employment service. For example, France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi).

This job may not on the list of jobs in tension.

The diploma must have been obtained in the year.

The employer, the principal, the user or host company must complete all of the following conditions :

  • Respect the social obligations related to their status or activity
  • Not having been convicted persons or is subject to administrative penalties for the following facts:

    In addition, no breach severe in those matters must not have been found by the administration.
  • Provide an attestation, dated less than 6 months, the payment of social security contributions to the body responsible for their recovery
  • Provide evidence, where the request relates to a seasonal employment, that the worker shall have, for the duration of his stay, accommodation assuring him of decent living conditions.

Please note

The work authorization may be refused whether the recruitment project is obviously disproportionate with regard to the activity economic of the applicant.

The occupation exercised by the future employee can be a regulated profession. In this hypothesis, the regulatory conditions of practice shall be respected.

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

Apply online for a work permit to hire a foreigner employee

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