Foreigners employee: how are work permits issued?

Verified 18 June 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

An employer who wishes hire a foreigner employee (excluding ) shall 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 a request of work authorization. Work authorization is granted when the application completes 4 conditions Cumulative. We're taking a look at the regulations.

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

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General scenario

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

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

Please note

It exists lists of trades in different voltage for the Guadeloupe, the French Guiana, the Meeting and the Martinique.

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

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

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

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

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

Please note

It exists lists of trades in different voltage for the Guadeloupe, the French Guiana, the Meeting and the Martinique.

Foreigner with a "job search / company creation" card

Where the proposed job fulfills the 2 following conditions:

  • Contract of work in relationship with the training or job searches of the foreigner
  • Remuneration at least equal à €2,800.53.

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

This job may not to be included in the list of looms in tension.

Foreigner 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 €2,800.53.

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

This job may not to be included in the list of looms in tension.

The diploma must have been obtained in the year.

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

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

    In addition, no breach severe in these matters shall 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 permit 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 than Smic).

Apply online for a work permit to hire a foreigner employee

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