Process For Business Immigration

Before applying for any visa, the future employee must first receive a signed contract or letter from the appropriate French governmental agency.

Short Term Visa   
Business Immigration is for those individuals wishing to come to France for no longer than 90 days, for the following reasons:

• Attendance of business meetings, discussions and negotiations.

• Sales calls to potential European clients, provided that the employee represents a commercial entity outside of France.

• Attendance of seminars or "fact-finding" meetings.

Most foreign national employees require a Business Visitor Visa (known as a "Schengen Visa") to travel to France on short-term business. This visa MUST be obtained prior to entry.

Step by Step Procedures

The following general requirements for Business Visitors are subject to change or modification by the French government.

• The applicant must have a residence and an employer outside of France and must be traveling to France for a time period of less than 90 days.

• The applicant may not receive compensation from sources within France (unless for "per-diem" expenses, such as meals or car fare).

• The applicant must evidence proof of sufficient funds (such as cash or credit cards) along with a confirmed, round-trip airline ticket.

• The applicant must evidence that health/medical insurance will be provided by the employee's home company.

The general list of required documents is as follows:

• All documents must be translated into French and include 2 photocopies for each document.

• Application form for Schengen Visa.

• Passport (valid for a minimum of six months), containing at least two, blank visa pages.

• Two passport-style photographs.

• Applicable fee. 

• Letter from the applicant's employer providing the following information:

  • The purpose of the trip.

  • Names, addresses and telephone numbers of business contacts in France.

  • Date of arrival and anticipated departure.

  • Guarantee of financial and moral responsibility for the applicant for the duration of the visit.

  • Contract from employer signed by DDTEFP (Direction Départementale du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Formation Professionnelle, which is responsible for work and professional training regulation and authorization).

• Round-trip ticket.

The business visa application process takes from one to three business days to complete.

Please note that the immigration authorities and/or Consulate reserve the right to request additional information, documentation, copies, and/or a personal appearance, and to exceed stated processing times.

 
Long Stay Work Visas:

If you plan on staying in France for longer than 90 days, and intend to work, you will need to apply for a long-term work visa.  If you are married and have children, you must notify your prospective employer in France.  The employer in France must also provide documentation to request visas on behalf of your family members.

Step by Step Procedures

For Employers in France

• The foreign worker must obtain a job offer from an employer in France. The employer must contact the Agence Nationale de l’Accueil des Etrangers et des Migrations (ANAEM) to  notify them of the job offer.

Agence Nationale de l’Accueil des Etrangers et des Migrations (ANAEM)
44 rue Bargue
75732 Paris cedex 15
Website

• The employer in France also files an application for working papers at the Labor Department (Direction Départementale du Travail, de l’Emploi et de la Formation Professionnelle - D.D.T.E.F.P) for the prospective employee. If the foreign worker is married, the employee must state so when applying so that visas can be authorized for accompanying family members.

• When the file is approved the ANAEM (National Agency for the Reception of Foreigners and Migration), will send it to the appropriate French Consulate. We then contact the applicant by mail with instructions on obtaining the visa.   Any additional documentation will be requested at that time. 

• The French employer should note whether or not the worker has family present in France with him/her when applying to ANAEM.

   

For Normal/Traditional Workers

• You have to apply only after you receive a written notification from the French Embassy.

• You must appear at the visa section of the French Consulate in your local area, IN PERSON after making your appointment.

• You must provide all of the requested documents, copies, and fees at this appointment.

• All documents must be translated into French.

   

Provide the following Original documents, plus 2 photocopies of each of the following:

• Passport that is valid for the period of your stay in France, plus photocopies of the title pages on your Passport.

• Two long-stay visa application forms completed and signed.

• Two recent identity photographs meeting standard requirements. 

• Processing fees, for long stay visa ($1,922.35 peso): payment by cash, credit card (Visa, Mastercard) or money-order made out to "Consulate General of France" or certified checks. No personal checks.

   

Once the application is accepted by ANAEM, the file will be sent to the appropriate French Consulate and a letter will be mailed to the employee.

If you do not wish to retrieve your passport in person, you will be required to provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Once you arrive in France, you will need to provide your medical certificate (which is issued by ANAEM) and apply for a residency card. You will apply for your residency card at the local French Consulate.

Upper Management Employee

For you, the employee:

• You have to apply only after you receive a written notification from the French Embassy.

• You must appear at the visa section of the French Consulate IN PERSON after making your appointment.

• You must provide all of the requested documents, copies, and fees at this appointment.

• All documents must be translated into French.

   

Provide the following Original documents, plus 2 photocopies of each of the following:

• Passport that is valid for the period of your stay in France, plus photocopies of the title pages on your Passport.

• Two long-stay visa application forms completed and signed.

• Five recent identity photographs meeting standard requirements. 

• A copy of your work contract with the stamp of the Labor Department (DDTEFP) on it.

• A prepaid envelope ( 8.5 x 14) to send your documents to the Préfecture, in France.

• Processing fees, for long stay visa ($1917.80 peso): payment by cash, credit card (Visa, Mastercard) or money-order made out to "Consulate General of France" or certified checks. No personal checks. 

Once the application is accepted by ANAEM, the file will be sent to the appropriate French Consulate and a letter will be mailed to the employee.

If you do not wish to retrieve your passport in person, you will be required to provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Once you arrive in France, you will need to provide your medical certificate (which is issued by ANAEM) and apply for a residency card. You will apply for your residency card at the local French Consulate.

For your spouse (obliged to come in person):

Provide the following Original documents, plus 2 photocopies of each of the following:

• All documents must be translated into French.

• Passport that is valid for the period of your stay in France, plus photocopies of the title pages on your Passport.

• Five recent identity photographs meeting standard requirements.

• 2 long stay application visa forms, completely and clearly filled out.

• A copy of your marriage certificate.

• Processing fees, for long stay visa ($1917.80 peso): payment by cash, credit card (Visa, Mastercard) or money-order made out to "Consulate General of France" or certified checks. No personal checks.

   

For your children (not required to appear in person)

• All documents must be translated into French.

• His / her original passport (which has to be valid for at least 90 days – make sure his / her passport has a blank page to affix the visa).

• 2 copies of his / her passport (identification page).

• Four recent identity photographs meeting standard requirements. 

• A copy of his / her birth certificate.

• Processing fees, for long stay visa ($1917.80 peso): payment by cash, credit card (Visa, Mastercard) or money-order made out to "Consulate General of France" or certified checks. No personal checks.

• "Demande d’un document de circulation pour étranger mineur" (DCEM) completed in French. This is translated in English to “Movement Document for Alien Minors.” This document is used for children under 18 years of age which will be accompanying his/her parent(s) to France.

   

Employee on Assignment

•  You have to apply only after you receive a written notification from the French Embassy.

• You must appear at the visa section of the French Consulate in your local area, IN PERSON after making your appointment.

• You must provide all of the requested documents, copies, and fees at this appointment.

• All documents must be translated into French.

   

Provide the following Original documents, plus 2 photocopies of each of the following:

• Your original passport (which has to be valid for at least 90 days – make sure your passport has a blank page to affix the visa).

• 2 copies of your passport (identification page).

• 2 long stay visa application forms, completely and clearly filled out.

• 2 identity photographs meeting standard requirements. 

• Processing fees, for long stay visa ($1922.35 peso): payment by cash, credit card (Visa, Mastercard) or money-order made out to "Consulate General of France" or certified checks. No personal checks.