{"id":38455,"date":"2017-08-07T08:07:32","date_gmt":"2017-08-07T12:07:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/?p=38455"},"modified":"2020-09-05T01:10:43","modified_gmt":"2020-09-05T05:10:43","slug":"working-in-france-as-an-expat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/blog\/working-in-france-as-an-expat\/","title":{"rendered":"Working in France as an Expat"},"content":{"rendered":"

Working in France as an Expat.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Moving abroad as an expat in France can be an exhilarating experience. However, as with any exciting opportunity, the romance of the idea is coupled with the reality of making it happen. Unless you are <\/span>planning to retire in France<\/a><\/span>, you\u2019ll need to obtain the legal right to seek employment in the country. Fortunately, there are a few great and easy options for <\/span>expats looking to work abroad in France! <\/b><\/p>\n

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Work Permits in France<\/b><\/h2>\n

Those who have citizenship from an EU nation, the EEA (European Economic Area, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), or Switzerland do not need any additional documentation to work abroad in France. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Potential expats from the U.S. and Canada will need to obtain appropriate documentation to work in France, coming in the form of a <\/span>temporary residency permit (<\/span>carte de s\u00e9jour temporaire<\/span><\/i>)<\/span><\/a>. This is obtained by making an appointment with your local French consulate or embassy. The type of temporary residency you receive will depend on your intentions in France. Most types (visitor permit being an exception) will allow you to work in France under some capacity. For example, the student permit allows you to seek employment up to 60% of the government-designated annual working hours. <\/span><\/p>\n

Standard working permits in France can be given for both employed and self-employed individuals. For the employee permit, you will need a letter of employment from your company, showing proof of the hire and detailing your ability to perform the job in France. For self-employed individuals, you\u2019ll need to show that you have proper qualifications for the job you intend to do, provide an approved business plan, and show that you have the financial support to fund the business. <\/span><\/p>\n

If you are going the employee route, you\u2019ll need to find a job before applying for this permit. This can be done during the 90-day travel visa that U.S. and Canadian nationals receive automatically when they arrive in France. You will have to return home, however, to start the application process for the permit.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Working for Private or Family Purposes<\/b><\/h2>\n

Those who are seeking residency in France for what the government calls Private or Family Purposes (<\/span>vie priv\u00e9e et familiale<\/span><\/i>), which usually involves being a minor dependent or spouse of a French permit holder, can receive their own form of <\/span>carte de s\u00e9jour temporaire<\/span><\/i>. This permit allows the holder to work without limitations in France and without having to get job approval first. You will, however, have to show financial means to support yourself if you don\u2019t have a job lined up. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Temporary or Seasonal Work<\/b><\/h2>\n

There are two types of work permits in France that you may qualify for if your reasons for working in the country don\u2019t fit into the category for the typical <\/span>carte de s\u00e9jour temporaire<\/span><\/i>:<\/span><\/p>\n