Immigration

Immigration

Introduction to Immigration to France

The French authorities have traditionally been very protective of their domestic labour force, and put many bureaucratic obstacles in the way of companies wishing to recruit foreign workers. Their attitude is changing due to an acute shortage of IT professionals which is affecting the performance of many French companies.

New procedures have recently been introduced to make the process faster and easier. However, despite these significant improvements, France remains one of the most heavily 'protected' labour markets in Europe.

All French work permit applications are dealt with by the local Direction Departmentale du Travail, de L'Emploi et de la Formation Professionale (DDTEFP) on a town by town basis. It is therefore impossible to give absolute processing times as it varies depending on the workload of the local office,

2 Types of permits – Temporary Secondment and Full Work Permit

There are two types of permit for France:

Temporary Secondment:

This is for a non French company which needs to place their employees on it's client's site in France. This can be applied for by the foreign company but needs the full co-operation of the French client. The seconded employee must remain in the employ, pay, and line management of the foreign service provider. The maximum duration of these permit is 18 months and may then be extended for a further 9 months.

Full Work Permit

This is applied for by an established French company who wish to directly employ a non-EEA national. The candidate must be a full time employee and paid in France in Francs or Euros. There is no time limit on this permit.

What is the difference between a work permit and a visa?

A work permit is permission for a company to employ a foreign worker, whereas a visa is a leave for the candidate to stay in the country.

Procedures for French immigration vary depending on your nationality, the length of your stay and the reason for your visit to France. The following page gives a broad outline of what to expect when applying for immigration in France. Intransit Covers all French Immigration procedures.

Emigrating to France

French Immigration: European Union Citizens
As a citizen of the EU you automatically have the right to live and work in France. Your individual status may affect the procedure but in general the following points apply:

· Since Nov 2003 EU members may enter France to look for employment, start a business or just visit, with out the requirement for a carte de sejour.

· The carte de séjour is the French resident permit. You may still apply for a carte de sejour as it acts as your French Id and it is still required for various procedures while certain institutions adapt to the new legislation. It will vary in its length of validity depending on the nature of your stay.

· It can take 2-3 months for your carte de séjour to be processed and issued by the préfecture of the department in which you live.

· Normally you will be required to apply in person at your local préfecture or Mairie. The préfecture for central Paris allows you to apply by post, however you will need to collect your application dossier and your approved permit in person. You should expect large queues for any administrative procedures at the préfecture.

· Applications are made individually for each family member.

· If you do not receive a regular salary you may need to provide proof of sufficient funds to support you for the duration of your stay.

French Immigration: Non EU Citizens
Your employer plays an integral part of the application as they provide specific documentation to support your application for your initial work visa and then the residents permit.

· Long Stay Visas / Work permits
You will need to contact the French Embassy or consulate in your current country of domicile before you arrive. Procedures vary for different nationalities and activities, therefore it is important to clearly outline your reasons for application, who will be accompanying you and whether they also have a requirement to work, study etc.

· Carte de Séjour
Carte de séjour applications are similar to those cited for EU citizens although you will also be required to undergo a medical examination with the OMI (Office des Migrations Internationales) before your carte de séjour application is fully accepted.

The entire process may take several months so patience is needed. Once your carte de séjour is issued you will be entitled to French social benefits such as national health care.

Schengen Visa
France is a member of the Schengen group of European countries but a Schengen visa allows only for free movement within its member countries for non EU citizens only, not working rights. It is more a tourism visa as border controls between the member states have been reduced for the free movement of people.

Other Visas :

Student visa: There are 2 types of visas, short stay and long stay : more than 3 months (single entry or multiple entry). To obtain a visa you need to submit a file to the consulate of France in your home country, everything properly translated to French.

Documents to be submitted: the following documents and translations are absolutely indispensable for the student who wishes to come to France more than 90 days. (This list varies according to the country)
* Birth certificate
* Divorce or marriage certificate (according to the case)
* Complete visa request Form.
- A valid passport
Statement of financial resources (enough to live in France for the time he plans to stay): At least 30.000 FF (US$4.050, €4.550) for a year. of scholarship, and its duration., For students on scholarships an attestation of the scholarship, and a certificate of its value and the duration.
- Social Security Proof
- Housing Proof (hotel reservation, accommodation proof if living with somebody, invitation letter, etc.)
- Proof of inscription at the university
* A return guarantee to the home country (a roundtrip passage, for example).

Work visa: Foreign students who wish to work in France must be enrolled at an establishment that is allowed by legislation to provide student social security. Students from the European union have the right to work in France after the end of their studies, but must obtain a provisional work permit. Other foreign students must ask for a Provisional work permit.

Provisional Work permission: all the foreign students who do not belong to the European Community must ask for a provisional authorization to work. once The obtained, the authorization, is valid for 9 months and renewable. During school holidays is only valid for a maximum period of 3 months. For an authorization you need to apply in person to the Employment Department Director- DDTEFP -. The Ministry of Employment and Solidarity details in its website the directions of all the DDTEFP of France.

Documents to be submitted :
- Work contract signed by the employer
- Temporary stay permit mentioning status as student
- Student card for year of study
- Your written request on a paper

Permission of residence for non resident students in the EU: the students outside the European Union, must go directly to the Foreigners Reception Center, 13 rue Miollis in Paris. They must make the request in the eight following days to its arrival to France. They must display the original ones of following documents, and four photocopies of each one:
* A valid passport
* Medical insurance
* Medical certificate, signed by the doctor and approved by the French Consulate of your country
* Proof of residence (example: certificate of lodging asked for to the hotel or the family that provides with accommodations)
* Scholastic certificate.
* Envelop directed to your direction
* Permission of work obtained before its arrival (if you wish to work)
* Paternal authorization (if you are younger than 18 years old)

Insurance: the insurance by disease, accident, and civil responsibility is in charge of the student. Get information in the Embassy or the French Consulate: some countries have, signed an agreement with France. Insurance certificate is obligatory for the temporary permission of residence.

( http://www.french-in-france.biz/ingles/visa.html )

Immigration-Emmanuel Peignard