Steps for hiring foreign workers in France

What are the steps involved in hiring foreign workers in France?

The process of hiring foreign workers in France requires employers to apply for a work permit. This applies whether the foreign worker resides outside France or is already in France but lacks work authorization. The procedure was designed to prioritize employment opportunities for French workers, as hiring a foreign national depends on the current labor market situation. 

Note: Employers cannot use this procedure for contracts aimed at promoting employment, such as apprenticeship contracts, professionalization contracts, or PEC contracts. 

Step 1: Posting the Job Offer 

If the job is not on the list of shortage occupations, the employer must publish a job offer through France Travail or another employment agency (such as APEC) for at least three weeks before recruiting a foreign worker who is not established in France. This allows them to obtain a certificate confirming that no suitable candidates were found. 

This step is crucial, as the employer must provide proof that either no applications were received or that none matched the requirements of the position. 

Note: The French Ministry of the Interior provides an online simulator on the Foreigners in France portal to check whether a job is classified as a shortage occupation. 

Step 2: Submission and Review of the Work Permit Application 

If the job posting does not yield a suitable candidate or the position is categorized as a shortage occupation, the employer may submit an application for a work permit via the DREETS online platform. 

The application file must include: 

- A letter explaining the reasons for hiring a foreign national and detailing their future role, 

- Certificates proving the job posting was made and the search for a candidate was unsuccessful, 

- The employment contract, 

- Three identity photos, 

- A completed identification form. 

Authorities review the application by considering various factors, including the current labor market situation, the job offer itself, working conditions, and the candidate’s qualifications and experience. 

Additionally, the employer must be in compliance with social security obligations and must not have prior violations related to illegal employment. 

Note: It is essential that the foreign worker's qualifications and experience align with the job requirements. 

Step 3: Administrative Decision 

The DREETS may approve or reject the request. The standard processing time is between one and two months. If no response is received within two months, the application is considered rejected. 

Note: Employers have the right to contest a rejection. This can be done by submitting an informal appeal to the same administration, a hierarchical appeal to the Minister, or a legal appeal to the administrative court. 

If the application is approved, it is forwarded to the Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration (OFII), which will conduct further checks. 

The OFII then sends the work permit to the French consulate or embassy in the foreign worker’s country. Based on this, the consular authorities issue a residence permit, typically in the form of a long-stay visa that allows the worker to start employment upon arrival in France. 

Note: A foreign worker cannot enter France first and then apply for a residence permit. In such cases, the prefecture will automatically deny the request. 

Step 4: Arrival in France 

Once the visa is issued, the foreign worker may begin working immediately upon arrival in France. 

Note: Within three months of arriving, the worker must validate their visa with the French authorities. 

Employers must also complete the following formalities: 

- A pre-employment medical examination within three months of the worker’s arrival. If the OFII operates in the employee’s country of origin, the exam must be conducted before departure. 

- The employer must record the employee’s name, type of work authorization (visa or residence permit), and work permit number in the official personnel register. 

- The employer must pay the OFII tax to the Direction Générale des Finances publiques. The amount depends on the employment contract duration and salary. 

For 2023, the tax amounts are as follows: 

- Contracts of 12 months or more : 55% of the worker's wages, capped at 2.5 times the monthly SMIC (€4,368 as of May 1, 2023). If the salary exceeds this limit, the tax is capped at €2,402.40. 

- Contracts longer than 3 months but shorter than 12 months : Between €50 and €300, depending on gross salary. 

- Seasonal employment : €50 per month of employment. 

For any legal assistance regarding the employment of foreign workers, do not hesitate to reach out to us!