Ordinary employment in France: a permanent CDI corresponds to salarié and a fixed-term CDD to travailleur temporaire. The employer obtains the required work authorisation before the visa application. Validate a VLS-TS within 3 months after arrival. Talent salary and degree criteria are separate; EU/EEA/Swiss and Algerian nationals follow distinct rules.
Visa, first residence-card and renewal charges differ by the actual procedure. Check the linked official fee schedule and permit page before payment; exemptions, reduced rates and additional service charges may apply.
The decision time depends on the visa or residence-card procedure and the responsible authority. Eligibility periods, appointment waiting, visa validation and filing deadlines are separate; this page does not promise a universal decision time.
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Source-backed requirements
Eligibility
(1)First multi-year card: integration
DocumentConditionalFor the first ordinary salarié multi-year card, show serious attendance at prescribed CIR training, French A2 and passed multi-year-card civic examination. Applicants over 65 are exempt from the A2 and civic conditions.
Verified official
Qualification
(1)Employment Contract
MandatoryUse the actual employment contract: a permanent CDI corresponds to the ordinary salarié route; a fixed-term CDD corresponds to travailleur temporaire. Follow the employer’s work-authorisation procedure. The Talent category’s 3-month minimum is not a universal rule here.
Verified official
Preparation
(2)Employee residence-card documents
DocumentConditionalUse the official list matching your status: identity, current stay document, address under 6 months, photos/e-photo, signed Republic undertaking and work-authorisation/employment evidence. OFII medical and stamp evidence are due at card collection.
Verified officialValid Travel Document
DocumentMandatoryFor the long-stay visa application, provide a travel document issued less than 10 years ago, with at least 2 blank pages and validity at least 3 months beyond the visa’s expiry. A duly justified urgent case may receive a derogation.
Verified official
Application
(3)Validate VLS-TS after arrival
ConditionalValidate the employee VLS-TS online within 3 months after arrival and pay its tax. File the residence-card application no later than 2 months before VLS-TS expiry.
Verified officialConsular Appointment
MandatoryApplicants must book an appointment at a French consulate or visa center to submit biometric data and original documents.
Verified officialWork Authorization
MandatoryFor the ordinary salarié or travailleur temporaire route, the employer must obtain the required work authorisation, including for each new contract. The Talent work-authorisation exemption must not be applied to this ordinary employee route.
Verified official
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Immigration Documents & Forms
Source citations
Employee and temporary worker residence permits — Service Public
Service Public / DILA
Ordinary nonEU/nonAlgerian employees:CDI salarié,CDD travailleur temporaire;employerworkauthorisationthenVLS-TSvalidation3mo.
France Visa Processing Times
France-Visas
France-Visas application process: five steps; decision time usually 15 days, up to 45 days in special cases; passport issued under 10 years ago with two blank pages; two ICAO photos; applicants over 12 appear in person for the first application.
Employee work authorisation — Service Public
Service Public / DILA
Ordinary salarié/temp permitrequiresworkauthorisationeachnewcontract;Talentexemptiondistinct.
Official links
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