Foreign artists - Residence and work permits

Residence permits

With the exception of European citizens and citizens of certain nations such as Switzerland, Andorra and Monaco, foreign nationals must obtain a visa from a French embassy or consulate.

Nb > European Union member states : Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, United Kingdom, Sweden (for the ten new member states of the European Union - Cyprus - Estonia - Latvia - Lithuania - Hungary - Malta - Poland - Slovenia - Slovakia - Czech Republic - see the « News » section) + the three member states of the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) + Switzerland, in accordance with appendix I of the agreement on the free movement of citizens signed by the European Union and Switzerland published by the Council and the Commission decision of April 4, 2002.

To enter French territory, they must :

• present a passport or identity card ;
• show justification for their stay (profession, organizations where they will be working, etc.) ;
• present a validated work contract or the temporary work permit obtained from the Direction Départementale du Travail, de l’Emploi et de la Formation Professionelle (Direccte) ;
• provide proof of financial means ;
• provide proof that they will return to their country of origin (round-trip ticket, bank statement, etc.).

For more information :
www.service-public.fr - Foreigners in France - Entering France (short-term visas, long-term visas, denied visa requests, etc.)
www.diplomatie.gouv.fr - Coming to France (Do you need a visa ? Where should you apply ? Visa fees)

Work permits

In addition to the documents required for entering French territory, foreigners who are not citizens of European Union member states must obtain a work permit before starting work in France.

Employers must verify before the start of work that the worker holds a permit or document which constitutes an authorization to work.

Certain foreign nationals are however exempt from work permits and do not need to request them.

These are :

• citizens of European Union member states or states which have signed the European Economic Area agreement ;
• Citizens of Andorra and Monaco ;
• Citizens of Gabon who are legal residents of France (but a work contract visa from the Direction Départementale du Travail, de l’Emploi et de la Formation Professionnelle (Direccte) is necessary if it is the worker’s first contract). Gabonese nationals who travel to France for artistic work must obtain a work permit.

Regulations pertaining to Switzerland were modified on June 1, 2002.

The Swiss Confederation and the European Union have signed an agreement on the free movement of citizens. This agreement stipulates that Swiss citizens traveling to France will benefit from the right to travel, reside and work under the same conditions as citizens of European Union member states.

However, a 2-year transition period is also stipulated : work permits will remain mandatory until June 1, 2004, in the case of employers based in France.

On the other hand, Swiss artists sent to France by employers based in Switzerland for a period not exceeding 90 days are exempt from the obligation to obtain a temporary work permit.

 

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 12 December 2006 )