Key Takeaways
• The VLS-TS Temporary Worker Visa allows legal work and residence in France for 3 to 12 months.
• Applicants need a fixed-term job offer, employer’s work authorization, and must validate the visa within 3 months.
• Total cost is about €324, with separate fees for application, validation tax, and possible stamp duty.
The French Republic Long-Stay Visa that is equal to a Residence Permit (VLS-TS) for Temporary Workers gives people a way to legally live and work in France 🇫🇷 for a period of 3 to 12 months. This step-by-step guide will help you understand if you qualify, what documents you need, the cost, how to apply, and what to do after you get to France. If you are planning on working in France 🇫🇷 on a temporary fixed-term job, this detailed guide will walk you through every step needed. As reported by VisaVerge.com, following each step closely is very important to avoid delays, costly mistakes, or a rejected visa.
Checklist: What You Will Need
– A job offer for a fixed-term contract (3–12 months)
– Proof your employer has work authorization from France 🇫🇷
– Valid passport (issued within the last 10 years)
– 3 recent passport photos
– Completed VLS-TS “Temporary Worker” application form
– Proof of your address in your country (from the past 6 months)
– Valid health insurance for your time in France 🇫🇷
– Signed work contract; proof of enough money (if needed)
– Criminal record certificate, if requested
– Evidence of where you’ll live in France 🇫🇷
– Money to pay all required fees
Step 1: Check If You Are Eligible
Before you do anything, make sure you meet these basic requirements:
1. You must have a job offer. The job has to be for a fixed time, anywhere between 3 and 12 months. This means you cannot use this visa for jobs with no set end date.
2. You must be 18 years old or older.
3. Your employer must have work authorization for you. This means that your potential employer in France 🇫🇷 must apply online and get official permission from the French government to hire you for that specific job.
4. Your record must be clean. If you were ordered to leave France 🇫🇷 before, used fake papers, or have certain criminal offenses, you will be refused a visa.
Tips:
– Double-check with your employer about the work permit approval (called “autorisation de travail”). Your visa application will not move forward without this.
Step 2: Gather All Required Documents
Collect the following items before you start your application:
– Passport: Must be valid and not more than 10 years old.
– Photos: Three passport-sized, meeting French standards.
– Visa Application Form: The VLS-TS marked “travailleur temporaire.”
– Work Authorization Letter: Original or official copy approved by French authorities.
– Proof of Address: Recent utility bill, government letter, or similar.
– Health Insurance: Valid for the time you first arrive in France 🇫🇷.
– Employment Contract: Signed document from your future employer.
– Proof of Sufficient Means: This shows you can support yourself without need for help from the French government.
– Criminal Record Certificate: Sometimes required to show a clean legal background.
– Accommodation Evidence: Rental agreement or invitation if you will be living with someone.
Important:
– Requirements may differ slightly by where you live or which consulate you use. Always check with the French consulate or France Visas website for updated requirements.
Step 3: Employer Gets Work Authorization
The process starts with your employer:
– Your employer must request work authorization online using the Foreign Labour Service platform in France 🇫🇷.
– They must give details about your job, salary, and the work contract.
– This must be done before you can apply for your visa.
Tip:
– Ask your employer to share confirmation of the submission/approval. Without this, you cannot move forward.
Step 4: Apply Online via France Visas Website
- Go to the France Visas website to begin your application.
- Create an account, fill in your personal details, and choose the VLS-TS Temporary Worker option.
- Upload scanned versions of your documents, if required.
- After submitting the online application, print the confirmation page.
Step 5: Schedule Appointment and Submit Documents
- Choose your nearest French consulate or visa center online.
- Book an appointment as soon as you can—the earlier you book, the better chance you have of getting a slot that fits your timeline.
- Take all paper versions of your documents to your appointment.
- Be prepared for an interview. The officer may ask about the job, your plans, or your background.
Tip:
– Bring both originals and copies of all documents.
– Arrive early and dress neatly.
Step 6: Pay the Visa Fees
Be ready to pay:
– Long-Stay Visa Fee: €99 (paid at the consulate or visa center)
– VLS-TS Validation Tax: €200 (paid later online after arrival in France 🇫🇷)
– Stamp Duty: €25 (sometimes required, depending on your case)
Total cost: Usually around €324, but always check if your consulate has other fees, as some small differences may exist.
Notes:
– You may also have to pay for document translation, travel, or courier services.
– Always confirm payment methods in advance (cash, card, etc.).
Step 7: Wait for Processing
- After you submit your application, the French consulate or visa center processes your request. This usually takes about two months.
- Times can vary by country, time of year, and how busy the consulate is.
- Apply as early as three months before your planned trip.
What to Expect:
– If more information is needed, the consulate may contact you. Respond quickly to avoid delays.
– Once approved, you will get a notice to collect your passport with the visa sticker inside.
Step 8: Enter France and Validate Your VLS-TS
- Once your visa is approved, you can travel to France 🇫🇷.
- Within three months of arriving, you must validate your VLS-TS online at administration–etrangers–en–france.
- During the validation process, you must pay the €200 tax if not already paid.
- Sometimes you will be asked to attend a medical exam or a welcome meeting.
- For your first year, you do not need to go to the local prefecture unless asked.
Important:
– If you forget to validate your visa in time, your legal stay may be at risk.
Step 9: During Your Stay—Know the Rules
The VLS-TS Temporary Worker visa has some rules:
– Duration: Your visa is usually valid for the same length as your fixed-term job, up to twelve months.
– Work Rights: You can work only for the employer who got the work authorization. If you want to switch jobs, your new employer must apply for approval before you can start.
– Family: This visa does not automatically allow your family to join you. Check with the French consulate about options for family members if needed.
Step 10: Renew or Change Your Status (If Needed)
- If your job continues or you plan to stay in France 🇫🇷 longer, you must apply for a “carte de séjour” (residence permit) through your local prefecture.
- Start this process two months before your visa expires.
- If you wish to switch to a different job, your new employer must get new work authorization before you apply for a new permit.
Tips:
– Don’t wait until the last minute to start—processing times can vary.
– Have all updated documents and keep your work contract handy.
Summary Table
| Step | What You Must Do | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Check Eligibility | Confirm age, job offer, clean record, employer’s work permit | Before any documents gathered |
| 2. Gather Docs | Collect and prepare all paperwork for both employer and yourself | Can take 1–4 weeks |
| 3. Employer Permit | Employer starts work authorization process | Before visa application |
| 4. Online Form | Complete France Visas portal form | Early as 3 months before travel |
| 5. Book/Attend | Make consulate appointment; attend interview; provide all documents | As early as possible |
| 6. Pay Fees | Pay visa fee €99, plus possible taxes/stamps | At time of application and upon arrival |
| 7. Processing | Wait for decision (about 2 months) | Varies—apply early |
| 8. Validate | Once in France 🇫🇷, validate visa online, pay tax, do medical if needed | Within 3 months of arrival |
| 9. Renew/Extend | Apply for residence permit (“carte de séjour”) if needed | 2 months before visa expires |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
– Skipping the work authorization step—without employer approval, your visa will be denied.
– Missing appointments or submitting incomplete forms.
– Forgetting to validate your VLS-TS within three months after you arrive in France 🇫🇷.
– Waiting too long to start your renewal process if you plan to stay longer.
Tips for Success
– Always double-check the most current requirements on the France Visas portal.
– Keep all proof and original documents until you finish your stay and get your Residence Permit.
– Make copies and scans of everything for your records.
What Happens Next?
After you finish these steps, your VLS-TS Temporary Worker visa acts just like a Residence Permit. This special visa lets you:
– Work and live in France 🇫🇷 legally for the length of your contract (up to 12 months).
– Move around the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in every 180-day period.
– Apply for a regular Residence Permit if you want to stay longer or renew your work status.
If you run into trouble:
– Contact the consulate where you applied or your local French prefecture.
– See the official France Visas website for updates and help.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Getting the French Republic Long-Stay Visa for Temporary Worker status involves careful planning, gathering the right documents, and being aware of timelines and costs. This visa gives you legal work and residence rights in France 🇫🇷 for up to a year and sometimes makes it easier to transition to a longer-term Residence Permit if you get a new contract.
Apply as early as you can, track your application, and keep copies of everything. Remember, following each step closely will help you avoid rejections or unexpected delays. For further questions or to check the most up-to-date requirements, always visit the France Visas official portal. If you are asked for a specific form, you can usually find it posted on the same government site.
This careful preparation will help you start your French 🇫🇷 work adventure with confidence, knowing your French Republic Long-Stay Visa, Temporary Worker status, and Residence Permit pathway are handled properly from day one.
Learn Today
VLS-TS (Visa de Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour) → A French long-stay visa equal to a residence permit, allowing stays from 3 to 12 months for temporary workers.
Work Authorization → Official permission from French authorities allowing a foreign national to legally work for a specific employer in France.
Prefecture → Local administrative office in France responsible for processing residence permit renewals and immigration matters for foreign nationals.
Validation Tax → A required fee (€200) paid online after arrival in France to validate the long-stay visa’s legal status.
Fixed-term Contract → A work agreement specifying definite start and end dates, required for eligibility for the Temporary Worker visa.
This Article in a Nutshell
The French Temporary Worker Long-Stay Visa (VLS-TS) grants legal work and residence in France for up to twelve months. Applicants require a fixed-term job offer, employer authorization, and must validate their visa online after arrival. Follow the step-by-step process, prepare documents, and pay all fees to ensure approval and avoid legal issues.
— By VisaVerge.com
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