--- title: "France Employee residence card requirements 2026: 1-year stay" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/employee-residence-card/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-11 --- France · Work # France Employee residence card **First stay:** 1 yr Residence permit "salarie" or "travailleur temporaire" First checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **First stay:** 1 yr (Card valid one year and renewable; an employee who still holds a job at renewal gets a 4-year multi-year card, and a fixed-term worker's renewal matches the contract.) - **Who can apply:** Most passports (Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals; Algerian nationals follow the bilateral agreement) - **Spouse work:** Limited (Your spouse or partner can join through family reunification after 18 months of your residence and may then work in France without a separate permit.) ## Key facts Employee residence card is a work route for France. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source. - **Government fees:** €300 ≈ $340 · +2 more - **Processing:** 4 months - **First stay:** 1 yr ## Cost, time and long term To apply: 3 government fees listed below; decision: 4 months. No lawyer or agent fee is included. **Government fees: €300 ≈ $340 · +2 more** - EUR 300 (≈ $340) Tax paid when validating the employee long-stay visa (VLS-TS) within 3 months of arrival. - EUR 350 (≈ $390) Residence card: EUR 300 (≈ $340) tax plus EUR 50 (≈ $56) stamp duty, paid by tax stamps. - EUR 250 (≈ $280) Renewal of the card: EUR 200 (≈ $220) tax plus EUR 50 (≈ $56) stamp duty; EUR 180 (≈ $200) extra visa fee if filed late. **Renewal: Renewable** The card lasts one year and renews; an employee still in work at renewal can get a 4-year multi-year card, and a fixed-term worker's renewal matches the contract. [Service-Public](https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F15898) **Permanent residence: After 5 years of residence** The EU long-term resident card needs 5 years of uninterrupted legal stay on a listed permit, stable resources, health cover, French at level B1 and the civic exam; absences up to 6 consecutive months (10 in total) are allowed. [Service-Public.gouv.fr](https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F17359?lang=en) **Citizenship: After 5 years of residence** Naturalisation needs at least 5 years of residence in France, a valid residence permit at the time of application, integration into the French community and sufficient French. [Service-Public.gouv.fr](https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2213?lang=en) **Processing: 4 months** The prefecture must answer within 4 months; silence counts as a refusal. [Service-Public](https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F15898) **Where to apply: Abroad or in-country** For workers abroad, the employer requests work authorisation online before entry; people already in France can apply for the card at the prefecture. [Service-Public](https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F15898) ## Why this route may not fit Check this before you apply. - Needs a job offer from an employer in France - Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports, or passports from Algeria ### What you'll need #### Who can apply - The applicant is a non-EU national who wants to work as an employee; other rules apply to Algerian nationals. - The applicant holds a work authorisation and, on first admission, a VLS-TS 'salarié' long-stay visa. - A permanent contract (CDI) gives a 'salarié' card; a fixed-term contract (CDD) gives a 'travailleur temporaire' card. #### What you must show - The VLS-TS validation tax is EUR 300, (≈ $340) paid online within 3 months of arrival. - The residence card costs EUR 350 (≈ $390) in tax stamps (EUR 300 (≈ $340) tax plus EUR 50 (≈ $56) stamp duty). #### Documents - Passport, proof of address under 6 months old, photos, the work authorisation for the post and the signed republican commitment. #### Steps 1. The employer files the work authorisation request online before the worker enters France. 2. Apply for the long-stay visa, validate it online on arrival, and file for the card at the prefecture at least 2 months before expiry. #### After you arrive - The card is valid 1 year; after renewal an employee in a permanent job receives a 4-year multi-year card. - A fixed-term worker's renewal lasts as long as the remaining or new contract, possibly over 1 year. ## When you become tax resident How France decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records. - **Stay on this route:** **1 year at first, renewable** - **Tax residence:** Tax domicile rules in Art. 4 B CGI. - **Income tax:** Progressive scale per family-quotient share: 0% to EUR11,600, (≈ $13,000) 11% to EUR29,579, (≈ $33,000) 30% to EUR84,577, (≈ $94,500) 41% to EUR181,917 (≈ $203,000) and 45% above, set by Finance Act 2026-103 of 19 February 2026. [All tax rules for France](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/tax/) Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026 **Full official text** Residence card for employees with a work authorisation requested by the employer before entry: a 'salarié' card for permanent contracts and a 'travailleur temporaire' card for fixed-term contracts; first-time entrants receive a VLS-TS. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4) #### What you must show and pay - A fee of EUR 300 (≈ $340) · Tax paid when validating the employee long-stay visa (VLS-TS) within 3 months of arrival. (source 1) - A fee of EUR 350 (≈ $390) · Residence card: EUR 300 (≈ $340) tax plus EUR 50 (≈ $56) stamp duty, paid by tax stamps. (source 1) - A fee of EUR 250 (≈ $280) · Renewal of the card: EUR 200 (≈ $220) tax plus EUR 50 (≈ $56) stamp duty; EUR 180 (≈ $200) extra visa fee if filed late. (source 1) #### Requirements - The applicant is a non-EU national who wants to work as an employee; other rules apply to Algerian nationals. (source 1) - The applicant holds a work authorisation and, on first admission, a VLS-TS 'salarié' long-stay visa. (source 1) - A permanent contract (CDI) gives a 'salarié' card; a fixed-term contract (CDD) gives a 'travailleur temporaire' card. (source 1) - The VLS-TS validation tax is EUR 300, (≈ $340) paid online within 3 months of arrival. (source 1) - The residence card costs EUR 350 (≈ $390) in tax stamps (EUR 300 (≈ $340) tax plus EUR 50 (≈ $56) stamp duty). (source 1) - Passport, proof of address under 6 months old, photos, the work authorisation for the post and the signed republican commitment. (source 1) - The employer files the work authorisation request online before the worker enters France. (source 1) - Apply for the long-stay visa, validate it online on arrival, and file for the card at the prefecture at least 2 months before expiry. (source 1) - The card is valid 1 year; after renewal an employee in a permanent job receives a 4-year multi-year card. (source 1) - A fixed-term worker's renewal lasts as long as the remaining or new contract, possibly over 1 year. (source 1) #### Stay - Card valid one year and renewable; an employee who still holds a job at renewal gets a 4-year multi-year card, and a fixed-term worker's renewal matches the contract. - Initial permitted stay: 12 months. - Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal. #### Nationality Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals; Algerian nationals follow the bilateral agreement Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Algeria, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia. #### Work Work for the employer and in the post named in the work authorisation; changing employer needs a new work authorisation. #### Family Your spouse or partner can join through family reunification after 18 months of your residence and may then work in France without a separate permit. Checked 2026-10-11 ## Official sources 1. [Residence permit "salarie" or "travailleur temporaire"](https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F15898) · Service-Public (DILA) · checked 2026-10-10 2. [Family reunification of a foreigner in France](https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F11166?lang=en) · Service-Public.gouv.fr · checked 2026-10-11 3. [Work authorisation for a foreign employee in France: titles that exempt the employer](https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2728) · Service-Public.fr (DILA) · checked 2026-10-12 4. [Can a family already in France benefit from family reunification?](https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F11167) · Service-Public.fr (DILA) · checked 2026-10-12 5. [Long-term resident card - EU (foreigner in France for 5 years)](https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F17359?lang=en) · Service-Public.gouv.fr (Direction de l'information légale et administrative) · checked 2026-10-11 6. [French naturalization by decree](https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2213?lang=en) · Service-Public.gouv.fr (Direction de l'information légale et administrative) · checked 2026-10-11 ## Employee residence card and its alternatives | Route | Money needed | Stay | Work | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Employee residence card | – | 1 yr, renewable | – | | [Intra-company transfer permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/ict-posted-employee/) | Needs income of €1,867+ a month ≈ $2,090 | 3 yr | – | | [Seasonal worker card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/seasonal-worker/) | – | 3 yr, renewable | – | | [Talent · Company officer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/talent-corporate-officer/) | Needs income of €67k+ a year ≈ $75k | 4 yr, renewable | – | | [Talent · Innovative co. employee](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/talent-innovative-company-employee/) | Needs income of €40k+ a year ≈ $44k | 4 yr, renewable | No | ## Questions people ask ### How much money do I need for the Employee residence card? A fee of EUR 300 (≈ $340). Tax paid when validating the employee long-stay visa (VLS-TS) within 3 months of arrival. A fee of EUR 350 (≈ $390). Residence card: EUR 300 (≈ $340) tax plus EUR 50 (≈ $56) stamp duty, paid by tax stamps. A fee of EUR 250 (≈ $280). Renewal of the card: EUR 200 (≈ $220) tax plus EUR 50 (≈ $56) stamp duty; EUR 180 (≈ $200) extra visa fee if filed late. ### How long can I stay on the Employee residence card? Card valid one year and renewable; an employee who still holds a job at renewal gets a 4-year multi-year card, and a fixed-term worker's renewal matches the contract. ### How long does the Employee residence card take to process? The prefecture must answer within 4 months; silence counts as a refusal. ### Can I work on the Employee residence card? Work for the employer and in the post named in the work authorisation; changing employer needs a new work authorisation. ### Can I bring my family on the Employee residence card? Your spouse or partner can join through family reunification after 18 months of your residence and may then work in France without a separate permit. ### Who can apply for the Employee residence card? Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals; Algerian nationals follow the bilateral agreement Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Algeria, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia. ### Does the Employee residence card lead to permanent residence in France? Time on the Employee residence card counts toward permanent residence in France, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. Time on the Employee residence card counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. ### How are Employee residence card holders taxed in France? No special regime in our records is tied to the Employee residence card. The standard rules apply: Progressive scale per family-quotient share: 0% to EUR11,600, (≈ $13,000) 11% to EUR29,579, (≈ $33,000) 30% to EUR84,577, (≈ $94,500) 41% to EUR181,917 (≈ $203,000) and 45% above, set by Finance Act 2026-103 of 19 February 2026. ## More in France [Talent · Renowned person](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/talent-renown/) [Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/working-holiday/) [Entrepreneur / freelancer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/entrepreneur-liberal/) [Talent · Artist](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/talent-artistic/) [Talent · Business creator](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/talent-business-creator/) [Talent · Innovative project](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/talent-innovative-project/) [Talent · Employee on assignment](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/talent-employee-on-assignment/) [Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/eu-blue-card/) ## Work visas elsewhere [🇵🇹 Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/eu-blue-card/) [🇪🇸 EU Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/eu-blue-card/) [🇬🇪 IT sector permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/it-residence-permit/) [🇮🇹 Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/eu-blue-card/) [🇬🇷 Large-company director permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/company-executive-b3/) [🇩🇪 Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/eu-blue-card/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## How this was checked **Checked on 2026-10-11 against 6 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources. Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out. 1. [Residence permit "salarie" or "travailleur temporaire"](https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F15898) · Service-Public (DILA) · checked 2026-10-10 2. [Family reunification of a foreigner in France](https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F11166?lang=en) · Service-Public.gouv.fr · checked 2026-10-11 3. [Work authorisation for a foreign employee in France: titles that exempt the employer](https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2728) · Service-Public.fr (DILA) · checked 2026-10-12 4. [Can a family already in France benefit from family reunification?](https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F11167) · Service-Public.fr (DILA) · checked 2026-10-12 5. [Long-term resident card - EU (foreigner in France for 5 years)](https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F17359?lang=en) · Service-Public.gouv.fr (Direction de l'information légale et administrative) · checked 2026-10-11 6. [French naturalization by decree](https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2213?lang=en) · Service-Public.gouv.fr (Direction de l'information légale et administrative) · checked 2026-10-11 Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.