Employee or talent residence permit

The work-based permits: salarié for an open-ended contract, travailleur temporaire for a fixed-term one, and the multi-year carte talent for qualified roles that meet a salary threshold.

Yes, if you are non-European and coming to France to work as an employee. Algerian nationals follow a separate set of rules.

Your employer applies for the work authorisation first, before you enter France. The card itself goes in no later than 2 months before your visa or current permit expires; talent-card holders apply within 2 months of arriving.

At the préfecture or sub-préfecture where you live for a salarié or travailleur temporaire card, and online on ANEF for a carte talent.

€350 for a first card — a €300 tax plus €50 stamp duty. Renewal is €250. A late application adds a €180 regularisation fee.

• If the application is accepted, the préfecture says the card is ready and what tax to pay; you buy the stamp and collect the card, usually on an appointment.
• A salarié card is issued for 1 year to begin with; a travailleur temporaire card matches the contract, and a carte talent runs for up to 4 years.
• No answer after 4 months counts as a refusal, which you have 2 months to challenge.

A salarié card renews for up to 4 years if you are still employed, or 1 year if you are not. Renewal asks for A2 French and a pass in the civic exam, unless you are 65 or over.