1 - The short stay visa (up to 3 months)

2 - The long stay visa (over 3 months) :

2.1. Requirements for normal workers

2.2. Upper level management / executive, cadre de haut niveau

2.3. Employee on assignement / salarié en mission

Important : personal appearance is required for each applicant, included the children. IN ORDER TO IMPROVE OUR SERVICES, IT IS MANDATORY TO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT ON LINE TO GET A VISA. NO APPOINTMENT WILL BE GIVEN BY PHONE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

This procedure of employer sponsored visa, or OFII (ex ANAEM) procedure, has long been the rule. Today an alternative exists, the "competences et talents" card. Read chapter 2 to learn more about it, and check which procedure is the most convenient to you.

The citizens of the European Union, Andorra, Liechstenstein, Monaco are exempt of this procedure.

This file does not concern foreign government employees and international civil servants who are assigned to a diplomatic mission or to an international organization, and their employees, the traders, the scientists with a "convention d’accueil", the artists. Another procedure applies. Please check the appropriate chapters or contact the French consulate

The applicant should apply for the visa and should obtain it in his/her country of residence before arriving in France. Applications should be submitted at the appropriate consulate depending on his/her address in the USA. You have to apply with the French Consulate in Houston, only if you study or reside in one of the following states : Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

A delay of procedure may be required, at the very least of two weeks.

Description of procedure : the foreign worker must obtain a contract draft from a French or a foreign company in France. The employer in France files an application with the appropriate administration for approval (DDTEFP, work department), the authorization is communicated to the visa section of the appropriate French consulate; only then can a visa be issued .

1 - The Short stay visa (up to 3 months) :

The employer in France should provide the future employee with a contract which has been countersigned by the DDTEFP (Direction départementale du travail, de l’emploi et de la formation professionnelle), the work department. Then the future employee should apply for a short stay visa (Schengen visa) if needed. This visa is valid up to 3 months, and the residency card is not required.

REQUIREMENTS:

 Original passport or travel document (+ ONE COPY of the identity pages). Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years ago, be valid for at least three months after your return to the US and have at least 2 blank visas pages left.

 2 short stay application forms completely and legibly filled out. Please print in black. Indicate also your phone numbers and e-mail.

 2 recent passport size photographs (loose, NOT glued).

 proof of resident status in the USA + ONE COPY( green card, valid US visa and copy of valid I-20, or I-94 or valid I-AP66, or valid I-797A, visas…) if the applicant is not a US citizen ;

 contract countersigned by the DDTEFP (+ 1 copy)

 A proof of residence in our jurisdiction (TX, OK, AR, LA) + one copy

Check the processing time section.

IT IS MANDATORY TO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT ON LINE TO GET A VISA.

Processing fees: by credit card (Visa, Mastercard) cash or money-order only. Personal checks or American Express are not accepted.

2 - The long stay visa (over 3 months) :

PROCEDURE :
 The foreign worker must obtain a job offer from an employer in France.

 The employer in France files an application for working papers at the Labor Department (Direction Départementale du Travail, de l’Emploi et de la Formation Professionnelle - D.D.T.E.F.P) for the prospective employee. If the foreign worker is married, the employee must state so when applying so that visas can be authorized for accompanying family members.

 When the file is approved the OFII (French Office for Immigration and Integration), will send it to the appropriate French Consulate, which then contact the applicant by mail with instructions on how to obtain the visa. click here to access the OFII website

2.1. REQUIREMENTS FOR NORMAL WORKERS You have to apply only after you receive a written notification from the French Embassy. If you wish to make inquiries concerning the follow up of your file contact the visa section by email : visa@consulfrance-houston.org

You have to come to the visa section of the French Consulate IN PERSON after making an appointment for each applicant (the children and spouse must also come in person).

This section concerns persons who wish to settle for working (with the accompanying family), more than 90 days in metropolitan France, the "DROM" (Guadeloupe, French Guyana, Martinique, Saint Martin, Saint Barthélémy, and Réunion) and St Pierre et Miquelon. It does not concern persons who wish to settle in New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, and Mayotte : contact the French consulate at visa@consulfrance-houston.org

This visa applies to all nationalities, including US Citizens. It does not concern nationals of the European Union, of European Economic Space, of Switzerland, of Monaco, of St. Martin and of Algeria : contact the French consulate at visa@consulfrance-houston.org

The applicant must require a long stay visa, valid as a resident card, for any stay longer than 90 days in France. If granted this visa is like a resident card , valid for as long as one year, and modulated according to the lenght of the stay (for example when a temporary work permit of more than 3 months but less than a year is granted). The holder of the visa will need to register at the local branch of OFII (French Office for Immigration and Integration) in the three months following the arrival in France. The OFII will apply a stamp aknowledging the presence on the French territory. click here to access the OFII website

If the stay is extended after a year in France, an appointment must be taken with the préfecture at least 2 months before the expiry of the visa, in order to request a Resident Card ("Carte de Séjour").

The holder of this visa is allowed to travel in the Schengen zone.

Please bring all the required documents in original and 1 copy. The visa section does not make any copies.

 Original passport or travel document (+ ONE COPY of the identity pages). Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years ago, be valid for at least three months after your return to the US and have at least 2 blank visas pages left.

 1 long stay application form completely and legibly filled out. Please print in black. Indicate also your phone numbers and e-mail.

Click on the document below for english translation:

 1 recent passport size photograph.

 A proof of residence in our jurisdiction + one copy ;

 A proof of resident status in the USA + ONE COPY( green card, valid US visa and copy of valid I-20, I-94 or valid I-AP66, or valid I-797A, visas…) if the applicant is not a US citizen + one copy ;

IT IS MANDATORY TO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT ON LINE TO GET A VISA.

Processing fees: by credit card (Visa, Mastercard) cash or money-order only. Personal checks or American Express are not accepted.

2.2. UPPER LEVEL MANAGEMENT/EXECUTIVE CADRE DE HAUT NIVEAU You have to apply only after you receive a written notification from the French Embassy. If you wish to make inquiries concerning the follow up of your file contact the visa section by email : visa@consulfrance-houston.org.

Each applicant has to come to the visa section of the French Consulate IN PERSON after making an appointment (including the spouse and the children).

This section concerns persons who wish to settle for working (with the accompanying family), more than 90 days in metropolitan France, the "DROM" (Guadeloupe, French Guyana, Martinique, Saint Martin, Saint Barthélémy, and Réunion) and St Pierre et Miquelon. It does not concern persons who wish to settle in New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, and Mayotte : contact the French consulate at visa@consulfrance-houston.org

This visa applies to all nationalities, including US Citizens. It does not concern nationals of the European Union, of European Economic Space, of Switzerland, of Monaco, of St. Martin and of Algeria : contact the French consulate at visa@consulfrance-houston.org

The applicant must require a long stay visa, valid as a resident card, for any stay longer than 90 days in France. If granted this visa is like a resident card , valid for as long as one year, and modulated according to the lenght of the stay (for example when a temporary work permit of more than 3 months but less than a year is granted). The holder of the visa will need to register at the local branch of OFII (French Office for Immigration and Integration) in the three months following the arrival in France. The OFII will apply a stamp aknowledging the presence on the French territory. click here to access the OFII website

If the stay is extended after a year in France, an appointment must be taken with the préfecture at least 2 months before the expiry of the visa, in order to request a Resident Card ("Carte de Séjour").

The holder of this visa is allowed to travel in the Schengen zone.

Please bring all the required documents in original and 1 copy. The visa section does not make any copies.

For the worker :
 Original passport or travel document (+ ONE COPY of the identity pages). Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years ago, be valid for at least three months after your return to the US and have at least 2 blank visas pages left.

 1 long stay application form completely and legibly filled out. Please print in black. Indicate also your phone numbers and e-mail.

 1 OFII application form

FORMULAIRE OFII

 1 recent passport size photograph.

 A proof of residence in our jurisdiction (AL, NC, SC, GA, MS, TN) + one copy ;

 A proof of resident status in the USA + ONE COPY( green card, valid US visa and copy of valid I-20, I-94 or valid I-AP66, or valid I-797A, visas…) if the applicant is not a US citizen ;

IT IS MANDATORY TO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT ON LINE TO GET A VISA. Your personal appearance is required.

Processing fees: by credit card (Visa, Mastercard) cash or money-order only. Personal checks or American Express are not accepted.

For the spouse :

- Original passport or travel document (+ ONE COPY of the identity pages). Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years ago, be valid for at least three months after your return to the US and have at least 2 blank visas pages left.

 1 long stay application form completely and legibly filled out. Please print in black. Indicate also your phone numbers and e-mail.

Click on the document below for english translation:

 1 recent passport size photograph.

 A proof of residence in our jurisdiction (AL, NC, SC, GA, MS, TN) + one copy ;

 A proof of resident status in the USA + ONE COPY( green card, valid US visa and copy of valid I-20, I-94 or valid I-AP66, or valid I-797A, visas…) if the applicant is not a US citizen ;

 A copy of the marriage certificate ( original + one copy + one translation in French),

IT IS MANDATORY TO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT ON LINE TO GET A VISA. Your personal appearance is required.

Processing fees: by credit card (Visa, Mastercard) cash or money-order only. Personal checks or American Express are not accepted. Her/his original passport (which has to be valid for at least 90 days – make sure her/his passport has a blank page to affix the visa),

For the children :

- Original passport or travel document (+ ONE COPY of the identity pages). Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years ago, be valid for at least three months after your return to the US and have at least 2 blank visas pages left.

 1 long stay application form completely and legibly filled out. Please print in black. Indicate also your phone numbers and e-mail.

Click on the document below for english translation:

 1 recent passport size photograph.

 A proof of residence in our jurisdiction (AL, NC, SC, GA, MS, TN) + one copy ;

 A proof of resident status in the USA + ONE COPY( green card, valid US visa and copy of valid I-20, I-94 or valid I-AP66, or valid I-797A, visas…) if the applicant is not a US citizen ;

 A copy of her/his birth certificate ( original + one copy + one translation in French),

 document de circulation pour étranger mineur.

IT IS MANDATORY TO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT ON LINE TO GET A VISA. Your personal appearance is required.

Processing fees: by credit card (Visa, Mastercard) cash or money-order only. Personal checks or American Express are not accepted. Her/his original passport (which has to be valid for at least 90 days – make sure her/his passport has a blank page to affix the visa),

2.3. EMPLOYEE ON ASSIGNMENT/SALARIE EN MISSION You have to apply only after you receive a written notification from the French Embassy. If you wish to make inquiries concerning the follow up of your file contact the visa section by email : visa@consulfrance-houston.org.

You have to come to the visa section of the French Consulate IN PERSON after making an appointment (each applicant must come in person, including the children).

Please bring all the required documents in original and 1 copy. The visa section does not make any copies.

 Original passport or travel document (+ ONE COPY of the identity pages). Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years ago, be valid for at least three months after your return to the US and have at least 2 blank visas pages left.

 1 long stay application form completely and legibly filled out. Please print in black. Indicate also your phone numbers and e-mail.

Click on the document below for english translation:

 1 recent passport size photograph.

 A proof of residence in our jurisdiction (AL, NC, SC, GA, MS, TN) + one copy ;

 A proof of resident status in the USA + ONE COPY( green card, valid US visa and copy of valid I-20, I-94 or valid I-AP66, or valid I-797A, visas…) if the applicant is not a US citizen;

IT IS MANDATORY TO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT ON LINE TO GET A VISA. Your personal appearance is required.

Processing fees: by credit card (Visa, Mastercard) cash or money-order only. Personal checks or American Express are not accepted. In order to obtain a work permit for his/her future employee, the employer should contact:

Resident card issued for the employee on assignement : The consulate issues a visa valid for 3 months, 1 entry. This is a delay to enter France and apply for the residency card. Upon arrival in France, within 8 days, the applicant must contact the OFII in order to make an appointment for a medical check-up, then he/she can apply for a " Carte de séjour " at the nearest " Préfecture " of his/her residence (the documents to be presented on this occasion are : the passport with the visa, the contract, and the medical certificate). Spouse and children follow the same procedure. No residency card is issued to children under 16 years old.