Category Archives: Work Permits

European work permit related information

EU Schengen Visa is NOT a work permit

Posted on by
Reply

There seems to be a lot of confusion as to what the Schengen visa really is.

The Schengen Visa was created by members of the European Union to enable visitors to travel freely between the member states. It has made traveling between its 25 member countries (22 European Union states and 3 non-EU members) a lot easier and contains a lot less red tape. Gone are the days that you had to get a visa for all EU countries you wanted to visit.

When you travel on a Schengen Visa you can travel to any (or all) member countries using one single visa. The Schengen visa is a “visitor visa”. It is issued to citizens of countries who are required to obtain a visa before entering Europe. A Schengen visa allows the holder to travel freely within the Schengen countries for a maximum stay of up to 90 days in a 6 month period.

However, the Schengen visa is NOT a work permit. You can travel on a Schengen visa to go on holiday or on a business trip. It does not allow you to work in the Schengen countries. In order to work in the EU you need a work permit issued by the individual member state.

You can only get a work permit if you qualify based on the criteria defined by the individual member state. The company who wants to employ you needs to apply for the work permit and indicate why they can not find anyone in Europe to fill that position. Only then will a work permit be issued. The chances a company will obtain a work permit are very small as unemployment levels in Europe are very high and countries are trying to ‘protect’ their work force. (Read: protect the votes they would get in an election.)

Once you are lucky enough to obtain a work permit, you are stuck with the company that hired you. If you want to leave the company in order to join another company for a job anywhere in the EU, the whole process starts all over again. Your new employer will need to prove to their government why you deserve a work permit. If they fail to obtain it, you’re on the next plane home.

Some Schengen countries such as Norway, which is not a member of the EU, issue Skilled Jobseeker Residence Permits which allow you to live in Norway for 6 months and search for jobs & interview with employers. As with all work permits, this is limited to a certain period of time and once the period is up you are expected to leave the country again. Note that this is not a Schengen visa.

If you want to qualify you will need a Vocational training/Craft course/University Degree or a higher Special qualification from a Recognised University that meets Norwegian standards and is relevant to the job you are nominated for.

You must also have sufficient funds and medical insurance worth at least €30,000 to live in Norway for the duration of your intended stay. The funds required currently correspond to 107,450 Norwegian Crowns for a period of six months, which is approximately 17,000 US Dollars or 950,000 Indian Rupees.

 

European Blue card – or is it a Red card?

Posted on by

What is the European Blue Card?

Basically, it’s a copy of the American Green card. How surprising is that? Don’t expect Brussels to come up with something new! It took the European Union some time to streamline their approach to immigration. As there are a load of independent countries involved, you can imagine the resulting cacophony! Nothing moves fast in the European Union….

So, in May 2009, after years of difficult negotiations, the EU Member States agreed on common rules to govern the immigration of highly qualified workers from outside the Union. But not all states, as usual, will take part. The UK, Denmark and Ireland are not taking part in this scheme and given the rise of the far right in various countries in Europe, some might even drop out before it’s implemented.

The other countries agreed that the Directive on an EU-wide work permit for high-skilled non-EU citizens (“Blue Card”) has to be implemented by the Member States by 2011.

Given Europe’s history of speedy implementation of Directives, can we expect this to happen?

I might be a little cynical when it comes to Europe, but it looks as if the Blue Card scheme might actually happen.

Following the publication of the directive in the Official Journal of the EU, the member states (except Britain, Denmark and Ireland) had two years to incorporate the Blue Card provisions into their domestic legislation. This means it was to be implemented by 19 June 2011.

Spain has already implemented the directive (Ley Orgánica 2/2009, on 13 December 2009, and a revision of Ley Orgánica 4/2000) – incorporated the Blue Card into Spain’s national law. However, Spain does not yet accept Blue Card applications and has not yet made public what the requirements will be. Surprise huh?

So what do you need to get a Blue Card? You will need to meet the following criteria:

  • A recognised diploma, and:
  • Evidence of at least three years professional experience, and;
  • Offer of an EU job contract with a salary of three times the minimum wage.

It is expected the EU Blue Card scheme will be open for twenty-five European countries, each allocating a set number of Blue Card visas available to highly skilled workers each year.

Britain, Denmark and Ireland do not participate in the EU Blue Card initiative.

Wondering why?

They already have their own ‘high-skilled’ immigration schemes. The British scheme is so ludicrously tight that highly skilled foreign PhD’s, who are are offered fellowships by universities such as Cambridge, are refused a work permit on the basis that they don’t get enough points.

Recently, Dr Prashant Jain, an Indian researcher who holds a PhD in materials sciences, was offered a fellowship by the Department of Materials and Metallurgy to continue his research work at Cambridge. Dr Jain required 75 points to qualify for a visa. His doctorate entitled him to 45 points. To secure the remainder, he would have needed to show proof of an annual salary of £25,000 – a sum that is considered to be beyond what researchers typically earn at such an early stage in their careers.

Well, as usual, European countries don’t make it easy to work there. Makes you wonder why Europe is struggling economically when they can not even attract people who have the potential to drag Europe out of a recession…….

EU residency/workpermit rules

Posted on by

Are you allowed to work in another EU country if you have a permanent residence permit in another EU country?

Let’s look at this example:
You are a non-EU national, meaning your passport has been issued in a country outside the European Union and you have a permanent residency status in Italy. You now want to work in Germany.

In order to be able to work in Germany you need a residency permit issued by the German embassy. The fact that you have a permanent residency permit for Italy is irrelevant for German purposes. You can also not apply for one whilst you might be in Germany. You have to apply for it in Italy or another country outside Germany.

(If you are a citizen of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway you have the same freedom of movement as EU nationals. If you are a citizen of Australia, Canada, Israel, Korea (Republic), Japan, New Zealand or the United States of America, you can apply for your residence and work permit after arriving in Germany.
But: if you already have a job offer, you should make sure that your employer will have a work permit ready for when you are to start work. If you want to start work immediately after your arrival in Germany, you should apply from abroad.)

If you are married to a German or EU national you should be able to obtain a residency permit as your partner ‘supports’ your application. Your partner should also move to Germany for work. But you still need to file your application at an embassy outside Germany

If you and your partner are both non-EU nationals, the normal requirements apply, i.e. you need to apply for a residency permit. The fact you have a residency permit in another EU country has no effect.

If you have a Schengen visa you can travel freely throughout the EU, but only work in the country for which you hold a residency (work) permit.

Which non-EU nationals can apply for a residency permit then?

There are three different categories of residency permits:

1. General employment

A residency permit in the general employment category is based on the economic needs of the Federal Republic of Germany. The two basic requirements are:

  • A vocational qualification
  • A concrete offer of a contract of employment

2. Specialist professional

The Federal Republic of Germany is interested in attracting specialist professionals to work and live in Germany. This applies particularly to:

  • Graduates with special professional knowledge and experience
  • University teachers with outstanding career profiles
  • Experienced managers with an offer of a job carrying a salary of not less than 86.400 Euros per year

On top of that applicants should fulfill the following criteria:

  • Ability to integrate into German society (i.e. be able to speak German)
  • Sufficent funds to maintain themselves without claiming benefits
  • A concrete offer of a contract of employment

3. Self-employed

To work on a self-employed basis your proposed business must:

  • Fulfill the needs of the Federal Republic of Germany or fulfill specific regional or local needs
  • Have a beneficial economic impact
  • Be fully covered by your own capital or bank loan for which there is a written confirmation

Requirements 1 and 2 will generally be fulfilled if your investment is worth 1 million Euros or more and creates 10 new jobs. To ensure the sustainability of your business project, the following criteria will also be taken into consideration:

  • Viability of your business plan
  • Your relevant business experience
  • Amount to be invested in Germany
  • Impact of your business project on employment and skills
  • Contribution of your project to innovation and research

Please note that these rules are also broadly applicable to most other EU countries.

For more information contact the German embassy in your country. (Or the embassy of the EU country you want to work in)

Want to work in Europe?

Posted on by

So, you want to work in Europe?

Whatever your reason for wanting to work in Europe, you will first need to overcome a big issue.

It’s called a work permit…..

Let’s face it. Politicians want to keep their voters happy. Voters tend to be scared of newcomers who “steal” “their” jobs. Politicians will want to take that feeling away by insisting newcomers have a work permit. It’s the same all over the world, whether you’re in the USA, Australia, India or in the Middle East. They’re all playing the same game. (They’re politicians after all…..)

What’s the situation in Europe?
The countries that make up the European Union all abide by rules defined in Brussels. There might be some local flavours of the EU rules decreed by Brussels, but being able to work in Europe generally comes down to whether or not you have a local EU passport (or can get one), live in a country that the EU doesn’t see as a threat to their workforce or if you have skills that are in demand locally in Europe. Otherwise, tough luck, you won’t be allowed to work in the European Union.

I’ll work there illegally then.
Tens of thousands of people try to get into the European Union illegally. Bad choice! What they don’t realise is that although they can earn a “lot more” illegally than they would ever be able to legally at home, the cost of living in the EU is astronomical in comparison and the extortion racket that got you there will take a big chunk out of your “earnings”. You might not be left with much after you’ve paid for everything.

Almost everything you would “earn” will be spend on paying off whoever smuggled you into the EU, on paying for squalid ‘living’ accommodation and the little that’s left goes on food. The chance that anything can be sent home is extremely small. If you have something left to send, Western Union and other money processors will take their cut, reducing the amount even further.

Needless to say that anyone trying to get work illegally in the European Union will be held over a barrel by the criminal gangs running the human trafficking trade. And if you’re found by the police, you run the risk of being expelled with a big debt to your smugglers and no chance to ever earn enough to pay them back.

It is not a nice truth, but you’d better know the real harsh truth instead of looking at Europe through rose tinted glasses.

There is one way out though. Education! Train to become a specialist in your industry, join a European company (or American, Australian, Canadian or whatever country you favour) and eventually when you’re enough of a specialist, it will be beneficial to the company to send you to your chosen place. That way it’s legal and you will be left with a good income (and a future).

It’s long way to go, but the only way to get into knowledge driven societies of the West.

How to get a work permit in Europe

Posted on by

We keep on getting the same question over and over again:

What does it cost to get a work permit in Europe and
how long will it take to get one?

The answer is simple:

YOU can NOT get a work permit.

An employer will have to get one on your behalf and this will not cost you anything. European law stipulates that the employer must file for a work permit on behalf of the non-European employee the company wants to hire.

So, how do you get an employer to get a work permit for you?

With great difficulty.

An employer will have to prove to the government that they can not find anyone in Europe to fill the vacancy. Remember that there are millions of well educated, unemployed people in Europe, so this will be a very hard case to prove. If you’re an unskilled labourer you have absolutely no chance. Only in industries where there is a shortage of staff you will be able to find employers willing to fill in the necessary paperwork.

Most employer won’t even contemplate trying to get a work permit as the red tape involved is extreme. Governments in Europe are trying to make it as difficult as possible in order to keep immigrants out. They already have too much difficulty coping with their own unemployed work forces.

If you are a candidate without a European passport (or the right to get one) or not married to a European passport holder, you will notice that companies won’t even bother to reply to applications from non-Europeans. They have no way of employing non-Europeans and they are already getting too many unsolicited applications from European candidates.

On top of that, too many people from the Indian subcontinent send out applications indiscriminately (application spam), causing employers to not even look at them. The only way to make sure a potential employer will look at an application is to make sure that you tick all the boxes mentioned in the advert, are eligible to work in the EU and can prove that you have experience in the fields required.

Also have a look under the work permits section on the blog as we have regularly published information about this in the past.

 

IT developers needed in Iceland

Posted on by

Ever wanted to work in an amazing place?

Iceland might be your place to go. The country has a laid back, friendly culture and nature is simply stunning with hot water lakes, volcanos, glaciers and more unusual natural features.

The country’s IT industry is in dire need of more IT developers as the industry is growing, but the number of locals studying the subject is not. The salaries on offer are being pushed up as a result.

How easy is it to get a work permit in Iceland?

If you are a Scandinavian citizen, it’s easy.

If you move to Iceland from any of the Scandinavian countries and hold either an Icelandic, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian or Swedish passport, you must have a change of residence attest (Internordisk flytteattest). You won’t need this if you are staying in Scandinavia for less than 6 months (3 months for Denmark), but you must register if you want to seek employment. You can register this at:

The National Register, Borgartúni 24, 150 Reykjavík

Scandinavians do not need a residence or work permit in other Scandinavian countries. You get your Icelandic ID-number through The National Register when you arrive in Iceland. You get the same kind of tax-card as Icelandic citizens. You’ll receive it in the mail on the new address you mention in your trans-Scandinavian attest.

EU & EEA residents

If you are an EU or EEA resident, you can stay and work in Iceland for up to three months, six if you are looking for employment without the need for a permit. If you stay longer, you must have a residence permit. You can apply for a permit after you arrive in Iceland. You don’t need to apply if you are an EU/EEA resident returning to your home country every week or so.

Citizens of Estonia, Lettland, Lithaen, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic or Hungary who are looking for a job in Iceland can get a job without a permit, but the employer must register you with the Directorate of Labour. EU/EEA-residents must submit their address to the National Register.

The employer must apply for an ID-number on behalf of EEA-residents, please note that the delay to get one may be up to 4 weeks.

If you do not have a residence permit, you must apply for a tax-card. When a residence permit is granted, the National Register is notified and you are registered just like Icelandic residents.

Non-EEA-residents

If you are not a EU/EEA resident, you can not work in Iceland without a residence and a work permit. You must apply for the job and get your work permit before you arrive in Iceland. If you are in Iceland and want to apply for a job, you must leave the country while the authorization is pending.

There are, however, two exceptions:

- if you are married to an Icelandic citizen or to a foreigner permitted to work in Iceland, and have reached the age of 24.

- if one of your parents is an Icelandic citizen or a foreigner permitted to stay in Iceland, and have reached the age of 18.

Work permit Spain

Posted on by

As with most information regarding bureaucracy in Spain, this information can only be used as a guide for obtaining a work permit.

Always double check!

Work permits for European Union nationals

If you are an EU national you do not need a work permit to work in Spain, you can enter Spain as a tourist and register with the Spanish national employment office (Instituto Nacional de Empleo – INEM) to look for a job, you then have 90 days to find employment, you can obtain an extension after that date or leave Spain and re-enter for a further 90 days.

Once you get a job, your employment contract will be necessary in order to apply for your residence card.

Work permits for  non-EU  nationals

General information

People from outside the European Union who wish to work in Spain must obtain a work permit after also obtaining a visa, before they move to work in Spain. They need to apply for the visa at the Spanish Consulate in their home country.

An application for a work permit needs to be sent to the Foreigners’ Office (Oficinas de Extranjeros) or at the provincial office of the Ministry of Labor (Delegación Provincial del Ministerio de Trabajo), if the foreign applicant is in Spanish territory. If the foreign applicant is not in Spain, an application for the work permit needs to be sent to the Consular office of the foreign applicant’s home country.

The Provincial labor offices (Direcciones Provinciales de Trabajo, Seguridad Social y Asuntos Sociales) will decide whether the work permit will be issued or not.

Documents you must present at the time of work permit application

The documents you will be required to present upon application for work permit are the following:

• If you are an employee:
o Copy of your valid passport.
o Certificate of criminal records issued by the authorities of the foreigner’s home country, except when it was presented upon application for the visa.
o Official medical certificate.
o Three passport-size photographs.
o Fiscal registration number (NIE or CIF) and the Social Security registration number of the employer.
o Offer of employment where there appear the labor conditions.
o Full description of the job and the company activity.
o Proof of the employer’s solvency could also be required

• If you are self-employed:
o Copy of your valid passport.
o Certificate of criminal records issued by the authorities of the foreigner’s home country, except when it was presented upon application for the visa.
o Official medical certificate.
o Three passport-size photographs.
o Full description of the job and the company activity.
o Proof of the foreigner’s professional qualification or that he meet the requirements needed to perform the professional activity in Spain, such as the appropriate licences to perform the activity or the registration to the Spanish Social Security system, your NIE.
o Any other documentation the Spanish Administration requires from time to time.

Types of work permits

• Where the foreigner is an employee:
o Type A work permit: for seasonal or time limited work. This may entail a specific contract or a specific geographic area. The maximum duration is 9 months, including renewal.
o Type b initial work permit: It enables the foreigner to work in a specific profession, activity and geographic area for a maximum period of 1 year.
o Type B renewed work permit: This is issued to those b initial holders once it has expired. It entitles him to carry on various professions or activities within a maximum period of 2 years.
o Type C work permit, this is issued to the B renewed work permit holders once it has expired. This entitles the foreign worker to perform any professional activity throughout the Spanish Territory.

• Where the foreigner is self-employed
o Type D initial work permit: To carry on a specific activity for a maximum of 1 year. Spanish authorities could limit this to a specific geographic area.
o Type D renewed work permit: This is issued to those d initial holders once it has expired. It entitles him to perform various professional activities for a maximum period of 2 years. Spanish labor authorities could limit this to a specific geographic area and/or a specific activity.
o Type E work permit: This is issued to those holding the D renewed work permit once it has expired. This entitles the foreign worker to perform any professional activity throughout the Spanish Territory for a maximum period of 3 years.

• Where the foreigner is an employee or is self-employed
o Type F work permit: To perform professional activities in the Spanish borders, provided their daily return to the foreign borders where they normally reside. This is issued for a maximum period of 5 years, after that it may be renewed.
o Permanent work permit: It enables the foreign worker to perform any professional activity where he has the qualification required. The type C or E work permits’ holders may obtain this work permit once theirs had expired. It is mandatory to renew this work permit every 5 years.
o Extraordinary work permit: this is issued to the non-EU foreign citizens who had helped to the Spanish economic and cultural progress. It enables the foreign worker to perform any professional activity throughout the Spanish territory where he has the qualification required. This must be renewed every 5 years.

You might have to hire a skilled lawyer to handle your application, as they know the ins and outs of the paperwork.

The Residence Permit

Community Cards
European Union citizens can freely enter, exit, travel and remain in Spain, and are not obliged to get the residence card (the European Community registration card), in order to live or stay for longer than 3 months in Spain. The residence card is no longer a formal requirement for EU citizens to establish their residence in Spain, although they can apply to get one if they wish to obtain it (in this case, the government employee must inform the EU citizen about the non obligation to get the card).

Temporary residence cards are issued for periods between 3 months and 1 year, the permanent residence card is issued for 5 years, which is automatically renewable.
You must apply for your residence card in person at the foreigners’ office (Oficina de Extranjeros) or the national police station (Comisaría de Policía Nacional) with Foreigners’ department from the city where you are going to live.

You will be required to present the following documentation:
• Your passport valid for at least six months.
• Three photographs of the correct size.
• Medical certificate, when required.
• Proof of family relationship, when applying for reuniting family members.
• Proof of your financial support while you are in Spain, your pension, or copy of your work contract if you are going to be employed in Spain, or documented proof that you meet the necessary requirements to work on your own account, when you are going to be self-employed in Spain.

You should carry your residence card with you at all times as it constitutes a mandatory identity card for foreign residents in Spain.

The Residence permit for non-EU foreigners

Non-EU foreigners need a residence permit to live in Spanish territory. To enter the Spanish territory the foreigner would be required to show his valid passport and the corresponding visa. In order to remain in Spain after a period of time exceeding 90 days, it is necessary to obtain either an extension or a residence permit.

There are different types of residence permits:
• Temporary residence permit: This allows you to remain in Spain for a period of time between 90 days and 5 years, your residence permit may be renewed after that limit.
• Permanent residency permit: This is available to all foreigners who have held a normal residence permit for a continuous period of 5 years. It should be renewed every 5 years.
• Residency permit for special circumstances such as for non-EU foreigners “”moved considered”"; for non EU-foreigners whose asylum application had been rejected and whom the Spanish Ministry of Interior has authorised them to remain in Spain…
• Residency permit for reuniting families: This permit entitles the non-EU foreigner residing in Spain to apply for Spanish residence of his closest family. The applicant shall have been legally residing in Spain for at least 1 year and must have authorization for another year residing in Spain.

The residency permit application needs to be made in person to the Foreigners’ Office (Oficina de Extranjeros) or at the National Police Station with a foreigners’ department nearest to the city or town where you are going to live, you will be required to present some documentation depending on the type of residence permit applied.

You must present the following documentation:
• Valid passport.
• Residence visa in force.
• Proof of previous legal residence of the foreigner in Spain e.g. a long-term rental contract or receipts for rent;
• Certificate of criminal record issued by the authorities of the foreigner’s home country.
• Some passport-size photographs.
• Medical certificate (certificado medico), in the cases that the applicant had not presented it when obtained his visa residence.
• Proof of financial income to support you during the period of residence in Spain, such as pensions, work salaries…
• Proof that your health assistance is guaranteed during your residence in Spain.
• Marriage or divorce certificate or other papers relating to your marital status, plus a Spanish translation will be required when applying for reuniting your family.

Renewals of residency permits are available, provided that neither the personal or the economic situation of the non-EU foreigner have changed. The renewal needs to be made at least a month before the residence permit has expired, otherwise the foreigner could be fined.

Residence permits are issued by the Spanish Ministry of the Interior (Ministerio del Interior). You should carry your residence card with you at all times as it constitutes a mandatory identity card for foreign residents in Spain, it shows your fiscal registration number (NIE).

Visas

Foreigners from the EU do not need a visa to enter Spain, but just a passport or an official ID.

Non-EU foreigners, on the other hand, do need a visa to enter Spain, except if there is an agreement between Spain and the foreign country, by means of which the requirement of a visa is eliminated for citizens or residents of such countries when they will be staying in Spain for up to 3 months within a 6 month period, or for a transit stay of maximum 5 days.

You may apply for a visa to the Spanish Consulate located in your home country before you leave, visas are handled by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its consulates abroad.

There are different types of visas, which are issued depending on your purpose for entering Spain: studying, working, holiday, investment …. You should apply for your visa according to your needs, you cannot enter Spain on a tourist visa and then apply to stay as something else without returning to your home country and obtaining the appropriate visa first.

You should be required to produce some specific documentation, depending on the type of visa you need. The visa process will take some weeks and varies from case to case.

Genrally spoken, there are four types of visas:

• Transit visa:
Consists of two types:
o One for individuals or groups of foreigners passing through Spanish ports or airports without entering Spanish territory.
o One that allows foreigners to pass through Spanish territory with a maximum of 5 days.

• Temporary stay visa:
Consists of two types:
o Short-duration visa: issued for foreigners who wish to stay in Spain for up to 3 months within a 6-month time period. There are different categories, such as:
• Group visas for short stays (no longer than 30 days).
• Visas to study in Spain.
o Multiple-stay visas: issued for multiple stays adding up to 90 days within six months during one year

• Residence visa
It should not be confused with the Residence permit, which is also necessary in most of the cases. This is initially granted for 1 year, and it may be renewed for an additional 2-years period, once it has expired, you may apply for permanent residency visa, which must be renewed every five years.

There are specific categories:
o For reuniting a family: It could be given to the spouse provided that his matrimony is valid; to the descendants of the principal, provided that they are not married and are under 18 years of age.
o For working in Spain for at least one year without having criminal records when the foreigner needs a work permit or when the foreigner is a professional who does not need a work permit such as university professors, when professionals are hired by a Spanish university, or scientists, when they are hired by Spanish Government.
o For asylum, this is issued for foreigners with refugee status.

• Courtesy visa:
Visas for Diplomatic personnel or similar

Working in France

Posted on by

As with most information regarding the bureaucracy in France, this information can only be used as a guide for obtaining a work permit.

Always double check!

Overview
In general , EU citizens, nationals of the countries which signed the European Economic Area agreement and Swiss nationals may work freely in France.

If you are a foreign national, you can not be employed in France without first having obtained a residence permit.

For foreign nationals with a permanent professional activity, the work permit and the residence permit appear in one single document: resident card or temporary residence permit.

The decisions for work permits and to issue residence permits are taken by the Chief of Police.

Work permit
In reality, the Director of the Labour, Employment and Vocational Training office of the département who issues the work permits upon delegation from the Chief of police. Public authorities’ decisions are chiefly based on the employment situation in the requested profession and the geographical area in question.
They can also take into account the pay conditions proposed and how you will be housed.

Residence permit
Different residence permits, authorising foreign nationals to work in France, are issued by the Chief of police:

- The temporary residence permit (carte de séjour temporaire)
Valid for a maximum of one year, it states, according to the circumstances,
“salarié” (employee),
“travailleur temporaire” (temporary worker) for employment contracts for a period of less than one year,
“travailleur saisonnier” (seasonal worker) or “travailleur en mission” (worker on assignment).

For freelance professions, the permit states the profession in which you wish to work.

- The resident card (carte de résident)
Valid for ten years, it authorises the holder to work. It can be issued to those who have already resided in France with a residence permit for more than five years without interruption, under certain conditions provided for by the law or as of right in certain situations: French spouse, parent of a French child, etc.

Note:
The Act dated 24 July 2006 created a residence permit stating: “compétence et talent” (expertise and talent).

To prepare your application correctly, contact a specialised association or duty office which will help you to collect all the essential documents and will make the formalities easier for you.

Documents required to stay (and work) in France

Entry and residence of EU, EEA & Swiss Nationals
EU, EEA & Swiss citizens intending to live in France should have a valid passport (only nationals from Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands can seek employment upon production of their national Identity Card). However, please note that British citizens native of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are not regarded as EU citizens.

According to EU law, EU nationals have up to 3 months to apply for a “”Carte de séjour de ressortissant de l’Union Européenne”" (EU resident permit) at the “”Préfecture”" or “”Commissariat de Police”" (Police Station) of your place of residence. The “”Carte de séjour”" will be granted upon production of:

- A valid passport, a birth certificate or a marriage certificate, and proof of accommodation. Proof that you pay contributions to the French Social Security scheme, 3 passport photographs. A contract of employment or the necessary authorisations from the Chamber of Commerce in case of self-employment. Or if you are retired a proof that you receive a state pension (from France or your home country) If you are student you need proof that you have registered with a French University.

- Or if you are married to a French National, a copy of your marriage certificate

If you are staying for a limited duration, a resident permit will be issued for this period of time, after which your situation will be re-examined.

If you are planning to stay on a permanent basis, a resident permit will be issued for 5 years. After these 5 years, your permit can be renewed for 10 more years if you are still employed on permanent basis.

Please note that the right of residence – granted with the resident permit – can be extended to the permit holder’s spouse; dependant descendants under 21, dependants ascendants and spouse’s ascendants.

Entry and Residence of non EU Nationals
Non EU Nationals are not allowed to take up employment in France, even temporary, paid or unpaid, unless they have obtained an “”Autorisation de Travail”" (work permit) before arriving in France. The prospective employer should apply for this permit to the:

Office des Migrations Internationales
14, rue Brague 75015 Paris
Tel: 0033 1 53 69 53 70

Norway work permit requirements

Posted on by

EEA nationals are allowed to stay in Norway for a period of three months (90 days) on the proviso that they are financially self-sufficient (EEA nationals who are registered at their local job centre in Norway as actively seeking employment, can stay in Norway for up to 6 months without a residence permit, provided they are financially self-sufficient).

Citizens from the old EU countries, as well as citizens from Liechtenstein and Iceland can work during this period. Citizens from the new EU countries must apply for and obtain a residence permit before they can start working.

EEA nationals who wish to stay longer than 90 days, need a residence permit. Applications should be lodged at your local Police Station in Norway.

In order to apply, the following documentation must be submitted:

  • Application form
  • Valid passport
  • Two new photographs
  • Offer of Employment  / Employment contract / Other means of subsistence

The residence permit will state that it has been granted in accordance with the EEA provisions and thus gives rights and obligations which differ from residence permits granted under the general provisions.

European work permit – rule of thumb

Posted on by

When it comes to work permits in the European Union there is a rule of thumb. The European Commission, i.e. the unelected rulers who decree new laws to member countries, have created one approach most member countries have implemented.

So, wherever you want to work in the European Union the following general rules apply:

EU/EEA and Swiss citizens

Work permits are not required for EU/EAA (EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) or Swiss citizens and members of their families. In most countries you will need to get some local red tape sorted (residence permit, etc.), but this is just to keep the locals busy shifting paper. If you are a European passport holder, no one can deny your right to work in a European Union country.

The local red tape generally need to be applied for within 90 days after arrival in the country.

Non-EU/EEA citizens

Non-EU/EEA have the right to work in EU member states only after a local work permit is issued. The permit must be requested by the employer and not by the employee.

Work permits are issued
- to foreigners who possess specific skills or specialised knowledge that can not be found on the national and European labour market,
- to those wishing to be self-employed or
- if they have been commissioned by a foreign employer to provide services.

The employer must prove that no one in the European Union can fulfill the role.

The work permit is issued for a fixed period of time, usually one year, for a specific job and employer. The permit may be renewed for a further three years for executive personnel and managerial positions. Once the work permit is issued a visa, valid for the same length of time can be obtained via the embassy in the country of origin of the employee.

If you have a work permit and want to change jobs, you will have to go through the whole process again as the work permit is only given for one company. If you leave the employer your work permit becomes invalid.