You may be granted a seasonal worker permit if you have a seasonal work contract (in agriculture or otherwise) for a period of more than three months.
You cannot work in seasonal employment for more than six months within a consecutive 12-month period.
Seasonal workers may accumulate several successive contracts provided they undertake not to work for more than six months and maintain their habitual residence outside France.
The seasonal worker permit is issued for a period of three years and is renewable.
You will also need a long-stay visa. These conditions apply unless otherwise provided for by specific schemes set out bilateral agreements signed between France and a non-EU country which have entered into force.
For example, the amended Franco-Algerian Agreement of 1968 fully regulates the entry and residence of Algerian citizens in France.
Where and how to apply | Work permit The employer applies to the authority responsible for foreign labour. The labour market situation in France may be invoked as a reason for rejecting the request. Labour-force agreements have been signed with Morocco and Tunisia. These agreements provide for a simplified recruitment procedure through the OFII, provided there are no qualified workers available on French territory. Visa and residence permit If your work permit has been granted for a period of less than three months, you will need to obtain a visa, unless you are exempt because of your nationality (short-stay visa exemption programme for short-term residence within the Schengen Area). If the work permit is granted for three months or more, you will need to apply for a long-stay visa at the French Embassy or Consulate in your country of origin. Once your visa has been granted and you have arrived in France, you must apply for a temporary residence permit at the préfecture of your place of residence. The applicable fee is 19 EUR. |
| Duration of validity of permits | The residence permit is valid for three years and allows you to work in seasonal employment for a maximum of six months within a consecutive 12-month period. You must apply for a new work permit for each new contract. |
Appeals | Refusals of residence permits are subject to internal appeal before the prefect, hierarchical appeal before the Minister of the Interior or administrative appeal before the competent administrative court within two months from the date of notification. Further information on administrative and hierarchical appeals You can appeal the refusal of a visa before the Commission for Appeals Against French Entry Visa Refusals (Commission de recours contre les refus de visa d'entrée en France) within two months from the date of notification. If the Commission rejects the appeal, or if, despite the Commission's positive decision, the ministers confirm the refusal of a visa, you may, within two months, appeal before the Administrative Court of Nantes, which is the first instance for visa refusal litigation. A hierarchical appeal may also be brought before the Minister for Foreign Affairs. |
| Further information | More on the seasonal workers recruitment procedure |
Family reunification | A residence permit for seasonal work gives no entitlement to family reunification. |
| "EU long-term resident” residence permit | Seasonal workers may not apply for this residence permit. |
No information available at the moment.
- Ministry of the Interior
- Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs
- Ministry of Labour
- Pôle Emploi
- The "Préfectures"
- Ministry of Solidarities and Health
- Regional Health Agency
- Diplomatic missions abroad
- French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII)
- Conseil d'Etat
- Official website of the French Administration