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Salarié — Young Employee Visa
FranceFrance•Europe
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Salarié — Young Employee Visa

Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

1 month

Estimated Cost

EUR €99

Stay Duration

Varies (Can be extended for employment purposes)

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

No dependents

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information
France flag

Living in France

Cost of Living
4% cheaper than United States
Avg Salary€31,000
Quality of Life
173/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

Visa for young foreign graduates (18-35) from designated countries starting employment in France. Simplified process for young professionals.

The Jeune Professionnel is a French long-stay work visa for nationals aged 18-35 from bilateral partner countries. It lets recent graduates take a fixed-term French employment contract (3-12 months) in their field, bypassing the standard labor market test.

Stay matches the contract duration, renewable once for up to 6 months, with a maximum of 18-24 months under the applicable bilateral agreement. Spouses are authorized to work, though dependents must obtain their own visa. No permanent residence pathway exists.

This visa is ideal for young professionals aged 18-35 from partner countries who have a French employer and want structured international work experience without a standard work permit.

France

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Eligible Nationalities (20)

AlgeriaAlgeriaArgentinaArgentinaBeninBeninCanadaCanadaCape VerdeCape VerdeCongo - BrazzavilleCongo - BrazzavilleUnited StatesUnited StatesGabonGabonGeorgiaGeorgiaMoroccoMoroccoMauritiusMauritiusMontenegroMontenegroNew ZealandNew ZealandRussiaRussiaSenegalSenegalSerbiaSerbiaTunisiaTunisiaIndiaIndiaEcuadorEcuadorBosnia & HerzegovinaBosnia & Herzegovina

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

VLS-TS — Salaried Employment Visa
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VLS-TS — Salaried Employment Visa

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Processing6-10 weeks
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L. 421-3 — Temporary Worker Residence Permit (Carte de séjour travailleur temporaire)
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L. 421-3 — Temporary Worker Residence Permit (Carte de séjour travailleur temporaire)

ValidityUp to 1 year
Processing1-3 months
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Talent Passport
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Talent Passport

Validity4 years
Processing2 weeks – 2 months
View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a national of a country that has signed a bilateral 'Young Professional' agreement with France (e.g., Canada, Argentina, Senegal, etc.).

Age between 18 and 35 (age limits may vary by specific country agreement).

Must have a fixed-term employment contract (CDD) in France for 3 to 12 months (renewable once for up to 6 months).

The position must be related to the applicant's diploma or professional experience.

The employer must pay a salary equivalent to a French employee in the same role and pay the OFII tax (approx. €72).

Must intend to deepen professional, linguistic, or cultural knowledge.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

vocational or higher

Min. Income

22,404 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Proof of age

Degree certificate

CV and motivation letter

Employment letter

Financial proof

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Simplified work authorization process compared to standard work visas.
  • Excellent for gaining international professional experience and improving French language skills.
  • Allows legal residence and work for up to 18-24 months depending on the bilateral agreement.

Worth Knowing

  • The visa is tied to a specific employer; you cannot change jobs easily.
  • It is a temporary program; it is not intended as a permanent immigration pathway.
  • Availability is subject to bilateral quotas and specific country agreements.

Application Process

1

Check qualification

Verify age and country requirements

2

Gather documents

Prepare passport, diploma, CV, employment or internship proof

3

Apply for visa

Submit application at French consulate

4

Provide employment

Letter from employer or internship offer

5

Pay fee

EUR 99 visa fee

6

Await decision

2-4 weeks

7

Validate visa

Online validation within 3 months

Application Forms

Go to application portal
Young Employee Visa Application—

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