Updated on: October 24, 2024 | By: @rprasanth_kumar
This article is about the French Salary visa application experience at VFS Global Mumbai shared by Mr. Sunny S Shah. The article has been published with his permission, along with a few important additional information. If you would like to contribute with articles about your personal experiences, feel free to write to me via Contact.
Who can apply for a Salary Visa?
People who have found a salaried job in France, have to apply for a Salary visa. So, here is a general overview about the French Salary visa. Depending on your job contract, you will receive one of the following type of long-stay visas valid upto one year..
- VLS-TS visa with the comment “salarié” (employee) for a CDI job contract (permanent).
- VLS-TS visa with the comment “travailleur temporaire” for a CDD job contract (fixed-term).
The Salary visa process is done in 2 steps.
- Step 1: Work Permit application by the employer in France. This process can take upto 2 months.
- Step 2: Visa application by the employee at a VFS Center in their country. This process usually takes 2 to 4 weeks.
Application Summary
Sharing his experience of application for the “Salary Visa”. Sunny was working in India (Mumbai), with a France-based company. They offered him a local French contract, enabling him to work out of the Paris office as a French employee. It was not a secondment. So, he resigned as an Indian employee and they have hired him as a French employee.
- Work Permit Application: The work permit application was submitted by the employer directly on ANEF website after publishing the job offer in the company portal and on French national sites like France Travail (ex-Pole emploi) for 3 weeks. You can find a detailed explanation about the Work Permit here French Work Permit – Everything To Know
- Type of visa applied: Long-stay Salary visa
- Duration of your stay: More than a year
- Why are you making this trip?: Business
- Visa main purpose of stay: Recruitment or posting workers
- Visa application center: VFS Global Mumbai, Bandra BKC
- Visa application date: 05/07/2024
- Visa received date: 09/07/2024
He was issued a P1 VLS-TS visa with the comments “salarié” and “valider en ligne“. If you have any questions, you can contact the French Embassy and consulates in India in the following article Contact Details Of French Embassy And Consulates In India
Documents submitted to VFS
He had applied for the Salary Visa in Mumbai. So, here are the various documents submitted during the VFS appointment.
- Copy of Online application done via france-visas.gouv.fr
- Copy of Passport
- Copy of Job Offer Letter
- Copy of Work Permit “Autorisation de travail’’ document
- Copy of Indian Bank Statements from the last 3 months
- Copy of Pay slip from the last 3 months
- Copy of Indian Income Tax Returns
- Travel Insurance for 3 months.
- URSSAF letter (Attestation de fourniture des déclarations sociales et paiement des cotisations et contributions sociales). It was not showing in on the France visagovernment website that I need it. But I still kept it for safety. Optional
- KBIS (Extrait D’immatriculation Principale Au Registre Du Commerce Et Des Societes). Optional
- CERFA FORM (éléments du contract de travail). It was not showing in on the France government website that I needed it. But I still kept it for safety. Optional.
- It is mentioned in the Visa application form “Copies of diplomas, proof of qualifications and certificates of employment”. So, he submitted his B.com and M.com marksheets and transcripts. Optional.
- He also submitted a certificate of employment from the company. A generic cover letter/ certificate confirming that he is an employee of XYZ in France. Optional.
Note:
- All originals have to be presented during the appointment. VFS retains only the photocopies.
- Apostilled documents are only required after reaching France. Please refer to Pre-Departure Checklist for your trip to France and Checklist: Basic things to do after arriving in France.
Salary Visa Cover Letter
To:
The Visa Officer,
Consulate General of France, Mumbai, India.
Subject: Application for Long-Term Business/ Salary Visa
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to apply for a long-term business/salary visa. My name is Sunny Sanjay Shah, an Indian citizen holding passport number XXXXXX. I am currently employed as a Customer Success Manager at XYZ headquartered in Paris, France, with additional offices in the USA and India. Effective September 2nd, 2024, I will commence a new permanent position (CDI Contract) with France at their Paris headquarters located at 75003, Paris, France. My role will be Customer Success Manager for the EMEA region.
Attached Documents:
(same as the above list)
Additionally, I confirm that XYZ France will host me, covering all my expenses including salary, accommodation, travel, meals, and medical expenses. I kindly request the issuance of the necessary Salary visa to facilitate my upcoming travel to France. Thank you for considering my application. I am at your disposal if you need any further details.
Thanking you in advance, Madame/ Monsieur, for a favorable reply to my application.
Sincerely,
Sunny S Shah
Process after reaching France
After reaching France the various OFII procedures have to be completed. Sunny has validated his visa after arrival and he is waiting for further information from OFII. So, please refer to the detailed explanations in VFS: French Salary visa Application experience – Bengaluru.
Sources & References
- Frequently Asked Questions about French Visas – france-visas.gouv.fr
- Salaried employment in France – france-visas.gouv.fr
- Le contrat d’intégration républicaine (CIR) – ofii.fr
- List of OFII offices across France – ofii.fr
- Should I Validate My Long-Stay Visa Or Do I Have To Apply For A Residence Permit Directly? – prasanthragupathy.com
