Section 2: Professional activity

The possession of a temporary residence permit, a multi-annual residence permit or a resident’s permit by a foreigner residing in mainland France confers on him/her, subject to the exceptions provided for in article L. 414-11, the right to carry out a professional activity, in that same territory, within the framework of the legislation in force.

Article L. 414-10 does not apply when the foreign national holds one of the following residence permits: 1° The temporary residence permit bearing the wording “ICT trainee” provided for in article L. 421-30; 2° The temporary residence permit bearing the wording “ICT mobile trainee” provided for in article L. 421-31; 3° The temporary residence permit bearing the wording “private and family life” provided for in article L. 426-12, for the…

The issue of residence permits bearing the wording “employee”, “temporary worker” and “seasonal worker”, provided for in articles L. 421-1, L. 421-3 and L. 421-34 respectively, is subject to prior possession of the work permit provided for in articles L. 5221-2 et seq. of the Labour Code. This authorisation is issued under the conditions set out in the Labour Code.

When the issue of a residence permit is subject to prior possession of the work permit provided for in article L. 5221-2 of the Labour Code, the situation on the employment market may be invoked against the applicant except where the present code provides otherwise, and in particular where the foreign national’s application concerns an occupation and a geographical area characterised by recruitment difficulties.The list of these occupations and geographical…

An employer who has been ordered to leave French territory as a result of the withdrawal, pursuant to article L. 432-11, of his resident’s card may, within three years of this expulsion decision, be refused the right to carry on a professional activity in France. .

The exercise by foreigners of certain self-employed professional activities may be subject to authorisation by decree of the Conseil d’Etat.