Work to France as a Software Engineer

In France, the software development sector is valued at 17.6 billion euros. As a result, France has a sizable and expanding software development market. France is fifth in the world in terms of computer programmers. Therefore, if you want to immigrate to France as a software engineer, hurry up.

The software development sector is the world’s fastest expanding. It is predicted to expand by more than 15% every year. This means that more employees will be available, and wages will continue to climb as demand rises.

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Are Software Engineers in Demand in France?

Since new technologies emerge with each business quarter, competent professionals with high-level software development abilities are in high demand throughout France. Throughout the last decade, there has been a steady increase in the need for Software Engineers in numerous locations around France. These well-liked careers often provide flexible hours and several prospects for promotion.

What is a French Tech Visa?

The “French Tech Visa” initiative is part of the process of attracting foreign Tech talent and facilitating their arrival in France.

It is a “priority method” that will allow foreigners to receive their “Talents Passport” residency permit more quickly.

For qualifying international talents, the French Tech Visa defines a streamlined and quicker procedure for acquiring a residence visa and, initially, the Talent Passport.

What are the Categories for French Tech Visas?

The French Tech Visa is aimed at three types of talent. If you want to immigrate to France as a software engineer, you will only need to be concerned about one of them.

Founders of international startups looking to establish a firm in France, particularly those chosen through incubators. “If they engage in one of the incubators, they will profit from a faster and prioritized procedure,” says David Monteau, director of French Tech. The objective is to help incubators to attract additional foreign businesses”. These founders’ proposals must be economically innovative and acknowledged by a public entity (such as DIRECCTE).
Foreign talents (workers) interested in working for a rising French startup or scale-up. This person must have a master’s degree or above to be eligible. Students must sign a three-month open-ended or fixed-term job contract with a firm that has won the Pass French Tech program.
Investors migrating to France. These investors must stake 30,000 euros in physical or intangible fixed assets and invest directly through a firm in which they own at least 30% of the capital to be eligible. They must also hold at least 10% of the business that would profit from the investment. Furthermore, these investors must promise to generate or preserve jobs in the four years after the investment.

Thousands of individuals have already come forward since the device’s release. We hope that this is proof that this technology will be a success.

What are the Advantages of the French Tech Visa?

It simplifies the procedure for investors.
Your spouse and minor dependent children are automatically granted the visa. We understand the significance of the collective.
It is valid for four years and can be renewed.
Diplomas are not considered for certain categories.

French Tech Visa Conditions for Non-European Employees

Do you wish to work in a French tech startup as a future non-European employee? The French Tech Visa facilitates obtaining a work visa and immigrating to France as a software engineer; nonetheless, the following requirements must be met:

Hold a contract of fewer than three months with a qualified French firm for the plan.
Have a yearly gross income that is at least double the minimum wage.
Give a certificate from French Tech recognizing the company’s innovative character.
Talents who do not currently reside in France must apply for a “Talent Passport” no later than three months before coming to France. Upon arriving in France, a residence permit will be provided.
Talents residing in France can apply for a status change two months before their residence visa expires.

There are no requirements for the diploma, and the visa is valid for four years and renewable.

What French are companies Eligible to Use France Tech Visa for Employees?

Are you a startup wanting to hire overseas workers using the French Tech Visa? First, you must be registered in France (SIRET number). It is a 14-digit number for all companies in France.

You must also fulfill one of the following criteria:

Hold the “Young Innovative Business (JEI)” designation. For the time being, this is a collection of tax advantages and exemptions from social contributions that we provide to our young R&D shooters.
In the previous five years, you have received public financing for innovation.
You are backed by a French or international venture capitalist.
You have been incubated or accelerated in a support framework in France or elsewhere.
Be a part of the French Tech 120 promotion and the Pass French Tech.

Recognition for the French Company’s Innovative Nature

To be considered innovative, a firm must satisfy at least one of the following criteria:

Criteria 1: be or have been a recipient of public funding for innovation in the previous five years; a list of applicable support mechanisms may be found here.
- French Tech Grant
- French Tech “Emergence” Grant
- French Tech Seed
- Aide Au Développement Deeptech
- Crédit d’Impôt Recherche
- i-Lab
- i-Nov
Criteria 2: having its capital owned entirely or partially by an investment firm whose primary goal is to finance or invest in innovative businesses;
Criteria 3: be or have been supported by a support organization dedicated to innovative enterprises in the previous 5 years.

Any creative organization seeking to hire foreign talent may take advantage of this system by requesting a certificate recognizing its innovative character to hire people from countries outside the EU, the EEA, or Switzerland more readily.

This application is submitted electronically using the designated website: démarches-simplifiées.fr.

In addition to the other supporting documentation, this certificate, valid for three years, must be presented to foreign employees’ visa and residence permit applications.

What are the Eligibility Conditions for the French Tech Visa?

To immigrate to France as a software engineer, employees of a business recognized as innovative by the Ministry of Economy must demonstrate proof of the following to be qualified for the ‘Talent Passport Employee of an Innovative Company’:

At least twice the SMIC (Statutory National Minimum Wage), or €41,023 as of January 1, 2023.
A permanent or fixed-term job contract with a French employer for at least three months.

An active engagement in the R&D project and corporate development or any active relationship with the project’s economic, social, international, and environmental development.

The multi-year Talent Passport residential visa functions in the same way as a work permit.

The French Tech Visa Length of stay

On a renewable premise, the maximum length is four years. However, if the intended stay duration is less than a year, you can apply for a long-stay visa labeled Passeport Talent (‘Talent Passport’).

This is good for a period of up to 12 months. Foreign nationals who choose to stay in France beyond this period may apply for a four-year Talent Passport residence visa.

When Should You Begin the French Tech Visa Procedure?

The procedure should begin no later than three months before the intended date of arrival in France. If you are already in France, the procedure should begin three months before the expiration of the prior residence permit.

How To Immigrate to France as a Software Engineer?

Step 1. Your employer seeks a letter verifying the company’s innovative character. To demonstrate that one of the requirements has been satisfied, several supporting paperwork must be submitted with the application.

Step 2. You apply for a long-stay visa and/or a residence permit, bringing the certificate and other supporting papers with them. When you are already in France, the procedure is different.

If You Live Outside of France

Applicants outside of France should apply to the French consular authorities in their customary place of residence.

The “Talent Passport” long-stay visa application enables the foreign employee’s admission into French territories to be launched on the official France-visas website.

Once in France, the talented applicant must apply for the necessary Talent passport on the designated portal immediately upon arrival to complete the residence visa application.

Once the Prefecture validates the application through the platform, the talented applicant will receive a certificate of approval, which will equal a residence permit until the talent travels to the Prefecture appointment to obtain the definitive residence permit.

Between your application and the delivery of the residence permit, the talented applicant can use their online account to monitor their application status, respond to requests to complete their file, and review the choices taken.

If You already Live in France

Applicants already in France on a different residence visa must apply for a status change on the specialized website. In addition, they will be required to demonstrate their qualification for the desired residence permit.

What are the Required Documents for the French Tech Visa?

To immigrate to France as a software engineer and complete an application for a long-stay visa, you need the following documents:

Long-stay visa application form, which is dated and signed
Receipt of France-Visas;
A passport issued during the previous ten years that is valid for at least three months beyond the visa expiry date;
Three recent basic passport photographs;
CERFA n°15614*04 form, outlining parts of the employment contract;
A three-month work contract with an innovative new business that pays at least twice the SMIC (statutory national minimum wage), or €41,022.72 as of January 1, 2023;
An issued certificate recognizing the employer as an innovative new enterprise from the French Ministry of Economy.
Temporary job abroad social security certificate or sworn declaration of application for registration in the French social security system;
A letter outlining the responsibilities to be done and the objective of the assignment to be completed;
If the employer is a legal body, an up-to-date extract of the commercial register, or an extrait K or craft license if the employer is an individual;
Certification of payment of social security contributions and, where applicable, payments into the paid leave scheme by the employer employing the foreign employee.
Documents demonstrating the employee’s abilities and experience relevant to the position in issue;
A letter authorizing a legal body or an individual formed in France to complete the necessary administrative procedures in the applicant’s name and on their behalf, if appropriate.

To immigrate to France as a software engineer and complete an application for a residence permit, you need the following documents:

All passport pages or other relevant documents, at least one of which bears a photograph allowing the applicant’s identification to be identified;
Long-term visa with the labeled as “Talent passport,” VLS-TS, or a valid residence permit;
Verification of address during the past six months:
bills (electricity, gas, water, internet), less than six-month-old rental agreement, rent receipt (if renter), or housing tax;
In the event of hotel accommodations, a certificate from the hotel and an invoice for the previous month are required.
In the event of private housing, a dated and signed certificate from the host and a copy of their national identity card or residency permission are required.
Three recent regular passport photographs;
If you are married and come from a nation where polygamy is legal: In France, you must make a declaration in your honor that you are not polygamous.
Evidence of payment of the residence permit tax and the stamp fee due at the time the permit is issued;
Employer certificate outlining the components of the work contract, which may be found on the website dedicated to applying for a residence visa;
A three-month work contract with an innovative new business that pays at least twice the SMIC (statutory national minimum wage), or €41,022.72 as of January 1, 2023;
The French Ministry of Economy has issued a certificate recognizing the employer as an innovative new business.
Temporary job abroad social security certificate or sworn statement of application for registration in the French social security system;
A letter outlining the responsibilities to be done and the objective of the assignment to be completed;
If the employer is a legal body, an up-to-date extract of the commercial register (extrait K-bis), or an extrait K or craft license if the employer is an individual;
Certification of payment of social security contributions and, where applicable, payments into the paid leave plan by the employer employing the foreign employee.
Documents demonstrating the employee’s abilities and experience relevant to the position in issue;
A letter designating a legal body or an individual established in France to fulfill the necessary administrative procedures in the applicant’s name and on their behalf, if appropriate.

This list is presented solely for informative reasons. Contact the consular, diplomatic, or prefectoral body handling your application to acquire a list of needed papers specific to your circumstances and the purpose of your stay in France.

Whenever relevant, supporting papers must be supported by a French translation by a sworn translator certified to produce translations for French courts of appeal. Please click here to view a list of sworn translators, if appropriate.

How Much is the Cost of the Residence Permit?

After the permit is approved, you must pay a fee of €200 to the French Immigration and Citizenship Office. A stamp fee of €25 is also payable on residency permits in addition to this tax. In addition to the €225 administrative fee, the long-stay visa that allows admission into France costs €99.

Extending Your French Tech Visa

Renewal applications must be filed on the dedicated website two months before the residence permit expires. In addition, you must provide documentation demonstrating that you continue to meet the conditions for the issuance of their permit and a certificate of activity from your employer or a certificate of professional activity for the previous 12 months, which you must upload to the website mesdroitssociaux.gouv.fr. €225 for administrative costs is required.

French Tech Visa: Change of Status

In the event of a change in your professional situation, a change of status may be considered at the Prefecture of your place of residence three months before the expiry date of the residence permit in the case of a Talent Passport application on the dedicated platform, or two months for other types of residence permit. However, it will be essential to fulfill the eligibility conditions of the newly obtained residence permit.

French Tech Visa: Residence Card

You may apply for the resident card after 5 years of legal and uninterrupted residency in France, entitling you to stay on French land and participate in any professional activity (provided you have the necessary diplomas if working in a regulated profession). Residency cards are valid for ten years and are renewed.

Can Your Family Come With You?

Your spouse and dependent children enjoy accompanying family status. However, your spouse must apply and will be granted a ‘Talent Passport – Family’ residence permit. This visa allows the family to stay and work in France as long as the foreign employee’s residence permit is valid.

Administrative fees: €225 for the spouse’s residence permit and €99 for each visa provided to accompanying family members.

Is a Visa Enough for a Successful Settlement in France?

No. To immigrate to France as a software engineer successfully, you need to consider more items, such as:

Permanent housing. It is not always simple for a foreign employee to produce joint and many assurances to get rental housing.
Social security. It needs approximately half a day for everyone to set up and complete the requirements for registration with the CPAM. The goal is to get a social security number, which is required for healthcare in France!
The treating doctor. Locating a doctor ready to take on a new patient might be difficult. It might be difficult at times to find a doctor who speaks English.
The driver’s license. It needs reciprocal agreement, an online procedure, and an extremely long processing time.
Bank accounts in France. The establishment of a bank account is planned even before you arrive, as it is required to rent an apartment or do certain administrative actions. Debit card, credit card, cash payment, delayed payment, foreign transfers. You must consider cultural differences while also locating an English-speaking bank contact. In the long term, this will be a much superior alternative!

Industries in Need of Software Engineers in France

Finance
Pharmaceutical
Information Technology
Creative Marketing

Top Companies Hiring Software Engineers in France

Criteo
Veeva Systems
Shippeo
CircleCI France
Scality
AXA Group

How Much is the Salary of Software Engineers in France?

In Paris, France, the average annual income for a Software Engineer starts from €50,000. The average additional money for Software Engineers in France is €3,000, with a range of €540 – €10,000.

Let’s sum up the Argument of “Immigration to France as a Software Engineer”

If you are a software engineer fond of relocating to France, you have numerous possibilities. Here are a few alternatives: French skilled worker visa, student visa, entrepreneur visa, and the most important one, French Tech visa. However, it’s crucial to remember that the visa application procedure can be complicated and time-consuming, and criteria may differ based on your unique situation. To ensure you have all of the essential information and documents to support your visa application, get counsel from a qualified immigration lawyer or the French embassy in your country.