France is currently facing shortages in various occupations across industries such as construction, healthcare, IT, engineering, agriculture, and manufacturing, according to a report by the European Labour Authority (EURES).

France
France

This shortage is prevalent across 38 occupations, despite the country’s job vacancy rate being at 2.4% in 2023.

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The report identifies several occupations as the most sought-after jobs in France, including roles in accounting, agriculture, IT, construction, and healthcare.

This suggests that individuals with skills in these specific professions from foreign countries may find increased opportunities for employment in France. The country’s economy heavily depends on immigrant workers, and addressing these shortages is crucial for sustaining various sectors.

These are the most sought-after jobs in France right now 2024;

  • Accounting and bookkeeping clerks
  • Agricultural and industrial machinery mechanics and repairers
  • Applications programmers
  • Bricklayers and related workers
  • Building frame and related trade workers not elsewhere classified
  • Business services and administration managers not elsewhere classified
  • Cabinet makers and related workers
  • Cartographers and surveyors
  • Civil engineering technicians
  • Concrete placers, concrete finishers, and related workers
  • Cooks
  • Domestic cleaners and helpers
  • Earthmoving and related plant operators
  • Electrical engineering technicians
  • Electronic mechanics and servicers
  • Financial and insurance brand managers
  • Forestry and related workers
  • Healthcare assistants
  • Human resource managers
  • Information and communication technology operations technicians
  • Manufacturing managers
  • Mechanical engineering technicians
  • Metal processing plant operators
  • Mobile farm and forestry plant operators
  • Nursing associate professionals
  • Pharmaceutical technicians and assistants
  • Physiotherapists
  • Power production and plant operators
  • Printers
  • Real estate agents and property managers
  • Sewing machine operators
  • Developers and analysts not elsewhere classified
  • Plant machine operators not elsewhere classified
  • Structural metal preparers and erectors
  • Tailors, dressmakers, furriers and hatters
  • Telecommunications engineers
  • Vocational education teachers
  • Welders and flame cutters

How to Apply

International applicants from countries outside the European Union, European Economic Area, and Switzerland are encouraged to seek employment in in-demand occupations and secure a job offer from a French employer before initiating the work visa application process.

As of April 6, 2021, the application process for work permits to hire foreign employees must be completed online through a dedicated portal. The following steps outline the application procedure:

Step 1:

If employment levels need to be verified before hiring the prospective employee (refer to details below), the employer must publish the job offer for three weeks on a public employment agency platform (Pôle Emploi or Apec) before applying for the work permit.

Step 2:

Submit the work permit application online via the dedicated portal.

Step 3:

Receive confirmation via email that the application has been successfully submitted.

Step 4:

Upon issuance of the work permit, both the employer and the foreign employee will receive it via email.

Step 5:

The prospective employee must attach the work permit to their visa and/or residence permit application.

Analysis of the Work Permit Application:

The Ministry of the Interior, responsible for overseeing foreign workers, outlines a comprehensive process for reviewing work permit applications. The assessment involves examining several key aspects:

Employment Levels:

    • Evaluation of the demand for the specific profession in the relevant region. 

Skills and Qualifications:

      • Alignment of the foreign national’s skills, experience, and qualifications with the job requirements. 

Legislative Compliance:

        • Verification of the employer’s adherence to employment and social protection legislation. 

Regulatory Compliance:

          • Ensuring the foreign employee’s compliance with regulatory conditions specific to the intended position. 

Comparability of Terms:

            • Examination of the terms of employment and remuneration to ensure comparability with others in similar roles within the company or occupational sector. 

Salary Requirements:

              • Requirement for a proposed salary meeting or exceeding the statutory national minimum wage (SMIC), set at €21,203.00 as of January 1, 2024. 

Accommodation Arrangements:

                • Confirmation that the employer provides accommodation arrangements for foreign nationals in France.

Once the applicant applies to the dedicated online platform, they receive a confirmation. Upon validation, the applicant obtains an electronic work permit. This electronic permit is essential for initiating the visa application process at the consulate and/or the residence permit application at the Prefecture.

It is crucial to stay updated on any changes in the application process, as requirements may evolve. Applicants are encouraged to refer to official sources for the most current information.

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