Turkish applicants · French Republic
Long-Stay Visa — Salaried Worker (VLS-TS Salarié) for Turkish citizens
Standard work visa for non-EU nationals with a French employment contract who do not meet Talent Passport criteria — requires a full labour-market test.
This page covers the Long-Stay Visa — Salaried Worker (VLS-TS Salarié) specifically for Turkish applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to Türkiye. The general eligibility criteria apply to everyone.
- Processing time
- 4–12 weeks (labour-market test adds time).
- Government fees
- Visa fee €99; employer tax ~55% of monthly salary (OFII); residence permit tax €225.
- Typical duration
- 1 year; renewable.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Bilateral context
No nationality-specific treaty frameworks apply to this combination.
Consular processing: a French Republic consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence
Tourist entry vs. this route
Tourist-entry rules for Turkish nationals are set by DGEF and change periodically — check the official entry-requirements page. The Long-Stay Visa — Salaried Worker (VLS-TS Salarié) is a separate application from any tourist entry.
Key figures for Turkish applicants
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
Time to permanent residence
Talent Passport -> 10-year resident card around year 5 -> naturalisation from around 5 years where integration and language criteria are met.
Leads to Carte de resident / EU long-term resident, then French citizenship by naturalisation.
Visa overview
The standard salaried-worker VLS-TS is for foreign nationals who do not meet the Talent Passport salary or qualification thresholds. The employer must obtain a work authorisation (autorisation de travail) from the DREETS, which involves a labour-market test demonstrating that no suitable local candidate is available. The visa is typically issued for 1 year, renewable as a carte de séjour "salarié".
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Employment contract with a French employer.DGEF / Ministère de l'Intérieur (Service-Public.fr) ↗
- ✓Employer obtains autorisation de travail from DREETS (includes labour-market test).DGEF / Ministère de l'Intérieur (Service-Public.fr) ↗
- ✓Role must be on the list of métiers en tension (shortage occupations) OR employer proves no local candidates available.Légifrance (French statute portal) ↗
Common blockers
- !Employer fails the labour-market test — DREETS finds suitable local candidates.DGEF / Ministère de l'Intérieur (Service-Public.fr) ↗
- !Role is not on the shortage list and employer cannot justify the hire.Légifrance (French statute portal) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Employment contract.DGEF / Ministère de l'Intérieur (Service-Public.fr) ↗
- ·Work authorisation from DREETS.DGEF / Ministère de l'Intérieur (Service-Public.fr) ↗
- ·Passport and personal documents.DGEF / Ministère de l'Intérieur (Service-Public.fr) ↗
Application pathway
Employer obtains work authorisation
The employer applies to DREETS for authorisation de travail, which includes a labour-market test unless the role is on the shortage list.
Apply for VLS-TS at consulate
Apply for a long-stay visa annotated "Salarié".
Validate visa and begin work
Validate via ANEF within 3 months. Renew annually at the préfecture.
Not sure French Republic is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer work sponsored routes that Turkish nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are Turkish citizens eligible for the Long-Stay Visa — Salaried Worker (VLS-TS Salarié)?+
Eligibility for the Long-Stay Visa — Salaried Worker (VLS-TS Salarié) is set by DGEF and is not nationality-restricted. See the criteria below for the published requirements.
Where do Turkish applicants typically file the Long-Stay Visa — Salaried Worker (VLS-TS Salarié)?+
a French Republic consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by DGEF — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do Turkish applicants need a tourist visa for French Republic as well?+
Tourist-entry rules for Turkish nationals are set by DGEF and change periodically — check the official entry-requirements page. The Long-Stay Visa — Salaried Worker (VLS-TS Salarié) is a separate application from any tourist entry.
How long until permanent residence in French Republic?+
Talent Passport -> 10-year resident card around year 5 -> naturalisation from around 5 years where integration and language criteria are met. The route leads to Carte de resident / EU long-term resident, then French citizenship by naturalisation. See Service-Public.fr - French nationality for the qualifying-residence rules.
What is the difference between VLS-TS Salarié and Talent Passport?+
The VLS-TS Salarié requires a full labour-market test, is issued for 1 year (not 4), and does not give your spouse automatic work rights. The Talent Passport skips the labour-market test entirely, lasts up to 4 years, and gives your spouse full work rights. If you meet the current Talent Passport salary and qualification criteria, always compare that route before using the standard salarié permit.
What are the métiers en tension (shortage occupations)?+
France publishes a list of métiers en tension (shortage occupations) by region. If your role is on this list, the labour-market test is simplified — the employer does not need to prove that no suitable local candidate exists. The list includes occupations in healthcare, IT, construction, hospitality, and manufacturing, though it varies by region. Verify the current list on travail-emploi.gouv.fr.