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In brief
Section actions
Duration: Application authorization + change — 3 to 9 months
Cost: New title taxes (depending on type, ~269 € for employees)
Possible online

Who this guide is for

Section actions
  • You if you are a student and have found a job in France (student → employee)
  • You if you are a visitor and want to work
  • You if your situation has changed (marriage, new job) and you want to change title category

To be prepared in advance

Section actions
  • Title in progress or receipt
  • Evidence of the new situation (contract for employees, marriage certificate, work permit)
  • Proof of domicile, proof of resources

Step-by-step procedure

Section actions
  1. 1Check that your current title allows a change in France. Most allow it, but some (student, some temporary) require to return to the country of origin for a new visa.
  2. 2Agree with the employer (for the employee): the employer files the application for work authorization in DDETS, and only after agreement, you file the change of status.
  3. 3Apply to ANEF (administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr) in the "change of status" category. Download: current title, new contract/authorization, proof of domicile, photo.
  4. 4Pay the taxes of the new title (depending on the type — see the relevant title guides).
  5. 5Wait for the prefecture call. In the meantime, a receipt with right to work is given to you (if applicable). Time limit: months.
  6. 6Receive the new title with the updated category and authorization. Check the data.
  7. 7In case of refusal: possible remedy (gracious in the prefecture, litigation in the administrative court) within the specified time limit. Without valid status, do not work.

Common mistakes

Section actions
  • Start working before obtaining authorization/new title — illegal.
  • Make a change without a work permit (for employees) — refusal.
  • Missing renewal hoping for change — delay = irregular situation.
  • Do not keep the receipt — without it, difficult to prove the right to work.
  • To believe in automatic change — a prefecture decision is needed.

Official sources

Section actions
Show sources in this section

Useful links

Section actions
Employee residence permitWorking authorizationStudent residence card

Important remark

The conditions for change depend on your current title and the new one. This information is indicative — for your situation, check in prefecture and on ANEF.

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