🇮🇳 Changing Jobs: India vs France – What Indian Expats Must Know Before Switching Employers in France

For many Indians working in France or planning to migrate through Indian IT firms or the gastronomy sector, the idea of changing employers can feel like walking on eggshells. Questions arise: Can I switch jobs legally? Will I lose my residence permit? What happens if I find a better offer in France?

The answers depend on where you are, your type of contract, and your resident permit status. Let’s compare how job transitions work in India vs France, and how L’Association Frehindi—under the patronage of the Indian Embassy in Paris and other Indian Embassies in the EU—has been helping expats navigate this complex terrain.

🇮🇳 In India: The “Hire & Fire” Reality

In India, most employees—especially in the private and IT sectors—are on at-will employment terms. Here’s how it typically works:

• No fixed contract type like CDI (permanent) or CDD (temporary).

• Employers can terminate employees with little notice.

• Job security is low, and benefits like unemployment allowance are rare.

• Career growth often depends on switching employers or locations quickly.

For example, Rahul, a 29-year-old engineer from Pune, had worked with two companies in 18 months before moving to France through his Indian employer’s mobility program. Back home, changing jobs was quick and informal—mostly involving a resignation and exit formalities. In France, things aren’t so flexible.

🇫🇷 In France: Worker Protections with CDI & CDD Contracts

France offers greater protection to employees than India—through clear legal distinctions between CDD (Contrat à Durée Déterminée – Fixed-Term Contract) and CDI (Contrat à Durée Indéterminée – Permanent Contract):

✅ CDI (Permanent Contract)

• Most secure contract in France.

• Offers job stability, benefits, unemployment allowance, and protection against arbitrary dismissal.

• Required for things like bank loans, housing applications, and family visa sponsorships.

✅ CDD (Fixed-Term Contract)

• Typically for internships, temporary roles, or project-based jobs.

• Automatically ends on the agreed date unless converted into a CDI.

• Not renewable more than twice for the same job role.

Priya, a Chennai-based tech consultant, moved to Lyon on a CDI contract with her Indian employer’s French office. After a year, she received an offer from a local French startup with a higher salary. She wasn’t sure if she could legally switch jobs—but thanks to L’Association Frehindi, she learned that recent changes in law now allow such transitions.

💼 Changing Employers in France: What You Need to Know

❓ Community Question:

“Hello, Currently, I am on a French Resident Permit with a CDI contract and have completed one year with my employer now, can I change my employer in the same city? Are there any rules and formalities if I have to change my employer?”

✅ Our Answer:

As per Décret n° 2021-360, published on 31st March 2021, the two-year restriction on changing jobs with a residence permit has been removed. So yes, you can now change employers in France at any time, as long as your residence permit allows it and you serve your notice period.

🔍 Key Legal Considerations When Changing Employers

🅰️ Case A: Residence Permit is Employer-Specific

If your residence permit is linked to a specific employer, you cannot work for a different one without approval.

Example: People with Passeport Talent – Salarié en mission cannot join another company until they get a new work permit and residence permit.

🅱️ Case B: Permit Requires New Work Authorization

If your permit mandates a work permit (autorisation de travail), every new contract requires the employer to apply for a new work authorization.

Example: If you have a Carte de Séjour – Salarié or Travailleur Temporaire, your new employer must apply for a new work permit before you can begin.

🆎 Case C: Salary or Qualification Restrictions

If your new job pays less than the salary threshold set by your permit type (e.g., EU Blue Card), you’ll need to change your residence status.

Example: Jatin, an EU Blue Card holder with a salary of €56,000, wanted to accept a new role at €50,000. He had to switch his status to a Carte de Séjour – Salarié to stay compliant.

🤔 Indian IT Engineers in France: Ethical Grey Zones

Many Indian engineers arrive in France through major Indian firms like TCS, Infosys, or Wipro under intra-company transfers. After a few months, they switch to French local companies for better salaries and freedom. Later, some return to their original Indian firms as external consultants.

While this isn’t illegal, it may raise ethical concerns—especially if visa sponsorships or internal agreements were involved.

👉 However, not all moves are beneficial. In some cases, staying with your Indian employer—especially at senior levels—can offer higher take-home pay than local French firms, plus better relocation perks.

🍛 Indian Chefs: High Demand, Low Awareness

One area where exploitation is rampant is gastronomy—especially for Indian chefs and restaurant staff.

Many come on limited-duration contracts, unaware of their legal rights, minimum wage laws, or unpaid overtime protections.

Mohammed from Hyderabad, a chef in Paris, worked 14-hour shifts without pay for extra hours. He was unaware that French labor laws protect him from such abuse. Through a referral, he reached L’Association Frehindi, and with our legal partners, he was able to file a complaint and get justice.

Every year, we help dozens of workers like him from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka who face similar hardships.

🧭 What L’Association Frehindi Offers

We work under the official patronage of the Indian Embassy in Paris and other embassies in the EU, helping Indian and South Asian expats navigate:

• ✅ Job transitions & work permit advice

• ✅ Legal help for exploited workers

• ✅ Language and integration workshops

• ✅ Clarification on residence rights and status changes

• ✅ Trusted referrals to verified lawyers

🌍 Final Thoughts: Choose Clarity Over Confusion—Let Knowledge Guide Your Next Move

Changing jobs in France or anywhere in the EU can be a stepping stone to a brighter future—but only if approached with clarity and awareness. While better pay or flexibility may tempt many Indian expats to switch employers, it’s essential to weigh the legal implications, residence permit requirements, and ethical considerations involved.

From IT professionals like Rahul and Priya to skilled chefs like Mohammed, we’ve seen how the right guidance at the right time can make all the difference between success and struggle.

At L’Association Frehindi, we are committed to ensuring that your journey in France doesn’t get derailed by a lack of information or exploitative practices. With the official patronage of the Indian Embassy in Paris and other Indian Embassies across the EU, we bring you trusted legal information, personalized assistance, and a support system you can count on.

✅ Before making a job switch, make sure to:

• Understand your contract type (CDI or CDD) and its legal protections

• Verify your resident permit and whether it’s employer-specific or flexible

• Check if a new work permit is required for the new job

• Ensure your new salary and role meet the minimum criteria of your current permit

• Avoid unethical shortcuts that may backfire later

• Reach out for expert advice—don’t go it alone

🤝 Together, Let’s Build an Empowered Indian Community in Europe

📩 Whether you’re a student, worker, chef, or entrepreneur—L’Association Frehindi is here to help you transition confidently, legally, and securely.

From legal workshops to one-on-one guidance, we offer a compassionate and practical support system for the Indian and South Asian diaspora in France and the EU.

Your rights matter. Your dreams matter. Let’s protect both—together.