Do You Need a Work Permit After Arriving in France on a Spouse Visa? A Comparative Guide for Indian Expats

🌍 The Scenario: Rajesh Joshi’s Story

Rajesh Joshi, from Uttar Pradesh, is moving to France in mid-September on a spousal visa. His wife is already working in France on a Talent Passport visa. Recently, Rajesh interviewed with a French company and the recruiter hinted at a quick joining — potentially right after his arrival.

“Do I need a separate work permit? The recruiter seemed unsure,” Rajesh asks.

This is a common question among Indian expats and South Asian families moving to France. And the answer isn’t always a simple “yes” or “no” — it depends on visa type, administrative follow-up, and documentation.

🇮🇳 India’s Dependent Visa vs 🇫🇷 France’s Spouse Visa: A System Comparison

In India, spouses of foreign workers typically receive an “X Visa” (entry visa) with no automatic work rights. They must apply separately for employment authorization, which is rarely granted unless the spouse qualifies independently through an employer sponsorship.

Contrast this with the EU model, especially France:

• Spouses of legal residents (particularly under visas like Talent Passport) often have the right to work without a separate work permit.

• However, the freedom to work doesn’t mean freedom from paperwork.

🔍 What Does This Mean for Rajesh and Others Like Him?

Here’s a breakdown of the two most common visa types for accompanying spouses in France and what each entails:

1. VLS-TS (Visa Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour)

✔️ Right to work
📝 Validation within 3 months of arrival

Once you land in France with a VLS-TS, you must validate it online within 3 months. Once validated:

• You receive an “attestation de validation” (proof of visa validation).

• This attestation is enough to start working immediately.

• No further residence permit is needed during the initial visa period.

✅ Fast online validation = fewer delays in starting your job.

2. VLS (Long-Stay Visa, without the TS)

🕒 Apply for residence permit within 2 months
📄 Need a récépissé or attestation for legal stay & work

If your visa does not include “TS”, you must:

• Apply for a residence permit (online at ANEF or through the local prefecture) within 2 months.

• Once submitted, you will receive a récépissé (receipt) or online attestation, serving as temporary proof of your right to stay and work.

🕑 But here’s the catch: Processing can take 2–6 months, and delays are common. Some job offers are withdrawn because the candidate cannot produce the right documents in time.

💼 What Do Employers in France Expect?

French companies are generally understanding but only for the first couple of months. After that, HR teams start requesting proper documentation:

• A validated VLS-TS attestation

• OR a récépissé/attestation de dépôt (if you’re on a VLS)

Without these, they may delay onboarding or even rescind the offer — not because they doubt your eligibility, but due to strict labor law compliance.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What If You’re Coming on a Talent Passport?

Let’s take another example:

Sneha Kapoor, an Indian entrepreneur, is coming to France under the Talent Passport – Business Creation visa. Her husband, Arjun Kapoor, comes along as a spouse.

✅ Arjun has automatic work rights and can also:

• Look for a job

• Open a company

• Join Pole Emploi (France’s employment agency) and even take free French language courses

💡 Tip from L’Association Frehindi:
We advise spouses to actively look for work or even prepare to become the primary residence permit holder, especially in unstable economic conditions. If the principal visa holder loses their job, the family’s residency can be jeopardized unless the spouse steps in as the main applicant with a new work contract.

🛡️ How L’Association Frehindi Helps

At L’Association Frehindi, we’ve assisted dozens of families where:

• The principal visa holder lost their job after 1 year, leaving the family vulnerable.

• The spouse found employment and, after learning French via Pole Emploi’s funded courses, became the primary permit holder.

• This saved the family from having to leave France.

We operate under the patronage of the Indian Embassy in Paris and other Indian Embassies in the EU, offering reliable, free, and multilingual guidance to expats across Europe.

📝 Summary: What Should You Do?