Job Discussion Forums

jsbankston · Joined: 12 Sep 2006 Posts: 214 Location: Texas

Please discuss.

There seems to be a great division of opinion on this. Some say there is virtually no way in hell someone without an EU passport can find legal work in France. Others say it's barely possible, but very hard. Others say it can definitely be done. Others say it's easy to get the job, but impossible to live off the usual pay. And still others say yes you can find work and yes you can live decently off of it.

This is what I've picked up from this board so far. Anybody care to weigh in?

workingnomad · Joined: 26 Sep 2005 Posts: 106 Location: SE Asia

No. End of discussion.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

The general answer is a definite NO.

A few people find loopholes, but they are people with significant contacts.

For example, get a job with a North American corporation with offices in France. Get transferred.
Or have a spouse whom the above scenario applies to + the ingredient that the company in question has an agreement to cover non-EU spouses (this worked for me in the Netherlands - another 99.9999% impossible country to get into).
Or get married to someone with the requisite passport.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

By the way, those people who say ' come on over' are ALL talking about ILLEGAL work. Fine if it's your gap year and you don't care at all about your resume or professional reputation. Quite honestly, it doesn't look great on a resume to have worked illegally....

crashartist1 · Joined: 06 Jun 2004 Posts: 164

How will your employeer in the future at a bank in Indiana look at your resume and know if you worked legally or not?

If you want to go to France and work illegally go for it, the legal part doesn't mean anything unless you put it on your resume.

crash

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Educated people everywhere know that North Americans can't work legally within the EU. Sure, you might get by, but the first time some HR person asks the question (how'd you swing the work visa thing?) you're done.

Nmarie · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 85 Location: Paris

There are legal routes that impose limited timeframes. One possibility is the government teaching assistantship through the Embassy in Washington. Another is becoming a lecteur in a university. These have been discussed in various threads on this forum.

There is supposedly an internship program through the French-American Chamber of Commerce. I met a woman who had participated in this program, but I didn't speak to her at length about it. I do know there is an age limit. You'll have to research further.

Luder · Joined: 10 Jul 2004 Posts: 74

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

The O.P.'s question was about legality. Discussion of legality is appropriate in this case.

I don't preach in all cases - I am entirely aware that thousands of North Americans take a fun gap year or two somewhere, and that the majority of them have no problems because of it.

Not my problem - but when asked whether North Americans can work legally in France - well...there's 99.99% only one answer.

Bummer. But true.

Noelle · Joined: 26 Mar 2005 Posts: 361 Location: USA

OP, why would you even want to work there?

The French despise us.

On a more positive and more encouraging note however, my colleague in San Diego managed to get a legal work permit to teach in France after she arrived. She found a job, but instead of working illegally, she took her "contract" and U.S. passport to the immigration office and was granted a work visa.

Seems a bit too good to be true, perhaps... but it did happen for her.
PM if you'd like details.

wildchild · Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 519 Location: Puebla 2009 - 2010

The OP is no longer with us.

Noelle · Joined: 26 Mar 2005 Posts: 361 Location: USA

"us"- object pronoun

I don't believe the French are all that fond of Americans... but then again, who is?

I'm sure that France is a lovely country, however given the red tape involved in obtaining legal work status and the general disdain for our society, I have to wonder why any American would want to teach there.

wildchild · Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 519 Location: Puebla 2009 - 2010

One should be careful to not equate the critiques leveled at the American govt. and the bourgeois, corporate elitists who fill its ranks to critiques of working class Americans; Most, the French included, know that our governments do not represent you and me.

forest1979 · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 507 Location: SE Asia

Noelle - Are you talking about French or American society and people? Given what you wrote it seems interchangeable to me. I'm sure many French people think that America is a lovely country, however given the red tape involved in obtaining legal work status in the US I also have to wonder why any French person would want to live and work there as well. I also have to wonder too why anyone who also have to fork out on massive legal fees to when going to live in the US. Is this also an issue for Americans coming to Europe?

rogan · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 416 Location: at home, in France

Noelle - have you ever been to France?

I get the impression that you are somewhere where the Homeland Committee operates yet you come out with statements like
"The French despise us"

Ever been there?
Ever done that?

Maybe the French despise USAmericans when they speak/comment and make sweeping statements based on a lack of knowledge and hearsay.

A bientot cherie.