How To Obtain an EU Blue Card In France

Designed to attract highly-qualified workers from outside the EU, the Blue Card enables 25 EU member states to fulfil appropriate job vacancies with skilled professionals.

A Blue Card is issued for between one year and up to four years and is available in all EU member countries, apart from Ireland and Denmark.

The key attraction of the EU Blue Card is that it allows holders to receive social security benefits and allows dependent family members to live with them in France and other Blue Card issuing nations.

To receive support and advice when applying for a Blue Card to allow you and your loved ones to live in France, reach out to Total Law’s expert legal team.

Page Contents

• EU Blue Card Overview
• Eligibility for France EU Blue Card
• How to Apply for a Blue Card in France
• Documents Needed for France EU Blue Card
• How to Renew or Extend an EU Blue Card in France?
• The Cost and Processing Time for an EU Blue Card
• Benefits of Being An EU Blue Card Holder
• Refused an EU Blue Card in France?
• How Can Total Law’s Team Help You?
• FAQS

It is important to ensure that you meet the criteria for becoming an EU Blue Card holder in France before making an application. Any potential delays or refusals could have an impact on your plans to relocate to the region.

In order to be granted an EU Blue Card you need to qualify under the following requirements:

• Have suitable qualifications such as a degree or an equivalent professional qualification. The qualification must be relevant to the role you will undertake.
  • If you do not have suitable qualifications, then you may be eligible if you can show you have a minimum of five years of work-related experience.
• Have a job offer from a French employer that matches your qualifications and is highly skilled. The employment offer must be for at least 12 months.
• Your annual salary should be 1.5 times the average annual wage. As of 2023, this is 53,836,50 euros.
• Health insurance coverage for yourself and any dependents.
• A clean criminal record

You must apply for an EU Blue Card at the French Embassy or Consulate in your home country. It is also necessary to apply for a Long Term Visa (visa de long sejour (VLS)) at the same time otherwise you will be deemed ineligible for the Blue Card.

In some cases, you may be exempt from requiring a VLS if you meet one of the following conditions:

• Have been living in France with a different residence permit
• Have an existing EU Blue Card issued by another member state where you have lived for at least 1.5 years.

You may be asked to attend an interview at your local French Embassy or Consulate as well as provide biometric information and show proof of your eligibility for an EU Blue Card.

A key part of applying for any immigration permit is the documents needed as this is vital in demonstrating you meet the criteria. For the EU Blue Card you will need to provide the following paperwork when applying:

• A valid passport or other travel documents
• Proof of your job offer in the form of an employment contract or letter from a French employer
• Evidence of your educational qualifications, such as a degree certificate
• Demonstrate your professional experience in the relevant field
• Proof of your salary or employment conditions.
• Valid Health insurance policy
• Completed application form (you can get this from the local Prefecture or online).
• Two recent passport-sized photos
• Up-to-date CV
• Proof of payment of the permit application fee

If you are unsure if you have the correct documents needed to secure an EU Blue Card, then you may wish to seek the advice of an immigration specialist, especially as failure to provide the necessary documentation could result in possible refusal.

All renewals for an EU Blue Card in France must be done three months before the card’s expiry date and must be done online. Applicants looking to extend their permit must ensure they submit documents to confirm they continue to meet the requirements as well as proof from their current employer of their activity over the previous 12 months.

The current cost of an EU Blue Card in France is 269 euros which must be paid to the French Immigration and Citizenship Office (Office français de l’immigration et de l’intégration – OFII) when the permit is issued. Applicants must also pay the stamp duty of 25 euros charged on all residence permits.

Renewing or replacing a lost EU Blue Card in France costs 269 euros.

Member states have a maximum processing time for an EU Blue Card applicant of 90 days but many applications in France are processed in a shorter time period. However, you are advised not to make travel arrangements until it has been confirmed that the Blue Card and, if applicable, the VLS have been issued.

There are numerous benefits to becoming an EU Blue Card holder and it is, therefore a very attractive option for workers from overseas. It is also a pathway to permanent residency with France and the EU.

• Holders of EU Blue Cards can expect to enjoy:
• Free movement throughout the EU area
• Work and salary conditions equal to that of national and settled citizens
• Access to several social benefits, including education and healthcare.

It is also possible for EU Blue Card holders to visit their home country or other non-EU countries without losing these rights as long as the period spent overseas is not more than 12 months consecutive or 18 months in total.

Blue Card holders in France are able to apply for an EU Long-term Residence Permit once they have five qualifying years of residency in the region. In France, you must have resided continuously in the country for the last two years and you may need to meet other criteria, such as language proficiency to qualify for the Residence Permit.

If you have questions about EU residency or how to become a French citizen then get in touch with our team at Total Law for advice and support.

An application for an EU Blue Card can be rejected by French immigration for a number of reasons, including:

• Not meeting the eligibility criteria
• Providing incorrect or untruthful information
• The job role could have been undertaken by a EU worker or a settled-worker
• You fail to meet the qualifications for the employment
• There are security or public health concerns

If you are refused an EU Blue Card then it is possible to appeal against the decision as long as it is done within three weeks of your application being rejected. You are advised to seek the support of an immigration attorney if you do plan to appeal the decision.

In France, most appeals are filed against the refusal at the  Administrative Tribunal (Tribunal administratif) of the jurisdiction where your initial application was processed.