Key documents / procedures for WHV holders starting a job in France

Reporting the hire of a foreign worker at the “prefecture”

Under the French Labour Code (“Code du travail”), the employer must check with the French authorities that the foreign employee, including all WHV holders in France, holds a valid “autorisation provisoire de travail” (“APT”).

Who has to be notified and how?

Two working days before the start date of the contract, the employer must send the “préfecture” (or in Paris, the “préfet de police”) a dated and signed letter by registered mail, along with a copy of the employee’s WHV, the APT (if needed) and information about the employer and the employee.

More documents can be required, it depends on the “département,” i.e. the region where the “préfecture” is located. Employers should check the website of the “préfecture” for more details.

Processing times

The “préfet” will contact the employer by email, mail or by phone within two business days. Unless otherwise specified, past these two days, it’s assumed that the employer fulfilled the requirement.

Useful links

• A complete list of all “préfectures“
• Section of the Labour Code on checking the APT: “Code du travail – section 6: contrôle des autorisations de travail”.