If you live outside the EU and want a tech job in France, the first question is simple: will the company hire someone who needs a work permit? Many job ads don’t say. This page lists companies on our board where we have verified evidence that they sponsor visas, and explains what “sponsorship” actually means in France.
The list is generated from our own data and refreshed every time the site is deployed.
What “visa sponsorship” means in France
France doesn’t have a formal “sponsor licence” like some countries. In practice, a company that sponsors you:
- Gives you a contract that meets the permit conditions, especially the salary threshold for your route.
- Provides the documents your visa and residence permit applications need.
- Applies for a work authorisation when one is required. For some permits, the employer must get a work authorisation before you can start. For the Talent permit, most engineers’ route, the employer doesn’t need to (Service-Public, work authorisation for foreign employees).
- Checks your permit with the prefecture before your start date. This is a legal step for every employer hiring a non-EU national.
Many sponsoring companies also pay for visa fees, flights, temporary housing or a relocation agency. That varies, so ask.
The routes most tech hires use
| Permit | Employer applies for work authorisation? | Minimum gross salary per year |
|---|---|---|
| Talent – qualified employee | No | €39,582 |
| Talent – employee of an innovative company (French Tech Visa) | No | €39,582 |
| Talent – EU Blue Card | No | €59,373 |
| Employee (salarié) permit | Yes | Depends on the case |
Sources: Service-Public, Talent card and work authorisation.
Because Talent permits need no work authorisation, hiring a non-EU engineer in France can be simpler than many candidates expect. It’s worth pointing this out politely if a recruiter is unsure. Our French Tech Visa and Talent permit guide has the full steps.
How we decide a company sponsors visas
We only mark a company as sponsoring visas when we have evidence we can link to, for example:
- a job ad that says “visa sponsorship available” or “we support work permits”;
- a careers page that describes visa or relocation support;
- the company’s own public statements about hiring from outside the EU.
We save the link to that evidence. A company appears below only after a person on our team has reviewed and approved it. If we’re not sure, we leave it out. A company we haven’t listed may still sponsor; we just haven’t found proof yet.
Sponsorship can also change from job to job. A company that sponsored engineers last year may not sponsor for every role. Always read the individual job ad.
Companies with verified visa sponsorship
Live data from the jobs and companies on this board, as of 27 September 2026.
| Company | City | Visa sponsorship | Relocation support | Open jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voodoo | Barcelona | Verified | Verified | 36 |
| The Exploration Company | – | Verified | Verified | 24 |
| amo | – | Verified | Verified | 11 |
| Photoroom | – | Verified | Verified | 7 |
| Aqemia | – | Verified | – | 4 |
| Secfix | – | Verified | – | 3 |
| n8n | – | Verified | – | 2 |
| FINN | – | Verified | Verified | 1 |
For current openings, see all visa sponsorship jobs and jobs you can apply for from abroad.
How to check before you apply
- Read the whole job ad. Look for “visa sponsorship”, “relocation support”, “work permit” or “we hire internationally”. Also look for the opposite: “must have the right to work in the EU” or “EU work permit required”.
- Check the salary against the permit threshold. If the posted range is below €39,582 gross a year, a Talent permit may not be possible for that job.
- Ask early. It’s normal to ask a recruiter in your first call whether they can support a Talent permit. A clear yes or no saves everyone time.
- Ask what they cover. Visa fees, flights, temporary housing and help with the admin are common in companies that hire internationally, but not guaranteed.
- Startups: ask if they are “innovative”. A young innovative company (JEI) or one recognised as innovative by the Ministry of the Economy can hire you on the innovative company route, even if you don’t have a master’s degree (Service-Public, La French Tech).
Do you need sponsorship at all?
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens don’t need a work permit in France.
- If you already hold a French permit that allows you to work, you may not need a new one to change jobs. Check your card type on Service-Public.
- Everyone else needs a permit. Filter for visa sponsorship jobs.
Frequently asked questions
Do companies in France sponsor visas for software engineers?
Yes, many do, but many job ads don’t say so. France has no formal sponsor licence, so sponsoring means giving you a contract that meets the permit conditions, providing documents and checking your permit with the prefecture. For Talent permits, the route most engineers use, the employer doesn’t need a work authorisation.
What salary do I need for visa sponsorship in France?
For the Talent qualified employee and innovative company routes, the minimum is €39,582 gross a year. For the EU Blue Card, it’s €59,373. If a job’s posted range is below €39,582, a Talent permit may not be possible for that role. The standard employee (salarié) permit has conditions that depend on the case.
Is it hard for a French company to hire a non-EU engineer?
Often less than candidates expect. For Talent permits, the employer doesn’t need to apply for a work authorisation, a step that the standard employee (salarié) permit requires. The employer still provides the documents your applications need and checks your permit with the prefecture before your start date. It’s worth mentioning this politely to an unsure recruiter.
When should I ask a recruiter about visa sponsorship?
Ask early, ideally in your first call, whether they can support a Talent permit; a clear yes or no saves everyone time. Then ask what they cover, such as visa fees, flights, temporary housing or help with the admin. At a startup, also ask whether it is a JEI or recognised as innovative.
Do EU citizens need visa sponsorship to work in France?
No. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens don’t need a work permit in France. If you already hold a French permit that allows you to work, you may not need a new one to change jobs, so check your card type on Service-Public. Everyone else needs a permit and can filter for visa sponsorship jobs.
Related guides
- French Tech Visa and Talent permit
- Companies in France that hire English speakers
- How to get a tech job in France without speaking French
- Relocation checklist for France
This page is general information, not legal advice. Sponsorship policies change. Always confirm with the employer and check the official pages linked above.