France doesn’t run on a simple “apply and go” system like the Gulf states. It’s a two-stage process — your French employer secures a work authorization before you ever touch a visa form, and only then does the consular stage begin. For Pakistani applicants, there’s an added twist most guides don’t mention: France does not use VFS Global in Pakistan. All appointments go through AEG (the Embassy’s approved visa facilitation partner), and every single application — regardless of city of residence — is decided by the French Embassy in Islamabad. The Consulate General in Karachi cannot accept or issue work visas.
This guide walks through the full process: work permit categories, the AEG appointment system, document checklists, current fees in PKR, and how Al Mojal Recruitment supports the journey from job offer to residence card.
1. Understanding the France Work Visa System
Unlike the UK or Gulf countries, France doesn’t issue a single “work visa” — it issues a long-stay visa (VLS-TS) that doubles as your residence permit for the first year, tagged with a specific status (“mention”) depending on your job and contract type.
| Work Category | Who It’s For | Visa/Permit Issued |
|---|---|---|
| Salarié | Permanent contract (CDI) job offer from a French employer | VLS-TS “salarié” — up to 12 months, renewable |
| Travailleur Temporaire | Fixed-term contract (CDD) or short-term assignment | VLS-TS “travailleur temporaire” |
| Travailleur Saisonnier | Seasonal work (agriculture, tourism, hospitality) — max 6 months in any 12-month period | Multi-year “travailleur saisonnier” card |
| Talent Passport (Passeport Talent) | Skilled professionals, researchers, qualified employees on higher salaries | Multi-year card, up to 4 years |
| EU Blue Card | Highly qualified professionals with a degree/5+ years’ experience and a job offer at roughly 1.5x average French salary (~€53,600/year in 2026) | 4-year renewable card |
| ICT (Intra-Company Transfer) | Employees of multinational groups transferred to a French branch, min. 3 months’ prior employment with the group | VLS-TS “salarié détaché ICT” (up to 3 years) |
Key point for applicants: in nearly every category, the employer or the French host entity — not the worker — applies for the work authorization through France’s DREETS/administration portal before a visa application can even begin.
2. Step-by-Step Process
Step 1 — Secure a Job Offer and Employer Sponsorship
A genuine job offer or signed employment contract from a French employer (or, for ICT, from the group entity in France) is the starting point. No employer sponsorship, no visa route.
Step 2 — Employer Obtains the Work Authorization
The French employer applies for the autorisation de travail through the French Interior Ministry’s online portal for foreign workers: administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr. This step typically takes 4–8 weeks and is completely outside the applicant’s control — it happens in France.
Step 3 — Create a France-Visas Account and Complete the Online Application
Once the work authorization is issued (or in hand as a reference), the applicant creates an account on france-visas.gouv.fr, completes the online long-stay visa form, and generates the appointment request.
Step 4 — Book an Appointment Through AEG
In Pakistan, appointments are not booked through VFS Global. They go through AEG, the Embassy’s approved partner, which operates 10 regional offices across Pakistan. See Section 3 below for full appointment details.
Step 5 — Attend the Biometric Appointment at the French Embassy, Islamabad
All interviews and biometric capture happen only at the French Embassy in Islamabad — never at the Consulate in Karachi, and never at an AEG office (AEG only books/facilitates; it doesn’t conduct interviews).
Step 6 — Pay the Visa Fee in PKR
Paid in Pakistani Rupees at the official chancellery exchange rate on the day of application — not the open market rate.
Step 7 — Wait for Processing
Long-stay work visas typically take 30 days minimum after the embassy interview, sometimes longer due to Schengen-wide security checks.
Step 8 — Travel to France and Validate the Visa Within 3 Months
Within 3 months of entry, validate the VLS-TS online via the ANEF portal (this has replaced the old in-person OFII paper process) and pay the validation tax.
Step 9 — Apply for a Residence Permit (Titre de Séjour) if Staying Beyond 12 Months
Handled at the local préfecture in France, typically 2 months before the VLS-TS expires.
3. AEG Appointment Procedure — What Pakistani Applicants Need to Know
- France’s Embassy in Islamabad delegates appointment booking and passport logistics to AEG, which runs 10 offices across Pakistan (Islamabad and other cities), each with its own fee tier.
- Appointments must be booked well in advance — the Embassy explicitly recommends this since demand often outpaces available slots.
- Only the applicant may enter the visa section of the Embassy; minors must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
- Applications cannot be submitted more than 6 months before the intended travel date.
- Biometric data (photo + fingerprints) is mandatory for all applicants over 12.
- Documents must be in French or English, originals plus A4 photocopies, assembled in the exact order specified in the online visa wizard — this alone significantly affects processing speed at the counter.
- Group/corporate applicants (relevant if Al Mojal is filing for multiple workers going to the same employer) must request AEG appointments at least one month ahead.
Embassy of France in Islamabad Diplomatic Enclave G-5, GPO Box 1068, Islamabad Submission hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM (closed Friday–Sunday) Email: visas.islamabad-amba@diplomatie.gouv.fr Phone: (+92) 51 201 14 14
⚠️ Verify before publishing: the AEG website (aeg.com.pk) should be checked directly for the current list of city-wise office addresses and fee tiers, as these can change between cycles.
4. Document Checklist (Salarié / Travailleur Temporaire Visa)
From the employer (France side):
- Copy of the approved work authorization (autorisation de travail)
- Signed employment contract (CDI or CDD) stating role, salary, and duration
- Company registration documents (if requested)
From the applicant (Pakistan side):
- Passport valid at least 3 months beyond the visa’s end date, with blank pages
- Completed France-Visas long-stay application form
- Two recent ID photographs meeting ISO/ICAO specifications
- Proof of accommodation in France
- International medical insurance from a Schengen-approved provider
- Educational/professional qualification documents relevant to the job
- Clean criminal record certificate
- Visa fee receipt (paid in PKR)
- BE&OE protector/registration documents (for OEP-facilitated placements)
5. Fees — 2026 (PKR estimates)
| Item | EUR | Approx. PKR* |
|---|---|---|
| Long-stay visa fee (Salarié/Travailleur Temporaire/Talent Passport) | €99 | ~PKR 31,700 |
| Short-stay visa fee (if applicable) | €90 | ~PKR 28,800 |
| VLS-TS/ANEF validation tax (standard, effective since 1 May 2026) | €300 | ~PKR 96,000 |
| VLS-TS validation tax (reduced categories — seasonal, students) | €100 | ~PKR 32,000 |
| Talent Passport residence card issuance fee (after year 1) | ~€225 | ~PKR 72,000 |
| AEG service/handling fee | Varies by office | To be confirmed with AEG directly |
*PKR figures calculated at an approximate rate of 1 EUR ≈ PKR 320 (August 2026). Actual amount is charged at the official chancellery rate on the day of payment, in PKR only — always confirm the live figure before advising a client.
⚠️ Pre-publication verification flag: The OFII/ANEF validation tax rose from €200 to €300 on 1 May 2026 under the 2026 finance law — a change several older blog posts and even some agency sites haven’t caught up with yet. Confirm current amounts on france-visas.gouv.fr and timbres.impots.gouv.fr before this goes live, and re-check every quarter, since these are Finance Law figures subject to change.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
Does France use VFS Global for visa applications in Pakistan? No. Unlike most other Schengen countries operating through VFS in Pakistan, France uses AEG, its own dedicated visa facilitation partner, with 10 offices nationwide.
Can I apply for a France work visa from Karachi or Lahore? You can book an AEG appointment from anywhere in Pakistan, but the interview and biometric submission only happen at the French Embassy in Islamabad — the Karachi Consulate does not process visas.
How long does the France work visa process take from job offer to departure? Realistically 3–4 months: 4–8 weeks for the employer’s work authorization in France, plus 30+ days for consular processing after the interview, plus appointment wait time.
Do I need to know French to get a work visa? No, French isn’t a formal requirement for most work visa categories, though commitment to learning it becomes part of the OFII/ANEF integration process once you’re settled.
What’s the difference between the Salarié visa and Talent Passport? Salarié is the standard employment route tied to a specific job and salary threshold. Talent Passport is reserved for higher-skilled, higher-paid profiles and issues a multi-year card (up to 4 years) instead of a 12-month renewable one.
Can my family join me on a France work visa? Generally yes for Talent Passport and ICT holders, with simplified procedures for spouses and children. Standard Salarié visa holders can typically sponsor family through separate family reunification procedures once settled.
7. How Al Mojal Recruitment Helps
Al Mojal Recruitment, a BE&OE-licensed Overseas Employment Promoter, supports Pakistani workers through the full France work visa journey:
- Matching candidates with verified French employers and legitimate job offers
- Guiding applicants through document preparation and BE&OE clearance
- Coordinating AEG appointment booking and file assembly in the correct order required by the Embassy
- Pre-appointment document review to reduce rejection risk at the counter
- Ongoing support after arrival, including guidance on ANEF validation and next steps toward the Titre de Séjour
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