KEY TAKEAWAYS
- QR code verification of every non-EU permit is now a sanctionable requirement in France skipping it is a separate compliance exposure.
- Use the Contrôle Travail portal or the France-Auth mobile app to scan the QR code on residence permits and work authorisation certificates.
- The legacy rule still applies: send a prefecture authenticity request at least 2 working days before the start date; no reply within 2 working days closes your obligation.
- Save the verification receipt and retain it for at least 5 years to survive a labour inspection.
- Fines reach €20,750–€62,250 per unauthorised worker, plus criminal penalties up to €30,000.
A valid-looking residence permit is not proof of the right to work. Since 2026, checking the authenticity of every non-EU permit through a QR code scan is a sanctionable requirement, and skipping it is a compliance failure on its own. The autorisation de travail is your company's legal responsibility, so the fine lands on employer, not the employee.
Here is exactly how to verify employee work authorisation in France, and what to file afterwards.
Which employees you need to verify
EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals work in France freely. For them, you only check an identity document.
Everyone else needs an autorisation de travail. That means non-EU hires holding a VLS-TS, an "employee" or "temporary worker" card, a Talent Passport, or a work authorisation certificate. Each of these carries a QR code you must authenticate.
The 3 Step Process
Use our OFII validation after arrival checklist to understand the key post-arrival steps, deadlines, and compliance requirements for France.
Step 1: Scan the QR code
France now offers two official tools to authenticate permits digitally.Both read the code and confirm the document against government records in seconds.
- Contrôle Travail portal : The desktop route, also used for the pre-hire declaration to the prefecture.
- France-Auth mobile app : scan the QR code on the permit or work authorisation certificate directly from your phone.
Explore our France work visa services for expert guidance on managing the immigration process.
Step 2: Send the prefecture authenticity request
The QR scan does not replace the older legal duty for new hires. You must still request confirmation of authenticity from the prefecture of the place of employment.
Prefecture verification timing rules
Why this matters: the cost of getting it wrong
Administrative fines run from €20,750 to €62,250 per unauthorised worker, with criminal penalties up to €30,000. Both figures apply per person, not per incident. Repeat offenders can be banned from hiring foreign workers for up to five years.
Honestly, the verification itself takes minutes. The exposure comes from doing it inconsistently across a growing team, or forgetting to re-verify at renewal. (That second one trips up more HR teams than the initial hire.) For the full penalty framework, see our guide to France employer immigration fines.
See our employer compliance under France's 2026 work permit reforms, which explains how employers can navigate France work permit applications.
Building it into your process
Verification is not a one-time task. You repeat it at every permit renewal and whenever a role, salary, or work location changes. Tie each check to your onboarding and renewal workflows so nothing slips.
Disclaimer: Immigration rules change quite frequently; please verify with official sources or contact us for the latest info before making any decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions : France Employer QR Code Permit Verification
Is QR code verification of work permits mandatory in France?
Yes. Employers hiring non-EU nationals must verify the authenticity of residence permits and work authorisations using the QR code. This can be done through the Contrôle Travail portal or the France-Auth app. Failing to carry out this verification is a separate compliance breach, even if the permit itself is valid.
Which tool do I use to verify a French residence permit?
You can verify a French residence permit using the Contrôle Travail portal on desktop or the France-Auth mobile app. Both authenticate the permit by scanning its QR code and checking it against official government records within seconds.
What does the QR code on a French work permit actually show?
When scanned through Contrôle Travail or France-Auth, the QR code confirms the document is authentic and displays the holder’s name, permit type, and validity dates. If these details match the physical permit, it can be treated as authentic. If the QR code cannot be verified or the details do not match, the permit should be treated as unverified and the employee should not be onboarded until authenticity is confirmed.
What if the permit has no QR code?
Older residence permits issued before the 2026 rollout may not include a QR code. In these cases, employers should verify the document through the prefecture authenticity request. For ANEF-issued cases, the QR code is often printed on the attestation de prolongation or décision favorable rather than on the physical residence card.
Do I still need to contact the prefecture if I scan the QR code?
Yes. For new hires, employers must also send an authenticity request to the prefecture responsible for the employee’s place of work at least two working days before the employment start date. If the prefecture does not respond within two working days, the employer is considered to have fulfilled the verification obligation.
How long must I keep the work permit verification receipt?
Keep the verification receipt for at least five years. Store it with the employee’s personnel records together with a copy of the residence permit. The prefecture request and its acknowledgement also provide useful evidence during a labour inspection.
Do I need to verify work authorisation for EU, EEA, or Swiss nationals?
No. EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals do not require a French work permit. Employers only need to verify the individual’s identity document. QR code and prefecture verification requirements apply only to non-EU nationals who require an autorisation de travail.
What happens if we skip work permit verification and the permit is invalid?
Employers may face administrative fines ranging from €20,750 to €62,250 per unauthorised worker, together with potential criminal penalties of up to €30,000. Under French law, verifying an employee’s work authorisation is the employer’s legal responsibility.
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