Work / Residence Visa -> College Degree Required?

[kingtut]

I've been trying to read through the posts, but so far can't seem to find the answer to this question. I apologize if it has been answered already. I'm considering an opportunity to move and work in France for 1 year. My company has an office in Paris. My question is whether a college degree is required. My position would be an executive position, but I do not have a college degree. Others from my company have advised that they think the college degree is required.

Can anyone say for sure whether this is a prerequisite?

Thanks!

[Bevdeforges]

AFAIK a university degree is not required. Your company may have to show that you have training, skills or just a working knowledge of the company that is not available in a local candidate for the job. In other words, they do have to justify bringing in a transfer rather than hiring from the local pool of candidates if they want to get work authorization for your visa - but it's up to them at this point.
Cheers,
Bev

[kingtut]

Originally Posted by Bevdeforges

AFAIK a university degree is not required. Your company may have to show that you have training, skills or just a working knowledge of the company that is not available in a local candidate for the job. In other words, they do have to justify bringing in a transfer rather than hiring from the local pool of candidates if they want to get work authorization for your visa - but it's up to them at this point.
Cheers,
Bev

Wow - that was fast! Bev, I've read many of your posts and you are very helpful on this forum! Thanks very much for the quick reply.

In my situation, our French office is a smaller satellite office and depends on our US IT folks to enable their business. However, since they are a small part of the company, they often struggle getting the attention to get things done. They actually want an executive level person from the US to come over to help them build relationships and get things done from the teams in the US.

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by kingtut

Wow - that was fast! Bev, I've read many of your posts and you are very helpful on this forum! Thanks very much for the quick reply.

In my situation, our French office is a smaller satellite office and depends on our US IT folks to enable their business. However, since they are a small part of the company, they often struggle getting the attention to get things done. They actually want an executive level person from the US to come over to help them build relationships and get things done from the teams in the US.

It's just a matter of coincidence when I happen to be online. You lucked out.

Actually, the fact of bringing you over just for a year (and not permanently transferring you) added to what it sounds like would be your status as a "liaison" between the French office and the US HQ probably would fly with little or no trouble. If there is a chance of a reciprocal exchange - say, someone from the French office going over for a year or so after your tour of duty is done, it might be even easier.

But it's someone from the French office that has to make the case with the authorities (possibly the OFII these days - they keep changing the names and initials of the various offices involved).
Cheers,
Bev