Employer of Record in New Caledonia for Work Permits, Visas & Immigration Support
Hiring foreign nationals in New Caledonia requires strict compliance with the French and territorial immigration systems. As a French overseas territory, New Caledonia operates under national French immigration frameworks with local procedures and approvals. Employers unfamiliar with this dual system often face delays, rejections, or gaps in legal work status for international hires.
Acumen International provides a compliant and structured path to hire foreign nationals in New Caledonia through our Global Employer of Record (EOR) solution. We act as the legal employer, sponsor permits, and ensure your expatriate workforce is employed lawfully—without the need for your own entity on the ground.
Comprehensive Immigration Support in New Caledonia
Through our EOR model, Acumen International manages the full immigration and employment process:
- Work permit sponsorship and application coordination
- Long-stay visa (Visa de long séjour) processing through French consulates
- Local registration with New Caledonian authorities upon arrival
- Compliance with French and local labour, tax, and social security obligations
- Payroll registration and statutory benefit contributions
- Monitoring of renewal timelines and ongoing legal status
Your international talent in New Caledonia is covered from pre-approval through lawful employment and compliant payroll.
Types of Work Visas for New Caledonia
Foreign nationals intending to work in New Caledonia must obtain the appropriate visa and authorisation from French and territorial authorities.
1. Long-Stay Visa (Visa de Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour – VLS-TS)
This visa allows a foreign national to enter New Caledonia for employment purposes and acts as a residence permit. It must be validated upon arrival.
Key points:
- Must be obtained from the French consulate in the applicant’s country of residence
- Requires pre-approval of the job offer by local authorities
- Valid for one year and renewable
- Enables lawful work and residence in New Caledonia
2. Temporary Work Permit Authorisation (Autorisation de travail)
In parallel with the visa, a temporary work permit must be authorised by the local Direction du Travail. Employment cannot commence until this permit is issued and the visa is validated.
Immigration Process Overview
- Labour Market Validation – Employers must demonstrate that the position cannot be filled locally. This involves filing with the Direction du Travail.
- Work Permit Application – Accompanied by the signed employment contract, submitted by the employer or EOR sponsor.
- Consular Visa Application – Once the work authorisation is granted, the employee applies for the long-stay visa.
- Arrival Formalities – Within 3 months of arrival, the employee must validate the visa and register with the local prefecture.
Delays or errors at any stage can result in denied entry or unlawful employment.
Required Documentation
From the Employee
- Valid passport (6+ months)
- CV in French
- Proof of qualifications and experience
- Medical certificate
- Police clearance
- Proof of accommodation in New Caledonia
From the Employer
- Business registration and identification documents
- Signed draft employment contract
- Justification for hiring a foreign national
- Confirmation of compliance with labour market test
- Social security and tax registration details
Processing Timelines and Permit Validity
- Work authorisation pre-approval: 2–4 weeks
- Visa issuance by French consulate: 1–2 weeks after approval
- Post-arrival registration: Must occur within 3 months of entry
- Permit validity: Typically 12 months, renewable
Common Reasons for Immigration Rejection
- Incomplete documentation or incorrect visa category
- Failure to secure work authorisation before entry
- Lack of justification for foreign hire
- Non-compliance with labour or tax registration
Acumen International ensures that all documentation is complete, sequenced correctly, and coordinated with both French and territorial authorities—significantly reducing the risk of rejection or compliance penalties.
Why Choose Acumen as Your Employer of Record in New Caledonia
Immigration-Integrated Hiring
In New Caledonia, employment cannot legally begin until immigration procedures are finalised. Acumen synchronises work permit, visa, and onboarding processes, ensuring that foreign talent can begin work without legal gaps or delays.
Single Process, Full Coverage
We manage the end-to-end journey — from role validation to post-arrival compliance — under one global team. This prevents handoff delays or missed steps caused by working with disconnected service providers.
Built for Complex Scenarios
Whether you’re relocating key staff, hiring remotely, or transitioning from a non-compliant vendor setup, our infrastructure handles employment and immigration in high-control or high-risk jurisdictions. We recover failed cases and ensure future-proofed compliance.
Legal Employment, Aligned with Permit Status
We structure employment dates and payroll eligibility around visa and permit timelines. Every step is backed by clear authority filings, so your business avoids liability and your hires can begin legally, on schedule.
Acumen International’s Employer of Record (EORI solution with integrated immigration support allows you to hire foreign nationals in New Caledonia quickly and compliantly. We manage risk, coordinate legal steps, and deliver outcomes that align with your operational needs.
For expert support in hiring international employees in New Caledonia, contact our team today.