New Caledonia

New Caledonia local work authorization

Job-specific employment when both local work authorization and required stay permission issue; changing profession requires a new work-authorization application.

Who qualifies

• The employer or worker uses the New Caledonia online service with contract, medical and repatriation insurance, housing and passport evidence; jobs over 90 days also need proof of a local job posting.
  New Caledonia Government: Apply for foreign-worker authorization
• Work authorization must be granted before the visa or residence application; a mainland French work authorization has no effect in New Caledonia.
  New Caledonia Government: Apply for foreign-worker authorization

You keep your U.S. citizenship.

Citizens by 2034.

If your first permit is issued in 2027 and you keep living there, this is the road.

1. 2027
   First residence permit

   1 year, renewable for 1 year at a time.

2. 2032
   Apply for citizenship

   With a language test and a civics test.

3. 2034
   Citizenship

   The decision usually takes 12–21 months.

Language

French at B2 in speaking and writing.

Civics

The 40-question civic exam and the prefecture’s assimilation interview.

Time away

French nationality law applies: 5 years of regular habitual residence in the French territory, which must remain the centre of the applicant’s working and family life through the decree.

Two passports

Yes. You keep your U.S. citizenship.

• Local work authorisation and French stay permission must both remain valid; regular residence in New Caledonia counts toward French naturalisation after 5 years.