There are no nationality restrictions on managers or company directors in France. However, there are age limits, depending on the company's legal structure:

Corporations. The age limit for the chairman of the board and the managing director is 65. Also, the number of board members older than 70 cannot exceed one-third (unless the memorandum and articles of association provide otherwise).

Limited liability companies. There are no legal age restrictions for managers, but the memorandum and articles of association can provide for a restriction.

Immigration is highly regulated and there are specific procedures regulating the employment of foreign individuals. Failure to comply is a criminal offence, both for the employee and the employer.

EU citizens, whose habitual residence is located in France, do not need a residence permit or work permit (except citizens from the new member states (1 May 2004 accession) until the end of the respective transitional periods).

All non-EU citizens must obtain a work permit to work in France.

If the non-EU citizen is living abroad, the employer must file an application with the local unemployment centre. The application is forwarded to the employment authorities to decide whether the non-EU citizen can work in France. If so, a temporary one-year work permit is issued.

If the non-EU citizen is already resident in France and holds a residence permit, he must file an application to work in France with his local police headquarters. If accepted, he is granted either a ten-year work permit or a temporary work permit.

Obtaining these permits is a lengthy and often tedious process, which can take up to about five months.