Working in France

if you’re the holder of a “student” residence permit: Long-Stay Visa Valid as Residence Permit (VLS-TS) OR Residence Card (CST / CRA)
part-time only: studies must remain your main activity
for a maximum of: 60% of legal work-time duration / 50% if you’re Algerian
without having to request a work permit:
- UNLESS you work more than 60% of legal work-time duration, in which case your employer must request a work permit
- UNLESS you’re Algerian, in which case your employer must request a work permit before the start of your activity, i.e. the 1st hour of work

WORKING

in france

Requesting a Provisional Work Permit (APT)

To bear in mind!

Part-time work won’t cover all your everyday expenses, it can only provide extra income
The “student” residence permit doesn’t allow you to work with self-employed (auto-entrepreneur) status

You’re allowed to sign a work-study contract as an international student in France :

a professionalization contract
- if you’ve been in France for at least 1 year
- if you’ve requested a Provisional Work Permit (APT) before starting your activity

an apprenticeship contract
- also, after 1 year in France UNLESS you’re preparing a Master’s degree, a Grande École diploma or a vocational Bachelor’s degree
- if the contract exceeds 60% of legal work duration / 50% for Algerian students: you must have your contract validated by a Skills Operator. This procedure exempts you from requesting a work permit (APT)

Request a Provisional Work Permit (APT)

You can find out more about the various options and schemes available at this address

Once you have finished your studies, you may apply for different types of residence permits if you are:

looking for work ;
applying for a change of status on your current residence permit, if you have already found a job.

The rules are different depending on the qualification you obtained in France, the type of job and your nationality.

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