Post Study Work Permit France – Since 2015, Indian students who have completed their post-graduate or higher degrees in France can apply for a full-time post-study work visa, allowing them to stay and work in the country for a duration of 2 years after the completion of their course. A post-study work permit is a great choice for students who plan to stay in France for a long time after they complete their studies. This allows them extra time to find a permanent residence, pay off student loan debts or enhance their resumes by getting work experience in international companies. France is one of the most trusted destinations for students who wish to explore the work culture of the country after the completion of their degrees. It is home to many international start-ups like Margo, Alan, Lancey etc. Moreover, cities like Paris, Lyon and Nice are some of the premier locations for fast-growing companies and other legacy organizations.

This article seeks to help students who wish to work in France after the completion of their degrees and provide them with information regarding the post-study visa process and other guidelines they need to follow.

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Post Study Work Permit France – Work Permit Permission on Student Visas

There are different kinds of student visas and students need to check which one allows them to stay back after finishing up their course. Students who are planning to take up short-term courses with a duration of 6 months or less aren’t allowed to stay in France after their degrees are over. They must leave the country before applying for a work permit again.

VLT-TS visa allows international students to stay in France for 2 years after the completion of their course to find employment, provided they have finished their Master’s degree or higher from a French institute. The following table highlights the types of visas available to Indian students and information related to post-study work permits, duration and renewability.

Detailed Country Page for France can be accessed here.

LIST OF VISAS WITH DURATION AND WORK PERMIT AVAILABILITY

Name Duration Post-Study Work Permit

Visa de court séjour pour etudes (Ideal for students planning to take up short language programs or summer courses which are less than 3-month-long)

Short-stay student visa Maximum 3 months maximum Non-renewable Not available

Visa de long séjour temporaire pour etudes (For students planning to take up short programs that are longer than 3 months but not more than 6 months)

Temporary long-stay student visa Between 3-6 months Non-renewable Not available

Visa de long séjour etudes

(This is for students taking up courses that last longer than 6 months, i.e, Bachelor’s, Master’s or a Research Program in France.)

Long-stay visa a.k.a VLT-TS Longer than 6 months Renewable Available

As shown in the table above, the only visa which allows a long duration stay plus a work permit afterwards is the Visa de long séjour etudes.

Students who are applying to a university that requires them to take an admission test should be aware of the need to apply for an Etudient Concours (visa for sitting entrance exams), which will allow them to sit for the exam. Once you pass this test, you can apply for any of the above visas to continue the process of admission into your chosen institute.

Post-Study Work Permit – Benefits of Post Study Work Visa VLS-TS

Benefits of Post study work permit VLS-TS:

No travel restrictions if they are travelling within Schengen countries

Permission to work 20 hours per week or 964 hours per year

Access to VISALE, a free security deposit service for students

Receive rental subsidies on housing from the CAF fund

Ability to extend their stay after their resident permit expires

Post Study Work Permit France – Work Permit Fees

The Visa de long séjour etudes or long-stay visa for France costs EUR 50 for students applying for Bachelor’s/Master’s/Research Courses. The cost remains the same even if you are applying for a dual course or are part of a student exchange program.

Along with this base fee, you will also have to provide a visa processing fee which costs EUR 50 more, along with the VFS service fees which amount to INR 1,467 (taxes included). The exchange rate may affect the price, so it’s always a good idea to verify the prices with the embassy/consulate before applying.

Post Study Work Permit France – Application Process

To apply for a course program in a French University and for Visa Guidance, follow the steps below:

Step 1: While planning to study in France, the students should initially decide on the college/university and the course of study. Explore courses on our country page https://admission.buddy4study.com/courses/france/ where every significant information relating to higher education institutions, programs offered, cost of study, quality of institutions and degrees, and scholarships is available.

Step 2: After you have chosen your preferred course and university, Buddy4Study counselling team can help in applying to these universities and securing admissions.

Step 3: Once the student has secured an admission offer from the desired university, our counsellor will help them in securing the Visa from Campus France. Students will have to appear for the interview in person with all the relevant documents at the Campus France office.

Step 4: Once the visa is received, Buddy4Study will help the student in availing education loan as well as an accommodation in France.

More questions about the process? Read Study in France article here.

Post Study Work Permit France – Documents Required for VLT-TS Application

The following is a list of documents you are required to provide along with two sets of application photocopies.

Long stay application form for a duration longer than 90 days

Two passport size photographs

A copy of your passport

A print-out of your Campus France ID number

Letter of registration from the academic institution

Cover letter explaining the study project and a CV/Resume

Proof of funds – tuition fees + 615 Euros/month that comprise the complete academic term

Proof of valid medical coverage/insurance in France

A round-trip plane ticket (for courses that last 6 months or less)

A one-way plane ticket (for courses that last more than 6 months)

OFII form ( Office Français de Immigration et de Integration )

Proof of residency in France (lease, utility bill or hotel booking receipt)

Copies of your CV

Copies of all academic documents

You will be required to bring along all the original documents along with multiple copies when you are called in for the interview.

If you want to find out about living costs (food, rent. home, insurance etc) in France, read Cost of Living in France

Post study work permit – Other Permit for Students graduating with a Masters or higher degree from France

For students who have completed their degrees at the Master’s or PhD level, there is a provision that allows them to apply for a residence extension permit called APS (Authorization Provisoire de séjour) that increases the duration of their stay for a period of 24 months. This extension is non-renewable and only allows the student to work for 60 hours a week and can only be converted into a work permit if you get an offer from a company in the country that offers you more than 1.5 times the minimum wage.

Post Study Work Permit France – Job Opportunities

After the completion of your degree, international students are eligible to apply for a full time job in any area that you might be interested in. Some of the major industries that international students should be looking towards are:

Computer Science and IT – One of the fastest growing job fields in the market at the moment. Graduates from these streams can apply to the host of international startups that are located in France. France is now ranked second in Europe for enterprise creation (Eurostat, 2016) and Paris is home to more than 3,000 startups (EY for “La French Tech”, 2017). The median salary for a graduate in the IT field ranges from EUR 20,000 to 55,000 per year according to a 2018 EU Times report.

Engineering – Engineering has always been one of the main streams that has always been the mainstay of Indian students studying in France. France is home to some of the top engineering and research firms in the world like the Thales group, Alstom etc. that allow international students a chance to work for the top companies in their chosen field. The average base salary for an engineer in France is approximately EUR 44,000 per year according to data submitted by a 2018 French Government review.

Business and Management – One of the best streams to invest in as they provide a guaranteed return in the form of high-paying jobs after the completion of their degrees. The rise of fast moving and growing companies are one of the benefits of entering this industry after the completion of your degree. Students can start from a median annual salary of EUR 40,000 per year and grow with their experience to earn an annual median salary of EUR 130,000 per year for top level executive and management positions (FGR Review 2018).

Hospitality and Tourism – France has always been one of the top tourist destinations in the world and will continue to remain so in the coming years. Graduates from this stream will find the demand for skilled hospitality workers to be always steady. This is also a good industry to apply to after the completion of your degree for a post-work permit. The minimum annual salary for a fresher in this industry is EUR 23,000 per year. At the higher end of positions, the annual salary is EUR 89,000 per year (FGR Review 2018).

Post study work permit France – Information Regarding Dependent Visa

People who have spouses and/or children should be even more diligent in their research as certain conditions have to be fulfilled for them to migrate with you. You are allowed to present your case individually at the French embassy and your case may be given special consideration depending on how well you are able to present it to the people in charge. Other factors include having enough and appropriate financing and living space. In the case of people going for a Bachelor’s degree, your spouse will not be allowed to travel with you unless they are a bonafide EU citizen. The rules are different for Master’s and Research Scholars and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Post Study Work Permit France – FAQs

Q. Who can apply for a post-study work permit in France?

A. Students who have completed their post-graduation or higher degrees from a French institute are eligible to apply for a post-study full-time work permit in France.

Q. Can I work in France during a short-term course?

A. Yes, but only under for 964 hours in a given year period, provided that the work does not interfere with your course work.

Q. What is the wage limit for a student working in France?

A. Any non-EU student working in France is eligible for the minimum wage which is €7.61 per hour, after deduction of taxes.

Q. Are there any scholarships that I can avail to support my education in France?

A. Yes, some of the most popular scholarships for Indian students are the Erasmus + program, the Charpak Scholarship etc. Check out Buddy4Study Study Abroad Portal for study abroad admission and funding information that will help you support your education in France.

Q. What is the cost of a long-stay visa in France?

A long-stay visa or Visa de long séjour etudes costs €50, not including the visa processing fees which fluctuates according to the exchange rate.

Q. Can my wife/partner/kids move with me to France?

A. You are allowed to present your case in the French embassy and depending on the situation they will reach a decision. Certain conditions have to be met prior to your dependents moving with you.

Q. What are the documents required for the visa application process?

A. Refer to the article above which will answer all your queries.