After completing your master’s in France, you can stay back using the Post-Study Work Visa (APS) for up to 2 years to find a job or start a business. Once employed, you can transition to a “Passeport Talent” or work visa to continue living in France.
The employment market in France is experiencing a steady increase from 2024 to 2025, with the total number of employed individuals rising by around 0.35%, or 0.1 million people. This growth will bring the total number of employed people in France to an estimated 28.4 million by 2025. This positive trend in employment opportunities bodes well for international graduates.
This blog outlines the options for international students planning on staying back in France after Master’s, the importance of a post-study work visa, its popular types, and how to get one.
How to Stay Back in France After Master’s - Options to Consider
Once you complete your studies in France, your student visa or residence permit automatically becomes invalid. However, the French government provides several post-study stay options depending on your personal goals and circumstances. If you wish to remain in France after graduation, you’ll need to change the type of your residence permit or visa. Here are some viable options:
1. Temporary Resident Permit (APS)
The APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) is one of the most common options for international graduates. It allows you to stay in France for an additional 12 months after completing your Master’s degree. During this period, you can:
Look for a job relevant to your academic qualifications
Start a business venture
Gain international work experience
Pay off your student loan
Enhance your resume for future career opportunities
After receiving the APS, you can apply for jobs. Once you receive a job offer, you may then apply for a work permit, which will legally allow you to stay longer.
2. Work Permit Options in France
Once you secure a job offer, you can transition from APS to one of the following work permits:
Employee Work Permit: Ideal for students who have a confirmed job offer from a French employer.
Skills and Talents Residence Permit: Meant for individuals with exceptional skills or talents that are beneficial to France.
Investor/Entrepreneur Permit: Suitable for graduates planning to start a business or entrepreneurial venture in France.
3. Apply for a New Student Visa
If you wish to continue your studies (e.g., pursue a Ph.D. or MBA), you can apply for a new student visa by enrolling in another registered academic course in France. This provides an extension of stay for educational purposes.
4. Long-Term Stay Options
If you plan to stay in France for an extended period for personal or professional reasons, you can consider applying for one of the following long-term visas:
Family Visa: Applicable if you have a French spouse or close relative residing in France.
Residence Permit: Suitable for individuals who have a long-term business or project plan in France.
What is a Post Study Work Visa in France?
The post-study work visa options for international students in France, also known as the “Autorisation Provisoire de Sejour (APS) is the business creation or job search permit for the international students, who pursue master’s degree programs like MBA from France and decide to stay back in France after masters to establish their businesses or seek employment.
Types Of Post-Study Work Permit in France
The post-study work visa options for international students in France are the best choice for students who decide to stay back in this country after completing their education. Here are some details of different post-study work permits in France.
Type of Post-Study Visa Permit
Key Features
Eligibility
APS (Temporary Residence Permit)
Stay up to 12 months post-graduation
Allows job search or starting a business
Must have completed a Master’s degree or higher from a recognized French institution
Talent Passport
Grants multi-year residence permit
Designed for high-potential professionals
Must meet one or more of the following:
Be a research scholar or entrepreneur
Hold a French employment contract or EU Blue Card
Have exceptional talent or invest in France
VLS-TS (Long-Stay Visa)
Stay up to 12 months without needing a separate residence permit
Must have completed a Master’s degree or higher from a reputed French institution
Apart from the post-study work visa options for international students in France, there are some other legal options to stay back in France after a Master’s. These include:
EU Resident Card
Highly skilled employees in France who are looking for a 1 to 3-year residence permit can apply for this resident card. To qualify, the aspirant must hold a diploma or degree as proof of higher education for three years or professional experience for five years in any particular subject.
Besides, the applicants must have at least 1 year of work experience, and their monthly earnings must be 1.5 times the French average gross yearly pay. This card is valid for ten years and can be renewed after that. With this resident card, one can also work and stay in any other European Union country without a long-stay visa.
Eligibility Criteria to Obtain a Post-Study Work Visa in France?
The French Government has introduced several post-study work visa options for international students in France. The main goals of these permits are to shape the careers of those students, encourage them to stay back in France after their Master’s, and contribute to France’s economy. Even though the eligibility criteria of the French post-study work visa often vary based on the applicant’s qualification and the type of permit they get, here are the general criteria that you must know:
Academic Qualification: The applicant must have a master’s or higher qualification degree from a reputable institute in France.
Proof of Financial Stability: The applicant has to demonstrate that he is financially sound to support themselves during the visa period.
Validity of Staying in France: To qualify for the post-study work visa options for international students in France, the applicant should have a valid student visa or a resident permit.
Motive: The applicant should demonstrate their intent to find a job or set up a business related to their education.
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Documents You Need To Apply for a Post-Study Work Visa In France
You have to submit several documents when applying for a post-study work visa in France. These include:
The proof of graduation from a renowned academic institution in France, along with copies of academic transcripts from the institutions or universities you attended earlier.
Your proof of identity and passport.
Your resume and cover letter summarize the job offer or job search.
Proof of TOEFL or IELTS scores, if asked by the employer.
Evidence of your financial situation to support yourself during a job search.
Unlike common student visas, post-study work visa options for international students in France offer students a scope to live and work in this country by bridging the gap between a successful career and higher education. Even though adapting to a new environment or a new culture is often challenging, the post-study visa offers numerous benefits. Some of them are:
Work permit renewal- The students can renew their work permit easily with a post-study work visa in France, ensuring a worry-free and comfortable stay in the country after completing master’s degree.
No restrictions on Schengen travel - Post-study work visa options for international students in France allow the students to travel freely within Schengen countries for around 5 years without any separate Schengen visa.
Free VISALE assistance- Students can access the local visa office or VISALE at no cost with a post-study work visa in France in case of any immigration or visa-related issues.
Tax benefits- Students with a post-study work visa in France can enjoy tax benefits like a tax-free allowance for some expenses and a reduced tax rate for foreign income.
Subsidies on housing rental- The students with a post-study work visa in France qualify for the rental subsidies that help them with the housing costs.
How upGrad Can Help?
upGrad Abroad can support students in securing post-study work visas in France by guiding them in the application process, including shortlisting the right universities or institutions in France, creating the necessary documents like LORs and SOPs, and offering the students necessary guidance on language and scholarship requirements.
Apart from that, this online learning platform also helps the students with their documents and visa support. Here are a few details of how upGrad helps the students.
Personalized counseling of students through one-on-one counseling and university shortlisting.
Application support is provided by preparing LOR and SOP and guiding students through the application procedures.
Language and visa support through TOEFL/IELTS preparation, and visa assistance.
Guidance on exploring different scholarship opportunities.
Support for a post-study work visa.
If you are exploringstudy abroad options, contact upGrad for guidance and support!
FAQs
How long can I stay in France after my Master’s?
The international students can apply for APS or Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour or a temporary resident permit in France after completing their Master’s. This permit has a 12-month validity. During this time, they can stay back in Franceand hunt for employment opportunities.
Can I start a business in France after completing my Master’s degree?
Yes, you can start a business in France after completing your Master’s education. To do this, you have to apply for a “new business creator/job seeker” residence permit, which will allow you to start a business or join a job while staying in France.
Is it easy to get a PR in France after a Master’s?
Getting PR or Permanent Residence after studying can be challenging, but possible with the right procedure. After completing your studies, you can apply for the Temporary Residence Permit (APS) that allows you to stay in France for almost a year to look for employment. Once you get the job, the next thing you have to do is apply for a work permit. After five years of regular employment and residence, you can apply for PR.
Is it easy to find a job in France after a Master’s?
No, finding a job in France after a Master’s is not easy for international students. Even though the degree is a strong credential here, securing a job needs a combination of factors like relevant work experience, strong French language skills, and a proactive job-hunting strategy.
Can I settle in France after studying?
Yes, you can settle in France after studying by joining a job or starting a business with 1.5 times the minimum wage or by applying for a “temporary worker” or “employee” permit. After that, you can apply for a permanent residence permit after five years of constant residence and employment.
How long can you stay in France after a student visa expires?
After your student visa expires, you can stay in France for a specific time under the 90-day rule within the Schengen area. As per this rule, you can stay in France or the Schengen zone for 90 days within 6 months. However, if you want to stay longer, you have to apply for a new visa or a temporary residence permit.
Does a student visa allow you to work in France?
Yes, a student visa in France allows you to work. As mentioned in the French law, international students can work for almost 964 hours a year, which is equal to 60% of the maximum permitted working hours. This means you can work around 20 hours every week during the academic year and probably more during breaks.
Can I get French citizenship after studying in France?
Yes, studying for a Master’s or a French diploma course in France eases the chance of getting French citizenship by shortening the time required to apply for the same. However, there are some other criteria that you need to meet, such as a good command of the French language, demonstration of a high degree of integration into French society, and a potential economic contribution to the country.
Can I change my student visa to a work permit in France?
Yes, you can change the student visa in France to a work permit. But to do this, you must have a secure job proposal, and you must meet a few criteria, like having a relevant degree to your job and passing the basic test in French language proficiency.
How many years is a student visa in France?
The French student visa generally lasts for the duration of the course that a student is pursuing. For instance, the student visa of a candidate pursuing a Bachelor’s degree program in France is valid for three years, while the student visa of another candidate pursuing a Master’s degree program is valid for two years.
Can students doing short-term courses stay back in France?
No, students doing short-term courses in France for 6 months or less can’t stay back after course completion.
Pragya Sharma is a content developer and marketer with 6.5+ years of experience in the education industry. She started her career as a social media copywriter for NIELIT, Ministry of Electronics & IT,...
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