Can international students work while studying in France?

Yes. Under French law, all international students holding a valid VLS-TS student visa have the legal right to work up to 60% of the annual statutory working time (964 hours per year, approximately 20 hours per week). All work is protected by French labour law and must be paid at or above the national minimum wage (SMIC: €11.88/hour gross).

What is the CAF housing subsidy (APL) in France?

The Caisse d'Allocations Familiales (CAF) provides financial housing assistance (APL - Aide Personnalisée au Logement) to students renting rooms, apartments, or university dorms in France, regardless of nationality. International students typically receive between €100 and €220 per month directly deducted from or reimbursed against their monthly rent.

How does the RECE post-study work visa work in France?

The RECE (Recherche d'Emploi ou Création d'Entreprise) permit grants Master's degree (Bac+5) graduates from French accredited institutions a 1-year non-renewable temporary residence permit to seek employment or establish a company. Once you secure a job in your field with a gross salary of at least 1.5x the SMIC (~€2,700/month), you can transition to a multi-year Passeport Talent or Salarié residence card.

Can studying in France lead to permanent residency or French citizenship?

Yes. France offers two major long-term settlement routes: the 10-year Carte de Résident after 5 years of continuous legal residence and tax filing, and an accelerated naturalization pathway under Article 21-19 of the French Civil Code, which reduces the required residency period for French citizenship from 5 years to just 2 years for graduates holding higher education diplomas from French universities.

Home France HubFrance RECE Post-Study Visa & Passeport Talent

France RECE Post-Study Visa & Passeport Talent Requirements & Roadmap

Country: France•Consular Ledger Review: September 2026

Verified Government Portal

For official submission and legal case filing: France-Visas & Campus France

Visit Official Agency

Consular Visa Fee$225 USD

Average Processing Window4 Wks (4 to 8 weeks)

Approval Rate Index84%

Eligibility Requirements

Completion of a Master's degree (Bac+5), Mastère Spécialisé, or license professionnelle in France allows a 1-year non-renewable RECE permit. Transition to Passeport Talent requires an employment contract paying at least 1.5x minimum wage (€2,700+/mo).

Documents Checklist Drawer

French Master's degree diploma or official graduation completion certificate (Attestation de Réussite)

Valid VLS-TS student residence permit at the time of RECE application

Proof of medical insurance coverage throughout the job search period

Valid passport and civil status documents

Employment contract and work authorization (Autorisation de travail) for employer-sponsored transitions

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Step-by-Step Filing Roadmap

Complete your Master's degree (Bac+5) and receive the official Attestation de Réussite.

Submit your application for the RECE (Recherche d'Emploi ou Création d'Entreprise) residence permit online via the ANEF portal before your student permit expires.

Receive your 12-month RECE temporary residence permit granting unrestricted right to seek employment or start a company.

Secure a permanent (CDI) or fixed-term (CDD) job offer in your field with a gross salary of at least 1.5x the SMIC minimum wage.

Switch your status from RECE to a multi-year 'Passeport Talent' (Qualified Employee / European Blue Card) or 'Salarié' residence card.

Core Rejection Reasons

•Applying after student residence permit has already expired.
•Graduating with a degree below the authorized level (standard undergraduate bachelor degrees generally do not qualify for RECE).
•Job offer salary below 1.5x the statutory SMIC minimum wage threshold for status change.

Important Informational Notice

GlobalVisaAtlas is an independent informational guide. We do not represent applicants before sovereign immigration tribunals. Requirements and processing times change; verify current criteria directly on the official France immigration portal before lodging your application.

Guide Navigation

1. Fees and Processing Times2. Eligibility Benchmarks3. Necessary Checklist files4. Roadmap Steps5. Refusal Prevention

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