Can a non-European student work in France?
Verified 18 April 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Additional cases ?
When a non-European student studies in France, he has a student residence permit. While studying in France, the foreigners student may work as an employed person under certain conditions. Special rules apply depending on the nationality of the foreigner student. How many hours can a foreigner student work during his studies? Does the employer have to apply for a work permit? We're doing an update on the regulations.
What applies to you ?
Special rules apply depending on the nationality of the foreigner student.
General case
A non-European foreigners student may be permitted to work. Depending on different situations, the rules are not the same.
Please note
The student residence card does not allow to be self-employed person.
Yes, a non-European foreigner student may work during his studies.
Title Required
The student must have a long-stay visa as student residence permit (VLS-TS) or student residence card.
Allowed working time
The student can work a maximum of 964 hours per year (60% the annual legal working time).
If he does not comply with this limit, he risks the withdrawal and refusal of renewal of his residence permit.
This period begins when the card is issued or the VLS-TS is validated. For example, if the residence permit was issued on 20 September 2023, he can work a maximum of 964 hours until 19 September 2024.
Application for work authorization
The student may engage in any employed activity without any other work authorization.
The employer doesn't have to ask work authorization.
Nominative declaration to the prefecture
Hiring may take place only after the employer has registered with the prefecture of the department in which the employing establishment has its registered office.
The employer must complete this formality at least 2 working days before the effective date of the hiring.
Yes, under certain conditions, the non-European foreigners student may attend a apprenticeship contract.
Conditions requested
To sign an apprenticeship contract, the student must have been in France for more than 1 year.
In case of registration for a master's degree or a level I diploma recognized by the Graduate School Conference, the 1-year condition for signing an apprenticeship contract is not requested.
Title Required
The student must have a long-stay visa as student residence permit (VLS-TS) or student residence card.
Authorized working time and formalities
He can work more than 964 hours/year as part of his studies.
Application for work authorization
When the contract is validated by Skills Operator (OPCO) (or by Dreets: titleContent in the case of learning in the public service), the employer does not have to apply for work authorization.
Nominative Declaration
Hiring may take place only after the employer has registered with the prefecture of the department in which the employing establishment has its registered office.
The employer must complete this formality at least 2 working days before the effective date of the hiring.
Yes, under certain conditions, the non-European foreigners student may attend a professionalisation contract.
Conditions requested
To sign a professionalization contract, the student must have been in France for more than 1 year.
Title Required
The student must have a long-stay visa as student residence permit (VLS-TS) or student residence card.
Allowed duration of work
He can work more than 964 hours/year as part of his studies.
Application for work authorization
To work more than 964 hours, the employer must request and obtain one work permit before you can start the activity.
Nominative Declaration
Hiring may take place only after the employer has registered with the prefecture of the department in which the employing establishment has its registered office.
The employer must complete this formality at least 2 working days before the effective date of the hiring.
Yes, a non-European foreigner student may work during his studies where these include a sequence of paid work during his studies.
Title Required
The student has a long-stay visa as student residence permit (VLS-TS) or student residence card.
Allowed working time
The student may work up to 964 hours per year in the course of his studies.
Application for work authorization
To work more than 964 hours, the employer must request and obtain a work permit before you can start the activity.
Nominative declaration to the prefecture
Hiring may take place only after the employer has registered with the prefecture of the department in which the employing establishment has its registered office.
The employer must complete this formality at least 2 working days before the effective date of the hiring.
Yes, a non-European foreigner student who has come for 6 months may work during his studies.
Title Required
The student must have a long-stay visa of 6 months.
Allowed working time
The authorized working time is proportional to the duration of his studies (for example, a maximum of 482 hours for a 6-month course).
Application for work authorization
The employer must ask for and obtain a work authorization before you can start the activity.
Nominative declaration to the prefecture
Hiring may take place only after the employer has registered with the prefecture of the department in which the employing establishment has its registered office.
The employer must complete this formality at least 2 working days before the effective date of the hiring.
Algerian
An Algerian student may be allowed to work. Depending on different situations, the rules are not the same.
Please note
The student residence card does not allow to be self-employed person.
YesHowever, an Algerian student can work while studying.
Title Required
The student must have a student residence certificate.
Allowed working time
The student can work to the maximum 50% the annual length of work practiced in the branch or profession concerned.
Application for work authorization
The employer must request and obtain one work permit before you can start the activity.
Nominative declaration to the prefecture
Hiring may take place only after the employer has registered with the prefecture of the department in which the employing establishment has its registered office.
The employer must complete this formality at least 2 working days before the effective date of the hiring.
Yes, the Algerian student can follow a apprenticeship contract.
Conditions requested
To sign an apprenticeship contract, the student must have been in France for more than 1 year.
In case of registration for a master's degree or a level I diploma recognized by the Graduate School Conference, the 1-year condition for signing an apprenticeship contract is not requested.
Title Required
The Algerian student must have a student residence certificate.
Allowed working time
As part of their studies, the student can work beyond 50% the annual length of work practiced in the branch or profession concerned.
Application for work authorization
The employer must request and obtain one work permit before you can start the activity.
Nominative declaration to the prefecture
Hiring may take place only after the employer has registered with the prefecture of the department in which the employing establishment has its registered office.
The employer must complete this formality at least 2 working days before the effective date of the hiring.
Yes, the Algerian student can follow a professionalisation contract.
Conditions requested
To sign a professionalization contract, the student must have been in France for more than 1 year.
Title Required
The Algerian student must have a student residence certificate.
Allowed working time
As part of their studies, the student can work beyond 50% the annual length of work practiced in the branch or profession concerned.
Application for work authorization
The employer must request and obtain one work permit before you can start the activity.
Nominative declaration to the prefecture
Hiring may take place only after the employer has registered with the prefecture of the department in which the employing establishment has its registered office.
The employer must complete this formality at least 2 working days before the effective date of the hiring.
Yes, an Algerian student may work during his studies when these include a sequence of paid work during his studies.
Title Required
The student must have a student residence certificate.
Allowed working time
As part of their studies, the student can work beyond 50% the annual length of work practiced in the branch or profession concerned.
Application for work authorization
The employer must request and obtain one work permit before you can start the activity.
Nominative declaration to the prefecture
Hiring may take place only after the employer has registered with the prefecture of the department in which the employing establishment has its registered office.
The employer must complete this formality at least 2 working days before the effective date of the hiring.
Yes, the Algerian student who has come for 6 months can work during his studies.
Title Required
The student must have a long-stay visa of 6 months.
Allowed working time
The authorized working time is proportional to the duration of his studies.
Application for work authorization
The employer must request and obtain one work permit before you can start the activity.
Nominative declaration to the prefecture
Hiring may take place only after the employer has registered with the prefecture of the department in which the employing establishment has its registered office.
The employer must complete this formality at least 2 working days before the effective date of the hiring.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
For general information (no appointment request, no case follow-up)
Telephone administrative information - Allo Public Service
For more information on this topic, you can contact Allô Service Public.
Attention: the service does not have access to users' personal files and cannot therefore provide information on their status.
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The informants who answer you belong to the Ministry of the Interior.
Foreigner work authorization
Nominative Declaration
Work authorization of a foreigner student
Work of the Algerian student (Article 11 and Title III of the Protocol to the Agreement)