FAQ: APS – French job search or business creation resident permit

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APS (Master) or Carte de séjour – Recherche d’emploi/création d’entreprise is a job-search or business creation resident permit given to students, who had graduated from a college or university in France. It allows graduates to gain their first professional experience or create a business activity related to their course.

This article covers the various frequently asked questions (FAQs) on APS. To learn more about APS, you can refer to the article APS : French Job Search Or Business Creation Resident Permit

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Table of Contents

  1. Is it possible to do one more master after APS Master or CdS RECE ?
  2. Do I need to buy 1-year health insurance to apply for APS from India?.
  3. Can I apply for APS at a different prefecture?
  4. I joined a French course after my Masters. Can I apply for APS after completing the French course?.
  5. Is a CDI or CDD contract required for APS?
  6. Can I apply for APS with just the course completion certificate “attestation de réussite”?.
  7. Can I work full-time on APS or CdS RECE?.
  8. Can I do a French language course using APS?
  9. Can I do an internship using APS?
  10. Can I renew the APS  from outside France ?
  11. With an APS, how long can I stay outside France?
  12. I have graduated & I have my student resident permit valid for another 6 months?. Should I apply for APS now or later?
  13. Should I pay 75€ for APS?
  14. My student resident permit & internship are ending around the same time. How can I apply for APS in this situation?
  15. Can I travel with APS to other Schengen countries?
  16. How can I renew the APS for the 2nd year?.
  17. How long does it take to receive the APS or CdS RECE?
  18. My prefecture issued me a 6 month APS after graduation. Can I renew it again?
  19. Can I convert my APS or CdS RECE back to a Student visa?.

Q1: After 1+1 (2) years duration of APS Visa. Is it possible to do one more master’s?. Like APS visa to again student visa?

  • Unfortunately, it is not possible. You cannot convert an APS Master or CdS RECE back to a student visa.
  • You can only convert it into a work or business creation-related resident permit or a Ph.D. with PT Chercher.

Q2: While applying for APS from India, Do I need to buy 1-year health insurance to apply for APS from India?.

  • Yes, you need to submit health insurance for 1 year.
  • But, if your French social security rights are still active, you can submit the “attestation des droits” as proof of insurance..

Q3: Can I apply for APS at a different prefecture?.

  • Yes, you can apply APS or CdS RECE at a different prefecture, if you can submit a local address proof.

Q4: I joined a French course after my Masters. Can I apply for APS after completing the French course?.

  • Unfortunately, the answer is No. You are supposed to apply for APS within the same year of graduation.
  • Joining a French course makes you not eligible for APS. So, do not become a victim of misleading advertisements from some private French language schools.

Q5: I have a query for 1st APS, a CDD or CDI contract is compulsory ?. I mean without a contract we can’t apply for APS ?.

  • APS or CdS RECE is a job-search or business creation resident permit.
  • So, it is independent of any job contracts.

Q6: Can i apply for APS or CdS RECE with just the course completion certificate “attestation de réussite”?.

  • Yes, you can start the application wit an attestation de reussite.
  • But the APS or CdS RECE will be issued only after submitting the final degree.

Q7: Can I work full-time on APS or CdS RECE?.

  • Yes, you can work full-time, if the job is related to your master’s and if the salary is a minimum of 1.5 times SMIC (currently 2,702.70 € since 1st November 2024).
  • If these 2 conditions aren’t satisfied, you can work only part-time for 964 hours per year.
  • A work permit « autorisation de travail » isn’t mandatory to work using APS or CdS RECE.

Q8: Can I do a French language course using APS?

  • Yes, you do it can at any French language institute.
  • However, the language certificate will neither help you extend your APS nor apply for another resident permit.

Q9: Can I do an internship using APS?

  • Yes, if you can get a Convention du Stage.
  • However, you won’t be able to obtain this document from your college or university because it requires a student status.
  • But, you can get it via 3rd part organizations like Fac for Pro, BeStudentAgain, etc by paying fees of around 200 euros.

Q10: I received my 1st APS in France but left the country after some time. Can I renew the APS  from outside France ?

  • Unfortunately, the renewals of resident permits can only be applied inside France.
  • So, you must submit the renewal application in France.

Q11: With an APS, how long can I stay outside France?

Q12: I have graduated & I have my student resident permit valid for another 6 months?. Should I apply for APS now or later?

  • Irrespective of the remaining validity period on the student resident permit, you should apply for APS or CdS RECE immediately after graduation.
  • Don’t keep waiting until the expiry of the student Carte de Sejour.

Q13:  Should I pay 75€ for APS?

  • The tax stamp of 75€ is not applicable for APS (pink paper).
  • It’s only applicable for Carte de Sejour RECE (card).

Q14: My student resident permit & internship are ending around the same time. How can I apply for APS in this situation?

  • First, you should apply for an extension of your student CdS.
  • So, an extension of 3 months will be provided via an Attestation de prolongation d’instruction.
  • Then, you can apply for APS or Carte de Sejour RECE after graduation.

Q15: Can I travel with APS to other Schengen countries?

  • An APS is a valid resident permit. So, you can travel to all Schengen countries.
  • Also, you can travel to your home country & return to France before it expires.

Q16: How can I renew the APS for the 2nd year?.

Q17: How long does it take to receive the APS or CdS RECE?

  • If it’s offline via an appointment, APS pink paper is usually given on the spot during the appointment.
  • If it’s applied online, it can take anywhere from 2 to 4 months.
  • Carte de Sejour RECE usually takes 2 to 4 months because the card has to be fabricated.

Q18: My prefecture issued me a 6 month APS after graduation. Can I renew it again?

  • Indians must receive a 1 year APS after graduation. However, some prefectures issue it for 6 months incorrectly.
  • There is nothing to worry about because it is a simple case of misunderstanding from the agent at your prefecture.
  • You just have to renew it again in 6 months and are also eligible for the 2nd year too.
  • You can avoid this by reminding the agent about the APS rules applicable to Indians and the bilateral agreement.

Q19: Can I convert my APS or CdS RECE back to a Student visa?.

  • Unfortunately, the APS Master or the Carte de Sejour RECE cannot be converted back into a Student Visa.
  • The student visa can only be applied via the French Embassies and Consulates outside France.

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