How to submit an application for APS or CdS RECE inside and outside France?

48 Comments / Resident Permit, Study, Visa, Work / By

Last updated on: February 13, 2026 |  By: @rprasanth_kumar

APS (Master) or Carte de séjour Recherche d’emploi ou 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.

This article shares the various options to submit an APS or CdS RECE application inside and outside France (visa). To learn more about APS, you can refer to the detailed article APS & CdS RECE: French Job Search Or Business Creation Resident Permit

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Topics Covered  📚 

  1. Application Inside France 
    • List of Prefectures
    • Documents Required
  2. Application Outside France (Ex: India or Belgium)
    • Documents Required
  3. Sources & References

Inside France 

The process is online or offline (by appointment or by post) depending on your local prefecture. This information can be easily found on the website of the prefecture.

Some prefectures might ask you to send an email with all your relevant details, especially your 10-digit student resident permit number. Please refer to section 2 in the following article, How To Contact The Prefecture In Your City?

List of Prefectures

Here are a few examples, click the respective links below and follow the process.

Prefecture
Application Process

Paris (75)

Seine-et-Marne (77)

Versailles (78)

Mantes-la-Jolie (78)

Saint-Germain-en-Laye (78)

1st application or renewal

1st application or renewal

sp-etrangers-versailles@yvelines.gouv.fr | pref-spsgl-etrangers@yvelines.gouv.fr

sp-etrangers-mantes-la-jolie@yvelines.gouv.fr

https://www.rdv-prefecture.interieur.gouv.fr and renewals by post

Essone (91)

Nanterre (92)

Evry-Courcouronnes | Palaiseau | Etampes

APS Master or CdS RECE

Antony (92) & Boulogne Billancourt (92)

Information

 |1st Application for APS Master or CdS RECE | Renewal of APS Master

Bobigny (93)APS Master or CdS RECE
Val-de-Marne / Creteil (94)APS Master | CdS RECE
Some areas in (94) 
APS Master or CdS RECE for ARCUEIL, CACHAN, CHEVILLY LARUE, FRESNES, GENTILLY, L’HAY-LES-ROSES, LE KREMLIN BICETRE, RUNGIS, THIAIS & VILLEJUIF
Cergy (95)pref-sejour@val-doise.gouv.fr (send email)
Argenteuil (95)pref-rdv-etr-argenteuil@val-doise.gouv.fr (send email)

Lyon (69)

Marseille (13)

APS Master or CdS RECE

Procédure hors ANEF (by post)

Grenoble (38) & Valence (26)
APS Master or CdS RECE
Toulouse (31) haute-garonne.gouv.fr (Changement de statut)
Nantes (44)APS Master or CdS RECE

Douai (59)

Lille (59)

Le Havre (76)

nord.gouv.fr (download the doc & apply by post)

Application by post

Application by post

List of Documents required

The various documents required to apply in France,

  • Copy of your Passport.
  • Copy of your birth certificate – apostilled & translated.
  • Copy of a valid student resident permit.
  • ePhoto printed from a Photomaton machine.
  • Copy of address proof: Please refer to Address proof documents for Resident Permits: Justificatif de domicile.
  • Tax stamp of 75€ for CdS RECE (not applicable for APS Master given to Indians, etc).
  • Last 3-6 months of French bank statements to prove atleast 615€/month of financial resources. Some prefectures don’t ask and some are very strict about it. If you are receiving salary from your part-time job, you can submit those payslips too. If you don’t have regular financial transactions on your bank account, then showing an equivalent of atleast 6000-7000€ account balance becomes very important.
  • Regarding Health Insurance, Copy of valid Attestation des droits from Ameli website. 
  • Copy of your Master’s degree or an equivalent certification. If the degree is not yet available, you can start the APS application using the course completion certificate (attestation de reussite). But the APS may not be issued during the RDV, without the final degree certificate.
  • If PhD: Confirmation from the research organisation that the research work has been completed (thesis diploma for
    doctoral students or certificate from the research centre). Note: if your work has not yet been completed when you submit your application, you must provide a certificate indicating the expected date of completion. You can provide confirmation of completion of the work at a later date.
  • Signed copy of the Contrat d’engagement à respecter les principes de la République

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Example of an APS recherche d'emploi ou création d'entreprise

Outside France (Ex: India or Belgium)

The APS visa application can be submitted outside France within 4 years of graduation. It means the alumni can apply for this visa before completing 4 years from the date mentioned in the final degree certificate. 

The documents are usually submitted at a local VFS office in your country of residence and/or processed by the local French Embassy or consulate. On france-visas.gouv.fr apply for a “Job Search/Business Creation visa”. Choose “Business” as your plan and you will find the relevant options.

List of Documents required

Here are the various documents required to apply outside France, within 4 years of graduation,

  • Application form downloaded from france-visas.gouv.fr
  • Copy of your Passport.
  • Copy of your birth certificate.
  • Copy of your expired French student residence permit held at the time of your graduation in France.
  • Copy of French address proof. Please refer to Address proof documents for Resident Permits: Justificatif de domicile. There is no minimum rule for the duration but I wouldn’t submit any accommodation less than 3 months. Ideal situation is 6 months or more rental contract for the 1-year visa. 
  • Copy of health insurance for a year. If your French SSN is valid,  you can submit a copy of valid Attestation des droits from Ameli website. If your current attestation is expiring soon, download it again and it will have the latest dates. If this is not available, you must obtain a valid health insurance of at least €30k coverage for the entire duration of the stay. Some commonly accepted health insurance options are listed in Which health insurance for long-stay visitor visa?.  If one of the above is not available, the APS visa application will be rejected.
  • Copy of your Master’s degree obtained in France.
  • Proof of financial resources for a year. It should be atleast equal to the 615euros x 12 months. Ideally, equal to monthly SMIC  x 12 months as explained in French Minimum Salary Limit increases on 1st November 2024: SMIC.

A detailed APS visa example is available at VFS: APS – French Job search or Business creation visa Application experience in India.

Note: Renewal of APS visa can only be done inside France. 

Support This Blog!

If you’ve found my articles helpful, interesting or saving your time and you want to say thanks, a cup of coffee is very much appreciated!. It helps in running this website free for the readers.

Sources & References

  1. APS Master service-public.fr
  2. Bilateral agreements about Professional mobility between France & various countries immigration.interieur.gouv.fr
  3. Recherche d’emploi – Création d’entreprise france-visas.gouv.fr
  4. Création d’entreprise : quelles sont les démarches à effectuer ? economie.gouv.fr/entreprises
  5. Comment faire pour embaucher un salarié étranger ? service-public.fr
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48 thoughts on “How to submit an application for APS or CdS RECE inside and outside France?”

  1. Nandhini Lakshmanan

    Hello,

    Can you please tell me how to renew APS under 77500, Chelles (seine et marne préfecture)?
    I tried searching for the procedure in the préfecture website, but not able to find it.
    Thank you

    Reply
  2. DANIEL Akromah

    my prefecture is Raincy under 93110, so i did using the Bobigny but i was refused and ask to go the website of Raincy which i have not still found.

    Reply
  3. Mridula

    Hi Prasanth, thank you for the article—it was super helpful! I’m currently applying for an APS (outside France) and came across a non-mandatory question asking for a “Visapro number.” Is this relevant for graduates applying primarily for job search purposes? If so, where can one find it?

    Thanks again!

    Reply
  4. Neha

    Hi, what should be the passport validity to get APS? My student visa will expire in aug ’26 so will need APS before that and passport will expire in oct ’27.

    Reply
    1. Prasanth

      Hello Neha,

      Please renew your passport during early 2027 and it hardly takes 2-4 weeks. Then apply for the APS in time.

      Cheers,
      Prasanth
      PS: If my articles and answers are helpful, please leave your feedback on Trustpilot

      Reply
  5. SIBILAL S.

    Hi,
    I am planning to apply for my APS in Cergy Prefecture. In this article it mentioned that to “sent email”. can you please explain it how to do it or how it works?

    Reply
    1. Prasanth

      Hello Sibilal,

      Sorry, I thought it will be obvious & easy to understand.

      Please send an email to the ID mentioned above, with all the documents listed above. The same details will be available on your Prefecture’s website too.

      Cheers,
      Prasanth
      PS: If my articles and answers are helpful, please leave your feedback on Trustpilot

      Reply
  6. Sai

    Hello Prasanth,

    I have seen that while applying for APS, the “Contrat d’engagement à respecter les principes de la République” is necessary. Could you please guide me on how to get this document and explain the procedure? Also, do I need to have it signed by a French legal representative?

    Reply
  7. Sarv

    Hi Prasanth,
    Hope you’re doing good.

    I applied for my APS in the Nanterre prefecture, and they closed my file stating :

    A l’examen de votre dossier il apparait que vous ne pouvez justifier de l’obtention de votre diplôme puisque vous ne serez présenté au Jury Ministériel de diplomation que le 15 octobre 2025. En l’état, votre demande de titre de séjour ne peut être instruite et se voit donc classée sans suite.

    My situation:

    – On a titre de sejour etudient – expires on 29 Oct 2025
    – Submitted everything for my masters. School gave me a Attesttation de reussite that stated:
    Je soussignée, …………., Directrice des Études et de l’Expérience
    Etudiante de …………, certifie que Monsieur Sarvagya …… a suivi
    avec succès le parcours du Programme Grande École de l’IÉSEG.
    Il a validé tous les éléments requis et sera présenté au Jury Ministériel de diplomation le 15
    octobre 2025

    Since my titre desejour etudient expires on 29 October, should I apply for the student visa renewal first and then the APS after I have my degree?
    Or I can apply for APS again with a different document from school?

    Because from what my school shared, I have completed everything that’s needed to be validated.

    Could you please help me with this?

    Best,
    Sarv

    Reply
    1. Prasanth

      Hello Sarv,

      Its normal that your APS file was closed becasue you havent validated your degree requirements and this happens only after the jury process.

      Either use the Attesttation de reussite to request a renewal via ANEF (a short extension might be provided) or submit an APS application after completing the jury process. One of them must be done before 29th october.

      Cheers,
      Prasanth
      PS: If my articles and answers are helpful, please leave your feedback on Trustpilot

      Reply
  8. Krupali Shah

    Hello, i live in la cournueve 93120. I applied for aps in bobigny prefecture and they closed the file stating it does not fall under their prefecture. Can you please send me the prefecture site to apply for aps as its urgent my visa is getting over on 24th September and they took 1 and half month to reply previous file.

    Reply
  10. Pradipti

    Hi Prasanth,
    My first APS is expiring on 10th Feb 2026. I want to apply for my second renewal. My prefecture is Nanterre. Normally when before how long do you suggest to apply for the same to avoid a situation where I am “illegally” living in France? Also, do we get the same document as before?

    Reply
  11. PALANI Harikeshwaran

    I have a doubt. I live in Massy (91300). Should I apply at the Palaiseau sub-prefecture or at the Essonne main prefecture?
    If I submit my application at the Essonne prefecture, will they reject it and tell me to apply in Palaiseau instead?

    Also, my student residence permit expires on November 26. If I submit my documents for the APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour), will I receive a receipt or official document stating that I am legally allowed to stay in France while my application is being processed?

    Reply
  12. PALANI Harikeshwaran

    I just uploaded my residence permit and housing proof . I only have “acknowledgement of receipt ” for now.

    How long will it usually take to get receipt .my student visa is expiring on November 26 and I live in Massy 91300

    Reply
    1. Prasanth

      Hello Palani,
      If you have submitted a complete APS application as explained above, you dont have to worry even if your CdS étudiant expires. It can take a few months for it to be processed.

      Cheers,
      Prasanth
      PS: If my articles and answers are helpful, please leave your feedback on Trustpilot

      Reply
  13. Naman

    Hi Prasanth Sir,

    I’ve been in France on a CDD contract with a Talent Passport visa since finishing my Masters in 2024. My contract ended in September 2025, and I’m wondering if I can apply for an APS visa now. Would really love to get your feedback on this.

    Thank you so much in advance!
    Naman

    Reply
    1. Prasanth

      Hello Naman,
      Sir isnt required. Prasanth is good enough. For your current situation assuming that you are on chomage, please refer to https://prasanthragupathy.com/2024/03/faq-resident-permit-status-after-job-resignations-and-terminations-in-france/

      Everything you need to know about APS is explained in the article https://prasanthragupathy.com/2024/01/aps-french-job-search-or-business-creation-resident-permit/
      Unfortunately, only a APS RECE visa from outside France is possible for you. But it will reset your immigration counter to zero for French nationality, etc. So, keep it as a last option.

      Cheers,
      Prasanth
      PS: If my articles and answers are helpful, please leave your feedback on Trustpilot

      Reply
  14. Jay

    Hello Prasanth,

    I currently live in Thionville and I recently got my graduation certificate of completing my Masters in France. My student resident permit is valid until April 2026. I want to apply for APS but I could not find any concrete information regarding APS, whether to send documents via post – to send to sous-prefecture of Thionville or Prefecture of Metz? Could you please advise? If I do need to send via post, is there an application form I fill and sign or should I just include a letter explaining my request?

    Reply
      1. Jay

        Hello Prasanth,

        Thank you for your response. Upon further going through the website mentioned, I found this link, https://www.moselle.gouv.fr/Demarches/Demarches-de-l-etranger-en-France/Titre-de-sejour-et-documents-de-voyage/Je-viens-en-France-pour-des-raisons-scolaires-ou-professionnelles2/J-ai-etudie-en-France-et-je-recherche-actuellement-un-emploi-je-souhaite-creer-mon-entreprise

        I need to apply for my APS through “Démarches simplifiées”. Maybe you can update the table in the post above with this information to help others.

        Best Regards,
        Jay

        Reply
        1. Prasanth

          Hello Jay,
          Thanks for your feedback. There are 100s of Prefectures in France and so its not practical to list everything in a single article. The idea behind my articles is to explain the official process and provide some real examples.

          Cheers,
          Prasanth
          PS: If my articles and answers are helpful, please leave your feedback on Trustpilot

          Reply
  15. Arv

    Hello Prasanth,

    I would really appreciate some clarification about my residence situation.

    I’m currently studying in Paris, and my titre de séjour étudiant is valid until 19 August 2026. For my master’s thesis, I will be living in Belgium from February to July 2026, but I will remain enrolled at my French university, and my graduation ceremony is scheduled for September 2026.
    This means I will have around 19 days remaining on my residence permit when I return to France at the end of July.

    I’m unsure which option would be legally correct and feasible:

    1️⃣ Applying for APS
    Can I return to France around 31 July and apply for the APS during the remaining validity period of my titre de séjour? But it’s probably not the most effective idea as the fact that my permit expires only ~19 days later…

    or

    2️⃣ Renewing my current student residence permit
    I could renew my student titre de séjour in April-May 2026, given that my graduation ceremony is in September 2026? In that case could I use Attestation d’hébergement from a friend as a French proof of address?

    or

    3️⃣ Job-search / business creation permit
    Alternatively, would it be possible to apply in *advance* for the visa recherche d’emploi / création d’entreprise (job-search/business creation permit) — choosing the “Business” option as recommended in another post —- while I am temporarily in Belgium for my approved internship?
    My French university can provide a document confirming that I will officially graduate in September 2026.

    My goal is to make sure I follow the correct procedure so that I can:

    return to France in July,
    attend my graduation in September, and
    transition smoothly to an APS or another appropriate status.

    Thank you very much for your guidance.

    Reply
    1. Prasanth

      Hello Arv,
      This is a very common situation and happens every year for so many students.
      1st, submit a CdS étudiant renewal applcation respecting the 120-60 days rule. https://prasanthragupathy.com/2023/06/faq_when-should-i-apply-for-the-visa-renewal/
      2nd, Then submit the application for APS RECE after completing the jury process and an attestation de réussite based on it.

      There is a complete guide on APS RECE and also lots of comments under it https://prasanthragupathy.com/2024/01/aps-french-job-search-or-business-creation-resident-permit/

      Also, FYI https://prasanthragupathy.com/2023/09/work-resident-permits-after-graduating-in-france/

      Cheers,
      Prasanth
      PS: If my articles and answers are helpful, please leave your feedback on Trustpilot

      Reply
  16. Kavan

    Hello,

    My name is Kavan Joshi, and my current APS, issued in Lyon, expires in March 2026. I am writing to request your guidance regarding the procedure for obtaining a second APS. I currently live in Marseille.

    I visited the website link you had previously shared. However, when selecting the Marseille option, the page displayed is titled “Je demande le renouvellement d’un titre de séjour ou un changement de statut hors ANEF.”

    For other cities such as Paris, Lyon, Grenoble, Nice, and Nantes, the corresponding pages clearly refer to the APS procedure.

    Because of this difference, I am unsure whether the link for Marseille corresponds to the process for a second APS.

    For reference, here is the link I accessed through your website:

    https://www.bouches-du-rhone.gouv.fr/Demarches/Accueil-des-etrangers/Droit-au-sejour/Procedure-hors-ANEF/Je-demande-le-renouvellement-d-un-titre-de-sejour-ou-un-changement-de-statut-hors-ANEF

    Could you please confirm whether this is the correct procedure for a second APS in Marseille, and if so, kindly can you guide me on the exact steps to follow?

    Thank you very much for your help and support.

    Reply
    1. Prasanth

      Hello Kavan,
      It is the correct procedure as per the Prefecture. Also, there is no point in comparing it with other Prefectures, especially non-ANEF applications.

      Cheers,
      Prasanth
      PS: If my articles and answers are helpful, please leave your feedback on Trustpilot

      Reply
  17. Rakshana

    Hello Prasanth,

    Your article was really helpful, thank you so much. I just have one question: you shared two links for the 94 department, but neither of them mentions Vitry-sur-Seine. Could you please tell me which link I should use?

    Thank you.

    Reply
    1. Prasanth

      Hello Rakhsana,

      The Prefecture links mentioned above are examples and it is not practical to list the links for entire France. So, please check your Prefecture’s website.

      Cheers,
      Prasanth
      PS: If my articles and answers are helpful, please leave your feedback on Trustpilot

      Reply
  18. Ganesh kumar

    Hi Prasanth,
    Thank you so much for your article — it was really helpful.

    I have a small doubt regarding my situation. Currently, I have an Attestation de prolongation d’instruction, and I received my certificat de réussite last month. I would now like to apply for the APS (RECE).

    My prefecture is Saint-Germain-en-Laye, and I’m a bit confused about the procedure. Should I book an appointment, or do I need to send the documents by email or post? The latest appointments published were on 24 November for the week of 29 December 2025, and my student visa expires on 17 January.

    Could you please guide me on the correct steps to follow in this situation?

    Thanks again for your support.

    Ganesh

    Reply
  19. Siddhartha

    Hi Prasanth , I want to apply APS from India . But struggling to get a house as I need it for my France application form . I have seen that you have mentioned hotels and hostels but they are quite expensive for a period of 3 months . Is there any work around for that ? I am struggling to get a place for accommodation to proceed with my form ? Should I contact a travel agency for the 3 months stay if necessary. Any kind of help would be greatly appreciated

    Reply
  20. Smrati SAHNI

    HI thank you for this article. I just have one doubt. I am in Marseille as a student after my master’s, so the link for it would be the same in Lyon, box one, because at the end the address is in Lyon. This is my first time applying for APS. I am confused which is the correct link

    Reply
    1. Prasanth

      Hello Smarati,
      I have listed Marseille & Lyon as separate lines. If you live in Marseille, please use that line.

      Cheers,
      Prasanth
      PS: If my articles and answers are helpful, please leave your feedback on Trustpilot

      Reply
  21. Smrati

    Hello, thank you for your article. I just have one question I live in Marseille and the link basically that you have shared is by post and related to non-ANEF people. I am a student and have a student visa which is related to ANEF so I am just a little bit confused that Should I click on the link that says APS masters because on the information the address is of Lyon city and the second link corresponds to non ANEF users and also to people sending by post. It is my first time applying for the APS so I am just a little bit confused which which link should I apply for?

    Reply
    1. Prasanth

      Hello Smrati,
      For Marseille, APS application is post. So, please refer to the correct link of Marseille. ANEF platform is not irrelevant for this topic.

      Cheers,
      Prasanth
      PS: If my articles and answers are helpful, please leave your feedback on Trustpilot

      Reply
  22. Balakrishnan

    Hello,

    Did anyone recently applied for APS at Bobigny Prefecture. How long it will take to process the visa.
    I used the same link in this blog for applying APS and Montreuil 93 ( Bobigny Prefecture) my folder is still in ‘En constuction”

    Thanks in advnace for the response and guidance,

    Reply
  23. Bala

    Hello,

    My student visa ending soon and i applied my APS visa. Any process to reach them?

    Did anyone recently applied for APS at Bobigny Prefecture. How long it will take to process the APS visa.
    I used the same link in this blog for applying APS and Montreuil 93 ( Bobigny Prefecture) my folder is still in ‘En constuction”

    Thanks in advnace for the response and guidance,

    Reply
  24. Balakrishnan Purushothaman

    Hi Prasanth

    My sudent visa is expires next week and i have applied for APS at Bobigny prefecture.
    Till now no update and i have tried sending many emails and i have sent a letter LRAR.

    Can you assist what i need to do ?

    Reply
      1. Balakrishnan Purushothaman

        Hello Prasanth,

        Thanks for the response.

        Yes I have the attestation de depot and forder number created and but the folder is in deposted state not changed.
        Currenly seraching job and everyone is asking about visa.

        i have interviews in future and if i get an offer i dont know what to do.

        Anyother way to reach them. It almost two months

        Reply

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