Work & Resident Permits after graduating in France?.

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Updated on: November 29, 2024 |  By: @rprasanth_kumar

This article addresses the different types of work and resident permits available to International students after their graduation in France. The first version of this article was written by Sanjay Kamath in 2020 and this current version goes further with the latest updates. We both are alumni from French universities and currently working in Il de France.

The article is lengthy because it covers multiple categories. So, you can skip to the relevant Carte de Sejour (CdS) using the following table. The following salary limits are applicable since 1st November 2024.

Note: Only salaried activities are allowed via the following resident permits. No type of freelancing or business activity is allowed.

Minimum Salary (Gross/Brut)Carte de Sejour
2,702.70 € per month Salarié or Travailleur Temporaire
43,243 € per yearPasseport Talent – Salarié Qualifié
53,836.50 € per yearPasseport Talent – Carte Bleue Européenne (EU Blue Card)
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Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Prerequisites
  3. CdS Salarié or Travailleur Temporaire
    • Work Permit Application
    • Resident Permit Application
  4. ​CdS Passeport Talent: Salarié Qualifié
    • Work Permit Application
    • Resident Permit Application
  5. CdS ​Passeport Talent: Carte Bleue Européenne (EU Blue Card)
    • Work Permit Application
    • Resident Permit Application
  6. References

Introduction

If you haven’t found a job after graduation or found only a CDD job less than a year, it’s better to apply for the APS Master or CdS RECE. This topic is covered in APS: French Job Search Or Business Creation Resident Permit

  • If you are an Indian graduate, it’s better to go via the Student to APS Master to CdS Salarié/Passeport Talent route. This will avoid a few potential issues including losing the job offer.
  • If you aren’t an Indian graduate, you can either go via the CdS RECE route or directly apply for a status change to CdS Salarié or Passeport Talent. Both options have their pros and cons. So, it will entirely depend on your situation. If you aren’t sure, feel free to ask for suggestions in the comments.

An APS Master or CdS RECE allows you to start working immediately, without waiting for a work permit. So, a lot of employers give preference to candidates having one of the above resident permits. This will make the hiring process a lot easier. For more details, APS – CdS RECE: French job search or business creation resident permit

If you have found a CDI or a CDD (minimum 1 year) job, you can read further. The type of work and resident permit applicable will depend on your job contract and the salary offered.

Good to know: The 2024 French immigration law has introduced a few updates to these resident permits including language requirements. For more details about the immigration law and other updates, you can refer to the following article President Macron’s Immigration Bill Finally Approved By The French Parliament.

Prerequisites

A few important points to be considered before submitting your applications.

  • You should have a valid student visa or APS Master or CdS RECE.
  • You should have completed your degree and have graduated. You can start your application based on a course completion certificate “attestation de réussite” but the degree is mandatory to complete the application process.
  • Your course and the nature of the job should match. Ex: John Doe came here to study MBA Marketing. He is a good chef at home and so he decides to join a famous 5 star hotel in Paris as a Chef. In this case, John’s work permit application will get rejected.

CdS Salarié or Travailleur Temporaire

When you find a job with a minimum salary of 1.5 times SMIC, you will be eligible for the Carte de Sejour Salarié or Travailleur Temporaire categories. Current minimum salary requirement is 2,702.70 € gross (brut) per month, as on November 2024. This is based on a salary for 12 months.

Work Permit called “autorisation de travail”

Since April 6, 2021, an employer who wishes to recruit you must apply for your work permit. It has to be done online using the ANEF website . All the details about the French work permits are explained in the following article French Work permit – Everything to know.

Resident Permit Application “changement de statut à salarié”

As soon as you obtain your work permit from your employer, you should request a status change from Student/APS Master/CdS RECE to a Salaried Employee. This can be done online at demarches-simplifiees.fr, via email or offline with an appointment from your prefecture. The exact process depends on your local Prefecture.

Here is a short list of Prefectures and their application methods. For a list of documents, please refer to Checklist: Documents required for Carte de séjour Salarié or Travailleur temporaire.

Charges: When collecting the Carte de Séjour in your Prefecture, you must pay 225 € by tax stamps “Timbres Fiscaux“. 

Good to know

  • If you have a CDI job (permanent contract), you will receive a regular CdS Salarié valid for 1 year. During its renewal, a 4-year card will be issued. 
  • If you have a CDD job (fixed-term contract), you will receive a CdS Travailleur Temporaire valid for 1 year.
  • To learn more about CDI, CDD, and other French job contracts, you can refer to this article Types Of Work Contracts In France – CDI, CDD, Etc. 

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CdS Passeport Talent: Salarié Qualifié

When you find a CDI job or a CDD (1 year & above) with a minimum salary of 2 times SMIC, you will be eligible for the Carte de Sejour “Passeport Talent – Salarié Qualifié”. The current minimum salary requirement is 43,243 € gross (brut) per year, as on November 2024. This is based on a salary for 12 months.

​Note: People on a CDD ​job with scientific contracts ​are eligible for pass​eport talent ​chercheur category. This is usually given to people pursuing a PhD or Postdoc. 

Good to know: Update Feb 2024: The multi-year residence permits “Passeport Talent” are renamed simply as “Talent”. For more details, you can refer to the following article Passeport Talent Visa Is Renamed As “Talent”.

List of documents required for Carte de séjour Passeport Talent Salarié Qualifié

Work Permit Application

A work permit “autorisation de travail” is not required for all CdS Passeport Talent categories. However, you need to submit an attestation signed and stamped by your employer known as “Attestation d’employeur”. An official template can be downloaded from the ANEF website here for Attestation d’employeur

Resident Permit Application

Since 25th May 2021, all the Passeport Talent applications have to be submitted on the ANEF website 

​The following documents have to be uploaded as photocopies,

  • A valid long-stay visa or residence permit
  • Passport (pages relating to civil status, validity dates, entry stamps, and visas)
  • Proof of address less than 6 months old
  • E-photo code
  • Attestation d’employeur mentioned earlier.

After applying, you will receive a confirmation immediately. The various steps and attestations provided during this process are explained in this article What Are The Online Attestations Of French Resident Permits? ​

  • The process usually takes 2-4 months but can take a little longer too.
  • You will be receiving a card valid for 4 years or the duration of the job contract.
  • When collecting the CdS in your Prefecture, you must pay 225 € by tax stamps “Timbres Fiscaux‘”.

CdS Passeport Talent: Carte Bleue Européenne (EU Blue Card)

When you find a job with a minimum salary of 2.5 times SMIC, you will be eligible for the Carte de Sejour “Passeport Talent: Carte Bleue Européenne” (EU Blue Card). Current minimum salary requirement is 53,836.50 EUR gross (brut) per year, as on November 2024. This is based on a salary for 12 months.

You should also satisfy the following 2 conditions:

  • Have a degree with at least 3 years of higher education (BSc, BE, BTech, BBA, etc.) or 5 years of comparable professional experience.
  • Have a job contract of minimum 1 year.

Work Permit Application

A work permit “autorisation de travail” is not required for all CdS Passeport Talent categories. However, you must submit an attestation signed and stamped by your employer known as “Attestation d’employeur”. An official template can be downloaded from the ANEF website here for Attestation d’employeur 

Resident Permit Application

Since 25th May 2021, all the Passeport Talent applications have to be submitted on the ANEF website

​The following documents have to be uploaded as photocopies,

  • A valid long-stay visa or residence permit
  • Passport (pages relating to civil status, validity dates, entry stamps, and visas)
  • Bachelor’s degree (Bac+3) or any document showing at least 5 years of professional experience (copy of your degree, CV, and work experience certificates justifying professional experience)
  • Proof of address less than 6 months old
  • E-photo code
  • Attestation d’employeur mentioned earlier.

After submitting the application, you will receive a confirmation immediately. The various steps and attestations during this process are explained in this article What Are The Online Attestations Of French Resident Permits? ​

  • The process usually takes 2-4 months but can take a little longer too.
  • You will be receiving a card valid for 4 years or the duration of the job contract.
  • When collecting the CdS in your Prefecture, you must pay 225 € by tax stamps “Timbres Fiscaux“.

Sources & References 

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7 thoughts on “Work & Resident Permits after graduating in France?.”

  1. Shanmugaraj Nagarajan

    Hi,
    Please help me with the following inquiry on French payroll and CDS Visa application processing.

    I work on CDI for a start-up firm in Germany as of November 1, 2023, and I currently hold an authorization provisoire de sejour. My French umbrella manages employee compensation taxes and social security. Because my work authorization approval has not yet been obtained, I will not be paid for November. I will apply for a passport talent visa as soon as I receive a work authorization letter and a CDI letter along with my payslip. Are there any processing concerns with the CDS Passport Talent VISA?

    Whether I can apply via online CDS Passport Talent VISA from Our India with the necessary documents because next month I will be working remotely.

    1. Prasanth

      Please refer the following sections depending on your salary & edu qualifications.
      3. CdS Passeport Talent – Salarié Qualifié
      4. CdS Passeport Talent – Carte Bleue Européenne (EU Blue Card)

      A work permit is not required in both cases

  2. Sajeev

    Hey Prasanth,
    Thanks for the wondeful posts in this website.
    I have a very specific question related to Work Permit. My best friend now has been offered a job in the UN and she is on her APS and has started working, although they are clueless on what visa to be applied for her to continue working. Please note that she doesnt pay any tax to the French Govt as she is exempted from it.
    Could you please provide any direction on what she would need to do?
    Thanks in advance and cheers 🙂

    1. Prasanth

      Hello Sajeev,
      If i am wrong, she has to apply for a new Type D special visa from India. She may not be able to convert her existing RP to the special status one.

      So, please ask her to contact the French embassy or consulates in India.

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