Working on a student visa in France
If you're planning on studying in France, this guide to the types of part-time work you can do will make for useful reading
Grace McCabe
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Now that you have researched and organised your student visa for your studies in France, it’s time to find out what the rules are when it comes to working.
Can all students work in France?
All international students with a valid student visa are allowed to work during their studies, regardless of what degree level they are studying and where in the world they originate from. The law in France allows international students to work up to 964 hours per year, which is the equivalent of a 60 per cent working week. Students from Algeria have slightly different rules, including the allowance to work 50 per cent of the standard working week. Minimum wage in France is €11.52 (£9.88) per hour and all employees are guaranteed this by law.
What type of work can I do with a student visa in France?
International students can do most part-time jobs, including working in a café or restaurant, in retail, in a museum or art gallery, bartending, doing administration roles and many others. If students decide to apply for a part-time job, the role should not affect their academic performance.
International students are also able to work at their host university while they are in France. University jobs usually start in September and end in August. These roles could include tutoring, working at sports or cultural events or in marketing, administration or student support.
These roles are scheduled around class and study times to make it easier for you to complete your studies. Because of this, there is a further limit to working hours based on the time of year. International students can work up to 670 hours between September and June and up to 300 hours from July to August.
Can I complete an internship on a student visa in France?
Some university programmes may require students to complete an internship in relation to their degree. To complete an internship, you need a signed agreement between your university and your internship host.
If the internship lasts for more than two months, students must then receive compensation of about €600 each month. Time spent on your internship does not count towards the annual limit of 964 working hours; this allows you to complete your studies, internship and additional work if you have time.
Can I complete an apprenticeship or take up professional training contracts during my studies in France?
Previously, apprenticeships and training contracts were only available to international students who had completed their first year in France. However, this has been amended to allow first-year international master's students to take part from the beginning of their university programme. Undergraduate international students are not permitted to take on any apprenticeship contracts until they have completed their first year of studies in France.
Make sure you check the hours that are listed on the contract. If they exceed the allotted 964 hours, then you may need to ask your employer to organise a temporary work permit as soon as you arrive in the country.
What not to do when applying for your student visa
Everything international students need to know about student visas in France
The cost of studying at a university in France
Can I work in France after I graduate?
After graduation, if you have completed a master’s degree, a level 1 degree (according to the Conférence des Grandes Écoles) or a professional licence, you can apply for a non-renewable temporary residence permit, which allows you to continue working at 60 per cent of the regular working week while you search for a full-time job.
Undergraduate students can apply for a post-study work visa for up to one year after graduation. Once you secure a permanent job, you must apply for a work permit and attach a letter from your future employer to the application.
If, after graduating, you secure a job that offers 1.5 times the minimum wage or more, you must change your status from student to employee so you can work full time. Your local prefecture can help you organise this.
Students can contact Campus France to receive the up-to-date list of approved professions for international students in France.
During this extended year, you can also consider applying for an auto-entrepreneur visa to start your own business. However, your company must be related to your studies, and you will need to prove the viability of the business.
Another option is a “talent passport” visa. This is a permit for specialised graduates, such as creators, artists or musicians, and lasts for four years.
Will I pay towards social security when working in France as an international student?
Everyone who works in France must pay towards social security, which is about 20 per cent of your salary. So, a student working 10 hours a week on minimum wage (€11.52) could earn around €92 each week.
This would mean an international student working the full 964 hours on minimum wage could earn €11,105.28 that year and take home about €8,884 after social security payments.
Will striking culture in France affect me as an international student?
Striking is much more common in France than in many other countries around the world. It is a large part of the culture, and you may witness many strikes while you live in France. International students may find this disruptive at first, if it’s something they aren’t used to. However, in France, people who work have the right to protest, and many locals see it as a part of their lives.
Striking may affect your travel and daily routines when studying. It may affect your part-time work, too. Unions often call on members to strike in France because they feel it is the only way to get companies and employers to listen. As an international student, you have the right to join a union. This will mean that if your industry decides to strike, you could take part in this.
