France Post-Study Work Visa 2026: APS, Passeport Talent & Salary Guide for Indians

Last Updated: February 20, 2026

🕑 6 min read

Last Updated: February 2026 | Author: Saumitra Rajput, Kadamb Overseas | Fact-Checked: Against French Immigration Law (CESEDA) & Service-Public.fr

France’s Post-Study Work Visa System — Complete Guide

France offers one of the most generous post-study work policies in Europe — significantly better than Germany (18 months but restricted to your field) and far better than the UK (2 years but competitive job market). The French system is designed as a clear pathway from student to permanent resident: Student Visa → APS → Passeport Talent → Carte de Résident (permanent).

At Kadamb Overseas, with over 14+ years of experience and a 97% visa success rate, we’ve guided 500+ Indian students through the French visa system — from initial student visa to post-study work permits. This guide explains every step, document, salary requirement, and timeline in detail.

Step 1: Work During Your Studies (964 Hours/Year)

Before even thinking about post-study work, know that you can start working from day one of your student visa. All international students in France with a valid student residence permit can work:

Parameter	Details
Annual limit	964 hours/year (60% of legal working time)
Weekly equivalent	~20 hours/week during term, full-time in holidays
Minimum wage (SMIC)	€11.88/hour gross (₹1,069/hr) — as of Jan 2026
Potential annual earnings	Up to €11,450 (₹10.3 lakh) at minimum wage
Work permit needed?	No — student visa automatically authorizes work
Common jobs	Research assistant, tutoring, hospitality, retail, campus jobs

Step 2: APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) — 1-Year Job Search Visa

The APS is France’s post-study job search permit. It gives you 12 months to find a job matching your qualification level — and during this time, you can work full-time without any hour restrictions.

APS Eligibility Requirements

• Degree level: Master’s degree (or equivalent), Research Master’s, MBA from a recognized institution, or professional Bachelor’s (Licence Professionnelle)
• Degree location: Must be obtained from a French institution
• Application timing: Apply BEFORE your student visa/residence permit expires
• Current status: Must hold a valid student residence permit (titre de séjour étudiant)

APS Application Documents

Document	Details
Valid passport	With at least 6 months validity
Current residence permit	Student titre de séjour (original + copy)
Diploma or attestation	Master’s degree certificate or completion attestation
Proof of address	Lease agreement, utility bill, or attestation d’hébergement
3 passport photos	ICAO-compliant, white background
Application form	Cerfa form (provided at Préfecture)
Fee	€75 tax stamp (timbre fiscal) — ₹6,750

Step 3: Passeport Talent — 4-Year Skilled Worker Visa

Once you find a job during your APS year, you can switch to a Passeport Talent — France’s most attractive work visa. It’s a 4-year renewable residence permit that includes work authorization and allows your spouse to join you with the same duration permit.

Passeport Talent Requirements for Master’s Graduates

Requirement	Details
Minimum salary	1.5× SMIC = ~€2,827/month gross (₹2,54,430) or ~€33,924/year (₹30.53 lakh)
Qualification	Master’s degree or equivalent (French or foreign)
Employment contract	CDI (permanent) or CDD ≥ 3 months
Duration	Up to 4 years, renewable
Labour market test	NOT required (simplified for qualified workers)
Family reunification	Spouse gets matching 4-year permit with work authorization

Types of Passeport Talent

• Salarié Qualifié (Qualified Employee): Most common — salary ≥ 1.5× SMIC, Master’s degree, employment contract
• Chercheur (Researcher): For PhD holders and researchers — hosting agreement from a research institution
• Créateur d’Entreprise (Startup Founder): For entrepreneurs — no minimum salary, just a viable business plan. Enhanced by French Tech Visa.
• Carte Bleue Européenne (EU Blue Card): Salary ≥ 1.5× average national salary — allows mobility across EU after 18 months

Step 4: Permanent Residency (Carte de Résident)

After 5 years of continuous legal residence in France (including student years), you can apply for a Carte de Résident — a 10-year renewable permanent residence permit. Requirements:

• 5 years of continuous legal residence in France
• Proof of French language proficiency (A2 level minimum)
• Proof of integration into French society (civic knowledge)
• Sufficient income (no specific minimum, but stable employment helps)
• Clean criminal record

Timeline for Indian students: 2 years Master’s + 1 year APS + 2 years Passeport Talent = 5 years → eligible for permanent residency.

Average Salaries for Indian Graduates in France

Field	Entry-Level Salary	3-5 Years Experience
Engineering (General)	€35,000–45,000 (₹31.5–40.5L)	€48,000–65,000 (₹43.2–58.5L)
IT / Computer Science	€38,000–48,000 (₹34.2–43.2L)	€55,000–80,000 (₹49.5–72L)
Data Science / AI	€40,000–50,000 (₹36–45L)	€60,000–90,000 (₹54–81L)
Business / Management	€38,000–55,000 (₹34.2–49.5L)	€55,000–80,000 (₹49.5–72L)
Aerospace	€38,000–48,000 (₹34.2–43.2L)	€52,000–70,000 (₹46.8–63L)
Finance / Consulting	€42,000–60,000 (₹37.8–54L)	€65,000–100,000 (₹58.5–90L)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I stay in France after completing my Master’s degree?

You can apply for an APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) — a 1-year job search visa that allows you to work full-time while finding qualified employment. After securing a job, you can switch to a Passeport Talent (4-year renewable visa). Total pathway to permanent residency: 5 years.

What is the minimum salary required for a work visa in France?

For the Passeport Talent (Salarié Qualifié), the minimum salary is 1.5× SMIC = ~€33,924/year gross (₹30.53 lakh). This is easily achievable for Master’s graduates in engineering, IT, business, or finance. For the EU Blue Card, the threshold is higher: ~€45,000/year.

Can I change employers on the APS visa?

Yes. The APS allows you to work for any employer during the 1-year period. You’re not tied to one company. However, your eventual Passeport Talent application will be linked to a specific employer and contract.

Does my spouse get a work permit in France?

Yes! If you hold a Passeport Talent, your spouse automatically receives a “Passeport Talent Famille” of the same duration (up to 4 years) with full work authorization. This is one of France’s biggest advantages over other countries.

Can I get permanent residency in France after studying?

Yes. After 5 years of continuous legal residence (including student years), you can apply for a Carte de Résident (10-year renewable). Requirements: French A2 level, proof of integration, stable income. Timeline: 2 years Master’s + 1 year APS + 2 years Passeport Talent = 5 years.

Is the APS visa renewable?

No. The APS is a non-renewable 12-month permit. You must either find a qualifying job and switch to a work visa (Passeport Talent, Salarié, or EU Blue Card) OR leave France. This is why it’s important to start job hunting during your final semester.

What jobs can Indian students do during the APS period?

During APS, you can work full-time in any job — there are no hour restrictions. However, to switch to a Passeport Talent, your eventual job should match your qualification level (Master’s-level position) and meet the minimum salary threshold of ₹30.53 lakh/year.