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France Student Work Rights 2026

International students in France can work if they hold a VLS-TS Student Visa. After graduation, they may stay for up to 12 months to look for work or start a business.

With a VLS-TS Student Visa, international students are allowed to work part-time during their studies. They can work in various sectors and use that experience to support living costs and build skills while studying.

The work right is capped at 964 hours per year. That usually means around 20 hours per week during the academic year, with full-time work possible in holiday periods.

After completing their studies, graduates can switch to the APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Sรฉjour). This lets them stay in France for up to 12 months to seek employment or start a business.

The post-study stay is meant to give graduates time to use their education in the French job market. Students are expected to balance work with academic responsibilities while studying, and to network during their course if they want stronger prospects after graduation.

Universities in France

PS PSL University logo

PSL University

Paris, รŽle-de-France, France ยท Public University

โ˜… 77 QS World #24 Admissions open
Tuition (indicative)
EUR 3,000 โ€“ EUR 4,000/yr
Founded
2010
IP Institut Polytechnique de Paris logo

Institut Polytechnique de Paris

Palaiseau, รŽle-de-France, France ยท Public University

โ˜… 74 QS World #38 Admissions open
Tuition (indicative)
EUR 10,000 โ€“ EUR 14,000/yr
Founded
2019
SO Sorbonne University logo

Sorbonne University

Paris, รŽle-de-France, France ยท Public University

โ˜… 73 QS World #59 Admissions open
Tuition (indicative)
EUR 3,000 โ€“ EUR 4,000/yr
Founded
2018
PA Universitรฉ Paris-Saclay logo

Universitรฉ Paris-Saclay

Gif-sur-Yvette, รŽle-de-France, France ยท Public University

โ˜… 69 QS World #73 Admissions open
Tuition (indicative)
EUR 3,000 โ€“ EUR 4,000/yr
Founded
2019
SP Sciences Po logo

Sciences Po

Paris, รŽle-de-France, France ยท Public University

โ˜… 59 QS World #319 Admissions open
Tuition (indicative)
EUR 11,500 โ€“ EUR 16,000/yr
Founded
1872

All universities in France โ†’

Questions about working & jobs in France

Can international students work in France while studying?

Yes. International students with a VLS-TS Student Visa are allowed to work part-time during their studies.

What work rights do students have during studies in France?

They can work up to 964 hours per year, usually around 20 hours per week in the academic year, and full-time in holiday periods.

What happens to work rights after graduation in France?

After completing their studies, graduates can move to the APS and stay in France for up to 12 months to seek employment or start a business.

Student cities in France

Each one has its own guide to life, costs and working.

More on France: destination overview ยท universities ยท scholarships ยท student visa

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