Immigration Law: International Students and Changes of Status
1. The “student” residence card
To pursue higher education in France, a foreign national must obtain a residence permit bearing the mention “student”.
- Enrolment in a higher education institution (public or private) and proof of sufficient resources are essential.
- This card allows, on an incidental basis, employment within the limit of 60% of the statutory working time (that is, 964 hours per year).
- Before arrival, the student must obtain a long-stay visa. On renewal, the student must show that the initial conditions are still met (accommodation, resources, enrolment, real progress in his or her studies).
2. Change of status at the end of studies
At the end of their course, recent graduates may apply for a change of status in order to take up professional activity.
- Maître Zied El Air supports both recent graduates and their future employers in preparing the files, whether to obtain a “student” permit or to apply for a change of status to a permit authorising professional activity.
- For candidates who meet the high-salary criteria or hold management positions, the law of 7 March 2016 offers the possibility of obtaining multi-year residence cards bearing the mention “Talent Passport”.
- Failing that, a “salaried employee” residence card may be considered, issued for an initial period of one year and then potentially renewed for four years.
3. The change of status procedure and the “job search or business creation” card
Maître Zied El Air also provides support for:
- The preparation of files intended for employers (for work authorisation) and for future employees (for filing the residence permit application before the “student” permit expires).
- The procedure for the residence card bearing the mention “job search or business creation”, introduced by the law of 10 September 2018 and intended for recent Master’s-level graduates. This card, valid for one year, allows the holder to look actively for a job or to bring a business project to fruition.