We know that a student's budget can be quite limited and that some of you may be considering finding a job during your studies. Not only is this an excellent way to meet your needs, but it’s also the perfect opportunity to practice your French and gain new experiences and skills.

If you are from a country in the European Union, you can work within the legal working hours set by labor laws (full-time, part-time, temporary work, etc.).

If you are not a citizen of a European Union country and you hold a VLS-TS visa, you can work in France, but under certain conditions:

• Your working time must not exceed 60% of the annual working hours, which is 964 hours per year (an average of 20 hours per week).
• These working hours can be unevenly distributed throughout the year as long as the threshold of 964 hours is not exceeded.
• Unused working hours in one year cannot be carried over to the next year.
• Only salaried employment is allowed; entrepreneurship requires a change of status. Otherwise, your residence permit may be revoked.

INTERNSHIPS

Internships undertaken as part of your training do not count towards the 964 hours of authorized work. Since an internship is a period of discovery and practical experience, this time is not considered a professional activity.

It must be governed by an agreement (signed between the institution and the organization hosting the student, as well as the student themselves).

Therefore, there is no need to:

• Change your status
• Obtain a work permit

If the internship lasts more than two months, the student must receive a minimum compensation of €4.05 per hour, which is approximately €614.25 per month.

APPRENTICESHIPS

If you are from a European Union country, thanks to the free movement of workers within the European Union, you can work freely in France without needing a work permit. However, you must provide a valid form of identification when signing the contract.

If you are not a citizen of a European Union country, there are two types of contracts available after your first year of residence in France:

1. Apprenticeship contract
2. Professionalization contract

These two types of contracts are only accessible to foreigners holding a student residence permit.