Post-Study Work Visa (APS/RECE) & Talent Passport Pathways in France for Indians

APS, RECE and the current one-year route

Students often search for “APS France” or “RECE”. The official Service Public description is a residence permit or VLS-TS for “recherche d’emploi/création d’entreprise”. For qualifying graduates, it permits a one-year stay to seek employment or create a business linked to their studies or research. Eligibility generally requires a qualifying French professional Bachelor’s, Mastère Spécialisé, MSc label recognised by the Conférence des grandes écoles, or another diploma at least equivalent to the Master’s level.

Who can apply?

• A non-EU graduate who completed a qualifying degree in France, subject to the exact legal qualification categories.
• A student residing in France with the relevant student residence document when applying, or an eligible graduate who has returned abroad and applies within the permitted period.
• The application must meet the relevant timing rules and document requirements.
• The route has special rules and exclusions, including different treatment for Algerian nationals and people who held a Talent-chercheur residence status.

For a graduate who remains in France, the application is generally made in the two months before the student residence document expires. A graduate who has left France may, under the published rules, apply within four years of obtaining the qualifying French diploma. Check the current Service Public pathway for the applicant’s precise situation.

What work can you do on the job-search permit?

The one-year permit allows the graduate to work as an employee without the employer applying for a separate work authorisation, but the employment must be connected to the graduate’s studies and carry gross monthly remuneration above €2,800.53, according to the Service Public page verified 1 June 2026. The permit also allows time to develop a business project connected to the studies or research. Do not assume that any part-time or unrelated job meets this route’s employment conditions.

Talent Passport: a separate route

The “Passeport talent” (Talent Passport) is not simply an extension of the student visa. It covers defined categories of qualified activity, such as highly qualified employment, certain innovative business projects, company creation/investment and research or teaching. Each category has its own qualification, contract, salary, funding or project criteria and may provide a multi-year residence document.

The exact Talent Passport category must be selected from the current official residence rules. Do not present a generic “Talent Passport visa” as one universal route or assume that a standard job offer automatically qualifies.

Student VLS-TS validation and renewal timeline

1. Before travel: complete the EEF and France-Visas steps and obtain the correct student visa.
2. Within three months after arrival: validate the VLS-TS online and pay the applicable tax.
3. During study: track attendance, academic progress, insurance and the expiry date of the residence document.
4. Four to two months before expiry: where applicable, submit the student residence renewal or the job-search/business-creation application within the correct window.
5. After graduation: check the exact diploma category and whether the job-search permit or a direct employment-based route is appropriate.
6. Before accepting a job: compare the job duties, qualification relationship, salary and residence conditions.

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship: what it is and what it is not

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is a French government scholarship programme intended to attract international students to selected Master’s and doctoral programmes. It is not a general post-study work visa and it does not guarantee a job or permanent residence. Applications are submitted by eligible French higher-education institutions; candidates should contact the institution and follow its internal nomination timetable. Eligibility, age limits, study fields and benefits are defined in the current Campus France call.

What Indian students should prepare before graduation

• Confirm the exact diploma awarded and whether it is eligible for the job-search/business-creation permit.
• Record the student residence expiry date and the local application deadline.
• Prepare the diploma or final completion certificate and proof of identity/residence.
• Develop a job-search plan linked to the field of study and target occupations.
• Check salary and employment conditions before signing a contract.
• If considering a business, prepare a credible business plan and evidence required for the relevant route.
• For Talent Passport, check the specific category rather than relying on generic online summaries.