According to a survey by the Observatory of student life (2013), in France, nearly half of students work. This is particularly the case for foreign students who often feel the need for an extra salary to live on and to finance their studies.
The special status of Algerian students in France
If for other foreign students, the student residence permit is automatically equivalent to a work permit, for Algerian students, this is not the case. Indeed, French law no longer requires a provisional work permit (APT) to exercise salaried employment during one’s studies, except for Algerian students whose legal status is governed by the Franco-Algerian agreement of December 27, 1968.
Under this agreement, Algerian students remain subject to a work permit, within the limit of 50% of the annual working time, i.e. 850 hours per year. You must therefore send a request to the Directorate General for Foreigners in France. On the home page of the site, click on the button ” I am applying for a work permit then follow the procedure.
In addition, it should be noted that Algerian students on professionalization contracts and those pursuing studies including a sequence of salaried work (salaried doctoral students in thesis, research recipients, medical interns, etc.) are authorized to work beyond of the 50% limit.
| READ ALSO: Good news for new Algerian students in Canada
The steps of the employer
If at the end of his studies, the student wishes to work, he can request a change of status in order to obtain the “employee” residence certificate. However, the future employer will have to apply for a work permit and compile a file which proves that the foreign candidate is the only one who meets the criteria of the job offer.
The employer must also make the declaration of employment of the foreign student two working days before hiring. In addition, foreign students who exceed the legal limit of 60% of annual working time may have their residence permit withdrawn.
| READ ALSO: Quebec, reduction of study fees for foreigners
The long-stay student visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS)
To continue their studies in France, the foreign student must apply for a long stay student visa.
The VLS-TS allows you to stay in France for one year without having to apply for a residence permit. However, you must have your visa validated upon arrival. There are three types of long-stay visas:
— the VLS-TS mention studentfor undergraduate and graduate studies;
— The VLS talent passport mentionfor a doctorate and beyond;
— The VLS-TS trainee mentionto do an internship as part of the training followed in your country of residence.
| READ ALSO: Studies in France, the long road to the “visa appointment”
Now that you know the rules, it remains to find a job. For this, the sites of Employment center, Junior Job, Cape Campus, Student job, Proudent are your allies. You can still unearth opportunities by attending CROUS (Regional Center for University and School Works) events.
