From APS to CDI: Your Post Study Work Roadmap in France

The transition from student to working professional in France is one of the most paperwork intensive phases of your life here, but it is navigable. India has a bilateral agreement with France that gives you a meaningful edge. This guide explains exactly what steps to take, in what order, and what changed in 2026.

If you graduated from a French Master's programme or a French Grande École, you are in a privileged position. A 2015 bilateral agreement between India and France grants Indian nationals a 24 month Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour (APS), twice the standard 12 months most non EU graduates receive (source: service-public.gouv.fr). That is two full years to find work, negotiate contracts, and convert your status without scrambling.

APS vs CDD vs CDI: Quick Comparison

Sources: service-public.gouv.fr · APS, service-public.gouv.fr · Salarié card, Code du travail · CDD rules

The APS: Your First Step After Graduation

The APS (sometimes called the "job search / business creation" residence permit) is a temporary card you apply for immediately after your studies. It authorises you to work as an employee or explore entrepreneurship while you find a permanent position.

How to get it:

1. Apply at your préfecture (or online via ANEF, the digital immigration portal) before your student titre de séjour expires. There is no grace period after expiry. Do not wait until after graduation ceremonies or result publication delays.
2. Documents typically required: your final diploma or proof of successful completion, your current student titre de séjour, a valid passport, passport photos, and proof of address.
3. You will receive a récépissé (receipt) that serves as a legal work authorisation while your card is processed.
4. The APS is valid for 12 months initially. As an Indian national under the bilateral agreement, you can request the 24 month version. You should ask explicitly at the préfecture and bring evidence of your Indian nationality.

Crucial Tip: Do not wait until your student card expires to apply for the APS. Apply as soon as your results are confirmed. A gap in your legal status can cause serious problems with your employer's HR department.

What You Can and Cannot Do on an APS

The APS is not a blank cheque. Your work must meet two conditions:

• The job must be related to your field of study. A data science Master's graduate cannot take an unrelated hospitality job on this permit.
• The salary must be at least 1.5× the SMIC (the French minimum wage). As of 2026, this means roughly €2,735 gross per month (source: service-public.gouv.fr). If the offer falls below this threshold, you can only work part time (maximum 964 hours per year).

If your job offer meets both criteria, your employer is automatically exempt from applying for a separate work permit on your behalf. This matters as it is one of the biggest bureaucratic simplifications France offers to graduates.

Converting the APS into a Long Term Work Permit

Once you sign a CDI (a permanent, open ended employment contract), your situation changes substantially. Here is the process:

1. Your employer files a work permit application (demande d'autorisation de travail) with the DREETS (the regional labour authority). This is their responsibility, not yours, though you need to provide documents (source: travail-emploi.gouv.fr).
2. Your employer submits the request via the ANEF portal along with your contract, your diploma, and proof that the salary meets the legal threshold.
3. Once approved, you apply for a multi year Salarié residence card at the préfecture, which is typically valid for four years (source: service-public.gouv.fr).
4. At first issuance of your multi year Salarié card, you will need to demonstrate A2 French and pass the civic exam (both effective January 2026).

If you are on a CDD (a fixed term contract), the same process applies, but your card will generally be issued for the duration of the contract rather than four years. CDDs are renewable, but the clock ticks. After 18 to 24 months, French labour law typically pushes your employer towards a CDI or termination.

2026 Regulatory Alert: What Changed When Converting to a Multi Year Card

A2 French language certificate: Required for the first issuance of any multi year carte de séjour. This is not a renewal requirement. If you are converting your APS to a Salarié card for the first time, you must demonstrate A2 French. Accepted certificates: TCF, TEF, DELF/DALF, DUEF, DFP, DCL, and national diplomas (CAP, BEP, brevet national). Certificates are valid for 2 years. Exemption: applicants aged 65 and over. Effective 1 January 2026.

Civic exam (examen civique): Also required at first issuance alongside the A2, not instead of it. A 40 question digital multiple choice test covering French republican values, history, geography, and institutions. 45 minutes maximum. Passing score: 32/40 (80%). Same exemptions and effective date as the A2 requirement. Practice the exam free on FranceMitra — all 209 official questions translated with Indian context notes.

Talent Permit restructuring: The old Jeune Diplômé, Salarié en Mission, and Salarié de JEI categories have been merged into a single "Salarié Qualifié" category. The EU Blue Card minimum gross salary threshold is €59,373 per year. If you are targeting senior or specialist roles, verify which permit your HR team is applying for.

The Talent Permit Route: For High Earners and Specialists

If you are working in a senior or highly specialised role, your employer may put you on a Passport Talent: Salarié Qualifié permit rather than a standard Salarié card. As of 2026:

• Salarié Qualifié: Requires a degree equivalent to a Bac +3 and a fixed gross annual salary of at least €39,582 (roughly €3,299/month) (source: service-public.gouv.fr). Verify the exact figure on travail-emploi.gouv.fr as it may be indexed annually.
• EU Blue Card: Requires a Bac +3 degree and a minimum gross salary of €59,373 per year (2026 figure) (source: service-public.gouv.fr). It gives you faster access to permanent residency across the EU.

Both cards are valid for up to four years and allow your spouse to automatically receive a work permit. If you are in this salary range, push for the Talent route as the rights are broader.

The Auto Entrepreneur Path

If you want to freelance rather than work as an employee, France has a straightforward auto entrepreneur (micro entrepreneur) regime:

• Register on autoentrepreneur.urssaf.fr to receive a SIRET number (your business registration number).
• You can freelance immediately on your APS card.
• If you want a multi year status, apply for the Talent Passport: Business Creation permit, which requires demonstrating a viable business plan and revenue.

Warning: The auto entrepreneur regime has revenue ceilings. For service activities (consulting, tech, design), the ceiling is roughly €77,700 per year as of 2026. Exceeding it requires switching to a different company structure. If you are doing well, plan the transition early.

This guide was drafted from verified service-public.fr sources. Always confirm details on the official website before taking action.