Yes. International students holding a VLS-TS student visa are legally allowed to work in France.

Work rights for students

• Up to 964 hours per year
• Approximately 20 hours per week during the academic year
• Full-time work allowed during official holidays

These rights apply to students from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, and UAE/GCC, provided they hold the correct student status.

Part-time jobs help students cover daily expenses such as food, transport, and part of the rent while gaining local work experience.

Common part-time jobs

• Cafés & restaurants
• Supermarkets and hypermarkets
• Retail stores and boutiques
• Hotels and hostels
• Delivery services
• University libraries
• Campus administrative roles
• Call centres & customer support

Average hourly wage (2026)

• €11.65/hour (approximate minimum wage – SMIC)

Typical monthly earnings

• €500 – €900 per month, depending on hours and city

These earnings can often cover:

• Food expenses
• Transport
• Phone & internet
• Part of the rent

The short answer: not always – but it helps a lot.

Without French

• Delivery services
• Warehouses
• Cleaning services
• Some retail roles in tourist-heavy areas

With basic French (A2–B1)

• Cafés
• Restaurants
• Hotels
• Supermarkets
• Customer-facing roles

Learning basic French dramatically increases job availability, stability, and salary potential. It is one of the best investments a student can make for employability in France.

Internships are one of the most powerful components of French education and often act as a direct pipeline into full-time roles.

Are internships mandatory?

• Yes for many RNCP programs
• Very common in business, IT, engineering, hospitality, and luxury programs

Internship duration

• Bachelor programs: 3–6 months
• Master programs: 4–6 months per academic year

Internship stipend

• Internships longer than 2 months must be paid
• Typical range: €600 – €1,100 per month (minimum)
• IT, AI, and engineering internships may pay more

Internships frequently convert into:

• Apprenticeships
• Fixed-term contracts (CDD)
• Permanent contracts (CDI)

France faces labour shortages in several sectors, which benefits international graduates with the right skills and internships.

Business & management

• Business development
• Marketing & digital marketing
• HR & recruitment
• Supply chain & logistics
• Project management

Technology & IT

• Data science
• AI & machine learning
• Cloud computing
• Cybersecurity
• Software development

Engineering

• Mechanical
• Civil
• Industrial
• Aerospace

Hospitality & luxury

• Hotel operations
• Tourism management
• Luxury retail
• Event management

Typical entry-level annual salary ranges:

• Business & management: €32,000 – €40,000
• Marketing & communication: €30,000 – €38,000
• IT & software: €38,000 – €50,000
• Data science & AI: €45,000 – €65,000
• Engineering: €36,000 – €50,000
• Hospitality & luxury: €28,000 – €40,000

Salaries typically increase significantly after 2–3 years of experience, especially for students who perform well in internships.

Job search websites

• LinkedIn
• Indeed.fr
• Welcome to the Jungle
• APEC (for graduates & executives)
• Pôle Emploi
• Glassdoor

University career services

• Internal job and internship portals
• Career fairs and on-campus recruitment
• Employer networking events
• CV and interview workshops

French CV requirements

• 1–2 pages
• Clear, chronological timeline
• Skills and achievements highlighted
• No unnecessary personal details

Cover letter (lettre de motivation)

• Short and targeted
• Specific to the role and company
• Shows understanding of company needs

Schools and consultancies like StudyConnectFrance help students adapt CVs and cover letters to French hiring standards.

In France, internships are not just “extra experience”—they are a core recruitment channel. Many companies prefer to hire:

• Former interns who already know the company culture
• Students trained internally through stages or apprenticeships

This is why RNCP and professionally oriented programs often outperform purely academic routes in employment outcomes: their structure is designed around internships and real projects.

Students must always respect French labour and immigration rules:

• Stay within the annual work hour limit
• Avoid undeclared or cash-in-hand work
• Ensure that contracts and payslips are valid and legal

Violations can negatively affect:

• Visa renewal
• APS eligibility
• Long-term residency plans

After graduation, many students follow this pathway:

• Apply for APS (post-study work permit)
• Work full-time and strengthen their profile
• Convert APS into a work permit (CDD/CDI) with employer sponsorship

This transition is smoother for students who have strong internship experience, hold RNCP Level 7 or a Master’s degree, and already have a company willing to extend or convert their contract.

Job opportunities vary by city, sector, and language skills. Here is a quick comparative view:

StudyConnectFrance supports students at every stage of their employment journey in France:

• CV optimisation (European & French formats)
• Internship and job search strategy
• Guidance on job portals and networking
• Interview preparation
• APS planning and transition to full-time work