Job Opportunities in France for International Students

As more and more students flock to France to study at its best universities, the demand for jobs and permanent settlement in this diverse European country had a huge spike. The National Statistics Bureau of France states that the employment rate in France increased to 67.80 percent in the fourth quarter of 2021 from 67.50 percent in the third quarter of 2021. Hence, there are ample job opportunities for international students in France to kickstart your career. 

This blog will discuss the types of available jobs for international students in France, their eligibility criteria, rules and regulations, and also some important tips to find job opportunities in France for Indian students.

The job opportunities for international students in France are plenty if you fulfull certain eligibility criteria. Working while studying is beneficial both in terms of finances and experience. In this section we will discuss the different student jobs in France and the govenment rules that you need to abide by. Let us have a look at them:

Part-Time Jobs

International students having a student visa (student resident permit) are eligible to apply for various part time jobs in France. French law allows foreign students to carry out part-time jobs of 964 hours during the year, the equivalent of 60% of the legal work year. 

The minimum wage for all types of jobs in France is guaranteed by law which is commonly called the SMIC (Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel de Croissance or Guaranteed Minimum Wage). As of January 1st, 2021, the minimum SMIC wage in France is 10.25 EUR. There are some mandatory social security contributions have to be deducted (around 20%) from this gross salary to determine actual earnings (i.e. 8.20 EUR/hour). A student working 10 hours a week at minimum wage will earn approximately 82 EUR net.

Given below is a list of popular part-time jobs in France for Indian students:

Suggested: Top Scholarships in France for International Students

In-Course Internships

Some courses in France have mandatory internships as a part of their curriculum. The aim here is to introduce the students to real-life situations and gain practical knowledge. Hence, internships form an important part of your student life in France. The set rules and regulations in terms of internships in France for both foreign and domestic students are:

• There must be an agreement signed between the educational institution and the structure hosting the student. 
• As of January 1st, 2021, a compensation of 600.60 EUR is payable to the student who engages in an internship for more than 2 months.
• Internships that are part of a degree course do not count towards the permitted 964 working hours per year.

Suggested: What is the Cost of Studying in France?

So that was all about job opportunities in France for Indian students and other international students. Let us now look at the jobs that you may apply for after graduating from the best universities in France:

The kind of jobs and salaries that you can avail in France depends upon the programs and universities that you choose. The average expected salary from top universities like Université PSL, Polytechnic Institute of Paris, Sorbonne University, Paris-Saclay University, etc. is the highest in France. Nevertheless, if you have good scores, knowledge and understanding of your area of study, you can crack any job in France. 

Suggested: Studying In France - A Career Option!

Let us discuss the job opportunities in France for Indian students on the basis of the programs:

Jobs after Bachelors in France 

Bachelors in France programmes are a perfectly blend theory and practice that prepares students for higher studies or begin their careers early. With a variety of courses at some of the top universities and colleges, a France bachelor degree is a stepping stone to a successful career. The top undergraduate courses in France include Life Sciences, Law, Film Studies, Fashion Designing, Creative Writing and Literature, etc.

Popular jobs after bachelors in France with their estimated salaries are mentioned below:

Jobs after Masters in France 

Masters in France has the highest demand amongst all other programs. The top universities in France offer a wide range masters programs accompanied by a global exposure through training and research facilities. It offers a global outlook in terms of job opportunities after completion of the courses. Popular masters courses in France include Finance, Computer Science, Management, Psychology and so on. 

Popular jobs after masters in France with their estimated salaries are mentioned below:

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To apply for post-study jobs in France for Indian students it is mandatory to have a Post-Study Work Permit. In order to get a France work permit, you need to fulfill a number of eligibility criteria. Only then you will allowed to stay in France after the validity of your student visa is over. 

There are different types of France work permit for Indian students. They are:

• Temporary Residence Permit
• Talent Passports
• EU Resident Card

The list of documents necessary to acquire a France work permit for international students is mentioned below:

• A passport valid for at least 3 months after the intended stay
• Visa application form
• Copies of all educational transcripts
• Birth certificate
• Health insurance
• References from previous employers
• Passport sized photos 
• Appointment letter from the company
• LOR from an employer
• A detailed explanation of the type of work you will be engaging in France

Suggested: How to Apply for Post Study Work Permit in France?

You will be considered to be a resident in France, if you reside in France for 183 days or more in a year. You will be then liable to pay income tax to the French government. Income tax is payable on all income, wherever it is earned. There are also dual taxation agreements between France and other nations, notably the developed countries. In that case, they allow a tax credit on income tax that has already been paid in another country.

To start looking for job opportunities in France for Indian students, prepare a detailed CV consisting of your educational transcripts, skills and experiences, achievements, etc. Some of the ways to find job opportunities for international students in France are:

• Online Job Portals: Online job search tools help you in figuring out the right job according to your preference of location and type of work you are interested in.
• Networking: You can find jobs appropriate for you by talking to people around you. So choose your circle wisely and be aware always.
• Local Newspapers: The local newspaper is the most common way of looking for jobs in France. You can keep track of openings around you by following a local newspaper regularly. 

So, that was all about different types of job opportunities in France for international students. As the economy of France is advancing, the scope for a bright career for fresh graduates also enhances. If you are interested to have a permanent settlement in France, check out out PR in France for International Students now! For further guidance and assistance do get in touch with our counselors at Yocket.