Student visa to employee visa in France

By now, so many would’ve suggested options,and still you want to search to find more possibilities ;) I had the same symptoms and that only helps. There are 2 different process in obtaining a work permit from student visa.

Easy way: Master degree:

Since 2015, after Prime minister Mr. Narendra Modi’s visit to France, all master degree and above students get 24 months job search visa with same rights to work as per student visa. Post which, they can apply for a job visa with just a job contract and there would be almost no oppositions from the prefecture. That's easy. Isn't it?

Google has so many blogs to this topic so I am pasting the official procedure link in English and write more about the second procedure.

Resident card - Employee

Road less taken: Few choose to study non-master’s degree in France and change their status when an employer sponsors your job visa. This process takes time, patience, instinct and please add more elements as per your experience in France so far with Prefecture ;) It took good 5 months in my case.

Where do I start?

 When in doubt, go to Prefecture. The prefecture always provides a list of documents needed to change your student status. Though there is a condition to apply for change of visa before 60 days ;) the prefecture now from 2016 allows you to apply any time before the expiration of your visa. However, reconfirm this with your prefecture as at times you know how things are in France ;)

Who do I look for?

Of course, an employer! You are in a bit of luck if you have a CDD and then changing to a CDI ;) If you don’t understand this, please click here. Always be ready to take up job anywhere in France to start with. www.qapa.fr , indeed.fr helps in job search. Also, ask your professors to guide in job search. Contacts are very important here as well. Any French person you know might help in some way or the other. Think about it. Try to change internship opportunities into a full-time job.  End of the day, you persist till you succeed.

The Papers ;) bring it on!

Many ask me, what are the documents to be taken. I don’t mistake them as, though we’ve the list mentioned by the prefecture, many a time, they ask for more. My documents, missing papers were sorted out after 3 times consulting in prefecture in person though I had all as per their list ;) C’est normal.

Translate all your documents to French. I mean ALL. Since high school, translate all your certificates, work experience letters, any other achievements at work. Phew! Arrange all the documents in the order according to the list. Carry the extra documents separately. Always carry 2 photocopies of each document as printing is not free in the Prefecture. Whenever the prefecture asks you for more documents, please request them to write it down in a piece of paper. This way you just carry that and show it to your employer as it is employer who needs to give more documents than you in order to convince the prefecture and the labor department that he/she really needs you for this job.

Lettre de motivation:

This is one of the important documents that your employer submits. He/she must write why you are the best among all the other French people who are equally eligible to apply. Though it is the employer who writes it, I would suggest you to read it as it is about you. Feel free to add valid points as the intention is to get the job visa. Ask your friends to reread it as they may give another perspective that may help. I gave a list of pointers about my skills, experiences besides my resume to make it easier for the employer when he writes my motivation letter.

Oh la la moments:

My 3 visits to the prefecture had lots of these oh la la! You are not alone here. What might bring this? 

After successfully submitting the request, Prefecture will give a receipt (récépissé) valid for 3 months. This récépissé lets you to travel all over Europe and to your home country. You are not entitled to work until you get a positive response from the labor department and the Prefecture.In case, there is no e-mail or mail communication from the Prefecture for 3 months, you need to carry the receipt and the Prefecture will renew the récépissé for 2^nd time and that is another 3 more months of waiting without a job. Be prepared financially for this situation. I pray that it doesn’t go so long for you.

Positive response:

Once you receive a letter from the labor department, that your visa is approved, you need carry that letter to the Prefecture as you still need you carté de séjour to start working. The prefecture should also have a copy of the labor department letter. Prefecture will now provide a new récépissé that lets you to work while you are waiting for the new resident card (carté de séjour). This process takes 3-4

weeks. There is a FB page that has students in similar situations discussing issues and solutions.Click here to view.

Negative Response:

There is still a chance to file a petition in the court and the best advice is to hire a lawyer to help here. Also, you have 60 days to quit the French territory as the visa is denied. There is a very slim chance of changing your visa category back to student.