Finishing a Master's (or equivalent) & starting to work
If your residence permit ends before your internship or alternance does, you will need to ask for an extension! To do so, ask for a renewal on the ANEF website. When you receive your proof of completion (attestation de réussite), you will be able to request a residence permit allowing you to look for work and work full-time. Depending on your personal situation and nationality, it could be an APS, CRECE or even a Passeport Talent if you fit the criteria.
When you reach the end of your studies, your Student residence permit will no longer be valid, which means, if you wish to remain in France, that you will have to request another type of permit. Which one?
APS or CRECE?
An APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour, a short-term authorisation of residence) and the CRECE (Carte de Recherche Emploi et Création d'Entreprise, Card for Job Search and Business Creation) are permits that ease the transition between studies and a Salaried residence permit.
CRECE lasts one year and cannot be renewed. APS depends on bilateral agreements between your country and France. Its duration and renewability depend on the agreement (1 year, 6 months...). See below for existing APS agreements.
Note: The CMI regularly holds renewal webinars between February and July, to help you prepare for renewal.
- BENIN
- BOSNIE AND HERZEGOVINA
- BURKINA FASO
- CAPE VERDE
- GABON
- GEORGIA
- MAURITIUS
- INDIA
- MONTENEGRO
- REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (Brazzaville)
- SERBIA
- TUNISIA
If you are from one of the countries mentioned above, please consult the APS list to see the details of your specific APS.
Any country not mentionned in the APS countries list, except for Algeria.
The CRECE permit lasts for one year, is non-renewable and allows:
- to look for a job
- to work
- to create one's own company
Some countries have specific agreements with France. This is the case for Algeria. Relations between Algerians and France are defined by an agreement made in 1968.
This means that Algerians cannot request an APS or a CRECE.
If you are Algerian and wish to start working in France once your studies end, you will need to ask for a Salaried residence permit as soon as your Student residence permit ends, or a Passeport Talent if you match its requirements.
Sending a request:
Requested documents are the same for APS or CRECE.
The request cannot be made online on the ANEF, only on paper. If you are not in the Finistère département, consult your préfecture/sous-préfecture's website to see how they proceed.
If you live in the Brest area and are a alumni of one of our partner schools, the CMI can help you with your request (file and appointment). To do so, send us your full file at etudiant@cmibrest.fr early enough for us to help you (1 month before your residence permit at the latest).
The CMI holds end of studies webinars between February and July, to help you prepare for the end of your studies.