France Job Seeker Visa for Indians: Who Can Apply

The rules below come from Service-Public.fr, France-Visas, Campus France India and the Embassy of France in India, as published on the official sources, checked on 2026-10-15. For Schengen tourist visas, fees and VFS centres, see our France visa guide for Indians.

Who qualifies for France's job search visa?

Only graduates of French higher education. The Service-Public.fr page on the job search / business creation permit lists the qualifying diplomas, all obtained in France:

• a licence professionnelle;
• a Mastère Spécialisé;
• a Master of Science labelled by the CGE;
• any other diploma at least equivalent to a Master's.

An Indian degree, however strong, does not qualify on its own for this visa. The route exists so that people who studied in France can stay on to find a job or set up a business linked to their studies.

Can you apply from India after returning home?

Yes, within a time limit. Graduates who have left France apply for the long-stay visa at the French consulate:

From India, the application goes through France-Visas and then a VFS Global appointment. The long-stay visa fee is 99 euros. Apply at least 1 month before departure and no more than 3 months before arrival. France-Visas says decisions usually take 15 days, extendable up to 45 days in special cases.

What does the 24-month India-France post-study rule mean?

Campus France India says that, under a bilateral agreement signed in 2015, Indian students can extend their stay in France for 24 months after their studies. It works as a 12-month visa renewable once for 12 months.

For Indian graduates, that is the practical shape of the job-search route: one year to look for work or start a business, with the possibility of a second year under the bilateral arrangement.

Can you work while on the job search visa?

Yes, within limits. During its validity you may work as an employee without a separate work authorisation if both conditions are met:

• the job is linked to your studies; and
• it pays more than EUR 2,800.53 gross a month.

If an offer does not meet both conditions, check the work-authorisation rules on Service-Public.fr before you sign. The visa also allows you to create a business linked to your studies.

What are your options if you never studied in France?

Then you need a job offer before you go. The official job-search route requires a French diploma, and the working holiday ('vacances-travail') visa is limited to 16 agreement countries that do not include India.

A practical alternative is to study in France first. A Master's-level diploma from a French institution is what opens the job-search route later.

Which French office will handle your application?

Visa decisions in India are taken by the Embassy of France in New Delhi and the consulates in Mumbai, Puducherry, Kolkata and Bengaluru. Each covers specific states:

Mistakes to avoid

• Applying more than 4 years after your French diploma; the route from abroad closes then.
• Forgetting to validate the VLS-TS online within 3 months of arrival.
• Taking a job unrelated to your studies, or paying EUR 2,800.53 gross a month or less, without checking whether a work authorisation is needed.
• Paying anyone for a 'France job seeker visa' when you have no French diploma: the official route does not cover you.

If you are travelling to France for interviews on a short-stay visa, Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, travel itineraries and cover letters for visa files, with packages from INR 1,000 to INR 3,000. WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or contact us.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a France job seeker visa for Indians without a French degree?

No. The job search / business creation visa requires a Master's-level diploma obtained in France. Indians without one need a job offer first, for example through the salaried employment or Talent routes.

How long can I stay in France on the job search visa?

The visa allows a 1-year stay to look for a job or create a business linked to your studies. Campus France India says Indian students can extend their stay in France for 24 months after their studies under a 2015 bilateral agreement, as a 12-month visa renewable once.

How much does the France job search visa cost from India?

The long-stay visa fee is 99 euros, plus the VFS service fee of 22 EUR. The visa must then be validated online within 3 months of arrival.

Can Indians get a France working holiday visa?

No. The working holiday ('vacances-travail') visa is only for nationals of 16 agreement countries, and India is not on the list.