Have the contract approved by the OPCO
For an apprenticeship, this approval replaces the work permit.
Work permit — apprenticeshipNo application if the contract is approved by the OPCONamed declaration to the prefecture 2 working days before hiring.
Verified on 07/10/2026 · Service-public F2713Source
Sending the apprenticeship contract to the OPCO5 working days after the contract starts
Verified on 08/10/2026 · Service-public F2918Source
OPCO decision (apprenticeship)20 daysWithout an answer within this time, funding is refused.
Verified on 08/10/2026 · Service-public F2918Source
Professionalisation contract: sending and OPCO decisionSent within 5 calendar days, decision within 20 days
Verified on 08/10/2026 · Service-public F15478Source
How to do it
The work permit exemption only applies to an apprenticeship contract approved by the OPCO: until then, you remain subject to the working-hours limit of your student permit.
- 1After signing, your employer sends the contract to their OPCO, together with the training agreement (convention de formation) signed with your CFA (and a three-party agreement if the training period is shortened or extended).
- 2Check with your CFA that the training agreement is ready and sent with the contract: without it, the file is incomplete.
- 3The OPCO checks that the contract is compliant (apprentice's age, pay, apprenticeship supervisor, Qualiopi certification of the CFA), decides on funding, then registers the contract with the ministry in charge of vocational training.
- 4Ask your employer to confirm that the OPCO has approved the contract and keep a record: this approval is what exempts you from a work permit as an apprentice.
- 5If the contract is refused, the OPCO sends a reasoned decision to your employer, to you and to your CFA: go through the reasons together to fix the contract.
What you need
- Your copy of the apprenticeship contract (cerfa n°10103)
- A copy of the training agreement (convention de formation)
- Confirmation of the OPCO's decision
Tips
- If the OPCO does not reply within the set time, the request is treated as refused: do not let the file sit, follow up with your employer.
- Sending the contract is free: nobody can make you pay for it.
- For a professionalisation contract, the contract also goes to the OPCO, but this approval does not replace the work permit: go to the next step.
A question about this step?
“Have the contract approved by the OPCO”: ask Mbeng, the answer comes from the guides and official sources.