Understand the rule for newly arrived students
A professionalisation contract requires 1 year of residence in France. An apprenticeship is possible from arrival if your programme leads to a master's degree (master, engineering or business school, or a CGE-accredited MS or MSc).
Newly arrived student — professionalisation contractAfter 1 year of residence
Verified on 07/10/2026 · Code du travail R5221-7Source
Newly arrived student — apprenticeshipAfter 1 year of residence, or from arrival if the programme leads to a master's degreeCriterion: enrolment in a programme leading to a master's degree, or to a level I diploma accredited by the Conférence des grandes écoles (1° of articles D421-6 and D422-13 of CESEDA). The professional bachelor's (2°) does not qualify.
Verified on 07/10/2026 · Code du travail R5221-7, CESEDA D421-6 et D422-13Source
How to do it
Do not sign any work-study contract until you have checked this rule: if you do not meet it, you are not allowed to enter into the contract.
- 1First check which contract you are aiming for: contrat d'apprentissage or contrat de professionnalisation. The rule is not the same for both.
- 2Contrat de professionnalisation: you need one year of residence in France before you can sign it. Your first year will therefore be without this contract.
- 3Contrat d'apprentissage: check whether your programme leads to the master's degree (grade de master) or to a level I diploma accredited by the Conférence des grandes écoles. That is the condition for signing as soon as you arrive.
- 4Ask the school for written confirmation that your diploma meets this condition, before you finalise your choices on Études en France.
- 5If your programme does not meet this condition (a licence professionnelle, for example), plan on one year of residence in France before any contrat d'apprentissage.
What you need
- The programme description, with the exact title of the diploma
- The school's written confirmation (grade de master or Conférence des grandes écoles accreditation)
Tips
- The law refers to one year of residence in France, not one year of study: what counts is the time spent in France under your residence permit.
- A marketing title is not enough: ask clearly whether the diploma confers the grade de master or is accredited by the Conférence des grandes écoles.
A question about this step?
“Understand the rule for newly arrived students”: ask Mbeng, the answer comes from the guides and official sources.