Plan your backup
Without a company, you stay in a regular programme: your budget must allow it.
Starting an apprenticeship without an employer3 months maximumWhether it applies to international students has not been verified.
Being verifiedSource
Staying at the CFA after the contract ends, without a new employer6 monthsWith the status of vocational trainee.
Verified on 08/10/2026 · Service-public F2918Source
How to do it
Starting without an employer is not confirmed for international students: do not build your project on it without a written answer from the school.
- 1Start your company search (P4) as soon as you receive your admission, without waiting to be in France.
- 2Ask your school whether you can start the apprenticeship programme without an employer, for 3 months at most, and whether this is possible for an international student.
- 3Also ask what happens if you still have no company after that: switching to the standard programme, tuition fees, or leaving.
- 4Build your budget as if you had no salary: standard programme fees, housing and living costs for the whole year.
- 5Keep the option of a student job within the limit allowed by your permit, without making it the basis of your budget.
What you need
- The school's written answer on starting without an employer and switching to the standard programme
- Your budget forecast for the year
- Your proof of funds
Tips
- If you are aiming for a contrat de professionnalisation, your first year is without a contract anyway (P1): your budget must cover all of it.
- Keep all the school's answers in writing: if there is a disagreement later, that is your proof.
Official sources
A question about this step?
“Plan your backup”: ask Mbeng, the answer comes from the guides and official sources.