Student work permission (964 hours)

The annual hour cap that needs no separate authorisation, what the employer must do, and the main exceptions.

Once you have your residence status, throughout your studies

• Validated VLS-TS visa or student residence card
• Social security number (if issued) for payslips
• University enrolment certificate for the employer
• Records of hours worked to track the annual cap

1. Know your hour cap

For a full academic year, the cap is 964 hours; for shorter programmes (e.g. six months), it's reduced proportionally.

2. Give the employer proof of your right to work

Your validated visa or student residence card is proof; no separate work permit is needed up to the cap.

3. Confirm the employer's declaration

Make sure the employer sends the nominative declaration on time; keep it in case of an inspection or when renewing your residence permit.

4. Stay under the cap

Renewal checks whether you respected the hour cap; keep payslip records as proof.

• Non-EU students may work up to 964 hours a year (60% of full-time) without a separate work permit; beyond that, the employer must obtain formal work authorisation before you start.
• The employer must send a nominative declaration to the prefecture at least two business days before you start; Algerian students have a different cap and procedure.

• Service-Public · Droit au travail des étudiants étrangers
• Préfecture du Rhône · Droit au travail des étudiants étrangers