Part-Time Jobs in France for Indian Students: What You Need to Know
Part-time jobs in France for Indian students can cover a large share of your living costs, and they give you something just as valuable: real French work experience on your CV. However, France sets clear rules on how much you can work, and breaking them can put your residence permit at risk.
In this guide, we explain the 964-hour rule, how much you can realistically earn with the 2026 minimum wage, which jobs suit international students best, and where to find them. In addition, we cover the mistakes that get students into trouble and what happens to your right to work after graduation. If you are still planning your move, start with our guide on how to study in France as an Indian student.
Can Indian Students Work in France? The 964-Hour Rule Explained
Yes. As soon as you validate your VLS-TS student visa online, or receive your student residence card, you can take a salaried job in France. According to Service-Public.fr, the official French administration website, non-European students can work up to 964 hours per year. This figure represents 60% of the legal annual working time in France.
Importantly, the 964 hours do not follow the calendar year. Instead, the count starts on the date your visa is validated or your residence card is issued, and it runs for 12 months. For example, if your card starts on 20 September, your yearly limit runs until 19 September of the following year.
How Many Hours per Week Is That?
Spread evenly, 964 hours equals roughly 20 hours per week over a full year. Nevertheless, you do not have to work the same hours every week. Many students work fewer hours during exams and more during the summer or winter holidays, as long as the yearly total stays within the limit.
Which Work Is Not Allowed?
The student residence permit allows salaried work only. As a result, you cannot register as a self-employed micro-entrepreneur (auto-entrepreneur) while you hold a student card. This rule matters because many app-based delivery and ride platforms work with self-employed couriers. Therefore, always choose jobs where you sign an employment contract and receive payslips.
How Much Can You Earn? Minimum Wage in France 2026
France sets a national minimum wage called the SMIC. Since 1 June 2026, the SMIC stands at €12.31 gross per hour, following an automatic 2.41% increase linked to inflation. After employee social contributions, that works out to roughly €9.74 net per hour. Every employer in France must pay at least this rate, including for student jobs.
| Hours worked | Approx. net pay at minimum wage |
|---|---|
| 1 hour | ≈ €9.74 |
| 10 hours per week | ≈ €420 per month |
| 15 hours per week | ≈ €630 per month |
| 20 hours per week | ≈ €840 per month |
| 964 hours (yearly maximum) | ≈ €9,400 per year |
These figures give you a realistic baseline. In practice, some jobs pay more, especially private tutoring, English teaching or jobs with evening and Sunday bonuses. On the other hand, living costs vary a lot by city: a part-time salary goes much further in Toulouse or Lille than in Paris. For a full budget breakdown, read our cost of studying in France vs the UK and USA.
Best Part-Time Jobs in France for Indian Students
The right job depends on your French level, your timetable and your city. Here are the options that work best for most Indian students.
Jobs You Can Get with Little French
- Restaurants and fast food: kitchen help, service and delivery staff on salaried contracts — flexible shifts and frequent hiring
- Retail and supermarkets: stocking shelves, cashier and inventory work, often with weekend shifts
- Hotels and tourism: reception, housekeeping and event staff, especially in Paris and tourist regions
- Warehouses and logistics: order preparation and packing, with extra hiring before Christmas
Jobs That Use Your English and Skills
- English tutoring and teaching: French families and language schools actively look for fluent English speakers
- Babysitting with English: many parents want their children to practise English at home
- On-campus jobs: library assistant, student ambassador, tutoring or event support at your university
- Tech and digital freelance-style roles: only on a salaried contract, never as a self-employed contractor
Where to Find Part-Time Jobs in France
Start your search as soon as you arrive, because the best student jobs go quickly at the start of the academic year. Combine several of the channels below to maximise your chances.
- Jobaviz: the official student job platform run by the CROUS network, with offers aimed specifically at students
- Your university career office: on-campus jobs and local employers who already hire international students
- Indeed France and LinkedIn: search for “job étudiant” or “temps partiel” plus your city
- France Travail: the national employment service, formerly known as Pôle emploi
- Indian community groups: WhatsApp and Facebook groups of Indian students in your city often share openings
How to Get a Part-Time Job in France: Step-by-Step
Follow these steps to go from arrival to your first payslip without administrative surprises.
Step 1 — Validate your VLS-TS visa
Validate your long-stay student visa online within three months of arrival. Your right to work starts from this validation, and your 964-hour count starts with it.
Step 2 — Open a French bank account
Employers pay salaries by bank transfer, so you need a French account with an IBAN. Our bank account guide explains which banks suit Indian students.
Step 3 — Prepare a French-style CV
Keep it to one page, add a photo if you like, and list your languages clearly. Translate it into French, even if your French is basic — it shows effort.
Step 4 — Apply widely and follow up
Apply online, but also walk into restaurants and shops with printed CVs. In France, a polite in-person visit often makes the difference.
Step 5 — Sign a contract and check the declaration
Read your employment contract carefully, give your employer your social security details, and confirm they have declared your hiring to the prefecture.
Step 6 — Track your hours every month
Keep a simple spreadsheet of hours from every employer, using your payslips. Stay comfortably below 964 hours per 12-month period.
Once you have a job, your bank account becomes essential. Read our guide on how to open a bank account in France as an Indian before you start applying.
Mistakes Indian Students Should Avoid
Most problems come from a handful of avoidable mistakes. First, never accept cash-in-hand work without a contract: it is illegal, it gives you no protection, and it does not count as experience. Second, do not sign up as a self-employed courier or freelancer while on a student permit. Third, keep track of your hours across all jobs, because the prefecture checks your payslips when you renew your permit.
Finally, protect your studies. Your residence permit depends on your academic progress, so a job that makes you fail your exams can cost you far more than it pays. In addition, scholarships can reduce how much you need to work — see our guide to scholarships in France for Indian students.
Working in France After Graduation
Your right to work does not have to end with your degree. After a Master’s-level diploma, you can apply for a temporary residence permit (APS) that lets you look for a job or work in France while you search for a permanent position. Indian graduates also benefit from a bilateral agreement between India and France: according to Campus France India, Indian students can stay in France for up to 24 months after completing their studies.
Furthermore, Indian alumni with a French Master’s or PhD can apply for a five-year short-stay Schengen visa, which makes it easy to return to France for business or tourism. Rules and processing times can change, so always confirm the current conditions with your prefecture and Campus France before you graduate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts: Work Smart, Study First
Part-time jobs in France for Indian students offer a great way to support your budget, improve your French and build a European CV. However, the rules are strict: stay under 964 hours, work only on salaried contracts and keep every payslip. Treat your job as a support for your studies, not a replacement for them, and you will get the best of both.
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