Look for employment or start a business after your studies or research stay
"Recherche d’Emploi ou Création d’Entreprise" (RECE) residence permit
The conditions for obtaining this permit and the rights associated with it are explained in detail on the Campus France website, we invite you to consult it before applying in Grenoble or Valence
Remarks for students
Algerian national
Algerian nationals are subject to slightly different legislation (the Franco-Algerian agreement of 27 December 1968), and are not entitled to a “Recherche d’Emploi ou Création d’Entreprise” residence permit, nor « APS Jeune diplômé ».
Nationals of the following countries
Benin, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, the Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Georgia, India, Macedonia, Mauritius, Montenegro, Serbia and Tunisia
You are not entitled to a “Recherche d’Emploi ou Création d’Entreprise” residence permit, but can apply for an equivalent called the “Autorisation Provisioire de Séjour” (APS) for graduates. The application and issuance conditions are the same.
Remarks for researchers and their spouses
Nationals of the following countries
Algeria, Benin, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, the Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Georgia, India, Macedonia, Mauritius, Montenegro, Serbia and Tunisia
You are not entitled to a “Recherche d’Emploi ou Création d’Entreprise” residence permit, but if you have a French work contract, you can still extend your stay on the basis your unemployment benefits (“Allocation de Retour à l’Emploi”).
Please follow the procedure corresponding to the “Passeport Talent – Chercheur” residence permit.
> Apply for a "Passeport Talent" residence permit
Spouses of researchers
If your spouse obtains a “Recherche d’Emploi ou Création d’Entreprise” residence permit, or extend his or her stay on the basis of the unemployment benefits, you can extend your “Passeport Talent – Famille” residence permit for the same duration.
> Apply for a "Passeport Talent - Famille" residence permit
At the same time as applying for a “Recherche d’Emploi ou Création d’Entreprise” residence permit, you are entitled to register as a job seeker with the French national employment agency (“Pôle Emploi”), and claim unemployment benefits (“Allocation de Retour à l’Emploi”) depending on your situation.
> More information on the Euraxess France website
Procedure to apply for a "Recherche d’Emploi ou Création d’Entreprise" (RECE) or APS Jeunes diplômés residence permit
Applications for "Recherche d’Emploi ou Création d’Entreprise" (RECE) or APS Jeunes diplômés residence permits are done in person (on paper application).The International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) of Université Grenoble Alpes supports you through every step of the process, in Grenoble and Valence.
Step 1: assemble your application file and have it checked by ISSO
Between 2 and 4 months before the expiration of your residence permit, assemble your application file by referring to the list of documents provided on the Isère Préfecture website or on ISSO's online checking tool (see below).Since July 16 2024, each person who wants to apply for a residence permit must print and sign a "Contrat d’engagement à respecter les principes de la République" (Agreement to respect the principles of the French Republic), and add it to the application file. This step is optional for Algerian nationals.
Download the "Contrat d’engagement à respecter les principes de la République"
A translation is available if needed, but the French version given above must be used in the application.
If you are hosted, you can use the "Attestation d'hébergement" template created by the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO).
Before you submit your residence permit application, Université Grenoble Alpes invites you to take of advantage of the online application checking service provided for free by the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO). This step is optional, but recommended as any incomplete file the day of the appointment will be rejected by the Préfecture.
ISSO will be closed until August 19 inclusive. During this period, ISSO's online application checking service will be inaccessible, but you can still apply directly for an appointment with the Préfecture (see next step).This page will be updated upon reopening (August 20) with the link to the online checking service.
Step 2: make an appointment and submit your application on paper
In Grenoble
Paper applications are done only by appointment, at the On-campus Préfecture Office, located in the same building as ISSO:80 Allée Ampère
38 402 St Martin d’Hères
Tram B & C - "Gabriel Fauré - MUSE" stop
The day of your appointment, please remember to bring all your documents and their corresponding paper copies, as well as your ID photos.
Incomplete application files will be automatically rejected by the Préfecture.
ISSO does not manage appointments schedules. If there are no slots available, you will have to try again later. The Préfecture updates regularly the appointment schedules, we advise you to check several times a week.
In Valence
Contact ISSO Valence to see how to obtain an appointment.The day of your appointment, go directly at the Drôme Préfecture:
3 Boulevard Vauban
26000 Valence
Please remember to bring all your documents and their corresponding copies, as well as your ID photos.
Step 3: pick up your residence permit
Once your application has been approved by the Isère or Drôme Préfecture, a residence permit is being issued.Each Prefecture has its own procedures for picking up your new permit.
Updated on July 25, 2024
