After completing your studies or your research activities at our university, you have the possibility to extend your stay by a year in order to look for employment or start a business, with the "Recherche d’Emploi ou Création d’Entreprise" (RECE) residence permit.
Webinars for future UGA graduates in Grenoble
You are about to graduate, and want to know what your options are for staying in France to look for work or do a PhD? Take part in one of the webinars offered by the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) between May and July 2025 !
Register for the webinar
"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
Please note
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).
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.
Should you encounter difficulties with our online tool (not familiar with web applications or have problems accessing the internet), you can also visit one of
our welcome centers and have your application checked by the ISSO team.
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:
MUSE
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.
Please note
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:
Préfecture de la Drôme
3 Boulevard Vauban
26000 Valence
You will have to print the appointment confirmation to be able to enter the Préfecture that day.
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.
