PR in France for Indian Students: Your 2025 Step-by-Step Residency Roadmap

France has become a favorite for international students looking for quality education and long-term work opportunities in Europe. Plenty of Indian students who finish their studies here dream of settling down, so permanent residency (PR) ends up being a big part of the plan.

Indian students can obtain PR in France after legally living in the country for five straight years or just three if you're married to a French citizen assuming you tick the right boxes: stable job, financial resources, and French language skills. The journey means moving from student status to work authorization, then through different residence permits before finally aiming for the Carte de Résident.

It takes some strategic planning, gathering paperwork, and knowing which visa route actually fits your situation. Avoiding mistakes and picking the right path for your goals can make all the difference.

PR in France Pathway

The permanent residency process in France follows a pretty clear timeline for Indian students. Here’s a visual breakdown of the main stages from your first class to PR approval.

Phase 1: Study Period

• Finish your degree in France

• Keep your student visa valid

• Work on your French language
  

Phase 2: Post-Study Work

• Apply for the APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) visa

• Find a job with a CDI contract

• Switch to a work permit or Talent Passport
  

Phase 3: Residence Building

Duration	Status	Requirements
Year 1-2	Work permit holder	Stable job, pay your taxes
Year 3-4	Still resident	No criminal record, show integration
Year 5	PR eligibility	5 years living legally in France

Phase 4: PR Application You’ll submit your application at the local prefecture. You’ll need to show financial stability and language skills.

Alternative Fast Track If you marry a French citizen, you only need 3 years of legal residence. This route speeds things up a lot.

Key Milestones

• Month 1-6: Collect documents

• Month 7-12: Submit your application

• Month 13-18: Wait for processing

• Month 19-24: Get your decision and card (hopefully!)
  

Each phase comes with its own paperwork and rules. You can’t afford to let your legal status lapse at any point in the process.

Eligibility Checklist

To get PR in France, Indian students need to meet three main requirements: have enough income, show French language skills, and complete the required years of residence. These are non-negotiable for your application.

Minimum Gross Salary (Passport-Talent 2025)

The Talent Passport needs a minimum gross salary of €2,518 per month in 2025. This is the bar for most skilled jobs under the talent visa.

Indian graduates must land jobs that pay at or above this amount. The salary has to be steady and proven with official contracts or business registration if you’re self-employed.

Salary Requirements by Visa Type:

• Talent Passport: €2,518 gross/month minimum

• Standard work permit: French minimum wage (€1,766 gross/month)

• Self-employed: Show equivalent business income
  

Employers need to give detailed salary slips and tax paperwork. Freelancers and entrepreneurs should keep business account records and tax filings to back up their income.

A2 French for 10-Year Card, B1 for Citizenship

French language requirements depend on which residence card you want. The 10-year card asks for A2 level, while citizenship needs B1.

A2 means you can handle common phrases and simple conversations. You’ll need to pass an approved test like DELF, DALF, TCF, or TEF.

Accepted Language Certifications:

• DELF/DALF

• TCF

• TEF
  

B1 is a step up more detail, better communication, and you can manage most travel situations. It’s required for those thinking about French citizenship after PR.

Language certificates should be valid and dated within two years before you apply.

5 Years Lawful Stay (APS + Work Permits)

Indian students need five years of continuous legal residence in France before applying for PR. This usually means time on APS and work visas.

The APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) gives you up to 24 months to find a job after graduating. This period counts toward your five years, as long as it’s followed by a qualifying work permit.

Timeline Breakdown:

• Student visa: Doesn’t count for PR eligibility

• APS: Counts toward 5 years

• Work permits: Full credit

• Talent Passport: Sometimes lets you qualify in 3 years (depends on profession)
  

If you have any gaps in your legal status, the five-year clock restarts. You need to keep your permits valid without interruption.

Keep all your residence permits, entry/exit stamps, and proof you stayed in France the whole time.

Key Requirements

Key Requirements Timeline:

Milestone	Timeframe	Requirement
Legal residence	5 years straight	No gaps over 6 months
Work authorization	After graduation	Valid work visa or permit
Language skills	All along	French (B1 minimum)
Documentation	Final year	Tax records, employment proof

Year 5: PR Application Submission Once you hit five years of continuous legal stay, you can apply for PR at your local prefecture. You’ll need to show you’re integrated into French society.

If you’re married to a French citizen, you only need three years of legal residence.

Document List & Cost Table (Prefecture Fees, OFII Medical, Tax Proofs)

Indian students aiming for PR in France have to prep a stack of documents and budget for a few fees along the way. The exact list and costs depend on your situation and visa type.

Essential Documents Required:

• Valid passport with up-to-date visa stamps

• OFII medical certificate (needed for renewals)

• Tax returns and income proof for the required years

• Employment contracts or student certificates

• Proof of address and utility bills

• French language certificates (DELF/DALF or similar)
  

Cost Breakdown Table:

Service	Fee Range	Notes
Prefecture permit renewal	€225-€269	Depends on permit
OFII medical exam	€60-€90	Includes X-ray and consult
Certified translations	€25-€40 per page	Needed for foreign docs
Tax stamp (timbre fiscal)	€25	For certain applications

OFII Medical Requirements:

You’ll need blood tests and a chest X-ray. The certificate goes in within two months before your visa expires. Blood test results usually come in about 30 minutes. You can avoid this if you are on student visa or talent card.

Tax Documentation:

You’ll need three years of tax returns (avis d'imposition) showing stable income. If you worked part-time, include contracts and pay slips. Scholarship holders should add official letters and payment proofs.

Processing Fees:

Prefecture appointments need payment via tax stamps. Other costs might pop up like courier service for documents or certified translations for anything not in French.

Critical-Skills vs Standard Route (Passport-Talent vs Carte de Séjour Salarié)

Indian students in France usually face two main options for getting permanent residence through work. Which path you pick depends a lot on your salary and your qualifications.

Passport-Talent (Critical-Skills Route)

The Passport-Talent is aimed at highly qualified professionals. You need to earn at least €43,243 a year and have a Master's degree or something equivalent.

This route has a few perks:

• Multi-year validity - up to 4 years

• No yearly renewals

• Family can join with less hassle

• Apply directly - no need for employer approval requests
  

The scheme splits into three types for skilled workers:

• General skilled employee jobs

• Innovative company employees

• Intra-company transfers
  

Standard Carte de Séjour Salarié

If you don't meet the Passport-Talent criteria, the standard employee permit is the fallback. It needs a regular work contract and the salary threshold is lower.

Main features:

• Annual renewals are the norm

• Employer authorization is required

• Standard processing times

• Lower salary requirements
  

EU Blue Card Option

There's also the EU Blue Card, a kind of Passport-Talent for top professionals. Salary minimum here is €53,836.50, and it lets you move more freely within the EU.

Both options can eventually get you to permanent residence after five years of legal residence in France.

Book a Free France-PR Strategy Call with EduMox

EduMox offers tailored guidance for Indian students who want PR in France. Their consultants help you navigate the tricky permanent residence process step by step.

The one-hour strategy call digs into key topics for Indian students things like how to move from student to work visas, making the most of APS, and mapping out your long-term stay in France.

What the Call Includes

• Visa pathway analysis - Assessment of your current status and the best route to PR

• Timeline planning - A practical roadmap for the five-year residency requirement

• Documentation guidance - Help with paperwork and application steps

• Job search strategies - Tips for finding CDI contracts that actually support PR applications

• Integration tips - Advice on language requirements and adapting to French life
  

EduMox consultants bring 7 years of experience in overseas education and have a 96% admission success rate. Their main focus is on France, the UK, and Ireland student services.

The consultation tackles mistakes that often slow down PR applications. You'll get practical advice on keeping your legal status intact along the way.

Key benefits include breaking down the shift from APS permits to work visas. Consultants walk you through how different visa types affect the five-year timeline for permanent residency.

Students also get clarity on financial stability requirements and what integration really means. The call touches on the level of French proficiency that's expected for a successful application.

EduMox offers post-arrival support to help students stay on track for permanent residency. Their advice can help you avoid the bureaucratic headaches that push so many Indian students to leave France after graduation.

The free consultation gives you a chance to map out your strategy before starting your PR journey in France.