International Student: practical guides and steps

Every year, many international students finish their studies in France with a business project. Staying to carry it out requires a suitable residence permit. This page helps the non-European international student prepare this transition, from graduation to business launch.

From student permit to business project

The student residence permit mainly covers studies. To start a self-employed activity as a main occupation, you must change status. The temporary residence card marked "entrepreneur/liberal profession" meets this need. Article L. 421-5 of the CESEDA sets its conditions on Légifrance.

The authorities check three points. The project complies with the applicable rules. It proves economically viable. Finally, it gives the applicant sufficient means of support.

To understand the procedure in detail, read our article on switching to entrepreneur or liberal profession status.

Preparing your project while studying

An international student benefits from planning ahead. Indeed, the application goes in before the student permit expires. Service Public mentions filing in the two months before expiry. Yet a solid application takes months of work.

So use your final year to make progress. Here are the priorities.

• Define a precise offer and a target customer.
• Test market interest with real prospects.
• Collect quotes, letters of intent and first written exchanges.
• Cost out expenses, contributions and the income you need.
• Check whether the activity falls under a regulated profession.

Your degree can also become an asset. The authorities look at the link between your background and the project.

An international student can also rely on the incubator of their school or university. Such programmes help test the offer and meet first customers. Their support also provides material for the application.

The business plan at the heart of the file

The business plan ties every document together. It presents the offer, the market, the sales strategy and the resources. A multi-year forecast then shows that the assumptions hold up. For a liberal profession, you must also justify sufficient income.

Every figure needs supporting evidence. An observed rate beats a hoped-for amount. Discover how to structure this business plan step by step. For the figures, rely on our financial forecasting method.

Common mistakes by an international student

Some mistakes come up often. First, the idea stays too vague to convince. Second, revenue rests on no calculation at all. In addition, the file leaves out essential costs. Finally, the documents contradict one another.

Review your file with the list of mistakes that weaken a status change. Also check the official Service Public page on the day you file, since rules change.

Juristelo helps you produce consistent financial tables. You test your assumptions and see their effect on cash flow. Still, the tool does not replace your prefecture's document list. Every international student thus gains a solid base for the application.