Case 2502258, decided on 23 October by the Montpellier Administrative Court, illustrates France’s strict yet nuanced approach to international students’ work limits. The prefect of Hérault had refused to renew a Moroccan student’s titre de séjour, arguing she exceeded the 60 % annual work cap.
Judges ruled that the prefect miscalculated hours and failed to consider university holidays. They quashed the removal order and instructed the prefecture to issue a one-year student card within two months, plus an interim work authorisation within eight days.
The decision is a cautionary tale for employers offering part-time contracts to students: accurate tracking of hours across multiple jobs is essential. Universities may also need to update certificate templates to specify holiday periods clearly, easing prefectural assessment.
From a mobility perspective, the ruling supports France’s pitch as a welcoming higher-education destination, crucial for sectors like AI that rely on foreign postgraduate talent.
Judges ruled that the prefect miscalculated hours and failed to consider university holidays. They quashed the removal order and instructed the prefecture to issue a one-year student card within two months, plus an interim work authorisation within eight days.
The decision is a cautionary tale for employers offering part-time contracts to students: accurate tracking of hours across multiple jobs is essential. Universities may also need to update certificate templates to specify holiday periods clearly, easing prefectural assessment.
From a mobility perspective, the ruling supports France’s pitch as a welcoming higher-education destination, crucial for sectors like AI that rely on foreign postgraduate talent.
