France Eases Residence Permit Requirements for Foreign Workers in High-Demand Professions
Key Takeaways
1. France allows temporary regularisation for foreign workers in short-term, high-demand professions.
2. This provision is effective until December 31, 2026.
3. It applies to nationals from non-Schengen third countries and Switzerland.
The French government has introduced new regulations for foreign workers, allowing them to become regularised migrant workers in high-demand professions, known as “occupations in tension.” This measure targets foreign nationals from outside the EU or Switzerland and is valid until December 31, 2026.
France Implements New Procedure for Residence Permits
The Essonne prefecture is creating a dedicated system for processing residence permit applications for foreign workers in high-demand professions. These occupations include carpenters, masons, construction workers, farm or livestock workers, locksmiths, mechanics, and service workers.
Requirements for Eligibility
- Workers must hold a temporary residence permit for one year and have practiced an in-demand profession for at least 12 months or within the last 24 months.
- Workers must have continuous residence in France for the past three years.
Record Number of Residence Permits Issued
In 2023, France issued a record 54,572 residence permits for employment purposes, as per the French Interior Ministry. However, study permits were the most sought after, with 108,353 granted in the same year.
Maghreb nationals—Algerians, Moroccans, and Tunisians—were the primary beneficiaries of these residence permits. Out of 326,954 permits issued, Moroccans received 11.2% (36,648), Algerians 9.7% (31,943), and Tunisians 6.9% (22,639). Despite being the top recipients, the number of permits granted to these nationalities has been declining. In 2023, Moroccans received 6.6% fewer permits than in 2022, while Algerians saw a 9.1% increase and Tunisians a 3.6% rise.