Updated Requirements for Obtaining a Residence Permit in France

April 16, 2024

here are the key changes in the requirements for obtaining a residence permit in France in 2024:

New Residence Permit Categories

1. A new 4-year renewable residence permit has been introduced for non-EU medical professionals like doctors, dentists, pharmacists and midwives.

2. A new 1-year renewable residence permit has been created to regularize the status of certain undocumented workers employed for at least 12 of the last 24 months in shortage occupations, at the discretion of regional prefects. This is a temporary scheme until end of 2026.

Limits on Repeated Temporary Permit Renewals

Foreign nationals with the "salarié" (employee) permit and some family-based permits will no longer be allowed to renew them more than 3 times. After that, they must switch to another longer-term permit category if eligible.

Language Proficiency Requirement

From 2026 on wards, applicants for multi-year residence permits like "employee" and "private and family life" will need to demonstrate French language proficiency of at least A2 level. Previously, just proof of learning French was sufficient.

Increased Residence Period for Some Benefits

Foreign nationals granted residence in France will have to wait at least 24 months (up from 18 months currently) and have a stable income and health insurance before being eligible for family reunification.

Other Changes

• Children born in France to foreign parents will no longer automatically acquire French citizenship at birth. They must apply between ages 16-18.

• Foreigners with certain diseases may not get residence permits if there is no "adequate treatment" available in their home country.

So in summary, the key changes include new permit categories for medical workers and regularizing some undocumented workers temporarily, limits on temporary permit renewals, French language requirements from 2026, increased residence periods for some benefits, and changes to citizenship acquisition and medical condition criteria.

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