Workers in sectors with labour shortages can now more easily obtain a one-year residence permit
For non-EU workers living in France and working in a sector experiencing a labour shortage, the application process for a residence card has been simplified.
The cards that are mentioned Residence card “travailleur temporaire” or “salarié” have a term of one year and can be extended.
The most important change is that employees who meet the criteria can now apply for the card themselves and no longer have to rely on a third party (their employer) to do it for them.
Several prefectures, including Essonne (Île-de-France), have published information on the change, which came into force earlier this week and will last until December 31, 2026.
All departments can accept applications for such permits and the prefectures have – or will – set up specific online areas for applying for such permits for workers in these sectors. However, please note that the Essonne link is not yet working for this purpose.
The changes were introduced as part of the Immigration Act of 2024, but were only officially set out in a decree this month.
Sectors officially experiencing staff shortages include construction, hospitality, healthcare and personal/domestic services (Services for people).
A complete list can be found HereThe government will update the list once a year to take into account changes in the French labor market.
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Who can apply?
This residence card is valid for workers from non-EU countries (except Switzerland). However, the type of residence permit they currently hold or are in an illegal situation does not affect their ability to apply for the permit.
In addition, however, they must:
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You must have been in paid employment on the list of occupations with a shortage of workers for at least 12 months within the last 24 months, whether consecutive or not.
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be employed in an occupation that is on the list of shortage occupations at the time of application
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Be resident in France for at least three years continuously
The Public Service’s information page states that the prefectures take into account a number of other factors when submitting applications, including the worker’s family situation, his or her “integration” into French society and whether he or she “respects the values of the Republic”.
There is currently no information available regarding the processing time of the application.
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