France: Wide-ranging Immigration Reforms, Adoption of Certain Revised EU Blue Card and Single Permit Directive Rules
November 9, 2026
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At a Glance
- Effective October 30, 2026, France has implemented multiple immigration reforms, including relaxed unemployment rules for certain work permit holders, new minimum salary requirements for intracompany transferee (ICT) permits and a new work permit exemption pathway for certain UK-based employees.
- Several of these reforms are part of efforts by France to domestically transpose elements of both the revised EU Blue Card Directive and the revised Single Permit Directive.
- Although some elements of these reforms went into effect on October 30, 2026, several elements are not yet in practical effect – including new minimum salary levels for various ICT permits and the new work permit exemption for certain UK-based workers – pending authorities issuing further details.
The situation
Effective October 30, 2026, France has implemented multiple immigration reforms, including relaxed unemployment rules for certain work permit holders, new minimum salary requirements for intracompany transferee (ICT) permits and a new work permit exemption pathway for certain UK-based employees.
A closer look
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ICT and ICT Trainee permits to be subject to minimum salary requirements. ICT and ICT Trainee permits will soon be subject to higher minimum salary level requirements. Such roles are currently subject only to the French minimum wage or industry-specific collective bargaining agreement salary levels, whichever is higher. This rule is not yet in effect as French authorities have not yet set the relevant minimum salary levels. |
Once the new minimum salary levels are in effect, employers transferring employees or trainees to France under these categories will need to account for the new salary threshold when assessing eligibility. |
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New work permit exemption for UK-based employees.
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The exemption could simplify certain short-term service-related assignments from the United Kingdom to France. However, it cannot be used until the relevant sectors have been designated by French authorities. |
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Relaxed unemployment rules.
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These new unemployment grace periods reduce the likelihood that foreign workers will be forced to leave the country following a job loss, helping France to retain talent.
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Other reforms include:
- New EU Blue Card validity rules. Where the employment contract is less than two years, EU Blue Cards will now be issued for the duration of the contract plus three months (up to a maximum of two years). Previously, no additional three-month period was granted. For employment contracts of longer than two years, there is no change in the rules (the EU Blue Card is issued for the length of the employment contract up to a total of four years).
- Quicker standard government processing times, and shorter implicit refusal timeframe. The standard government processing time for most complete residence permit applications is now three months (down from four months). For complex cases, authorities may extend processing times by an additional 30 days. Where French authorities do not respond to a complete application within 90 days, this now constitutes an implicit refusal. Previously, this time period was four months.
- Intra-EU mobility under the EU Blue Card. Individuals who have held an EU Blue Card from another EU Member State for 12 months (down from 18 months) are now eligible to work in France as well as apply for a French EU Blue Card.
- More relaxed renewal rules for Permanent Local Hire residence permits. The conditions under which authorities can refuse a first-time renewal of a Permanent Local Hire residence permit have been narrowed. Previously, a renewal could be refused if the employment contract ended within 12 months of the individual's hiring, except in cases of involuntary job loss. Under the new rules, the relevant period has been reduced to six months, with exceptions.
Background
Several of these reforms are part of efforts by France to domestically transpose elements of both the revised EU Blue Card Directive and the revised Single Permit Directive.
Looking ahead
Although some elements of these reforms went into effect on October 30, 2026, several elements are not yet in practical effect – including new minimum salary levels for various ICT permits and the new work permit exemption for certain UK-based workers – pending authorities issuing further details.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
