As of 16th June 2025, France has implemented several reforms to its immigration laws, aiming to streamline existing pathways, address sector-specific labour shortages, and enhance intra-EU mobility for highly qualified workers. The changes affect a wide range of applicants and employers, with immediate implications for compliance and strategic workforce planning.

The French government has consolidated multiple talent permit types into fewer, broader categories. This includes the creation of a new ‘Talent - Medical and Pharmacy Professions’ permit, now available to non-EU doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and midwives. Designed to address labour shortages in the healthcare sector, this multi-year residence permit does not require a separate work authorisation and provides a more accessible route to practice in France.

Several existing permit types for employees and entrepreneurs have also been merged. The former ‘Young Graduate - Qualified Employee’, ‘Employee on Assignment’, and ‘Employee of a Young Innovative Company’ permits have been combined under the unified ‘Talent - Qualified Employee’ category. Similarly, the ‘New Business’, ‘French Tech Visa

- Founder’, and ‘Investor’ permits now fall under the single ‘Talent - Project Holder’ route. These changes are part of a broader effort to simplify and modernise the French talent immigration system.

Faster processing for EU Blue Card holders and their families

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France has reduced processing times for EU Blue Card applications, particularly for applicants who already hold a Blue Card issued by another EU Member State. In such cases, the standard 90-day processing window has been reduced to 30 days, extendable to 60 days only under specific circumstances.

This accelerated timeframe also applies to family members applying simultaneously, ensuring that dependent permits are processed and issued in line with the principal applicant. The introduction of these statutory deadlines also means that silence from the administration within the prescribed timeframe constitutes an implicit rejection, providing applicants with grounds for legal recourse.

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New ‘reasonable timeframe’ requirement 

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A legal obligation to operate within a ‘reasonable timeframe’ has been introduced for both authorities and applicants when addressing requests for additional information in immigration matters. While previously guided by internal administrative practice, this new requirement formalises the expectation of timely follow-up on incomplete applications. The precise interpretation of what constitutes a "reasonable" period is expected to evolve on a case-by-case basis.

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Minimum salary thresholds updated

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France has now confirmed minimum salary thresholds for certain categories of talent permits. The minimum annual salary for the new ‘Talent - Medical and Pharmacy Professions’ permit is set at EUR 41,386.48, while the threshold for the ‘Talent - Qualified Employee’ permit has been fixed at EUR 35,891. These levels are notably lower than those applicable to the EU Blue Card scheme, potentially widening access to skilled roles in France for a broader pool of foreign professionals.

While these salary benchmarks are currently based on earlier economic references, an updated decree reflecting current market conditions is expected later this year.

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Should you have any queries regarding the above information or if you require assistance with your corporate, employment or immigration matter, please get in touch with a legal professional at Hudson McKenzie via email at londoninfo@hudsonmckenzie.com or by telephone +44(0) 20 3318 5794.

The information provided does not amount to legal advice.

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