France Tightens Rules for Undocumented Immigrant Regularization

It will no longer be possible for prefectures to regularize more than 30,000 undocumented immigrants per year. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has adopted a text that tightens regularizations and aims to reduce the flow of regularizations by about a third, or 20,000. In a circular to the prefects, he has increased the required length of presence on French territory for a foreigner applying for papers on the basis of exceptional admission to residence from five years to "at least seven years". "A presence of at least 7 years constitutes one of the relevant signs of integration," writes the minister. "The exceptional admission to residence of a foreigner in an irregular situation can only take place in the absence of a threat to public order," specifies Retailleau, calling on the prefects "to systematically accompany the refusal of residence with a measure imposing an obligation to leave French territory".

Another major change: "in order to guarantee effective integration, particular attention will have to be paid to the applicants’ proficiency in the French language. In this sense, the justification of a French diploma or a linguistic certification, issued by a duly accredited organization, or any other proof of language proficiency will have to be favorably considered," reads the circular. Regularization also requires a commitment from the foreigner, who may not, moreover, be polygamous. He "undertakes, by contract, to respect the principles of the Republic," explains Le Figaro. As for foreign workers, a list of shortage occupations in France will be published in February, to regulate the exceptional admission to residence of professionals already integrated through work in hospitals, nursing homes, catering, construction, agriculture or boilermaking, the same source reports.