At the beginning of 2024, the French government presented a new immigration bill. The provisions of the law under discussion affected migrants who signed the agreement on republican integration (CIR). In addition, the changes will affect people with certain immigration statuses.
The essence of the changes is to tighten the requirements for knowledge of French.
Who is affected by the law
The law covers the following categories of immigrants:
- Employees for hire (“Salarié”);
- Holders of a residence permit “Private and family life” (“Vie privée et familiale”);
- Self-employed and individual entrepreneurs;
- Specialists in liberal professions;
- Specialists working in the field of trade, industry and crafts.
The new law will not affect those who moved to France through an internal corporate transfer and those who have a talent passport.
Changes for immigrants in France
To obtain a long-term residence permit in France, the French level A1 is currently sufficient. According to the new law, the minimum level will be A2, and for a 10-year residence permit (resident card) – level B1 (instead of A2).
Applicants for French citizenship will have to prove level B2 instead of B1.
If an applicant for a residence permit or passport does not have sufficient proficiency in French, he or she must take a language course lasting up to 600 hours. This rule is still in effect.
There are several ways to confirm the level:
- Take the international TCF or DELF exams;
- Provide another existing certificate confirming proficiency in the language;
- Provide evidence of sufficient time spent studying French.
Differences between the levels of French proficiency
- Beginner level A1 is a survival level, where a person knows only the simplest phrases for solving specific problems, can introduce themselves and can ask simple personal questions.
- Beginner level A2 — at this level, you need to understand common phrases related to family, work, place of residence, talk about your friends and relatives, about your education, and maintain a simple dialogue.
- Advanced level B1 assumes the ability to communicate in most common life situations, the ability to express your opinion on a topic of interest, past events, and justify your views.
- Advanced level B2 is an advanced level, where you can participate in technical discussions in your professional field, understand complex texts, and speak on almost any topic in a conversation with a native speaker.
- Free level C1 — professional proficiency in the language, assuming that a person can recognize hidden meanings in a text, has no difficulty in choosing words, and accurately uses a variety of expressions and linking words.
- Fluent level C2 — spoken by native speakers or those who have lived and worked in France for a long time. Such people can convey the most subtle shades of meaning, generalize complex information from different sources, and talk about any topic.
When the changes will come into force
New rules regarding residence permits have recently come into force: now a residence permit can be extended no more than three times in a row, after which the immigrant will be able to apply for permanent residence.
The tightening of language requirements and the introduction of an exam on cultural values have not yet been introduced. The French government promised to publish full information in December 2025. The law is expected to come into force in January 2026, so there is still enough time to extend a residence permit or apply for citizenship under the old rules.
Details can be found on the official website of the French government
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