France has introduced new immigration rules giving foreign workers more time to secure alternative employment after losing their jobs, reducing the risk of immediately losing their legal residence status.
The reforms, which took effect on October 30, 2026, provide different protection periods depending on the type of residence permit held by affected workers.
Under the revised rules, foreign nationals holding Temporary Worker residence permits will have three months to find another job after becoming unemployed. Previously, their residence permits could be withdrawn immediately following the termination of their employment.
Workers who secure new employment within the three-month period must obtain fresh work authorisation before starting with another employer.
Holders of the European Union Blue Card, which is designed for highly skilled foreign professionals, will receive a longer protection period of six months to find alternative employment without immediately losing their residence status.
Unlike Temporary Worker permit holders, EU Blue Card holders will not need new work authorisation when changing employers.
The reforms also introduce measures to simplify residence permit processing and improve mobility for certain skilled workers moving to France from other European Union countries.
The changes form part of France’s implementation of revised European immigration directives aimed at improving labour mobility and making employment arrangements more flexible for foreign professionals.
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