France eases job-loss rules for foreign workers, cuts residence permit processing time

France has introduced a series of immigration reforms that give certain foreign workers more time to find a new job after losing employment, reduce residence permit processing timelines and make it easier for some EU Blue Card holders to move between member states.

The changes took effect on October 30, 2026, and include revised rules for EU Blue Card holders, temporary workers, intracompany transferees, and employees posted from the United Kingdom. Several measures are part of France's efforts to incorporate changes under the revised EU Blue Card Directive and the revised Single Permit Directive into its domestic immigration framework.

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One key change concerns foreign workers who lose their jobs. Temporary Worker residence permit holders who become unemployed will now have three months to find another job without immediately losing their residence status. Previously, their permits could be withdrawn immediately after their employment ended.

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If they find a new employer within the three months, they can remain in France. However, they must obtain a fresh work authorisation for the new employment.

The protection period is longer for EU Blue Card holders. Those who lose their jobs will now have six months to secure new employment without losing their residence status. Unlike Temporary Worker permit holders, EU Blue Card holders will not need to obtain a new work authorisation when they take up employment with another employer.

The revised rules are intended to give skilled foreign workers greater flexibility and reduce the risk of having to leave France following an unexpected job loss.

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France has also changed the validity period of EU Blue Cards. Where an employment contract is for less than two years, the permit will now be issued for the contract duration plus an additional three months, subject to a maximum validity of two years. Previously, the additional three-month period was not granted. For contracts exceeding two years, the existing maximum validity of four years remains unchanged.

Another important change concerns mobility within the European Union. Foreign nationals who have held an EU Blue Card issued by another EU member state for at least 12 months can now move to France to work and apply for a French EU Blue Card. The previous qualifying period was 18 months.

France has also shortened government processing timelines. The standard processing period for most complete residence permit applications has been reduced from four months to three months. Authorities can extend this by another 30 days in complex cases. If there is no response within 90 days, the application will now be treated as implicitly refused, compared with the previous four-month period.

Other reforms include narrower grounds for refusing the first renewal of Permanent Local Hire residence permits. The relevant employment period has been reduced from 12 months to six months, subject to exceptions.

Meanwhile, France has introduced a provision for certain UK-based employees posted to the country to provide services. Eligible workers may be exempt from work permits for one or multiple assignments, up to a cumulative period of 12 months. They must have worked for the same UK employer in the relevant activities for at least one year before the secondment, have three years of sector experience and hold the required university degree and professional qualifications.

However, this exemption cannot be used until French authorities identify the eligible service sectors.

Similarly, new minimum salary thresholds for intracompany transferee and ICT Trainee permits have been introduced in principle but are not yet operational. Authorities are yet to announce the applicable salary levels. Until then, the existing minimum wage or relevant industry collective bargaining agreement requirements continue to apply.

The reforms therefore bring immediate changes for several categories of foreign workers, while employers and applicants will need to wait for further official details before relying on some of the new provisions.