The French summer legislative agenda has been active on immigration, with the publication of several long-awaited implementing decrees following the Immigration Law of January 2024. In this article, we review the most important takeaways for immigration and global mobility professionals.
Changes to the “talent” residence permit scheme
Reference: Decree 2025-539 of 13 June 2025 and Arrêté from 29 August 2025
Consolidation of permit categories
Formerly known as “Passeport-Talent”, the “Talent” scheme has been modified.
- Talent – Salarié Qualifié (Qualified Employee): This change merges Salarié Qualifié (Young Graduate), Salarié Entreprise Innovante (Employee at a Young Innovative Company), and Salarié en Mission (Employee on Assignment on local hire) into a single new category.
- Talent – Porteur de Projet (Project Holder): This change merges New Business Creator, French Tech Visa (Founder), and Investor permits into one new category.
- Talent – Profession Médicale et de la Pharmacie (Medical and Pharmacy Professions): A newly-created status for doctors, dentists, pharmacists, midwives, and related professionals. It grants a renewable four-year residence permit without the need for a separate work permit
Updated minimum salary threshold
Announced in June 2025, the new salary thresholds were updated at the end of August and are effective immediately:
- Talent – Salarié Qualifié (Qualified Employee – 3 merged categories): €39,852 annual gross. Previously, the threshold was set at twice the French minimum wage (SMIC), and successive increases had made it increasingly difficult for employers to use this work permit–exempt scheme to hire young graduates. With the threshold now tied to the average gross annual salary—recently updated—this adjustment should ease the recruitment of skilled graduates.
- Talent – Carte Bleue Européenne (EU Blue Card): €59,373 annual gross. The threshold remains set at 1.5 times the average gross annual salary; however, the recent update—an increase not implemented since 2016—represents a significant jump from previous levels. The impact of this change on upcoming Blue Card renewals, including for accompanying family members, remains to be seen. Employers should anticipate and reassess the eligibility of their current employees to ensure right-to-work compliance.
Stricter language and integration requirements
Reference: Decree 2025-647 from 15 July 2025
These changes should be effective from January 1, 2026. Multiple exemptions will apply. These changes typically impact “salarié” or “travailleur temporaire” permit holders. Employers should communicate these changes to ensure smooth residence permit renewal and avoid any gaps in right-to-work documentation.
- Multi-Year Residence permit:
- A2 language level required to access the multi-year permit.
- Individuals enrolled in the OFII integration pathway will be required to pass a multiple-choice test, achieving a minimum score of 80% in order to qualify for a multi-year residence permit.
- Important to note that temporary residence permits will now be limited to three renewals
- 10-year Residence: B1 language level required.
- Naturalisation:
- B2 language level required.
- New civic test
This news alert is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific guidance or further information, please contact Newland Chase directly.
