French Government Releases List of In-Demand Professions for Immigration Eligibility
In a significant move to address labor shortages and streamline immigration policies, the French government has published an updated list of dozens of professions deemed to be in high demand throughout the country. This list serves as a benchmark for authorities when considering applications for residency permits.
Background and Methodology
The last comprehensive list of in-demand professions was established in 2021, based on data from 2008. Recognizing the need for a more up-to-date and regionally specific approach, the government collaborated with the Ministry of the Interior, regional authorities, and social partners to compile the revised list.
"We’ve worked with the Ministry of the Interior, regions, and social partners to create a list of in-demand jobs for each major region," explained Minister of Labor Astrid Panosyan-Bouvet on franceinfo.
Key Findings
The new list includes several dozen distinct professions. Interestingly, the specific roles in high demand vary from region to region.
- Nationwide demand: Agricultural workers, home health aides, domestic helpers, kitchen staff, cooks, housekeepers, gardeners/horticulturists, and hospitality and construction workers.
- Regional variations: Geometers are only sought in the Normandy region, while butchers are needed in seven regions (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, PACA, Occitanie, Grand Est, Corsica, Centre-Val de Loire, and Bourgogne Franche-Comté).
The three regions with the highest number of in-demand professions are Île-de-France (41), Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur (39), and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (37).
Implications for Immigration
The latest immigration law, enacted in January 2024, introduced provisions allowing undocumented workers employed in in-demand professions to apply for regularization through local prefectures. In January 2025, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau issued a circular to prefects, emphasizing that exceptional work-related regularizations should be limited to these high-demand occupations.
The hospitality and restaurant industry, represented by the professional organization Umih, has highlighted the sector’s recruitment challenges. Umih has expressed concern that the new circular should not impose stricter conditions for regularization or employment access for foreign nationals already residing in France and seeking work in the sector.
Significance and Future Outlook
The publication of this updated list of in-demand professions is a significant step towards facilitating immigration and addressing labor shortages in key sectors of the French economy. By aligning regularization policies with the needs of specific industries and regions, the government aims to attract skilled workers, fill critical positions, and support economic growth.
This is a developing story, and the next steps will involve consultation with social partners and the eventual publication of the list in the Official Journal. The implementation of the new regularization provisions and their impact on immigration patterns will be closely monitored in the coming months and years.
