“French Immigration Bill Introduces Stricter Laws for International Students”
France has recently passed a new immigration bill that introduces several amendments affecting international students and foreign nationals. These changes, still pending approval by the French Constitutional Council, aim to tighten immigration policies and reshape the experience of living and studying in France.
🎓Student Visa Requirements
|
Before |
After (New Bill) |
|---|---|
|
No deposit required when applying for a student visa. |
A refundable deposit must be submitted with the visa application. |
|
No penalty for evading a removal decision. |
Deposit is forfeited if the student evades a removal decision. |
💸Access to Welfare Benefits
|
Before |
After (New Bill) |
|---|---|
|
Non-EU nationals needed 30 months of presence to qualify for welfare benefits. |
Now required to work for 5 years in France before becoming eligible. |
🛠️ Residency and Work Permit in Shortage Sectors
|
Before |
After (New Bill) |
|---|---|
|
No clear pathway for undocumented workers in shortage sectors. |
Can apply for residency if they’ve lived 3 years in France and worked 12 months in last 2 years in sectors like agriculture, construction, restaurants. |
👨👩👧Family Reunification
|
Before |
After (New Bill) |
|---|---|
|
Wait time: 18 months |
Wait time extended to 24 months |
|
Minimum spouse age: 18 years |
Minimum spouse age raised to 21 years |
|
Fewer documentation requirements. |
Must show steady income and health insurance. |
📊Government Oversight
|
Before |
After (New Bill) |
|---|---|
|
No mandatory reporting to parliament. |
Annual report required on immigration data: asylum requests, deportations, permits, naturalizations. |
Pakistani Student Impact & Example:
1. Refundable Deposit for Visa
- Impact: Pakistani students applying for a French student visa will now have to submit a deposit (amount not yet confirmed).
- Example: If you’re from Pakistan and planning to study in Paris or Lyon, you’ll need to pay this deposit upfront. If you follow all rules, it will be refunded later—but if you overstay or break immigration rules, you’ll lose the money.
2. Tougher Rules for Welfare Eligibility
- Impact: Pakistani students who later transition to work in France must now work for 5 years before getting access to welfare benefits (e.g., unemployment support, housing aid).
- Example: If you finish your master’s in France and get a job, you’ll not be eligible for most state benefits until 5 years of legal work.
3. Stricter Family Reunification
- Impact: If you plan to bring your spouse or children from Pakistan, you’ll need to:
- Wait 24 months instead of 18.
- Make sure your spouse is at least 21 years old.
- Show proof of steady income and health insurance.
- Example: If you’re married and your spouse is 19, they won’t be able to join you immediately under the new law.
4. Work Permit Option in Labor-Shortage Jobs
- Impact: Pakistani nationals working in fields like construction, agriculture, or hospitality (even without formal documentation) could qualify for a residency permit—if they meet:
- 3 years of residence, and
- 12 months of work in the last 2 years.
- Example: If a Pakistani worker has lived in France and worked as a cook for a year, this new rule can help him apply for legal residency.
5. Overall Monitoring
- Impact: Immigration cases will be more closely tracked and reported. If you’re applying from Pakistan, it may take more time or require extra documentation due to stricter oversight.
✅ What Pakistani Students Should Do:
- Prepare for additional financial requirements (deposit, insurance, etc.).
- Stay updated via French consulate websites or official campus France resources.
- Follow immigration rules strictly to avoid penalties or visa rejection.
Seek advice early if you plan to bring family or stay long-term.