French bill proposes up to 4-year residence cards for essential or shortage workers
The proposal would widen occupational coverage and waive the long-stay visa condition, while retaining work-authorisation requirements.
Bill 3266, registered on 6 October, proposes a dedicated residence card valid for up to 4 years for foreign employees in listed essential or shortage occupations. It would waive the relevant long-stay visa condition. Its explanatory text retains the requirement for prior work authorisation.[1]
Referred to the Laws Committee, the proposal seeks to replace the discretionary shortage-occupation regularisation mechanism. Filing the bill does not establish that the new card is available or that all foreign workers qualify.[1]
Official sources
This article provides general information. Individual applications are subject to the applicable rules and the competent authority’s assessment.