Published: 28.01.2026
In 2025, France issued around 384,000 first residence permits to non-EU nationals, about 11% more than a year earlier. The increase was driven mainly by student and humanitarian permits, while economic permits, regularisations and naturalisations declined.
According to sources, France continues to receive large numbers of newcomers, but the composition of migration is changing: student and humanitarian routes expanded while the employment route contracted. For workers and seasonal employees, this points to a more competitive and more closely checked pathway, particularly as authorities have increased scrutiny of offered jobs. The fall in regularisations and naturalisations matters to people already living in France who expect to legalise their status or obtain citizenship. Students and humanitarian applicants should note the broader trend, while employment-based migrants and families should factor the stricter practice into their planning.