Immigration

What changes are proposed in the planned new French immigration law?

The interior minister has set out four main proposals for a new 2025 immigration law

France’s interior minister ‘regrets’ that immigration referendum is not possible

Bruno Retailleau’s comments to French media were described as ‘divisive’ by both opponents and allies of President Macron

Man who dug holes near Van Gogh’s grave told to leave France

The Belarusian said he was digging the holes as part of an ‘artistic act’

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French MPs still trying to ease visa process for second-home owners

Chasing letters to the minister, parliamentary questions - MPs continue to lobby for simpler temporary long-stay visas

Will France's new language rules affect Brexit residency cards?

A number of visas required to live in France have been affected by the new immigration law

What are France’s new language level rules to apply for residency?

The recent immigration law requires better language skills for some residency cards and to get French nationality

France’s ‘droit du sol’ rule for nationality: what change is planned?

The government wants to suspend the ‘territorial principle’ on Mayotte in response to the island's illegal immigration crisis

How long is the wait for a French Ofii visa interview?

Validating your visa means you will be invited to a half-day at the French immigration agency - here is what to expect

New tougher French language rules for immigration: who is affected?

The rules for residency cards and nationality are changing but there are exemptions

LIST: what was kept and what was rejected in French immigration law

Conseil constitutionnel rejected a third of items including an ‘automatic visa’ plan for Britons owning second homes - but approved increasing the level of French needed for certain residency cards

Automatic visa for second home visits: Senator feedback and questions

We talk to Senator Berthet about the next steps and answer queries

See: Key changes passed in France’s new immigration law

The law’s many provisions cover family benefits, naturalisation, quotas, detention centres and more

Depardieu, immigration: key points of President Macron’s TV interview

He spoke for two hours on French television after MPs passed his government’s immigration bill

Visas, residency cards: What changes in France’s new immigration law?

Non-EU citizens, for example Americans or Britons, coming to France to live or work in France will be affected by several changes in the new law passed by parliament

French immigration bill: What happens now to second-home visits plan?

As the bill moves forward for examination by a ‘mixed commission’ it is possible the ‘automatic visa’ proposal will remain

Nationality, residency cards, visas: what French Senate kept in bill

We look at key points which have been voted on so far in the proposed immigration reform

Residency cards, expulsions, second homes: what French bill proposes

Senate is scrutinising immigration law which seeks to toughen some rules and lighten others

50 French senators back more flexible rules for second-home owners

More than a quarter of the dominant Les Républicains group in the Senate have now put their name to one or more amendments

Immigration bill: amendment for non-French second-home owners expected

We spoke to immigration and legal experts about the controversial bill set for debate this autumn

Pope Francis in Marseille for unofficial visit focused on immigration

The city was chosen to highlight the migration crisis and loss of life in the Mediterranean sea, a deeply important issue for the Pope. ‘I am visiting Marseille, not France,’ he said

Macron raises possibility of referendum on immigration in France

But would such a plan first need constitutional change?

President Macron faces battle over immigration crackdown in France

Right-wing politicians call for tougher measures, including making overstaying a visa a crime, as parliament prepares to debate bill

France’s immigrants: We look at the trends in the latest official data

What is the percentage of immigrants in France and where do most come from? We review the figures as President Macron pledges to significantly reduce numbers

Does Macron's use of the word sécession have US Civil War overtones?

A civil war, or immigrants ‘splitting’ from France? We ask Vincent Bernard, a French historian and US Civil War expert, to shed light on this distinctive word

France must significantly reduce immigration, says Macron

There must be better protection with non-EU borders, said the president in an interview published yesterday (August 23)

Five questions on how UK’s new border scheme could impact EU tourists

The new ‘contactless border’ could see EU travellers having to obtain paid authorisation to enter the UK within the next couple of years

Eight key takeaways from landmark French immigration study

How many immigrants are there in France? Where do they come from? How has immigration shaped their lives?

Immigration: Interior minister wants family members to sit French test

There are also plans to tighten rules around means levels and accommodation. We look at who would be affected if this is brought in

French tests, more workers: France’s immigration bill begins debate

Ministers want to make it harder to stay in France long-term if you do not speak French – but also to cut down on queuing at prefectures for those who do

55 Britons, 85 US citizens told to leave France: why this happens

We look at how non-EU citizens fall foul of French immigration laws and who can help

French work permits should be subject to points system, says MP

The idea is under review and could be added to a new immigration bill. Applicants would have more or fewer points depending on their degree, language skills or origin

French MPs to vote on idea of a language test for some residency cards

The measure features in the immigration bill which will go before parliament in the new year

UK-France deal on tackling Channel crossings 'in final stages'

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met for the first time with President Macron at COP27. The plan could involve a 'joint control centre' operating patrols and drones

Language test, new residence permit: ministers share immigration plans

Proposals aim to give a ‘balance’ between tougher measures and easier immigration for workers

Inflation, retirement, immigration: Key points from Macron interview

The president addressed topics including retirement age, energy costs, inflation, immigration and crime, and GP numbers. We summarise the main points

Suspect in murder of Lola, 12: What is a OQTF order to leave France?

The brutal killing of a girl in Paris has prompted debate over immigration laws and ‘OQTF’ orders

France to develop ‘more demanding immigrant integration process’

The interior minister says he wants cartes de séjour to be subject to a language test and for applicants to accept the values of the Republic

French minister: We judge foreigners for what they do not who they are

Gérald Darmanin said the government will seek to remove a rule preventing criminals from being expelled if they arrived in France before turning 13

Almost 100,000 cartes de séjour granted to Britons in France in 2021

New figures show that the number was 13 times higher last year than in 2020. Overall immigration is also on the rise

Hunger-strike baker stands as MP to give a voice to migrants in France

After campaigning to stop the deportation of his apprentice, Stéphane Ravacley thinks French immigration policy is unfair and aims to join the Assemblée Nationale to end the 'nonsense’

Immigration, residency: The policies of French election candidates

Which candidates would make it harder – or easier – for foreigners to settle in France? We also look at what some say about language tests and dual citizenship

Nationality, visas, asylum: Why immigration rose in France in 2021

The pandemic had a major effect on migration in 2020, but figures are now rising again

French election candidate Eric Zemmour found guilty of hate speech

The far-right polemicist has been fined €10,000 for comments he made about unaccompanied migrant children

Afghan evacuee in France given 10-month suspended prison sentence

The man was placed under police surveillance when he arrived in France due to suspected links to the Taliban. He was sentenced after breaking the rules by going to Paris

France border controls criticised after fatal police worker stabbing

New law to be presented this week to allow for increased use of computer algorithms to detect potential threats among internet users

Le Pen’s immigration referendum pledge: What the latest figures show

The far-right leader said her first act as president would be to hold a referendum on border control, but data shows a sharp drop in immigration from 2019-2020, mainly due to Covid-19

Brexit: Lords to fight again for Britons' family rights

The peers will make a – possibly final – bid today to maintain a long-term right to return to UK with EU family without a means test

UK’s immigration stance worrying, says French MEP

The UK’s hardline stance on immigration is “worrying”, former French Europe minister Nathalie Loiseau, who is now an MEP, has told Connexion .

Major UK emigration exhibition wants postcard from you

British people who live abroad in the EU in countries like France are being invited to send a postcard to be used in the first exhibition about emigration from the UK.

Queen's Speech: Votes for life and immigration points

Ending the 15-year limit on expatriate voting has again been raised in yesterday’s Queen’s Speech.

MPs ignored suburban and rural France at their peril

Mathematician Hervé Le Bras, emeritus researcher at France’s Institute for Demographic Studies and director of research at the School for Advanced Studies in Social Sciences, gives his verdict on the gilets jaunes and migration

French anti-immigrant group members jailed and fined

Three members of a French right-wing anti-immigration group have been sentenced to six months in prison and a fine of €2,000 each for their part in anti-immigrant actions on the Franco-Italian border.

'Points' immigration plan for post-Brexit UK

UK prime minister frontrunner Boris Johnson has expressed support for an ‘Australian-style’ points system for immigration to the UK after Brexit – here we look at what this implies and what would be in place for Britons wanting to come to France.

Why did Portuguese come to France?

Why are there so many Portuguese people in France? P.S.

French village offers asylum seekers a place to stay

Migrants stay in converted former gendarmerie barracks pending completion of their applications

Migrants climb aboard cross-Channel ferry at Calais

Services delayed for several hours as police search vessel after about 100 people break through port perimeter

UK immigration shake-up to prioritise skills and means

The UK has confirmed that lower-skilled – and lower-earning – EU workers will no longer have an automatic right to come and work in the UK after Brexit.

Integration and Brexit: French Ministry advice

The French Interior Ministry has created new information pages for Britons in France after Brexit; we have translated key sections of them.

Chauvinism isn’t half of it...

What a curious article by Nick Inman in your September issue ( The joke is on everyone who takes pride in their chauvinist views ). The notion of “extreme nationalism” misses the point of the current upsurge of emotions with regard to nationalism. His piece seems to merge the idea of being a patriot when asked to go to war for your country with supporting your national team in the annual Six Nations.

Channel Tunnel shows need for real-world thinking

Arguably the greatest Anglo-French achievement in history is the Channel Tunnel. The incredible link was opened by the Queen and President François Mitterrand in 1994 as a symbol of growing ties between two of Europe’s most powerful countries, and has largely fulfilled all expectations.