The proposed new language requirements in France could significantly impact the stay of over 300,000 foreigners in the country. French media reports that 60,000 foreigners who fail to meet language requirements could lose their right to remain in France, as failing the test could result in a residence permit loss.
The new language regulations were announced in January 2024 but have not yet been implemented. The measure involves a written test, and the language abilities necessary vary depending on the validity duration of the residence permit, therefore a lower level of language proficiency is required for a two to four-year residence permit.
The French Interior Ministry predicts that 20,000 immigrants could lose their residence permits, while another 40,000 could have their cards refused, affecting a total of 60,000 people.
Until now, individuals applying for a carte de séjour in France had to sign an “integration contract” and commit to learning French. If the new language rules gets implemented, foreigners are required to demonstrate at least a middle school level of language proficiency to obtain a two to four-year residence permit. Failure to meet French language requirements risks foreigners’ future in France, as they cannot obtain a residence permit, remain in France, or find employment.
Foreigners seeking a ten-year residency card must be fluent in French at the high school level. Those seeking French nationality must speak French as fluently as someone at the university level, which means they must understand and be able to articulate thoughts and ideas using specialized language.
The Immigration and integration bill aims to make the first issue of a multi-year residence permit (CSP) conditional on knowledge of a minimum level of French.
Today, multi-year residence permits are issued on condition that they have followed and participated in the training courses prescribed by the State. Thus, the foreigner who applies for the multi-year residence permit is not required to master the language but only to be diligent and serious in their participation in the training courses.
The new rules as and when implemented also requires the contribution of employers to the training in French of foreign workers in order to promote their professional and social integration in France.
The bill also aims to create a new multi-year residence permit “talent – medical and pharmacy professions” dedicated to health professionals and their families when they are recruited by a public or private non-profit health, social or medico-social establishment.