90 Days to Decide, Six Months to Change Jobs: France’s New Rules for Foreign Workers
PARIS, 6 November 2026 — France has changed some residence-permit and work rules for non-EU nationals. The changes took effect on 30 October under Decree No. 2026-1001, published in the Official Journal on 29 October. They affect specific categories of foreign workers and permit applicants, rather than every foreign resident in France.
For most residence-permit applications covered by the decree, prefectures must issue a decision within 90 days of receiving a complete application. That period may be extended by 30 days for particularly complex cases, with the applicant informed. The deadline does not mean an application is automatically approved if no decision arrives within 90 days; some application categories are excluded from the general rule.
Some non-EU workers will also be able to change employers sooner after receiving their first work authorisation. The restricted period has been reduced from 12 months to six months. An exception applies where the employer has seriously breached the employment relationship. The rule depends on the worker’s permit and circumstances.
Protection for some workers who lose their jobs
Holders of a temporary-worker residence permit, known as a carte de séjour “travailleur temporaire”, may retain their right to stay in France if they become involuntarily unemployed. Their permit cannot be withdrawn solely because they were without work for up to three months in total during its validity.
The period may extend to six months for workers who experienced specified serious conditions, including human trafficking or forced labour. If they find a new employer, they may stay in France while the new work-authorisation application is being examined.
New job-search period for some EU Blue Card holders
The decree gives some highly qualified workers holding an EU Blue Card six months to seek a new job if a prefecture considers withdrawing the card or refusing its renewal because their employer breached legal obligations. The period may be extended to match the worker’s remaining unemployment-insurance entitlement.
The decree also clarifies the card’s validity period: it generally follows the length of the employment contract, subject to a four-year maximum for contracts of at least two years. For shorter contracts, it may cover the contract period plus three months, up to a two-year maximum.
Salary threshold planned for ICT permits
Some workers transferred to France within the same company or corporate group may need to meet a minimum annual salary to obtain an ICT permit. The requirement also covers certain ICT trainees. The decree says the threshold will be set by ministerial order; the amount had not been published as of 6 November.
Other recent changes residents should know
A separate rule already in force since 1 January 2026 requires many non-EU nationals applying for a first multi-year residence card or first resident card to pass a civic examination. It is not required for renewals, and the government lists exemptions, including beneficiaries of international protection.
Other November changes apply to residents generally, regardless of nationality. The winter eviction truce runs from 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027, with exceptions; it does not cancel rent debt. New EU processing fees also apply to certain parcels shipped directly from outside the EU.
Proposed measures are not yet law
France’s 2027 budget proposals were still under parliamentary consideration on 6 November. The National Assembly rejected the finance bill’s revenue section on 4 November. Proposals debated during the budget process should not be presented as rules already in force.
The October changes mainly concern non-EU workers with temporary-worker permits, work authorisations, EU Blue Cards or ICT permits, and people submitting certain residence applications. Foreign residents should check the exact wording on their permit and the relevant prefecture guidance before taking action.
Paris Telegraph | Feance News Desk
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