Overview

• The finalized list of 84 shortage occupations was published on May 22, 2025, in the Journal officiel, enabling undocumented workers in these roles to apply for residence permits.
• The policy, part of the 2024 immigration law spearheaded by Gérald Darmanin, replaces the 2012 Valls Circular and remains valid until the end of 2026.
• Significant regional disparities exist, with Île-de-France listing up to 41 shortage occupations, compared to only 23 in Brittany and 26 in Normandy.
• Top recruitment needs include nearly 110,000 seasonal servers, 66,920 maintenance agents, and over 61,000 kitchen aides, reflecting labor market pressures in hospitality and maintenance sectors.
• Think tank Terra Nova projects that France will need between 250,000 and 310,000 immigrant workers annually in the coming decades, prompting calls for broader immigration policy reforms.