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The French government has identified over 80 job roles now accessible to foreign nationals, including Nigerians, under simplified immigration procedures.
The updated list, is designed to ease the legalization process for undocumented migrants already contributing to the economy while also attracting new talent from abroad. The framework offers a more direct path to legal employment and residency for foreign professionals who qualify.
In 2023, 10.5 percent of the active workforce were from third world countries such as Nigeria according to EURES, regardless, a report by the French think tank Terra Nova projects that between 250,000 and 310,000 foreign workers will be needed in 2025.Despite welcoming over 331,000 immigrants in 2022, significant gaps remain in the labor market.
With an aging population and a declining birth rate, policymakers increasingly view labor migration not as an option but as an economic imperative.
Significantly, the revised list not only opens doors for new applicants from overseas but also supports the regularization of undocumented foreign workers currently employed in these occupations. This provision is expected to benefit thousands, particularly those working in agriculture, hospitality, and care sectors.
Read also: 5 countries updating skill shortage occupation lists for 2025 to attract skilled migrants
The shortage occupation list spans a wide range of industries, with acute demand for skilled labour in:
Roles in high demand
Among the professions prioritised are:
Construction and building
Engineers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, roofers, welders, masons, site supervisors
Hospitality and food services
Chefs, bakers, hotel staff, restaurant servers, butchers, pastry chefs, fishmongers
Healthcare and home support
Nurses, physiotherapists, doctors, caregivers, early childhood educators, veterinary surgeons
Agriculture and forestry
Farm workers, horticulturalists, vineyard workers, forestry specialists, livestock farmers
Manufacturing and industry
Industrial mechanics, machine operators, metal workers, maintenance technicians, sheet metal fabricators
Transport and logistics
HGV and bus drivers, packaging staff, logistics operators, tram drivers
IT and digital
Software developers, cybersecurity experts, data analysts
AI professionals, IT project managers, network engineers
Technical and skilled trades
Refrigeration technicians, automotive repairers
Lift installers, cement plant technicians, glass processors
Read also: Finland now allows foreign workers in shortage occupations to switch jobs, employers
Growing dependence on foreign labour
The hospitality sector faces one of the steepest workforce shortages, with France Travail estimating a deficit of 336,000 positions this year. Half of these roles are proving extremely difficult to fill.
For qualified professionals abroad, or undocumented workers already in France, this announcement represents an opportunity to:
Applying for a French work permit through an expedited process allows individuals to transition from irregular to legal employment status, ensuring compliance with immigration regulations. This approach will facilitate quicker residency approvals, providing stability and security for workers.
