Immigration News – October 2024
Increase in the Minimum Wage (SMIC)
The revaluation of the SMIC will take effect on November 1, 2024, with an increase of 2%. The new thresholds applicable for immigration statuses are as follows:
- SMIC: €1,802.25/month
- Job Search – Business Creation: €2,703.37/month
- Talent Passport - Employee on Assignment: €38,929/year
- Talent Passport - Skilled Employee: €43,254/year
This will impact the eligibility of foreign nationals for skilled professional immigration statuses, particularly for foreign students who have completed their Master’s degree and are seeking a change of status to sign an employment contract with a French company.
Change in Duration of Talent Passport Visas Issued by Consulates Abroad
Some French consulates abroad (in Russia, the United States, Bangalore in India, Lebanon, and Argentina) are now issuing long-stay visas of 12 months that have to be validated online as residence permits when a Talent Passport visa application indicates a stay of more than one year. This practice differs from the usual issuance rules, which involve a 3-month visa followed by a multi-year residence permit issued by the Prefecture upon arrival in France. Specifically, this change allows the applicant to avoid having to contact the Prefecture upon arrival in France, enabling them to replace this step with an online validation, which is quicker and more direct. However, the overall immigration procedure may become longer, as the renewal of the residence permit will need to be prepared and submitted for processing before the initial visa expires.
Project for the New Immigration Law
Less than a year after the last immigration law came into effect, and while some implementing decrees are still pending publication, the French government has announced the opening of discussions on a new immigration law planned for early 2025. The proposed changes involve tightening the conditions for the administrative detention of foreigners deemed dangerous, increasing the duration from 90 days to 210 days. However, the Minister of the Interior does not rule out revisiting measures that were part of the initial text, such as the migration quotas set by Parliament, the reinstatement of the offense of irregular stay, return guarantees for foreign students, restrictions on family reunification, and restrictions on access to social benefits and state medical aid. These measures were previously censured by the Constitutional Council before the current immigration law was promulgated.
Our Immigration team remains at your disposal for any further information.
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