France: bill adopted on entry of foreign workers in shortage occupations

On Tuesday 19 December, French MPs passed a bill ‘to control immigration and improve integration’. Under article 4, prefects – state representatives in a department or region – will be able to grant a one-year temporary residence permit to foreign nationals who have worked for one year in a profession experiencing recruitment difficulties in their geographical area of residence. “Skilled” workers/talents will be able to obtain a multi-year residence permit for up to four years if they have obta