Immigration news update for the EMEA region
Europe, Middle East and Africa
France: New immigration law published
On January 27, 2024, the French government passed, with immediate effect, a new immigration law. The reason given for this is controlling foreign workers’ stays in France and ensure compliance .
Following are the main work-related changes:
New residence permit for medical professionals: a new immigration pathway for professional non-EU medics, that needed to apply through work-based residence permits before. Available will be a four-year (renewable) residence permit for doctors, dentists, pharmacists and midwifes. Requirements to be eligible for this permit will be clarified further on.
Limits on repeated renewal of certain temporary residence permits:
Foreign nationals with the “salarié” permit and some family-based permits will no longer be allowed to be extended more than three times. Before this, individuals were able to renew their visas a desired number of times. Those holding such permits who have run out of their three times, can change to other residence permit categories, if eligible.
Introduction of a French-language proficiency requirement for multi-year residence permit holders: Individuals applying for a multi-year residence permit (this does not include the “Talent Passport” or “ICT” permit applicants) must provide proof of a level of French knowledge. It will no longer be enough to prove that applicants are learning the French language, as it was in the past. The level of French proficiency will be further qualified.
Residence permit allowing for regularization of certain undocumented workers: a new, one-year (renewable) residence permit for undocumented foreign nationals to work in sectors with labour shortages. Before this new change, regulation of undocumented individuals was considered only on a case-by-case. To be eligible for this new option, the applicant must have lived in France for three years and been employed for the at least the last 12 months. This will give the applicant a legal way to reside in France, while working one of the jobs on the national shortage occupation list.
This summary was prepared using information form the Government of France (available in French language)
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration) and Sabrina Crespo (Team Leader, EMEA).
Sweden: New working method for handling work permit cases
As of January 29, 2024, the Migration Agency officially starts the new way of working. After removing the old certification system, the Migration Agency will now prioritise service to employers that recruit highly qualified workers. This will be done by introducing a new way of sorting applications for work permits based on occupation and industry and separating out applications that are ready for a decision.
The complete applications for highly qualified workers can now be more efficiently identified and fast forward the decision-making process.
The requirements for obtaining a work permit remain the same. Complete applications from highly qualified workers will be processed within 30 days. For other applications, the time limit is governed by ordinances.
The definition of highly qualified workers is based on the Swedish Standard Classification of Occupations (SSYK), a system of codes that group individuals’ occupations or tasks. The codes used to distinguish highly qualified workers based on occupational areas are SSYK Codes 1-3 (SSYK 2012):
- Managerial occupations
- Occupations that require advanced higher education qualifications
- Occupations with a requirement for higher education qualifications or equivalent.
Start-ups will be able to receive extra support in the recruitment of highly qualified workers. Nevertheless, a decision will take up to 30 days for start-ups.
This summary was prepared using information from the Swedish Migration Agency
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration) and Sabrina Crespo (Team Leader, EMEA).
United Kingdom: 10-Year automatic extension of sponsor license
Sponsor licenses that are to expire on or after April 6, 2024, are going to be automatically extended for another 10 years, until April 6, 2034. This change in policy reduces immigration-related costs for some employers, who require a sponsorship license extension. Where applicable, there will be no need to apply for renewal or pay a renewal fee.
However, those who hold permits expiring before April 6, 2024, still must apply for renewal, and pay a renewal fee, before the expiry date, to remain licensed.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from our local service partners.
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration) and Joanna Sogeke (Team Leader, EMEA).
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