Following growing pressure from industries hit hard by outdated labor policies, the French government has just released an updated list of métiers en tension (shortage occupations) on May 23, 2025. It now includes roles such as cooks, construction workers, and in-home caregivers.
Why does this matter?
Until now, the last official update was from April 2021—and it was based on data from 2008. In a country where agriculture, construction, hospitality, and home care sectors are struggling to fill nearly 200,000 vacancies, the list was completely out of sync with reality.
You can access the new list here (in French): [Arrêté du 21 mai 2025 – Légifrance]
What’s at stake?
Foreign talent is vital across all industries. Whether you’re hiring an engineer or a waiter, nationality is secondary to skill. But recruiting a non-EU national means navigating France’s immigration process—an essential step to remain compliant and avoid legal, financial, and reputational risks.
When the job offer doesn’t qualify under the Passeport Talent category (which requires a minimum salary and specific conditions), the most common route is the standard “Salarié” work permit. That’s when the shortage occupation list becomes crucial.
The role of the list: bypassing the labor market test
Here’s a real-world example:
You run a restaurant and need a waiter before summer. You find a candidate—non-EU, already in France with a valid residence permit. You offer a permanent contract at slightly above minimum wage, and they accept. Before they can legally work, you must apply for a work authorization.
Now comes the key question: is the role of “waiter” in your region on the shortage occupation list?
If yes: You do not need to prove that no suitable French or EU candidates were available.
If no: You must go through a labor market test—advertising the job for 3 weeks and proving that none of the applicants were qualified. This adds time and complexity to the process.
Until now, the outdated list excluded many obvious shortage jobs, creating unnecessary delays and frustrating situations for both employers and candidates.
The updated list is therefore excellent news—especially for regions like Île-de-France, PACA, and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, which are experiencing the highest labor shortages.
Hiring foreign talent in France? Let’s make immigration smoother and smarter. oui@oui-immigration.com
michele
Virginie, well done for letting your colleagues and clients know about these regulations. You really are on top of the game. Thank you, Its useful. Michele Bar-Pereg ( Amsterdam)
Oui Immigration
Thank you Michele for your comment, highly appreciated coming from a global mobility expert such as you! It is indeed an important information for French immigration and we consider important, at Oui Immigration, to share these news. Thank you again!