France has kicked off 2026 with one of the most significant overhauls to its immigration regime in more than a decade. A decree that entered into force on 1 January 2026 now obliges applicants for most multi-year residence permits, 10-year residence cards and naturalisation to pass both a French-language test (minimum A2 on the CEFR scale) and a new computer-based exam on the values, institutions and history of the Republic. The measures, published in the Journal Officiel on New Year’s Eve, implement provisions of the 2024 Immigration Law that the government said were aimed at “reinforcing integration through language and civic knowledge.”
The tougher rules apply to a broad range of non-EU nationals, including salaried employees on local contracts, family-reunification beneficiaries, entrepreneurs, self-employed professionals and even highly skilled Talent-Passport holders once they reach the multi-year stage. Until now, most applicants needed only to show proof of having enrolled in free OFII language classes; actual proficiency was assessed informally at prefecture appointments. Under the new system, candidates must schedule tests with approved providers and upload the certificates before their file can be examined. Failing either test triggers a one-year “probation” card, renewable only once, prolonging immigration uncertainty for those who cannot meet the standard.
VisaHQ, the global platform for visa and immigration services, can help foreign residents and their employers navigate these new requirements. Its dedicated France portal (https://www.visahq.com/france/) offers step-by-step guidance on booking certified language and civic tests, tracks appointment availability, and generates shareable document checklists—reducing administrative burden and minimizing the risk of costly delays.
![France Imposes Mandatory French Language and Civic Exams for Long-Term Residency and Citizenship]()
For employers, the change means longer lead times and higher compliance costs. HR teams will need to plan language training well in advance—particularly for blue-collar staff or family members who may have limited exposure to French in the workplace. Immigration advisers warn that prefectures are already reporting backlogs as thousands of foreign residents scramble to secure testing slots. Companies sponsoring large assignee populations are urged to book group sessions and include French lessons in relocation budgets.
Critics argue the rules risk excluding well-integrated workers who speak workplace French but struggle with formal grammar, while advocates counter that language mastery is essential for social cohesion. Early feedback from business chambers is mixed: tech firms say they can absorb the hurdle, but construction and hospitality employers fear losing experienced staff. Mobility managers should update checklists immediately, budget for €150–€250 per test, and build a three-month buffer into renewal timelines.
Looking ahead, the Interior Ministry has hinted at linking permit validity to continuous language improvement, raising the possibility that higher-level B1 or B2 thresholds could follow. Multinationals with operations in France should therefore view the 2026 exams as the first step in a longer trend toward competence-based immigration controls.
The tougher rules apply to a broad range of non-EU nationals, including salaried employees on local contracts, family-reunification beneficiaries, entrepreneurs, self-employed professionals and even highly skilled Talent-Passport holders once they reach the multi-year stage. Until now, most applicants needed only to show proof of having enrolled in free OFII language classes; actual proficiency was assessed informally at prefecture appointments. Under the new system, candidates must schedule tests with approved providers and upload the certificates before their file can be examined. Failing either test triggers a one-year “probation” card, renewable only once, prolonging immigration uncertainty for those who cannot meet the standard.
VisaHQ, the global platform for visa and immigration services, can help foreign residents and their employers navigate these new requirements. Its dedicated France portal (https://www.visahq.com/france/) offers step-by-step guidance on booking certified language and civic tests, tracks appointment availability, and generates shareable document checklists—reducing administrative burden and minimizing the risk of costly delays.
For employers, the change means longer lead times and higher compliance costs. HR teams will need to plan language training well in advance—particularly for blue-collar staff or family members who may have limited exposure to French in the workplace. Immigration advisers warn that prefectures are already reporting backlogs as thousands of foreign residents scramble to secure testing slots. Companies sponsoring large assignee populations are urged to book group sessions and include French lessons in relocation budgets.
Critics argue the rules risk excluding well-integrated workers who speak workplace French but struggle with formal grammar, while advocates counter that language mastery is essential for social cohesion. Early feedback from business chambers is mixed: tech firms say they can absorb the hurdle, but construction and hospitality employers fear losing experienced staff. Mobility managers should update checklists immediately, budget for €150–€250 per test, and build a three-month buffer into renewal timelines.
Looking ahead, the Interior Ministry has hinted at linking permit validity to continuous language improvement, raising the possibility that higher-level B1 or B2 thresholds could follow. Multinationals with operations in France should therefore view the 2026 exams as the first step in a longer trend toward competence-based immigration controls.
