France’s CGT Santé et Action Sociale federation entered day four of a week-long national strike on 16 February, with hospitals in Paris, Lyon and Marseille cancelling non-urgent consultations. While emergency rooms remain open, OFII-mandated medical exams for foreign residents—a prerequisite for validating long-stay visas—have been deferred in at least six départements.
Foreign students and intra-company transferees scheduled for titre de séjour renewals this month risk missing statutory deadlines if medical certificates cannot be issued on time. Prefectures contacted by The Connexion say late penalties will be waived only for applicants who can prove their appointment was cancelled due to the strike, underscoring the importance of obtaining written notices from clinics.
![National health-care strike disrupts medical appointments vital for residence permits]()
For anyone caught in this bottleneck, VisaHQ can offer a lifeline by flagging alternative medical-exam providers and helping assemble the correct paperwork for prefecture submissions. Its dedicated France page (https://www.visahq.com/france/) allows users to check evolving requirements, book courier services, and receive real-time alerts—tools that can prevent costly delays while the industrial action plays out.
Employers face knock-on costs as posted workers and new hires must remain off payroll until their social-security numbers are activated. Several relocation firms are advising clients to reschedule arrivals to March or route newcomers through private clinics that are not affected by the industrial action, though fees can exceed €300 per examination.
The CGT is demanding an immediate €400 monthly pay increase, hiring of 100,000 additional care staff and reversal of 2025 budget cuts. Government negotiators say talks will resume only after the current stoppage ends on 19 February, raising the prospect of further action next month if no deal is reached.
Foreign students and intra-company transferees scheduled for titre de séjour renewals this month risk missing statutory deadlines if medical certificates cannot be issued on time. Prefectures contacted by The Connexion say late penalties will be waived only for applicants who can prove their appointment was cancelled due to the strike, underscoring the importance of obtaining written notices from clinics.
For anyone caught in this bottleneck, VisaHQ can offer a lifeline by flagging alternative medical-exam providers and helping assemble the correct paperwork for prefecture submissions. Its dedicated France page (https://www.visahq.com/france/) allows users to check evolving requirements, book courier services, and receive real-time alerts—tools that can prevent costly delays while the industrial action plays out.
Employers face knock-on costs as posted workers and new hires must remain off payroll until their social-security numbers are activated. Several relocation firms are advising clients to reschedule arrivals to March or route newcomers through private clinics that are not affected by the industrial action, though fees can exceed €300 per examination.
The CGT is demanding an immediate €400 monthly pay increase, hiring of 100,000 additional care staff and reversal of 2025 budget cuts. Government negotiators say talks will resume only after the current stoppage ends on 19 February, raising the prospect of further action next month if no deal is reached.
