In a late-evening vote on 5 May 2026, the French National Assembly adopted a bill that will dramatically extend the length of administrative detention for certain non-EU nationals deemed a serious security threat. Championed by Renaissance MP Charles Rodwell and backed by the government and conservative opposition, the text raises the ceiling for holding foreign nationals who have served prison sentences for terrorism from 180 days to 210 days, and for other foreigners under an expulsion order from 90 days to 210 days. Supporters argue the longer period gives border-police and judicial authorities enough time to organise removals, obtain consular laissez-passers and arrange charter flights—tasks that frequently overrun the current three-month limit and result in releases that are unpopular with the public.
![French National Assembly votes to triple maximum detention of high-risk foreign nationals]()
For businesses, HR teams and individual travelers who need to stay compliant with French immigration rules—whether for short-term assignments, student stays or long-term relocation—VisaHQ offers a convenient way to check requirements, assemble documents and file visa applications online. The service, which you can explore at https://www.visahq.com/france/ also keeps users informed of regulatory changes like the new detention limits so that planning can be adjusted before issues arise.
Interior-minister Gérald Darmanin called the vote “a victory for public safety” and stressed that France was merely aligning itself with detention periods already applied in several EU partners such as Germany and the Netherlands. Human-rights NGOs and left-wing MPs denounced the measure as a “spiral of exceptionalism”, warning that France already detains more migrants than any other EU country except Spain. The bill now moves to the Senate, where a parallel text tabled by Senator Bruno Retailleau could trigger further amendments and a possible joint committee. For global mobility managers the change signals tougher enforcement at the back-end of the immigration life-cycle. Third-country nationals who overstay, breach visa terms or lose their right to remain after a criminal conviction may now face up to seven months in a detention centre while deportation is pursued. Companies sponsoring foreign staff will need to tighten compliance and monitor any employees whose residence status is at risk to avoid reputational damage and costly emergency repatriations.
For businesses, HR teams and individual travelers who need to stay compliant with French immigration rules—whether for short-term assignments, student stays or long-term relocation—VisaHQ offers a convenient way to check requirements, assemble documents and file visa applications online. The service, which you can explore at https://www.visahq.com/france/ also keeps users informed of regulatory changes like the new detention limits so that planning can be adjusted before issues arise.
Interior-minister Gérald Darmanin called the vote “a victory for public safety” and stressed that France was merely aligning itself with detention periods already applied in several EU partners such as Germany and the Netherlands. Human-rights NGOs and left-wing MPs denounced the measure as a “spiral of exceptionalism”, warning that France already detains more migrants than any other EU country except Spain. The bill now moves to the Senate, where a parallel text tabled by Senator Bruno Retailleau could trigger further amendments and a possible joint committee. For global mobility managers the change signals tougher enforcement at the back-end of the immigration life-cycle. Third-country nationals who overstay, breach visa terms or lose their right to remain after a criminal conviction may now face up to seven months in a detention centre while deportation is pursued. Companies sponsoring foreign staff will need to tighten compliance and monitor any employees whose residence status is at risk to avoid reputational damage and costly emergency repatriations.
