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Regularisation through work in shortage occupations (métiers en tension): deadline, conditions and procedure

Source: Service-Public F16053, checked on 3 June 2025, read on 18 October 2026.

Last checked: 18 October 2026. This is a general guide, not legal advice. Check the official page: https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F16053.

Service-Public says that the admission exceptionnelle au séjour (AES, exceptional admission to stay) for « métiers et zones géographiques en tension » (occupations and geographic areas with a worker shortage) « est possible jusqu'au 31 décembre 2026 » (is possible until 31 December 2026). The worker files the application himself or herself at the préfecture (the local office of the State), without the employer. It is a case-by-case regularisation (a way to get legal residence status): the préfet (head of the préfecture) decides, nothing is automatic.

Légifrance (the official French law website), article 27 of law no. 2024-42 (read on 18 October 2026): « Le présent article est applicable jusqu'au 31 décembre 2026. » (This article applies until 31 December 2026.) The Service-Public sheet was checked on 3 June 2025. Ask your préfecture what applies to your application.

What is the deadline?

Two Service-Public pages give 31 December 2026: sheet F16053 and the Entreprendre Service-Public news item on the immigration law (updated on 28 May 2025, flagged « ancienne » (old) by the site), which writes: « Cette disposition s'applique jusqu'au 31 décembre 2026. » (This provision applies until 31 December 2026.)

Neither says what happens to an application filed before this date and examined after it. We did not find an official answer: ask the préfecture.

Where does this scheme come from?

Service-Public cites article 27 of law no. 2024-42 of 26 January 2024. It allows the regularisation « à titre exceptionnel et temporairement » (on an exceptional and temporary basis) of non-EU workers in a shortage occupation. The list of occupations and areas is set by the arrêté (ministerial order) of 21 May 2025; the Ministry of the Interior says it may be updated each year.

The conditions given by Service-Public

The sheet covers non-European foreigners who are staying in France irregularly. You must:

  • hold a job in a shortage occupation and area at the time of the application;
  • show at least 3 years of uninterrupted stay in France;
  • show 12 months of work in the last 24 months in a shortage occupation and area;
  • show your social and family integration and your adherence to the values of French society and the principles of the Republic;
  • have no entry for a conviction, a disqualification or a loss of rights in your criminal record (casier judiciaire), not threaten public order and not live in polygamy in France.

These do not count: work as an entrepreneur or in a liberal profession (a self-employed professional), and work done under a « student » or « seasonal worker » permit or with an asylum seeker's attestation.

How to file the application?

The file is submitted at the préfecture of your place of residence; some sous-préfectures (sub-prefectures) do not handle this procedure. The sheet does not mention online filing. Documents requested, among others:

  • the form « Demande d'autorisation de travail au titre des métiers en tension » (work authorisation request for shortage occupations), filled in by you, without your employer;
  • birth certificate, passport or another document with a photo, 3 photos, proof of address less than 6 months old;
  • proof of habitual residence since you entered France;
  • proof of work: pay slips, bank transfers, a work certificate, for example;
  • proof of integration and the signed commitment to respect the principles of the Republic.

If the file is complete, the préfecture gives you a récépissé (receipt) that allows you to work. The sheet does not give the amount of the taxes: ask the préfecture.

Which permit if you are accepted?

You are called in to the préfecture. With a CDD (fixed-term contract): a « travailleur temporaire » (temporary worker) card valid for the length of the contract. With a CDI (permanent contract): a « salarié » (employee) card valid for 1 year and renewable. The text of the law (article 27) speaks of a card « d'une durée d'un an » (lasting one year) for both types of card: confirm the length with the préfecture.

And the circulaire of 23 January 2025?

The Ministry of the Interior writes that this circulaire (a ministerial instruction) « durcit l’AES en la recentrant sur des situations strictement exceptionnelles » (makes the AES stricter by refocusing it on strictly exceptional situations) and recalls that it is discretionary. We could not open its text on Légifrance: we quote nothing else from it.

If you are refused

See a lawyer or a specialised association.

And the civic exam?

According to the Ministry of the Interior, since 1 January 2026 it is required for a first multi-year residence card (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) or a first carte de résident (resident card). Read the civic exam for the multi-year card (in French).

Frequently asked questions

Until when is regularisation in shortage occupations possible? Service-Public says it is possible until 31 December 2026 (sheet checked on 3 June 2025). Confirm the date with your préfecture.

How many years of presence in France are needed? At least 3 years of uninterrupted stay, and 12 months of work in the last 24 months in a shortage occupation and area, according to Service-Public.

Must my employer make the application? No. You fill in the form yourself, without your employer's involvement, according to Service-Public.

Which residence card is issued if the application is accepted? A « travailleur temporaire » card for the length of the contract with a CDD, or a « salarié » card valid for 1 year and renewable with a CDI, according to Service-Public.

Sources

All consulted on 18 October 2026. Hexaciv is an independent service, not linked to the administration. This page is general information, not legal advice.

Hexaciv is an independent tool for preparing the French civic exam. This is not an official site and is not affiliated with any ministry. Last updated: 2026-10-18.