France saw a continued rise in immigration in 2025, with nearly 380,000 non-EU nationals receiving their first residence permit, an increase of almost 11% over 2024, according to figures released by the Ministry of the Interior on January 27, Le Monde reported. The number of foreign residents in France now stands at 4.5 million, mainly from the Maghreb, followed by Turkey, the UK, China, and Ivory Coast.
Of the new permit holders, 92,000 received residency for humanitarian reasons, including asylum and illness, up 65% from 2024. Despite a slight decline in asylum applications overall, the rate of protection granted reached 52%, a level not seen since 2010. High numbers of Afghans, Ukrainians, and Haitians were granted refugee or subsidiary protection.
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Despite the decline in new economic permits, the total number of valid work permits rose to 480,000, reflecting a continuing need for foreign talent.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, there is a shift toward humanitarian and student entry while professional and family immigration sees slower growth.
Student migration drive growth
Student immigration remained the main channel for legal entry, with 118,000 non-EU students arriving in 2025, up 6.4%, driven by nationals from the US, China, and Cameroon. Family reunification accounted for 91,000 new permits, remaining the third-largest category.Of the new permit holders, 92,000 received residency for humanitarian reasons, including asylum and illness, up 65% from 2024. Despite a slight decline in asylum applications overall, the rate of protection granted reached 52%, a level not seen since 2010. High numbers of Afghans, Ukrainians, and Haitians were granted refugee or subsidiary protection.
Economic migration declines while permits for skilled workers rise
Professional immigration saw a 13% decline, with 51,190 first-time permits issued, while “Talent Passports” for skilled workers, scientists, and entrepreneurs increased slightly by 4.4%. Seasonal worker permits also fell, partly due to stricter checks on the legitimacy of positions offered, with Morocco as the leading source of applicants.(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)
Despite the decline in new economic permits, the total number of valid work permits rose to 480,000, reflecting a continuing need for foreign talent.
Fewer regularizations, deportations rise
Regularizations of undocumented workers decreased by 10% to fewer than 29,000, following tighter rules introduced in January 2025. Meanwhile, 25,000 foreign nationals were deported, a 16% increase from 2024, with Algerians, Moroccans, Tunisians, Georgians, and Romanians among the largest groups. Diplomatic tensions with Algeria slowed deportations of Algerian nationals.According to the Ministry of the Interior, there is a shift toward humanitarian and student entry while professional and family immigration sees slower growth.
