TSA Immigration

August 26, 2025

Which professions are in short supply in France in 2026?

Updated October 2026

In France, some jobs are officially recognised as hard to fill. They are called métiers en tension. If your job is on this list, it can make it easier to get a work permit, and in some cases a residence permit.

In short

The list in force was published on 22 May 2025, region by region.
For these jobs, an employer can recruit from outside the EU more easily.
Some workers already in France can apply for a residence permit, until 31 December 2026.

Not sure if your job is on the list? Take the free eligibility test

The official list in force

The list in force was published in the Journal officiel on 22 May 2025 (arrêté of 21 May 2025). It replaced the old list from 2021. It is meant to be updated every year, so always check the latest version.

The list is made region by region: a job can be on the list in one region and not in another.

Main sectors on the list

Depending on the region, the list includes for example:

Construction and public works workers
Farm workers, market gardeners and horticulturists
Home care aides and domestic helpers
Cooks and kitchen assistants
Cleaning staff and domestic employees
Hotel and restaurant jobs

The full list for each region is on Légifrance. TSA checks with you whether your exact job is listed in your region.

If you live outside France: easier recruitment

For a job on the list, a French employer can hire a worker from outside the EU without first publishing the job offer in France. The employer still has to request a work authorisation for you, and you then apply for a long-stay visa.

If you already live in France without papers

Since the immigration law of 26 January 2024, a temporary scheme allows some workers already in France to apply for a residence permit.

12 monthsof salaried work in a job on the list, in the last 24 months

3 yearsof uninterrupted residence in France

1 yeartemporary residence permit if your application is accepted

The other main conditions:

The 12 months can be consecutive or not
You must have a job on the list when the prefecture decides
Proof of your work, such as payslips
No threat to public order

You can apply yourself: your employer does not have to make the request. The permit is marked salarié or travailleur temporaire. The prefect decides case by case, so the permit is never automatic.

Important: the law applies this scheme until 31 December 2026. If you think you qualify, do not wait to prepare your file.

How TSA helps you

TSA checks whether your job is on the list for your region, helps you gather your payslips and proof of residence, and prepares your file with you.

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