Overview

• The updated list of approximately 80 shortage occupations was officially published on May 22, 2025, in the Journal officiel after months of delays.
• Three new roles were added: mechanical maintenance workers in Brittany, and fishermen and aquaculturists in Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Pays de la Loire.
• The measure allows undocumented foreign workers in these sectors to apply for residency after meeting employment and residency criteria.
• Employers hiring workers in these roles legally can avoid penalties, including fines up to €30,000 and prison terms of up to five years.
• Critics highlight omissions in the list and question the quality of consultations, while labor shortages in key sectors remain pressing.