
About the new policy of regularising undocumented migrants in France
Jayanta Chakrabarty: The current Home Minister, Bruno Retailleau, has replaced the 2012 Valls circular on undocumented migrants awaiting regularisation with a new approach to “exceptional admission to residence” (AES). The Retailleau circular, which came into force on January 24, 2025, changed the criteria for regularising undocumented migrants. To qualify for regularisation, applicants must have been present in France for seven years, compared to three or five years previously. The circular also requires proof of advanced proficiency in French, either through a diploma or language certification. Prefects are reminded that “exceptional admissions to residence must remain exceptional” and that there is…