Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin would not object to the introduction of a points-based residence permit for foreigners wishing to settle in France in the future. A working group of the National Assembly is working on the issue.

Be “nice to nice” and drip customizations. This is what Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin promises when he announces the introduction of a visa for strained jobs. A measure for foreigners staying on the national territory. But for those who want to come to France, the interior minister would not mind a more original idea: a residence permit with points.

The idea would be to offer a certain number of credits depending on the country of origin, level of study and knowledge of French. Individuals whose spouse lives in France could also benefit from a bonus, as could those with experience in a high-tension job. A score is then awarded to the applicants.

A working group of MPs

This idea is in line with the chosen immigration that Emmanuel Macron has been advocating since the presidential campaign and to which some twenty majority MPs who have set up a working group on the issue want to emphasize. For them, this idea must complement Gérald Darmanin’s announcements on the new visa policy.

A goal well-known by one of the supporters of the measure: to put an end to an immigration that is now considered “underskilled and not sufficiently geographically diversified”, as one MEP confided to us. “One of the characteristics of the countries that have managed to build a positive image of immigration are those that have introduced this idea of ​​qualification and geographical criteria. Criteria are discussed and included in the law.

“This will change the vision of immigration”

MEPs from this group deny that it is not a “system to combat immigration from the Maghreb”. “The system does not prevent an Algerian doctor from coming to France because he will have many points,” explains a majority MP, for whom this “idea is to get out of a quantitative vision of immigration”: “c It is an economic one problem, but also of the crossing.” He hopes that this idea “can change the vision of immigration”.

This system already exists in Canada, a country where immigration is very important (21% of the population vs. 12.8% in France): it is the passport stamp. It is used in the skilled worker program to select individuals who may or may not remain in Canada. A score of 67/100 is required to be eligible for a temporary or permanent work permit in Canada. Criteria include: language skills, diplomas, work experience, age, adaptability (including ties to Canada), and whether the individual has had a valid job in Canada for at least one year.

Such a proposal was also made by LR MP Eric Ciotti during the campaign for the right-wing and center primaries in October 2021 Marianne remarked at the time. According to him, this measure would serve to check a foreigner’s ability to “love, understand and respect France”. His team explained at the time he made this proposal that applicants for residency permits would be classified and selected by “professional and ethnic quotas.”