Plans for a new legislation on immigration will soon be presented to the French parliament.  A new type of student visa will facilitate the job search in France for well qualified, non-European Union residents, such as foreign students studying a Master's degree in France.

The French Minister for Internal Affairs Mr Nicolas Sarkozy will officially present the new project in Parliament at the start of 2006.  According to the French press, this project will change the regulations concerning the duration of visas provided to non EU students studying in France.

At present a foreign student in France can have a long term visa for a period equal to the duration of his studies making the post-studies search for a job in the country difficult. According to the new law, the visa for foreign students will be considerably longer from 6 months to 3 years after the end of the studies, thus making the job search easier for qualified individuals in France.  For example, after the official end of his studies, a Master's student in France can have a six month visa to search for a job in the country, a visa that upon expiry will be renewed in the case of a professional contract being drawn up between the foreigner and a French employer.

The long-term visa can be extended to three years, always with the right to renewal.  This rule applies to foreigners whose talents and knowledge can contribute considerably to the development of France or to those who through their work have a positive influence on the image and interests of France in the world and especially in their country of origin.

The holder of this long-term visa will be also considered eligible (after 6 months of professional activity in France) to exercise his right of family reunion and bring into the country his spouse and children.  Moreover the holder of this visa will have the right without any other justification to continue his studies at a higher level such as a PhD diploma.  To provide this visa, the French administration will examine factors as the age, qualifications, professional experience and academic background of the candidate.