In an attempt to reduce migration pressure, the French government has decided to introduce new measures.
According to a statement from the French Prime Minister’s Office, as part of this move, France will launch a review on the visa issuance process, Schengen.News reports.
The authority described France’s current system as the largest and among most generous in the bloc, with the country granting around 2.8 million visas in 2024.
However, taking into account the current situation and the increased migration pressure, it has been considered that it is necessary to launch an audit on the policy.
While the authorities did not share any additional information regarding the review of the visa issuance system, it is believed that a thorough investigation will take place.
Once the review is completed, it is expected that the French authorities will use the findings to change some of the rules and thus put in place a new policy.
France accepts and grants a large number of Schengen visas each year. Statistics from SchengenVisaInfo show that in 2023, France received the largest number of Schengen visa applications among all the other Schengen member states.
In 2023, France recorded 2,625,846 visa applications. During the same year, the country granted 2,169,332 Schengen visas to foreign nationals.
The largest number of French Schengen visas was granted to nationals of China, Morocco, and Algeria, with them receiving 271,111, 310,057, and 279,005 visas, respectively.
France to Also Strengthen Border Controls to Prevent Irregular Migration
Another change as disclosed by the Prime Minister’s Office is also the use of a so-called border force, which means that a security unit will be deployed to strengthen border controls.
The border force has already been tested at the border of France with Italy, and it will be extended to the other borders of the country.
As Telquel explains, this measure will be supported by the incorporation of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum into the French law. The Pact on Migration and Asylum is expected to take effect next year.
In addition to the above-mentioned, the same source explained that France is also considering revising its migration cooperation framework with the UK.
Commenting on the measures that the country plans on taking, the French Prime Minister, François Bayrou, said that the reception capacity of France is not designed to meet the integration needs that are arising from the migration dynamic.
The French authorities further highlighted that in 2024 alone, France welcomed more than half a million immigrants.
