France
EU Blue Card rules updated
On 2 May 2025, France passed Law No. 2025-391, updating the EU Blue Card rules in line with EU Directive 2021/1883.
Among the changes introduced are the following:
- Applicants with at least three years of relevant professional experience in the previous seven years in certain occupations may now qualify for an EU Blue Card. The applicable qualifications have yet to be defined by a future government decree. In other occupations, five years of professional experience is required, or a three-year higher education decree.
- The minimum duration for the employment contract has been reduced from one year to six months.
- A holder of an EU Blue Card issued by another EU member state can now enter France visa-free after staying for 12 months (previously 18 months) in the issuing member state. This also applies to a holder of an EU Blue Card issued by another EU member state who has spent at least six months in a second EU member state after an initial 12 months in the issuing member state. In either case, the EU blue card holder must apply for a French EU Blue Card within one month of arrival in France.
- If the employment contract is for a period of less than two years, the EU Blue Card will now be issued for the contract duration plus up to three months, to a maximum of two years.
- Periods of time spent on certain other residence permits now count towards the five years of residence required for an EU Blue Card holder to qualify for a ten-year long-term residence permit. An applicant who has held a French EU Blue Card for at least two years may be eligible for the ten-year long-term residence permit if, for the remainder of the five required years, they held an EU Blue Card or a residence permit for highly-skilled workers, researchers or international protection issued by France or another EU member state.
- There is no change to the salary threshold, which remains 1.5 times the average gross annual salary.
Ireland
Visa requirement for nationals of Trinidad and Tobago
The Department of Justice has announced that, effective 12 May 2025, nationals of Trinidad and Tobago is now required to obtain a visa before travelling to Ireland. A transit visa is now required if intending to transit through Ireland enroute to another destination.
Nationals of Trinidad and Tobago who made travel plans before 12 May 2025 and can provide evidence of a valid booking and payment for the trip, may be accommodated for emergency travel in the following situations where the scheduled travel is on or before 31 May 2025:
- A critical medical case involving a family member being seriously ill or undergoing medical treatment. Evidence from the relevant medical institution must be provided.
- Visiting for a significant family event, i.e., a birth, wedding, or funeral. Suitable evidence must be provided.
- Taking up a place obtained in a third-level institution on an undergraduate or post-graduate degree course. Evidence must be provided from the relevant institution.
- Taking up employment and holding an Employment Permit for Ireland. Evidence of the permit issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment must be provided.
- Travelling for business. Confirmation of the arrangements for the visit from the business in question must be provided.
Persons falling within the above categories are asked to email with the subject line “Visa Required – Emergency Travel Requested.
United Kingdom
Government sets out new immigration policy
On 12 May 2025, the government published a new immigration white paper, setting out its proposed reforms of the immigration system.
According to the Home Secretary’s introduction, the white paper is based on five core principles:
- Net migration must come down, so the system is properly managed and controlled.
- The immigration system must be linked to skills and training in the UK, so that no industry is allowed to rely solely on immigration to fill its skills shortages.
- The system must be fair and effective, with clearer rules in areas such as respect for family life, to prevent perverse outcomes that undermine public confidence.
- The rules must be respected and enforced, including tackling illegal and irregular migration and deporting foreign criminals;
- The system must support integration and community cohesion, including new rules on the ability to speak English and the contribution that people can bring to the UK.
Among the principal changes, the standard qualifying period for settlement under the points-based system will double from five to ten years, skilled worker visas will require at least a bachelor’s degree, the care worker visa will close and English language requirements will be raised.
The proposals for worker routes include the following:
- The qualification level for skilled workers will be increased back to RQF Level 6. The current threshold is RQF Level 3. Salary thresholds will also rise.
- The Immigration Skills Charge will be increased for the first time since 2017, by 32% in line with inflation.
- The social care visa route will be closed to new applications from abroad. Visa extensions and in-country switching to this route will be permitted for a transition period until 2028, although this will be kept under review.
- The government will establish a new Temporary Shortage List to provide time limited access to the Points-Based immigration system. Occupations below RQF 6 must be listed on the Temporary Shortage List in order to gain access to the immigration system.
- The language requirements will be increased for workers and Skilled Workers where a language requirement already applies, and for settlement on most immigration routes, from B1 to B2 levels in accordance with the Common European Framework for Reference for languages (CEFR).
- A new English language requirement will be introduced for all adult dependents of workers and students at level A1 to align with spousal and partner routes.
- It will be required to demonstrate progression to level A2 for any visa extension and B2 for settlement.
- The standard qualifying period for settlement under the points-based system will double from five to ten years.
- Individuals will have the opportunity to reduce the qualifying period to settlement and citizenship based on contributions to the UK economy and society.
- The government will introduce a new bereaved parent route, allowing those in the UK as a parent of a British or settled child who have lost their child to settle immediately.
It is important to note that the white paper only sets out the government’s policy intentions. Implementation will require a combination of changes to the immigration rules and primary legislation, with no timeline for published as yet. Some proposals may be blocked or modified during parliamentary scrutiny.
