Half of new immigrants in France are students or refugees

In front of the immigration office at the Prefecture of the Calvados Department, in Caen, on November 14, 2011. KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP

In 2025, more than 380,000 non-European nationals obtained their first residence permit in France, nearly 40,000 more than in 2024 (an increase of 11%), according to an estimate released on Tuesday, January 27, by the Interior Ministry. The figure provides an annual snapshot of immigration trends, albeit an imperfect one.

The increase reflects a steady rise in migration flows: Since 2011, the number of first permits has doubled. In total, 4.5 million foreigners (excluding those from the European Union) now legally reside in France, led by nationals from North Africa, followed by Turkish, British, Chinese, and Ivorian citizens.

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