The French government has announced plans for a significant reform of the Schengen visa system in 2025, aiming to tighten some regulations while easing others.

In a recent press conference, President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need to overhaul the visa policy to address existing issues and modernize the system, which has faced criticism. According to Le Point, Macron highlighted that the current policy has harmed France's reputation. To address this, the country plans to implement the Hermelin report's recommendations, balancing stricter controls to curb irregular migration with streamlined measures for certain groups, promoting economic, academic, and cultural exchanges.

We must have a policy of rigour, but one that allows us to intelligently condition and simplify our visa policy.
--President of France Emmanuel Macron

The visa reform will be implemented gradually this year, according to Observ Algerie, and several points will be included in it.

These Rules Might Change as a Result of the Schengen Visa Reform

As soon as the reform of the visa system is made, it is believed that the security checks for applicants will be strengthened.

It is expected that as part of the new policy that may be introduced this year, the French authorities will increase cooperation with the other member states to share the data of visa applicants and expand the use of the Schengen Information System to better review applicants.

In addition, France might impose tighter rules for nationals of countries that do not cooperate, in taking back their nationals remaining irregularly within the French territory.

On the other hand, the Schengen visa granting rules are expected to be facilitated for nationals of countries that cooperate in the return of their nationals.

The French authorities also plan to accelerate the digitalisation of the visa application process. By digitalising the Schengen visa application process, France aims to simplify the procedures and reduce the processing times. This change will mainly benefit students, professionals, and researchers, among others.

Last but not least, as part of the reform, France might also expand the so-called talent visas, Observ Algerie notes.

Through this measure France aims to attract more foreign workers to the country, especially those that can take up jobs in sectors dealing with sharp labour shortages.

Other changes could also be introduced. However, the reform is yet to be announced officially, along with the changes that will come along with it.