In February 2024, a few months after the adoption of the much-publicised Immigration act a a ministerial directive was issued which formalised an exceptional admission process granting residency to workers without a residence permit who were employed in professions and geographic areas characterised by recruitment difficulties. A clear indicator of the French government’s desire to “promote work as a factor of integration”, it strikes a balance between commitments made to farmers, who are particularly concerned by the recruitment of foreign seasonal workers, and pledges made to right-wing far-right parties.