France, Jan. 27 -- France issued 384,230 first residence permits last year, marking an over 11 percent increase on the previous year, according to figures released on Tuesday by the Interior Ministry.

The rise confirms France's continued role as a major destination for students, refugees and other newcomers, even as the government tightens certain migration pathways.

At the same time, the number of people regularised - foreigners without legal status who are granted residence permits - fell sharply.

A total of 28,610 people were regularised in 2025, down just over 10 percent on the year before.

According to data from the Directorate-General for Foreigners in France (DGEF), regularisations fell both for economic reasons, down 11.5 perc...