French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez and Algerian counterpart Saïd Sayoud met in Paris on 2 June 2026. The French ministry's statement said both parties agreed to work towards evolving the 1968 agreement, 'at France's initiative'.
Current situation: The 1968 agreement remains in force. No concrete measures have been announced — this opens negotiations, not an immediate reform.
What the 1968 agreement contains
- Certificate of residence (CRA) instead of a standard permit
- Specific protection for Algerians in France for more than 10 years (Article 6)
- Different conditions compared to standard CESEDA rules
What France wants to reform
- Easier access for high-demand occupations
- Better cooperation on consular passes (OQTFs)
- Modernise rules for Algerian students
- Align with common CESEDA rules
For Algerians in France: While the 1968 agreement remains in force, your current rights are protected. If you received an OQTF, you can contest it by invoking the 1968 agreement before the administrative court.
What changes today
Nothing yet. The 2 June 2026 announcement opens negotiations — it does not change your current legal status.