The three nationalities from North Africa – Algerians, Moroccans and Tunisians have emerged as the top migrants to France for 2023.

According to data from the French Interior Ministry, these three nationalities were among the top applicants for short-term visas and were granted most permits, Schengen.News reports.

In addition, Algerians, Moroccans and Tunisians were most likely to obtain French citizenship in 2023.

France Issued 40.4% More Visas in 2023

France granted 2.4 million visas in 2023, including here transit, and short and long-stay visas. The Schengen country has received nearly three million visa applications and rejected 16.6 per cent of them (500,000).

The vast majority of visas granted (2.1 million out of 2.4) were short-stay visas that allow third-country nationals to visit France for a period of up to 90 days.

China, Morocco and India were the main beneficiaries for the year, but Algeria and Tunisia were also among the top applicants.

According to data published by Schengen Visa Info, France received 52.4 per cent of all visa requests that Moroccans filed in 2023, compared to 53.6 per cent of visa applications by Algerians and 57.1 per cent of visa applications submitted by Tunisians.

Moroccans, Algerians & Tunisians Were Granted Most First Residence Permits

A total of 326,954 residence permits were issued by France in 2023. Moroccans received 11.2 per cent (36,648) of them while Algerians received 31,943 (9.7 per cent).

Tunisian nationals were the third largest nationality to receive the most residence permits (22,639 or 6.9 per cent of the total) while all three nationalities received more than a quarter (27.8 per cent) of all residence permits.

Compared to 2022, Moroccans were granted 6.6 per cent fewer residence permits while the issuance rate was higher for Algerians (9.1 per cent) and Tunisians (3.6 per cent).

In 2023, the number of residence permits granted increased by 2.5 per cent and the difference in permits issued was the highest for Chinese nationals. This year, the Chinese were granted 28 per cent more permits than in 2022.

The 3 North African Nationalities Were Granted French Citizenship the Most But Way Less Than in 2022

A total of 18,595 North African nationals obtained French citizenship in 2023. Moroccan nationals obtained French citizenship the most – 8,017 in total, down by 18.3 per cent compared to 2022.

Around 4,665 (58.1 per cent) became French citizens by decree (naturalisations or reintegrations) while 3,352 by declaration (marriages, descendants).

As per Algerians, the number of people obtaining French citizenship dropped by 16.2 per cent, reaching 6,737.  By decree, 3,366 people became French citizens while by declaration another 3,371.

Around 3,841 Tunisians obtained French citizenship – 14.1 per cent less than in 2022, with the majority of them obtaining citizenship by decree (2,062 or 53.6 per cent).