France increases financial requirements for international student residence permits starting August 1, 2026
via Algérie3602 min read
International students in France will face higher financial requirements for obtaining a residence permit, effective August 1, 2026. A new decree, published in the Official Journal on June 22, 2026, links the minimum required resources to 47% of the gross monthly SMIC minimum wage. This change means students will need to demonstrate approximately 877.50 euros per month, a significant increase from the previous 615 euros. The French authorities state that the 615 euro threshold, which had been unchanged for nearly twenty years, was too low to cover the actual cost of living in the country. This financial hardening is a prerequisite for student expatriation, requiring applicants to prove their financial stability for the entire duration of their stay. Acceptable proofs include bank statements, scholarships, regular income, family support, or a guarantor. This measure, coupled with the recent termination of personalized housing aid APL for non-European, non-scholarship students, is expected to impact student visa applications. France hosted 443,500 international students in 2024-2025, representing nearly 15% of its total university population, with Morocco, Algeria, China, Italy, and Senegal being the top five countries of origin. Algerian students, under a specific Franco-Algerian bilateral agreement, are advised to carefully follow the latest instructions from their consulate.
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Saudi media reports indicate that Al-Ahli Saudi has internally decided to end its association with Riyad Mahrez, the captain of the Algerian national team. The club is reportedly preparing to pay Mahrez a 15 million euro indemnity for early contract termination, following his move to the Saudi Pro League in summer 2023. Al-Ahli has reportedly identified Anis Hadj-Moussa, a 24-year-old Algerian winger from Feyenoord Rotterdam, as Mahrez's potential successor. Foot Mercato, a specialized media outlet, suggests Al-Ahli has made a serious offer to Feyenoord for Hadj-Moussa, who has been performing well in the Eredivisie. The timing of this information leak, during the World Cup where Mahrez is preparing for a knockout match against Switzerland, has raised questions. Despite this, Mahrez, at 35, is considered to still be capable of playing at a high level, having won prestigious titles with Manchester City.
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Must ReadLounas Bouzegza, the Minister of Hydraulics, emphasized the critical importance of Algeria's water sector, noting its significant development and direct link to the country's economic and social progress. He reiterated that water security is a top priority for the state. To address climatic challenges, the minister highlighted the need to utilize all available resources, including seawater desalination, wastewater treatment, and dam construction. Algeria currently has 82 operational dams, with five more under construction, bringing the total storage capacity to over 8 billion cubic meters, with current reserves at 4.5 billion cubic meters. Bouzegza revealed that 40% of Algeria's current water consumption comes from desalination, showcasing advancements in diversifying supply sources. He assured a stable and comfortable water security situation for Algeria, attributing it to major public investment programs. To meet increased demand during the summer, the sector, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior, has implemented measures such as increasing water quotas from dams, utilizing desalination plants that serve 16 coastal wilayas, and commissioning 91 new boreholes as part of a larger program of over 400 wells. The minister described Algeria as a regional leader in seawater desalination, calling these infrastructures a highly strategic choice. The national network now includes 19 major desalination plants with a production capacity of 3.8 million cubic meters per day, sup