When the issue of a residence permit is subject to prior possession of the work permit provided for in article L. 5221-2 of the Labour Code, the situation on the employment market may be invoked against the applicant except where the present code provides otherwise, and in particular where the foreign national’s application concerns an occupation and a geographical area characterised by recruitment difficulties.
The list of these occupations and geographical areas is drawn up by the administrative authority after consultation with representative employers’ and employees’ trade unions.