France is set to tighten visa requirements for Algerian diplomats as a deportation dispute with Algeria escalates. In a letter to his Prime Minister, French President Emmanuel Macron has requested that the government suspend an agreement exempting diplomatic and official passport holders from visa requirements. This move comes after tensions between Paris and Algiers deteriorated following France’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.
The decision is largely driven by concerns over migration and security, as well as a string of incidents involving Algerian nationals who have been denied repatriation to France. In February, an Algerian citizen was arrested in France on suspicion of involvement in a knife attack that killed one person and injured three.
Macron’s government has repeatedly called for the review of Franco-Algerian migration and visa arrangements, citing Algeria’s refusal to take back its citizens who have been ordered to leave under the “OQTF” regime. The French Interior Minister has also sought cooperation from countries in the Schengen zone to apply a tighter visa policy on short-stay visas for Algerian officials.
The move marks a significant shift in France’s approach to migration and diplomacy with Algeria, which has strained ties between the two nations since 2024. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Algeria will respond to France’s new stance.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/france-tighten-visa-rules-algerian-diplomats-deportation-dispute-escalates-2025-08-06