A deadline is looming for undocumented workers in France as the regularisation pathway introduced by the January 2024 immigration law is set to expire on December 31, 2026. This provision allowed foreign workers in labor-shortage sectors, such as construction, hospitality, and catering, to apply for residency permits without requiring employer sponsorship. Paris-based lawyer Me Megherbi warns that the lack of legislative renewal will create a crisis for already overburdened prefectures. Describing the situation as a "ticking time bomb," the lawyer urges applicants to assemble their files immediately, as the administrative delays make the process a race against time. If this measure is not renewed, thousands of workers risk being pushed back into illegality, which could further exacerbate recruitment shortages for French businesses. Legal professionals and advocacy groups are now calling for urgent mobilization to address the impending end of this policy.