• Artistic Freedom
• Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity
• Mobility

The Deterioration of the Reception of Foreign Artists and Cultural Professionals in France

A new report by Zone Franche highlights a sharp deterioration in the reception of foreign artists and cultural professionals in France, with African artists disproportionately affected.

Zone Franche, the World Music network bringing together more than 240 organisations in France and around twenty countries, has published a new report examining the worsening conditions faced by foreign artists and cultural professionals entering and working in France.

Drawing on cases handled by its Artists’ Visas Committee, the report shows that the resolution rate for difficulties encountered by foreign artists and professionals fell from 70.6% in 2022 to just 38.2% in 2025. African artists and professionals are particularly affected, representing 71.4% of the cases referred to the committee.

The report, The Deterioration in the Reception of Foreign Artists and Professionals in France – Findings, Factors, Consequences and Recommendations, combines sector evidence with data from the European Commission, the French Ministry of the Interior and the Defender of Rights.

Beyond documenting the scale and unequal distribution of these difficulties, the publication proposes 14 recommendations aimed at improving the reception and mobility of international artists and professionals, many of which could be implemented within the existing legal framework.