France Imposes Visa Requirement on Algerian Diplomatic Passport Holders Following Diplomatic Dispute

France has introduced a visa requirement for Algerian diplomatic and service passport holders, marking a significant shift in its border policy amid rising tensions with Algeria. According to French sources, the decision is part of a broader “graduated response” promised by France’s Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau.

The General Directorate of the National Police issued instructions over the weekend to all relevant border authorities, confirming that the new measure takes immediate effect. Algerian nationals holding diplomatic or service passports who arrive at French border checkpoints without a valid visa will now be denied entry and subject to non-admission or refoulement procedures.

Authorities at all external borders have been directed to strictly enforce the policy and report any issues encountered during its implementation.

This move comes shortly after a diplomatic dispute erupted between the two countries. On May 11, Algeria demanded the immediate expulsion of 15 French officials stationed in the country on temporary assignments. These officials had been deployed to support visa operations following prior staffing reductions.

Algerian authorities justified the expulsions by stating that the French government had not followed proper protocols for assigning personnel to its diplomatic and consular offices. They also noted that the appointments were made under irregular conditions.

In response, France moved quickly to tighten entry requirements for Algerian diplomats. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot labeled Algeria’s expulsion of the French staff as “unjustifiable” and described France’s retaliatory visa requirement as “proportionate.”

The diplomatic rift signals a further deterioration in Franco-Algerian relations, with potential implications for broader cooperation and mobility between the two nations.