Asylum in France
Synthetic information
1. What is asylum?
Asylum is protection granted by a country to a person who has been or is being persecuted in their country of origin. There are 2 types of protection: - refugee status, which is protection granted for 10 years, due to personal persecution suffered for political, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, etc. reasons. - subsidiary protection for people who risk being subjected to the death penalty, torture or inhuman and degrading treatment or a "serious and individual threat to their life or person due to indiscriminate violence resulting from a situation of internal or international armed conflict. »
2. If I apply for asylum in France, can I return to my country of origin if the situation changes and improves?
You are always free to return to your country of origin. However, if you return to your country of origin, you will lose the protection granted to you by France and you will lose your refugee or subsidiary protection status.
3. How to apply for asylum in France?
An asylum application involves several steps:
1.Make an appointment by phone
To make this appointment, it depends on where you live:
- If you are in Paris or Ile-de-France (departments 77, 78, 91,92, 93, 94) you must call this number: 33 1 42 500 900 (people speak several languages at this number).
- If you are elsewhere in France, you must go to the center near you: List of centers here: https://www.ofii.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Liste-SPADA-hors-Ile -de-France.pdf The deadline for an appointment is between 3 and 10 days.
2. You will then have a new appointment with the Prefecture and the organization responsible for asylum applications (OFII). This appointment will be given to you automatically.
3. During this second appointment, the prefecture will give you a file to complete and send by post.
This file must be sent by registered mail within 21 days to the following address: OFPRA - 201 rue Carnot - 94136 Fontenay-sous-Bois Cedex.
4. You will then be called for a final interview during which you will be asked personal questions about your situation, your background and the risks you run.
4. How long will the analysis of my asylum application take?
There is no specific deadline. And the circumstances of the war are particular. In general, the procedure takes several weeks or even months.
5. While my file is being analysed, do I have legal status in France?
Yes, in principle you have an "asylum seeker's certificate" which authorizes you to stay legally in France.
6. Do I have the right to work while my status is being analyzed?
No, in principle during the first 6 months of your asylum application, you cannot work in France.
7. What am I entitled to during the analysis of my asylum application?
Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to:
- Accommodation with other asylum seekers;
- Financial assistance (in principle, 6.80 euros per day and per person).
8. If I am granted asylum, how will my life in France unfold?
If you are granted asylum, you will be able to live in France, work in France and travel abroad (except your country of origin, see point 2)
Alexandre DELAVAYLawyer at the Paris Bar