Section actions
Duration: Registration — days; OFPRA decision — months; CNDA appeal — up to one year
Cost: Free procedure; free association legal aid
On-site only
Who this guide is for
Section actions
- You if you are persecuted in your country of origin and seek protection in France
- You if you have applied for asylum and wait for the OFPRA interview
- You if you want to understand the rights of refugees in France
To be prepared in advance
Section actions
- Passport/Exhibits (or explanation of absence)
- Evidence of persecution (if available): testimony, documents, medical
- The story of your case, as accurate and consistent as possible
Step-by-step procedure
Section actions
- 1In the first few days after arrival, contact a SPADA (First Reception Structure for Asylum Seekers) — which will direct you to the GUDA (Single Asylum Seeker's Guide) for registration.
- 2In GUDA (prefecture + OFII): taking EURODAC fingerprints, issuing of the asylum certificate, referral to OFPRA. You receive the ADA (assignment for asylum seekers) if necessary.
- 3File the OFPRA form within 21 days of registration with the GUDA. Describe the story of persecution in detail — that is the basis of the decision.
- 4Receive a call for the OFPRA interview. The officer asks questions about your case; you can be accompanied by a lawyer/interpreter. interview is the key moment.
- 5Wait for the OFPRA decision (usually several months): refugee status (Geneva Convention), subsidiary protection (if you do not relegate to the convention but risk in the country), or refusal.
- 6In case of favorable opinion: you get a resident card (10 years old, renewable), right to work, social rights, assistance for integration (CADA → housing).
- 7In case of refusal: appeal to the National Court of Asylum (CNDA) within one month. Possible with a lawyer (free via associations). The status shall be maintained during the appeal.
- 8Talk to associations (La Cimade, Forum Réfugiés, France terre d'asile) — they provide free legal aid and accompany the procedure.
Common mistakes
Section actions
- Pass the OFPRA filing deadline (21 days) — application rejected.
- Incoherent story between SPADA, GUDA, OFPRA — doubts about credibility.
- Do not prepare for the OFPRA interview — the key point of the decision.
- Do not appeal to the CNDA in case of refusal within one month — the right is lost.
- Going without a lawyer/association — risk of missing important arguments.
Official sources
Section actions
Important remark
The asylum procedure is complex and the deadlines strict. This information is indicative — you must contact an association (Cimade, Forum Réfugiés, France terre d'asile) for an accompaniment.
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