Updated October 2026

Asylum is a fundamental right. Any foreign person who fears persecution or serious harm in their country can apply in France, even without a residence permit. Since 12 June 2026, the European Pact on Migration and Asylum has changed several deadlines. Here are the steps and the rules in force, explained simply.

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The protections you can ask for

• Refugee status: if you fear persecution because of your race, religion, nationality, membership of a social group or political opinions (1951 Geneva Convention).
• Subsidiary protection: if you are not a refugee but face a real risk of the death penalty, torture, inhuman treatment, or a serious threat because of an armed conflict.
• Statelessness: if no country recognises you as its national. You apply directly to OFPRA.

The steps of your application

• First reception: a first reception platform (SPADA) explains the procedure and gives you an appointment at the prefecture's one-stop shop (GUDA).
• Registration: at the one-stop shop, the prefecture registers your application and takes your fingerprints. You receive an asylum seeker certificate.
• OFII: it assesses your needs and your vulnerability, and can offer accommodation and a monthly allowance (ADA).
• OFPRA file: you have 21 days to send your complete file to OFPRA, with your personal story.
• Interview: a protection officer interviews you, with an interpreter if you need one. Since June 2026, you usually receive the report of your interview before the decision.

Accelerated procedures

Since 12 June 2026, your application can be examined faster (accelerated procedure) in particular if:

• You come from a country considered safe by France or by the European Union
• You come from a country where the protection rate in the EU is 20% or lower
• You entered France legally and applied more than 90 days after your arrival

OFPRA can still move your file back to the normal procedure, for example if you are vulnerable or your case is complex.

If OFPRA rejects your application

• Normal procedure: you can appeal to the National Court of Asylum (CNDA) within 1 month. You can stay in France while the CNDA examines your appeal.
• Accelerated procedure or inadmissibility: the deadline is only 10 days, and the appeal does not stop a removal.
• Order to leave France (OQTF): since June 2026, it usually comes with the rejection. You can challenge it within 1 month, or 7 days in an accelerated or border procedure.

Family of refugees

If you get refugee status or subsidiary protection, your family can join you through a special procedure (réunification familiale), without conditions of resources or housing: your spouse or partner if your relationship existed before your asylum application, and your unmarried children under 19. They apply for a visa at the French consulate. Read our article on the withdrawal of refugee status.

How TSA helps you

• We explain the procedure and the deadlines to you, in your language
• We help you write your personal story clearly and in order
• We help you prepare your OFPRA file and your interview
• We help you follow your rights to accommodation and the allowance with the OFII
• For an appeal to the CNDA or a court, our partner lawyers take over

Official sources: OFPRA, changes of the European Pact (updated 21 July 2026) and Dom'Asile, entry into force of the Pact on 12 June 2026