Refugee status in France

Refugee status can be granted to persons, who 

1. owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation or political opinion, are outside their country of nationality and are unable to enjoy the protection of that country or are unwilling to do so because of such fear; or 

2. having no fixed nationality and being outside the country of their former residence as a result of such events, are unable or unwilling to return to it as a result of such fears.

This is an individual right, which is granted after a special administrative and legal process that determines whether you have a well-founded fear of being persecuted due to the above circumstances. The French Office for Refugees (OFPRA) is the body responsible for processing refugee applications and conducts interviews with applicants.

In order to apply for asylum in France, it is necessary to prove that France is the destination and that it is in France that the refugee wants to seek asylum. The OFPRA may not accept documents from an applicant who has been in a "safe country" on the way to France. 

Your rights after being granted refugee status in France:

- You have the right to stay in France for ten years. After ten years, you will be eligible for permanent residence.

- You are allowed to travel abroad with a travel document, but you are not allowed to return to your country of origin, except in certain cases of extreme necessity. To do so, you must submit a request to the prefecture of your place of residence. 

- You are entitled to the same social benefits as French nationals.

- You have the right to work in France.

- You have the right to family reunification.

- You have the possibility to acquire French citizenship by naturalisation.

For more information on the rights of refugees, please contact the social services in your place of residence in France.

You can then apply for French citizenship. To do so, you must meet the conditions related to, among other things, your knowledge of the French language and integration into French society (residence in France for the last 5 years, stable and sufficient income, valid residence permit, moral behaviour and no criminal record, etc.) The conditions regarding the period of residence in France do not apply to refugees.