France is bound by the recast Qualification Directive (Standards Qualification Regulation) and has transposed its provisions through the Code of Entry and Residence of Foreigners and the Right to Asylum (CESEDA) | Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile

Legal provisions relating to review, renewal and withdrawal of refugee status: Protection has no time limit; only the residence permits have a timeframe.

Length of the first and subsequent residence permits: Carte de résident: 10 years (residence permit duration up to 10 years) (Art. L. 424-1 of the CESEDA). More information on OFPRA website.

Subsequent permit: permanent 

Review of the status: There is no systematic review of refugee status. However, individual cases may be reviewed if OFPRA is informed of new elements that could justify a reassessment.

Grounds for withdrawal of refugee status:

1. On its own initiative or upon the request of the administrative authority, OFPRA withdraws a refugee status when a person falls under one of the cessation clauses provided for in Article 1C of the Geneva Convention. Article L. 511-8 of the CESEDA reflects the five cessation grounds set out in the said article:

• having voluntarily re-availed themselves of the protection of the country of nationality;
• having lost their nationality and voluntarily re-acquired it;
• having acquired a new nationality, and enjoy the protection of the country of new nationality;
• having voluntarily re-established themselves in the country which they left or outside which they remained owing to fear of persecution;
• changes in the circumstances in connexion with which they have been recognised as refugees.

For the latter ground, the law specifies that the circumstances that justified the recognition of refugee status must have changed in a sufficiently significant and lasting manner so that the refugee’s fear of being persecuted can no longer be regarded as well-founded.

The national legislation does not provide for a systematic interview before a cessation decision is made, but OFPRA has the obligation to notify the refugee of the decision to initiate cessation proceedings and specify the grounds for it. The beneficiary is therefore invited to formulate observations before a decision is made. In case an interview is deemed necessary, the regular procedure scheme applies.

The cessation decision can be challenged before the National Court of Asylum (CNDA) under the same conditions as an appeal lodged under the regular procedure.

2. On its own initiative or upon the request of the administrative authority, OFPRA also withdraws refugee status when the refugee should have been excluded from refugee status under sections D, E and F of Article 1 of the Geneva Convention.

The decision can be challenged before the CNDA under the same conditions as an appeal lodged under the regular procedure.

3. On its own initiative or upon the request of the administrative authority, OFPRA also withdraws refugee status when the decision to grant refugee status resulted from fraud, only when the fraudulent elements were decisive in granting protection.

The decision can be challenged before the CNDA under the same conditions as an appeal lodged under the regular procedure.

4. On its own initiative or upon the request of the administrative authority, OFPRA withdraws refugee status when the refugee shall, given the circumstances arising after the recognition of that status, be excluded from it in pursuance of sections D, E or F of Art. 1 of the Geneva Convention.
5. OFPRA withdraws the refugee status in line with Article L. 511-7 of the CESEDA when:

• there are serious reasons to consider that the person’s presence in France constitutes a serious threat to national security;
• the person has been the subject of a final conviction in France or in another EU Member State or third country included on a list established by decree of the French Council of State, either for a crime, or for an offense constitutive of a terrorist act, or for a public apology of a terrorist act or for an offense punishable by ten years imprisonment, and represents a serious threat to society

Consequences of the withdrawal of the status: End of rights associated with refugee status: possible repercussions on family members (spouse, children).

Legal provisions relating to review, renewal and withdrawal of subsidiary protection: Protection has no time limit in France, only the residence permits have a timeframe.

Length of the first and subsequent residence permits: Carte de séjour pluriannuelle: maximum of 4 years (Art. L. 424-9 of the CESEDA)

Review of the status: There is no systematic review of subsidiary protection. However, individual cases may be reviewed if OFPRA is informed of new elements that could justify a reassessment.

Grounds for the withdrawal of the subsidiary protection status:

1. On its own initiative or upon the request of the administrative authority, OFPRA withdraws subsidiary protection when the circumstances justifying the protection have ceased to exist or have undergone a sufficiently significant and durable change for no longer being required (Art. L. 712-3 of the CESADA). The first subparagraph notwithstanding, subsidiary protection shall be maintained when the beneficiary justifies compelling reasons relating to previous serious harm for being unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of their country.
2. On its own initiative or upon the request of the administrative authority, OFPRA can also withdraw subsidiary protection at any time when:

• The beneficiary should have been excluded from this protection for one of the reasons provided for in Article L. 712-2 of the CESEDA:
• The person has committed a crime against peace, a war crime or a crime against humanity;
• The person has committed a serious crime;
• The person has been guilty of acts against the purposes and principles of the United Nations;
• The activity of the person on the territory constitutes a serious threat to public order, public security or national security.
• The decision to grant this protection resulted from fraud;
• The beneficiary must, for reasons committed after being granted protection, be excluded for one of the reasons provided for in Article L. 512-2 of the CESEDA.
• These decisions can be challenged before the CNDA under the same conditions as an appeal lodged under the regular procedure.

Consequences of the withdrawal of the status: End of rights associated with subsidiary protection status: possible repercussions on family members (spouse, children).

Although they are not considered to be national forms of protection, it can be mentioned that the following grounds, set out in the CESEDA under the Chapter on “Residence permits for humanitarian reasons”, may allow for the granting of a residence permit: Health Issues:

Prefectures can grant a one-year residence permit on the basis of a serious health problem (“titre de séjour pour étranger malade”) when the person cannot be cured in her/his country of origin and the lack of medical care would cause her/him consequences of an exceptional gravity(Art. L. 425-9 of the CESEDA).

Victim of human trafficking or procuring or person engaged to leave prostitution:

A person who files a complaint against a human trafficker or a procurer, or a witness in such criminal proceedings is granted a one year residence permit. The person must not be in contact in any way with the perpetrator of the crime. The permit is renewed during the criminal proceedings, providing the conditions for its issue are still fulfilled (Art. L. 425-1 of the CESEDA). When the perpetrator is sentenced, the victim can be granted a 10 years residence card (Art. L. 425-3 of the CESEDA).

A six months interim residence permit may be granted to victims of human trafficking or procuring who has stopped their prostitution activities and are engaged in a social and professional integration process. The interim residence permit is renewed during the whole path out of prostitution (Art. L. 425-4 CESEDA).

Domestic violence and forced marriage:

A person who obtained a protection order on the ground of domestic violence is granted, as soon as possible, a one year residence permit. The permit is renewed if the person still has a protection order. When a complaint has been filed, the permit is renewed for the whole duration of the criminal proceedings (Art. L. 425-6 of the CESEDA).

The same residence permit is issued to a person who obtained a protection order because of the threat of a forced marriage (Art. L. 425-7 of the CESEDA)

A person who had one of the aforementioned residence permits and who filed a complaint for domestic violence or violence linked to a forced marriage is granted a 10-year residence permit when the perpetrator is sentenced (Art. L. 425-8 of the CESEDA).

Refugee status: Art. L. 511-1 of the CESEDA provides that refugee status is recognised for:

• Any person persecuted due to their action in favour of liberty (Constitutional Asylum);
• Any person under the protection of UNHCR (Articles 6 and 7 of its mandate);
• Any person who meets the definitions of Article 1 of the Geneva Convention.

Subsidiary protection: Art. L. 512-1 of the CESEDA provides that subsidiary protection is granted to any person who does not qualify for refugee status, but for whom there are substantial grounds to believe that they would face a real risk of suffering serious harm in the country of origin.

The French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (OFPRA) informs beneficiaries of international protection about their rights and obligations.

Refugee status:

OFPRA has published an induction leaflet  providing information about rights and obligations for refugees including information about documentation, family reunification, and access to healthcare, employment and travel documents.

OFPRA website also provides basic information on their rights and obligations and on available online formalities.

This information is also available in video format.

Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection:

OFPRA has published an induction leaflet providing information about rights and obligations for subsidiary protection beneficiaries.

OFPRA website also provides basic information on their rights and obligations and on available online formalities.

This information is also available in video format.

Refugees:

First permit: 10 years, Carte de resident. This permit is also granted ipso jure to refugees' family members, unless their presence is a threat to public order.

The competent authority for delivering the 10-year residency card is the prefecture. Refugees must request the residency card online, on the ANEF (Administration numérique pour les étrangers en France) website. A 25€ fee is due.

The residence permit has to be issued within 3 months from the issuance of the decision granting protection.

Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection:

The competent authority in charge of the residency card is the prefecture.

First permit: 4 years, Carte de séjour pluriannuelle, Vie privée et familiale. The same residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) is granted to family members, unless their presence is a threat to public order.

Subsequent permit: after 4 years, the beneficiary of subsidiary protection may request the renewal of their permit into a 10-year residency card.

The competent authority in charge of residence permits is the prefecture. Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection must request the residency card online, on the ANEF (Administration numérique pour les étrangers en France) website. A 25€ fee is due.

The residence permit must be issued within 3 months from the issuance of the decision granting protection.

Refugees:

After a person is granted refugee status, they can obtain a travel document for refugees which will allow them to travel to all countries except their country of origin.

The application for travel documents can be made online on the ANEF website. A 45€ fee is due. This biometric travel document is valid 5 years.

Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection:

After a person is granted subsidiary protection, they can obtain an identity and travel document, which will allow them to travel to all countries except their country of origin.

The application for travel documents can be made online on the ANEF website. A 40€ or 45€ fee is due (depending on whether the beneficiary of subsidiary protection holds a 4-year or a 10-year residence permit and will therefore benefit from a 4-year or 5-year travel document).

In principle, beneficiaries of international protection are free to settle in any part of the French territory and are not restricted to specific areas (Art. L. 414-3 of the CESEDA).

Beneficiaries of international protection have the same access to the labour market as nationals. However, they face significant challenges such as language barriers or difficulties related to geographical remoteness, especially in territories where mobility and transport networks are limited.

Difficulties related to the recognition of qualifications can constitute another barrier. Although the ENIC-NARIC Centre issues certificates of comparability free of charge (based on the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region – the “Lisbon Recognition Convention” – of 1997), beneficiaries face difficulties in having their national diplomas recognised, which leads to some highly qualified beneficiaries to accept unskilled jobs unrelated to their previous professions. Recognition is particularly complex when it comes to accessing regulated professions (e.g. doctors, nurses, sports educators, lawyers, etc.).

Relevant links:

Register at « France Travail » (the employment agency):

https://refugies.info/fr/demarche/5dc947cebceb3c004fc43214 

Finding a job or training with France Travail:

https://refugies.info/fr/demarche/605dc3375b99ca0014a9feb2 

Thematic briefs for refugees related to work:

https://refugies.info/recherche?search=&sort=date&themes=63286a015d31b2c0cad9960e&type=all 

Children have access to the national education system and adult beneficiaries have access to the general education system and further training under the same conditions as nationals.

In France, compulsory education begins at the age of 3 and ends at the age of 16. Between the ages of 16 and 18, a training obligation has been introduced for young people who have dropped out of the school system, whether or not they have graduated and who are neither in employment nor in training.

After an assessment in an information and guidance centre (CIO), foreign children can be enrolled in a school in an allophone pedagogical unit for newcomers (UPE2A).

Children of beneficiaries wishing to follow an apprenticeship can apply for a residence permit from the age of 16 to work in a company. A work permit is not required.

In addition, the General Mission of Integration of the National Education (MGIEN), in charge of prevention and getting children back into education, develops devices with the objective of making this public master the French language (oral and written), developing an individualised professional project and getting into a training path, by the discovery of the existing professional streams that guarantees them qualifying diplomas.

Children with special needs face the same difficulties as children with special needs in France in general. Access to trained and specialized staff (school assistants) to support these children during their schooling in mainstream schools is limited.

For adult beneficiaries, ENIC-NARIC France (the European Network of Information Centres - National Academic Recognition Information Centre), part of “France éducation international” since 2004, is the French information centre for the academic recognition of foreign qualifications. For adults, the main tasks of the ENIC-NARIC centres are to assess foreign qualifications and issue certificates of comparability and certificates of recognition of studies/training, as well as providing guidance and information on the French higher education system and its qualifications. This process is free of charge for beneficiaries of international protection and enables them to resume their university studies at an appropriate level.

Relevant links:

Registration of a refugee in higher education

https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F36519/2 

Thematic briefs for refugees related to studies:

https://refugies.info/recherche?search=&sort=date&themes=63286a015d31b2c0cad99611&type=all 

Learn French to resume your studies:

https://refugies.info/dispositif/5f5f2dcad153510045eea4bf 

Register at university:

https://refugies.info/demarche/5ece798f095353004e123ed6 

Schooling your child in middle or high school:

https://refugies.info/dispositif/678a69748e3420d47a2f859c 

Refugees: Start or continue your studies in France:

https://www.etudiant.gouv.fr/fr/refugies-commencer-ou-poursuivre-vos-etudes-en-france-1570 

Practical information and daily life of migrant students in France:

https://www.campusfrance.org/fr/informations-pratiques-vie-quotidienne-etudiants-migrants-france-refugies 

Refugees:

Information is currently not available.

Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection:

Information is currently not available.

The OECD report entitled ‘Improving the assessment, recognition, and validation of qualifications and competences of beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine in France’, published in July 2024, points out that improving the system of assessment and recognition of diplomas acquired abroad could enable a significant number of newly arrived foreigners to access a job corresponding to their skills. To respond to these recommendations, an action plan has been drawn up by the Department of Integration and Access to Nationality (DIAN) of the Ministry of the Interior, in close consultation with its partners (the General Delegation for Employment and Vocational Training - DGEFP, France Travail, ENIC-NARIC – France Éducation International).

This action plan is based on several lines of action:

- Reinforce available information on procedures by relying on operators and actors in the public employment service;

- Facilitate access to ordinary “validation of acquired experience” (VAE) schemes through targeted information.

The Law of 21 December 2022 on emergency measures relating to the functioning of the labour market with a view to full employment marked an important step in the transformation of the VAE procedure, taking action in three major areas: simplifying the procedure, securing the routes and modernising the system. Since the beginning of 2024, with the entry into operational phase of the VAE reform, the “Public service for the validation of acquired experience” has become the single portal for all the steps involved in accessing VAE.

The ENIC NARIC France Centre acts as an information centre in France for the academic recognition of foreign diplomas. After an assessment, it issues a certificate about the comparability of the foreign diploma with the French education system. This assessment is free of charge for beneficiaries of international protection and temporary protection. ENIC-NARIC is also responsible for providing guidance and information on the French higher education system and its qualifications, as well as on regulated professions (for which it is not authorised to issue certificates of comparability).

Relevant link:

Requesting a certificate of comparability for a foreign diploma

https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/R38515 

Diploma’s recognition

https://www.france-education-international.fr/hub/reconnaissance-de-diplomes?langue=fr 

Refugees: Information not available

Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection:

Access to social security (including healthcare) and social assistance:

Once protection is granted, beneficiaries have access to social rights under the same conditions as nationals (Art. L. 512-2 of the Social Security Code, Articles L. 232-1 and L. 245-1 of the Social Action and Families Code, Art. L. 300-1 of the Construction and Housing Code). This includes health insurance, family and housing allowances, minimum income and access to social housing. For persons who have been granted refugee status or subsidiary protection, all social benefits are retroactive from the date of submission of the asylum application (judgment of the Court of Cassation of 13 January 2011).

The Ministry of the Interior has published a practical guide for asylum seekers, the latest version dating from September 2020, translated into 33 languages. This guide explains and specifies, in addition to the asylum application procedure, the various economic and social rights to which asylum seekers and persons who have been granted international protection are entitled.

Access to social benefits:

Beneficiaries of international protection have access to family and social benefits, and to the active solidarity income (RSA), issued by the Family Allowance Funds (Caf). The RSA provides people without resources with a minimum level of income that varies according to the composition of the household. The RSA is open to persons aged at least 25 and young workers aged between 18 and 24 if they are single parents or have a certain period of professional activity. The application for an RSA may be made as soon as the application for international protection has been lodged, with retroactive effect at the time of obtaining refugee status or subsidiary protection. The law of 18 December 2023 on full employment provides that, from 1 January 2025, each person receiving the RSA and all young people under the age of 26 looking for a job are systematically registered with France Travail (the national employment agency), and must sign a contract containing an action plan setting out their objectives for professional integration.

Beneficiaries of international protection must follow the Republican integration path, managed by OFII. Besides, an initiative towards integration, called AGIR (a comprehensive, individual support for refugees) provides comprehensive support to the most vulnerable beneficiaries in terms of accessing housing, employment and entitlements.

Refugees:

Access to health is the same as provided to French citizens.

Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection:

Access to health is the same as provided to French citizens.

Health is a universal right and a fundamental factor of integration into the host society. The Interministerial Committee on Integration (C2I) of 5 June 2018 and the “Vulnerabilities” Plan of 28 May 2021, set as priority objectives to improve access to care through the mobilisation of ordinary law and the implementation of dedicated schemes. In this context, resources are devoted to actions dedicated to information and access to care and to accompanying actions in mental health, in addition to the mobilisation of ordinary law.

As part of the objective of providing information on access to healthcare for newly arrived foreigners, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Interior updated, in 2023, an information document provided by OFII to newly arrived foreigners when signing their Republican Integration Contract. This document contains useful information on accessing care and coverage of healthcare costs.

Refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection:

Beneficiaries of international protection are allowed to remain in their reception centre for 3 months following the decision granting international protection - renewable once (3 months) with the agreement from the French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII).

Afterwards, they are supported to find accommodation according to integration mechanisms adopted by Prefectures and local authorities. Some vulnerable beneficiaries can also be channeled to temporary accommodation centres (Centre provisoire d’hébergement, CPH) upon an OFII decision. They will then be allowed to stay there for 9 months. This stay can be renewed for a 3-month period.

Useful links:

Asking for social housing:

https://refugies.info/fr/demarche/5dc54940bceb3c004fc430d8 

https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F10007 

Thematic briefs on housing:

https://refugies.info/recherche?search=&sort=date&themes=63286a015d31b2c0cad9960c&type=all 

Refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection:

In France, all beneficiaries of international protection benefit from the integration measures put in place by the government. These measures are mainly implemented by OFII under the Republican Integration Contract (CIR) that beneficiaries must sign. Integration measures, including language and civic training, are free of charge for beneficiaries. These programmes are publicly funded to remove financial barriers that can make it difficult for newcomers to access them. The training and services offered are designed to be accessible and meet the needs of the beneficiaries, including French language courses (prescribed for signatories who do not have an A2 level at the time of their language positioning test), mandatory training on the values of the French Republic and the functioning of French society, as well as practical information for their installation in France.

Failure to comply with the CIR commitments may delay the effective integration of beneficiaries into French society, thus limiting their professional, social and educational opportunities. However, the non-signature of the CIR or the non-fulfilment of its commitments by the beneficiary does not affect their right to reside in France, which stems from their status as refugees or beneficiaries of subsidiary protection.

The integration path is defined in Articles L. 413-1 et seq. of the CESEDA. As soon as international protection is granted, the beneficiary is invited to an appointment by OFII. The signing of the Republican Integration Contract (CIR) is the first step in the integration process for newly arrived foreigners, including beneficiaries. It is implemented by OFII. In 2024, 114 443 CIRs were signed, of which 34 895 (31%) signatories were beneficiaries of international protection.

The CIR starts with a personalised interview with an OFII staff member to identify the beneficiary’s needs, prescribe training courses offered under the contract and refer the beneficiary to the relevant administrations and services (France Travail, Health Insurance Fund, Local Missions, Family Allowance Funds, etc.).

On this first day at OFII, the beneficiary’s level of French is assessed in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). A foreign national who does not master level A2 is required to undergo compulsory language training in order to attain that level, with a proposal of a 600-hour package in person for non-writers and asynchronous distance training for the other signatories of the CIR.

All signatories of the CIR, regardless of their level of French, must also undergo a four-day civic training, aimed at transmitting to them the principles and values of the French Republic and at providing them with knowledge of the French institutions, the administrative system and the rules of life of French society. This four-day civic training is structured around five themes:

1. The portrait of France and its values: principles which underpin life in France, in particular equality between men and women, secularism and the balance between rights and duties; as well as the values of the Republic, the history, geography and culture of the French society.
2. Health: support in the administrative procedures for the opening of rights and access to care.
3. Employment: presentation of the legal framework of the labour market, job search techniques, and procedures in France for the recognition of experience, diplomas and qualifications acquired in the country of origin.
4. Parenting: the exercise of parental authority and the rights of children, solutions for childcare, the functioning of school and schooling.
5. Housing: referral towards housing adapted to the situation of each person.

An end-of-course interview is proposed by OFII at the end of the training courses carried out in order to take stock of the situation of the signatories and guide them towards the provision of additional services on the territory.

A specific programme, The Comprehensive and Individualised Refugee Support Programme (AGIR - Accompagnement Global et Individualisé des Réfugiés), co-led by the Ministry of the Interior with the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Interministerial Delegation for Accommodation and Access to Housing (DIHAL), and co-financed by the European Union’s Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund (AMIF), allows the most vulnerable beneficiaries of international protection to get specific support. This programme is available as soon as they are granted international protection and the CIR is signed, and aims at supporting them in their integration journey towards self-reliance, in terms of access to rights, training/employment and housing.

Beneficiaries of international protection must meet the following criteria to be eligible to the AGIR programme:

• be a beneficiary of international protection granted by OFPRA or the CNDA less than two years ago;
• be over 16 years old;
• have signed the CIR;
• meet a number of vulnerability criteria justifying their referral by OFII towards the AGIR programme.

Those who join them (spouses, minor children, parents) are also eligible even if they are not beneficiaries themselves.

The deployment of the AGIR programme, which has now been completed in every departments of France, constitutes a real structural reform of integration policy by strengthening its territorialisation.

The AGIR operator, usually an association or consortium of associations, is appointed by the prefect following a competitive tendering procedure (public procurement) and becomes the departmental one-stop-shop for the integration of eligible beneficiaries. AGIR operators fulfils two tasks:

- Comprehensive and individualised support towards access to rights, training/employment and housing for eligible beneficiaries for a maximum period of 24 months;

- Coordination of local actors, institutional or associative, of the local ecosystem of the integration of beneficiaries. The AGIR operator shall rely on common law arrangements and, where appropriate, on specialised arrangements proposed by other actors in the local integration ecosystem, including local and regional authorities, in a spirit of complementarity.

Taking into account the realities on the ground, the AGIR programme aims to achieve significant and ambitious results in terms of integrating refugees, in particular by promoting their access to employment and housing. At the end of May 2025, almost 23 000 beneficiaries were being supported: 36% are women and 26% are women aged 20-40. 83% of AGIR beneficiaries are accompanied towards access to rights, 85% towards employment or training and 86% towards access to housing.

At the end of May 2025, 37% of beneficiaries supported for at least six months for employment and housing left the programme with sustainable employment and housing. This figure reaches 42% for the employment component alone and 67% for the housing component alone.

A dedicated information system (SI AGIR) allows for the follow-up of the programme. It is estimated that the AGIR programme will support an average of 25 000 beneficiaries each month at national level.

Integration can also take place through sport, access to culture, and civic and associative involvement. In this regards, the following links can be consulted:

Access to sport:

https://www.sports.gouv.fr/decouvrez-les-maisons-sport-sante-les-plus-proches-de-chez-vous-389 

Volunteering:

https://www.service-civique.gouv.fr/accueillir-un-volontaire/enjeux-prioritaires-service-civique/volontr 

https://accueil-integration-refugies.fr/rejoignez-le-programme-volontr/ 

https://www.jeveuxaider.gouv.fr/missions-benevolat/38260/benevolat-parrains-par-mille-parrainage-denfants-en-france-133 

Access to culture:

https://www.immigration.interieur.gouv.fr/Info-ressources/Actualites/L-actu-immigration/Faciliter-l-acces-des-etrangers-primo-arrivants-au-patrimoine-culturel-un-nouveau-partenariat-entre-le-ministere-de-l-interieur-le-Centre-des-monuments-nationaux-et-l-OFII 

Refugees:

Legislative framework

Contrary to family reunification that concerns the entry and stay of family members of third-country nationals who are legally resident in France, no conditions of time, resources, accommodation or healthcare cover are required within the framework of family reunification of refugees. 

Eligible Family members

Within the framework of family reunification of refugees (Art. L. 561-2 to L. 561-5 and R. 561‑1 to R. 561-3of the CESEDA), the refugee, beneficiary of subsidiary protection or stateless person may apply to be joined beyond the nuclear family by:

• his/her first-degree relatives in the ascending line (parents) if he/she is an unmarried minor refugee, beneficiary of subsidiary protection or stateless person;
• his/her partner with whom the sponsor is linked by a civil union, if they are over the age of 18 and the civil union took place prior to the date upon which they requested international protection (same sex or different sexes);
• his/her unmarried partner, if he/she is over 18 and if a sufficiently stable and continuous cohabiting relationship has already existed before the application for international protection
• the couple’s unmarried children aged 19 or under. The age limit is 18 if they are children from a previous relationship;
• an unmarried minor refugee, beneficiary of subsidiary protection or stateless person may request the right to be joined by his/her first-degree relatives in the ascending line (parents), accompanied, if applicable, by his/her unmarried siblings for whom they are effectively responsible. This does not apply if both his/her parents are already in France. No conditions of a waiting period, resources, accommodation or healthcare coverage are required. France does not require that the minor be unaccompanied. Thus, a minor living in France with his/her brother or sister (over 18 years old) may request to be joined by them, only is dependent on the parents and accompanying them. ​​​​​​​

Family reunification procedure  

Beneficiaries’ family members must apply for a long stay visa at the French embassy or consulate closest to their place of residence with all the documentation establishing their family tie with the beneficiary of international protection they want to join and provide a copy of the decision granting protection or a copy of the resident permit mentioning the status of the beneficiary they want to join.

The case is registered by the consular services and a receipt is provided to the applicant(s). The date of receipt shall be taken as proof of the date of visa application submission when verifying compliance with the age condition for the children.

The Office for Refugee Families [bureau des familles de réfugiés] assists the consular authority in verifying the admissibility of the application for reunification and the family ties, as declared to OFPRA by the refugee or beneficiary of subsidiary protection or stateless person.

Rights deriving from family reunification

if a Family member applies for international protection after arrival: The application will be treated under standard procedure for applications for international protection.

Exclusion

• Family reunification may be denied if:
• the eligibility conditions for the family reunification procedure have not been satisfied;
• the declared family tie has not been established;
• the presence of the member of the family in France would constitute a threat to public order or when it is established that s/he is the author or accomplice of persecutions and serious attacks;
• the refugee / beneficiary of subsidiary protection / stateless person or the family member does not comply with the essential principles in accordance with the laws

Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection:

In accordance with the CESEDA, Article L.561-2 to 561-5, the same procedure as for family members of refugees is applicable to family members of beneficiaries of subsidiary protection.