As of 1 March 2026, the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (OFPRA) no longer collects original documents. All applications submitted after 1 March 2026 must contain legible and complete copies of documents which are sent by mail.
The original documents must be brought to the personal interview to be verified by OFPRA. They are returned at the end of the interview. If OFPRA needs the documents, the applicant is requested to send copies by email after the interview, including the summons with the file number.
OFPRA made flyers available in several languages on their website to inform applicants about the new measures.
OFPRA reminded that it is prohibited for beneficiaries of international protection to use their passport and return to their country of origin.