Before You Begin — Read This First
This guide follows the official process step by step. For each step, we add what we learned from living it ourselves — the things no one tells you, and that make all the difference.
Step 01 — Registration at the Prefecture
Upon Arrival
Your first step is to register at the nearest prefecture. In major cities, SPADA (Forum Réfugiés and other operators) can assist you. During registration: fingerprinting, civil status, family situation. You will receive a asylum seeker attestation (ADA) — valid for 6 months, renewable.
What No One Tells You
SPADA offices are often overloaded — book an appointment as early as possible and follow up regularly. If you don’t yet speak French, this is your absolute number one priority — even before starting the process. Every interaction with the administration will be easier — and more favorable — if you make the effort to speak their language.
- Official resource: ofpra.gouv.fr
Step 02 — OFII and Housing
After Registration
OFII will offer you housing in a CADA — often in another region. If you accept, you receive full support. If you refuse, all OFII aid is cancelled.
Step 03 — The OFPRA File
21 Days to Submit
You will receive a file to send to OFPRA by registered mail within 21 days. The central piece: your personal story — about 60 lines minimum. You can add extra pages.
What No One Tells You — The Most Important Thing
Get help writing your story. It must be clear to a French OFPRA officer — not just to you. Automatic translators often produce confusing French.
- Consider how your situation fits into protected grounds: women's rights, religious persecution, homophobia, violence against children
- You can send copies of your ID documents — originals are not required (almost no one tells you this)
- Proof is everything — without documents, even real suffering is very hard to prove
- If possible from your home country: file complaints, keep all medical documents, all written testimony
"Make sure any potential refusal is completely unjustifiable. That’s your goal at every step."
Step 04 — OFPRA Interview
About 3 Months After Submission
You will be summoned to an interview with an OFPRA officer. The officer will check the consistency of your story, ask precise questions, sometimes destabilizing. The final decision largely depends on this interview.
What No One Tells You
OFPRA officers are human beings — they can have biases and bad days. Don’t be afraid of them. If the officer rephrases something you didn’t say, correct them immediately and calmly. Your credibility is built in these moments.
Step 05 — Decision and Appeals
3 Months After the Interview
If refused, you have 30 days to appeal before the CNDA. The state covers legal costs via legal aid — you are entitled to a free lawyer.
The Reality of Court-Appointed Lawyers
Legal aid exists and is a real right. But here’s the truth: you often wait several months for the lawyer to actually work on your file — not because it’s complicated, but because they wait to be sure they’ll be paid by the state. In most cases, you will do 90% of the work — gathering evidence, writing your argument, documenting your integration. Know this from the start and take initiative.
- Upon receiving a refusal: contact an association or lawyer the same day. 30 days go by very fast.
- After CNDA: administrative tribunal and exceptional residence permit remain possible
- Resource: cnda.fr
What No One Tells You — But Changes Everything
- French is your master key. Every door opens more easily with it.
- Email your prefecture from the start. Show you exist. Don’t be an anonymous file — be a person.
- Go out. Talk to people. Sociability is your most powerful integration tool.
- Private housing is possible even without papers — the social network you build opens doors administrations cannot.
- Look for work now. Having an employer ready to sign a contract when you get your decision can change everything.