I want to fill it out by myself

It is very important to convince the OFPRA that your life is really in danger in your country. For this, we strongly recommend you to ask for the help of a specialized organisation or a lawyer in order to write your application well.

If you would rather fill it in by yourself, here is what you must know about the file : 

Important : The OFPRA file :
– Should be filled out in French.
– Should be signed by you.
– You should join: 2 identity photos and a photocopy of your ADDA (attestation de demandeur d’asile).
– In the file, you put your personal information in addition to the personal information regarding your family (first and last name, date and place of birth, etc.)
– You should join your story (récit), the story about your asylum demand, in which you explain all the reasons of leaving your country in order to come and ask for asylum in France. – in the file you have to explain the language you speak and understand. You’ll get an interpreter for the interview with OFPRA. For example : write “English” or “French” ONLY if you understand and speak the language perfectly.

I need some help in order to fill out my OFPRA file

First, you can ask for the help of your SPADA (Reminder : the SPADA is the organisation which gives you an adress if you don’t have a place to live).

Other organizations that can help you with your OFPRA file : Lists of local centers. 

Even if you are helped by an organization or a lawyer, it is very important that you carefully read the information provided in this site regarding the OFPRA file in order to understand the procedure. The information you give in your file is very important for being granted the refugee status.

How and when should I send the OFPRA file ?

The file should be sent to the OFPRA within 21 days (from the date you recieve it from the perfecture)  to the following address:  

OFPRA
201, Rue Carnot
94120 Fontenay-sous-Bois

You can either send the file as a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt (lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception) or take it directly to the OFPRA.

It is recommended that you keep with you the photocopies of all your documents (the ofpra file and the documents that you have attached with it).

OFPRA electronic service: Information letters and decisions pertaining to your asylum application

If you have applied to OFPRA for asylum after May 2, 2022, you will receive all OFPRA correspondence relating to your application in your personal online space. No letter will be sent to you by post.

For example: the OFPRA will send you all your mail on this online space: – the acknowledgement of receipt of your file and the submission of your asylum application – your invitation to the OFPRA interview – OFPRA’s decision following your interview – depending on your situation, you may receive other mails on your online space: 6-month letter, cancellation of invitation, letter requesting a medical certificate, letter informing you about reclassification in the normal procedure, etc.
For more information on the OFPRA’s dematerialization or electronic system and how you can access your letters in your personal online space on the OFPRA website, CLICK HERE.

You will receive a summons to present yourself for an interview with a protection officer of the OFPRA.

For all asylum applications registered with the OFPRA starting May 2, 2022, the procedure will be dematerialized or online.

> The summons or appointment invitation is first sent to you by SMS, and can then be downloaded from your OFPRA personal space. The date, time and conditions of the interview will be indicated in the summons. You should therefore consult your OFPRA personal space every week.

You have to present yourself on time the day of the interview. If you are sick or if you have any barring problem which you know will prevent you from going to the interview, you have to inform the OFPRA by fax as soon as possible. 

What happens during the interview ?

During the interview :

1/A You will meet a protection officer of the OFPRA.

2/ If you do not speak French, you will be given an interpreter speaking your  language, or in another language which the officers may think you understand.

3/ If you want to, you can ask to be assisted by a third person during the interview.  Important: This person has to be a member of one of the organisations authorized by OFPRA or a lawyer.

If you wish to be assisted by someone, here are three things you should know :

1) The role of the third person: The third person is here to observe how the interview goes on. He/She has no right to take part in the interview, and can not help you answering the official’s questions. 
2) If you wish to be assisted, you have to choose the person and take contact with him/her yourself (be a lawyer or association member). 
3) If you find the person, then you must inform the OFPRA at least 7 days before the interview that you will be assisted (In case you are in fast-track procedure : then you you have to inform the OFPRA at least 3 days before the interview).

How do I get prepared ?

The interview with the protection officer  is a very important step of the asylum application process. You have to get well-prepared to it.

The protection officer has some objectives to achieve during this interview. He/She has to :
– Establish the facts of your story
– Check that these facts meet the conditions described in the conventions and the law to grant the refugee status. 

In order to convince the protection officer that your fears of persecutions and threats in your own country are real, you should :

-Revise your case story before the interview : know perfectly the steps of your story and keep the details in mind, just as you described them in your OFPRA file. 

-Keep a copy of the documents with you that you have enclosed with your OFPRA file : this will help you reminding every important elements of your story. 

-Train to keep in mind the important elements of your story, which are : the timeline of the events, the circumstances of you fleeing from your country, the steps of your journey to France. 

-State clearly the reason why you left and the reason why you do not want to go back to your country. 

You have to be convincing : in case the official is not convinced, your asylum application may be rejected. 

Who can help me ?

Here, is a List of the organizations authorized to assist asylum seekers during the interview at the OFPRA.

After the interview : when will I get an answer, and how will I get it ?

The OFPRA has to take a decision within 6 months if the file is reviewed with normal procedure. With the fast-track procedure, it will be 15 days. 

Sometimes the decision takes more time than expected. In this case, the OFPRA will send you a letter to inform you of the delay.

If you have applied for asylum with OFPRA after May 2, 2022, you will receive OFPRA’s decision in your personal online space. The decision will not be sent to you by post.  Depending on your situation, you may also receive further letters via your online account.

The OFPRA decides if France gives you protection : you can be granted the refugee status, or the subsidiary protection, or your application can be rejected. 

-If the OFPRA grants you the refugee status : you can go to the prefecture, where you can get a residence permit valid for 10 years renewable (read more about it in this section).

-If the OFPRA grants you the subsidiary protection: you can go to the prefecture and get a residence permit valid for 4 years maximum renewable. 

-If the OFPRA rejects your application: you can make an appeal before the National Court for Asylum (CNDA). 

REMINDER

OFPRA’s decision is no longer sent by post for all asylum applications registered with OFPRA since May 2, 2022. If you do not read the OFPRA decision when it is deposited on your online space, it will still consider that you have read it after 15 days. You will not be able to tell OFPRA that you have not been informed.

Warning, in the event of a negative response:

If you open the letter before 15 days after notification: the time limit for lodging an appeal with the CNDA starts from the date on which you opened the letter (decision) on your “personal space”

If you do not read the letter 15 days after it has been put on line: the time limit for lodging an appeal with the CNDA starts on the day it is put on line. It will be difficult to obtain legal aid (free lawyer) and you will have little time to appeal to the CNDA.

CHECK YOUR OFPRA PERSONAL ACCOUNT EVERY WEEK!

If you applied for asylum with OFPRA after May 2, 2022, all correspondence related to your application will be sent to your personal online account. No letters will be sent to you by post.

For example, OFPRA will send all the following correspondence to your online account:

The acknowledgment of receipt of your application and the introduction of your asylum request.

Your invitation to the OFPRA interview.

The decision from OFPRA following your interview.

Depending on your situation, you may also receive other correspondence on your online account, such as:

the six-month letter, a cancellation of the interview invitation, a letter requesting a medical certificate, information on reclassification into the regular procedure, etc.

For more information on OFPRA’s digital correspondence system and how to access your letters in your personal online account on the OFPRA website, CLICK HERE.