Asylum in France: The Application Process and Key Steps

Last updated: 1 October 2026

IntroductionFrance is one of the most popular countries in Europe for asylum applications thanks to its democratic traditions, respect for human rights, and strong social support.

Today, I'll explain the asylum application process in France in detail, covering all the key steps:

1. Submitting an application.
2. Consideration of the case.
3. Appeal.
4. Appeal to the State Council.
5. Submitting a new application.

This guide will help you understand what to expect at each stage and how to prepare your case.

Убежище во Франции: Как быстро и легко получить статус беженца без ошибок! Пошаговый план

1. Applying for asylum

The process begins with filing an application. In France, this can be done in two main ways:

At the border or upon entering the country

• If you apply for asylum upon arrival in France (at the airport or border), your case is registered with the regional prefecture.
• The border service forwards the application to OFPRA (Office français de protection des réfugiés et apatrides).

Inland

• If you are already in France, the application is submitted through the regional prefecture.
• You are then directed to GUDA (Guichet unique pour demandeur d'asile), where the applicant undergoes the registration procedure.

Submission stages:

1. Registration of application through GUDA.
2. Submission of biometric data.
3. Obtaining a temporary residence permit (attestation de demande d'asile).

Submission deadlines:

• The application must be submitted within 90 days of arrival in France.

What documents are required?

• Passport or identification documents.
• A detailed explanation of the reasons why return to the country of origin is not possible.
• Evidence of threats (subpoenas, medical records, expert reports).

2. Review of the application (OFPRA)OFPRA (Office français de protection des réfugiés et apatrides) is the key body responsible for processing asylum applications.

What happens at OFPRA?

1. Your application will be forwarded to OFPRA after registration at the prefecture.
2. You will be scheduled for an interview where you will explain in detail the reasons for your application.
3. The interview is conducted with an interpreter, if necessary.

What is important for a successful interview?

• Prepare a complete and detailed statement.
• Provide evidence of the threats, including an expert report.

Results of the review:

• Application approved: You receive refugee status or subsidiary protection (protection subsidiaire).
• Rejection of application: You can appeal to the CNDA.

3. Appeal through the CNDAIf your application is rejected, you can appeal this decision to the CNDA (Cour nationale du droit d'asile).

The appeal process:

1. The appeal must be filed within 30 days of receiving the refusal.
2. At the hearing, you present your arguments and new evidence.

The Role of an Expert Report in an Appeal:
An expert report helps:

• To justify that OFPRA's decision was wrong.
• Confirm the risks for the applicant in the country of origin.

4. The Role of the Expert Report in an Appeal

An expert report is an independent document prepared by an expert to confirm the reality of the threats in the applicant's country.

The objectives of the report are:

1. Confirmation of context: Description of the current situation in the applicant's country: political instability, repression, conflict.
2. Strengthening the evidence base: Justifying the risks to the applicant and the impossibility of safe return.
3. Use of authoritative sources: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, UN.

What is a Country Expert Report?
An expert report is an independent document prepared by an expert to confirm the reality of threats in the applicant's country.
The report's objectives are to:

Confirm the overall context:

• Describe the current situation in the country: political instability, repression, conflicts.
• Show how these conditions affect the applicant.

Strengthen the evidence base:

• Justify that the applicant belongs to a vulnerable group.
• Show why he cannot safely return to his country.

Support the facts with links:

• Each fact is confirmed by references to Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the UN and others.

Russia and CIS Expert: Assistance in preparing expert witness reports for asylum applicants from Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan

My name is Maxim Kharitonov, and I am an expert on human rights , political repression, and social abuses in the CIS countries. My work focuses on providing objective and professional expert witness reports for asylum seekers in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union. I specialize in analyzing and presenting evidence supporting the risks of persecution in the former Soviet Union.

My achievements:

• Over 100 successfully prepared expert witness reports for asylum applicants from CIS countries, including Russia, Belarus, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan – at the appeals and initial application stages.
• Collaboration with leading US and UK law firms, including the preparation of reports that have become key evidence in successful asylum cases.
• Winner of the Expert Witness Awards 2024 in the category "Best Expert on Immigration Issues".
• My in-depth knowledge of the legal and political situation in the CIS countries allows me to objectively assess the risks of political persecution, human rights violations, and other factors affecting the safety of applicants.
• Recognition as a respected expert in the field of human rights and political repression, including inclusion in the Experts for Immigration and Justice (EIN) database: https://www.ein.org.uk/experts/kharitonov

Having gone through the asylum process myself, I understand how important it is to present the court with a complete and accurate picture of what happened.

If you are looking for a professional expert on political asylum issues from the CIS countries, my services will help you prepare a strong and compelling case for your clients.

How I prepare an expert report:

• Analysis of the General Situation: I examine the political, religious and social conditions in the applicant's country of origin, including repression, persecution, human rights violations and other threats.
• Analysis of the applicant's circumstances: I study the statement, interview, provided documents and the decision of the court or immigration authority.
• Research: I use international and local sources, such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the UN , and local media. I support every fact with references using the OSCOLA methodology.
• Compliance with standards:
• My reports are strictly regulated and comply with the guidelines set out in the Upper Tribunal's Practice Direction on Expert Evidence.
• Having accepted responsibility for the analysis and preparation of the report, I confirm the accuracy of all facts presented and the correctness of the opinions expressed.

Declaration of Truthfulness:

At the end of each report, I sign a declaration confirming that all information presented is based on reliable sources and that the opinions expressed are my own.

Liability to Court:

• My professional remuneration is not dependent on the outcome of the case, which guarantees objectivity and the fulfillment of my duty to the court.
• In some cases, I may be called to court to provide evidence regarding circumstances in the appellant's country of origin.

— Maxim Kharitonov

How to contact me
: Email: info@thehuman-rights.com

Application on the website:
thehuman-rights.com

Working hours:

• I respond to requests within 1 hour.

• I prepare reports within 1 week, including complex and extensive cases.

5. Appeal to the Council of State (Conseil d'État)
If your appeal is rejected, you can file a complaint with the Conseil d'État, France's highest court.

When is this possible?
A complaint is filed in the event of legal errors or procedural irregularities at the CNDA.

The filing process:

• The complaint must be filed within 2 months of the CNDA refusal.
• The court may overturn the CNDA's decision and remand the case for retrial.

6. New application (réexamen)
If all previous attempts have been unsuccessful, you can submit a new application based on new circumstances.

What do you need for a new application?

• New evidence confirming the change in the situation in the country.
• Expert report substantiating the relevance of the threats

7. Fresh Claim
If all the previous steps fail, you can file a Fresh Claim.To do this, you need:

• New evidence that significantly changes the essence of the case.
• An expert report confirming changes in the situation in the country.

Conclusion:
The asylum application process in France is complex, but with the right preparation and support, you have every chance of success.

An expert report is a key tool to help you explain your story and justify the risks.

Contact me:

• Email: info@thehuman-rights.com
• Web: thehuman-rights.com