Asylum Seekers

Asylum can be offered by a state to a foreign national who is at risk of being, or who is already being, persecuted: either by the authorities or by other groups not linked to the government. Essentially, asylum is an agreement by the state to protect the foreign national from harm.

In France it is the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless People (OFPRA) that it responsible for according this protection. There are two types of protection available. The first is offered to people who come under the mandate of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). The second type of protection is subsidiary protection. This is for people who are not covered by the UNHCR, but who are able to prove that they face serious danger if they return to their own country, for example torture or the death penalty. This protection can be refused, normally when there is reason to believe that the individual has committed serious criminal acts, or if they are able to receive the necessary protection, and avoid risk, in their own country.

Claims for asylum should be made at the 'prefecture' (a regional administration centre). If the asylum seeker is already present on French territory they can go directly to the prefecture to ask for temporary authorisation to stay, and apply for asylum. If they are not in France, the asylum seeker must wait for an interview with the OFPRA. Following the interview, a report will be sent to the Home Office who will decide whether or not to let the asylum seeker into the country. If they are admitted, they will then have eight days to apply for asylum at the prefecture.