France

France > Contacts

There are several specialised groups and NGOs for legal advice on asylum. Some necessary contacts in France you may find here.

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France > Overview

As in most European countries, the French government wants to limit legal immigration and access to the right of residence for foreigners. His policy is more restrictive, and the administration tends to go beyond legal restrictions and to put additional barriers in access to rights.

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France > Dublin II

Booklets on DublinII in France in different languages (English, Farsi, French, Arabic, Somali and Russian) can be downloaded. 

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France > Calais

Calais is a medium-sized town of 75 000 inhabitants (100 000 including neighbouring communes). It is the French harbour closest to England, and the main crossing point between Great Britain and the continent. Since the Sangatte centre was closed by the Government in 2002, refugees have continued to arrive. They are scattered all along the French and Belgian coast. They live in squats and “jungles”. The following information is collected by "La Marmite aux Idées" one of the several groups of supporters in Calais.

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France > Asylum

People who are threatened in their country et that their countries' State can't protect can ask for protection from one European State. In France, the procedure can be complex and long. You have therefore to prepare yourself with the support of an association. Two asylum procedures exist :
- normal one, which offers better rights' guaranties
- priority one, mainly for people who ask for asylum in retention centre, or who have a decision to leave the French territory, faster and with less guaranties

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France > Minors

France has the obligation to protect minors in difficulty, what means offering good living conditions, education, opportunities to learn a job. It is possible for minors who choose to stay in France to leave in a camp or in a family, to go to school or to learn a job, under the responsibility of the Childhood Social Help. More in a "Guide for Minors"...

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France > Detention

As a foreigner, you must be able to present an identity document, and depending on your nationality a document proving the legality of your stay. If you do not have identity documents, police can detain you for four hours for identity verification. But the simple fact of being illegally is not a crime punishable by a prison sentence, and you can not be detained in custody just because you do not have papers.

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France > Deportation

Here you find a Sans Papiers-Guide for Illegalized Migrants: Get organized against deportation, what to do in case of arrest? in different languages. In the past ten years, arrests and deportation procedures have multiplied. Beyond arrests of undocumented people during routine police controls, most are being controlled and arrested during raids (facial identity controls with big police deployment).And further more people are arrested at home.

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France > Living

Asylum seekers get given their 'first card' from the prefecture after they lodge a claim for asylum at 'l'Office des réfugiés' (OFPRA). After issue of this card, they are entitled to receive about 310 euros a month. However, if they get state accommodation, they will only be entitled to 190 euros per month.

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France > Family reunification

A foreigner living legally in France can be rejoined by members of his family if...

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France > Medical Assistance

In France asylum seekers in normal procedure have full right to social care. People without legal papers have the right to get free medical assistance through the free medical centre (PASS) and the emergency service of the hospital.

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