Answers to your first questions

By phone on +33 7 49 90 46 30, Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 7.30 pm. Etienne Lemichel works without a secretary: if he cannot pick up, send him a text or a WhatsApp message and he will call you back. Written messages are answered within a few hours to a few days, depending on urgency.

No. The first phone call is free: it is a chance to review your situation. If you then instruct the firm, the fees are set in writing at the first meeting.

Etienne Lemichel works for a fixed fee. The amount is set at the first meeting, according to the work your case requires and your situation. It can be paid in up to three instalments, over six months at most. Fees and legal aid

Yes, depending on your income. It can cover all or part of the fees. Fees and legal aid

Yes. The meeting can take place by video call. Etienne Lemichel then tells you how to send him your documents before the call.

Yes. He appears before the administrative courts of the Île-de-France region and, depending on the case, elsewhere in France. The meeting can also take place by video call.

In French and English. For other languages, Etienne Lemichel works with trusted interpreters: Arabic, Tamil, Bengali, Spanish and Russian. For any other language, ask the firm.

Yes, in particular to challenge an OQTF and to appeal to the National Court of Asylum. It then depends on your income. The firm helps you prepare the application.

The decision you received and its envelope, your passport or residence permit, letters from the authorities and documents showing your situation. The full checklist

Yes. You can come with someone close to you, a social worker or an interpreter. Etienne Lemichel can also call on one of his trusted interpreters.

Yes. Everything you entrust to Etienne Lemichel is covered by professional secrecy. He cannot disclose any of it, not to the préfecture, not to the police, not to anyone.

One month as a general rule, 7 days if you are under house arrest or in prison, 48 hours if you are in administrative detention, from the date it was served on you. Unless you are in detention, contact the firm the same day. Time limits in detail

Before the administrative court, yes: you cannot be removed until the court has ruled. A further appeal, however, does not suspend removal.

For three years from the decision. During that period, the préfecture can place you under house arrest or in detention to enforce it, without taking a new decision.

Not to challenge an OQTF. But the time limits are short and the outcome depends on the arguments and the evidence: a lawyer avoids procedural and time-limit errors and builds the defence.

As a rule, yes. A decision sent by registered post to the right address is treated as served on the date the postman presented it, even if you did not collect it. Find the delivery notice and contact the firm without delay.

A decision that bars you from returning to France for a period set by the préfet: up to five years, and up to ten years in the event of a serious threat to public order. It often comes with the OQTF and is challenged in the same appeal.

The préfecture must give you a temporary residence authorisation and re-examine your situation. Depending on the reasons for the judgment, the court can also order it to issue you a residence permit.

The time limit to challenge the OQTF is only 48 hours. In each centre, an association helps detainees file the appeal, and you can ask for a court-appointed lawyer for the hearing. The firm does not take cases in detention.

Keep a record of each filing and each reminder. Without an appointment, a receipt or a certificate extending the examination period, an appeal or an urgent application before the administrative court can secure the appointment or the document you are waiting for. Etienne Lemichel tells you whether your situation lends itself to this.

No. Since 1 January 2026, the civic exam and the level of French apply to first applications for a multi-year permit or a resident card, not to simple renewals. The civic exam in detail

As a rule, yes. Since 30 October 2026, 90 days of silence after a complete application has been filed amount to an implicit refusal, instead of four months before (Article R. 432-2 of the CESEDA, as amended by the decree of 26 October 2026). This refusal can be challenged before the administrative court, within time limits that depend on the documents given to you when you applied: take stock quickly.

Issued on ANEF while a renewal application is being examined, it proves that your stay is lawful and keeps the rights attached to your previous permit, including the right to work where applicable. If it does not arrive before your permit expires, an urgent appeal can be brought.

An urgent procedure before the administrative court. It allows you to ask the judge to order the préfecture to take a specific step, such as setting an appointment or issuing a receipt, when the wait is causing you real harm. Urgent applications in brief

Yes, subject to conditions on the diploma, the job and the salary. The application must be filed before your current permit expires. Etienne Lemichel checks that your situation meets the conditions before you apply.

It is stated on the OFPRA decision. Under the accelerated procedure and for inadmissibility decisions, it has been 10 days since 12 June 2026, and a legal aid application does not suspend it. What the EU Pact has changed

Yes, since 12 June 2026. It is challenged within 7 days if OFPRA found the application inadmissible or implicitly withdrawn, or rejected it under the accelerated procedure, including at the border, and within one month in other cases (Article R. 614-3 of the CESEDA). Asylum: what changes

Yes. You can attend the interview with a lawyer or with a representative of an approved association. Etienne Lemichel can also help you prepare for it beforehand.

Protection granted by OFPRA or the CNDA to a person who does not meet the conditions for refugee status but who faces a risk of serious harm in their country. It gives the right to a multi-year residence permit valid for up to four years (Article L. 424-9 of the CESEDA).