Glossary of French immigration law

A

Admission exceptionnelle au séjour – exceptional regularisation

Regularisation that the préfet may grant to a person without legal status, on family, humanitarian or work grounds. It remains at the préfet’s discretion. Residence permits

Aide juridictionnelle – legal aid

Payment by the State of all or part of the lawyer’s fees and court costs, depending on your income. Fees

ANEF Administration numérique pour les étrangers en France

Ministry of the Interior website where most applications for residence permits and naturalisation are filed. Application stuck on ANEF

APS Autorisation provisoire de séjour

Temporary residence authorisation: a document allowing you to stay in France for a limited period, for example after the court has set aside an OQTF.

Assignation à résidence – house arrest

An obligation to stay at a place set by the préfet and to report regularly to the police or gendarmerie. The appeal against the OQTF must then be filed within 7 days. Time limits to appeal

C

Carte de séjour pluriannuelle – multi-year residence permit

A permit valid for up to four years depending on its category, usually issued after a first one-year permit. Since 2026, a first application requires passing the civic exam. Civic exam

Carte de résident – resident card

A ten-year card, renewable. Since 2026, a first application requires passing the civic exam and B1 level in French.

Carte de séjour temporaire – temporary residence permit

A permit valid for up to one year, renewable. It bears a mention matching the reason for the stay: employee, student, private and family life…

CESEDA Code de l’entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d’asile

The code that brings together the rules of immigration law in France.

CIR Contrat d’intégration républicaine

A contract signed with the State on arrival in France. It commits you to civic training and, if needed, French classes, organised by OFII.

CNDA Cour nationale du droit d’asile

The National Court of Asylum, which hears appeals against OFPRA decisions. The time limit to appeal is one month, reduced to 10 days in some procedures since 12 June 2026. Appeal to the CNDA

Cour administrative d’appel – administrative court of appeal

The court that hears appeals against judgments of the administrative courts. In Île-de-France, the courts of appeal of Paris and Versailles.

CRA Centre de rétention administrative

Administrative detention centre, where the préfecture can hold a person pending removal. The appeal against the OQTF must then be filed within 48 hours. In detention

D

Délai de départ volontaire – period for voluntary departure

The period granted to leave France by your own means after an OQTF, usually 30 days. The préfet can refuse it, and that refusal is challenged together with the OQTF.

Procédure Dublin – Dublin procedure

The procedure that determines which European State examines an asylum claim, often the one through which the person entered the Union. Its rules changed with the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, applied since 12 June 2026. What changes

E

Examen civique – civic exam

A 40-question test on values, institutions, rights and duties, history and life in France. Compulsory since 1 January 2026 for a first multi-year permit, a resident card or naturalisation. Who must take it

I

IRTF Interdiction de retour sur le territoire français

A ban on returning to France, which may come with an OQTF. It can last up to five years, and ten years in the event of a serious threat to public order. It is challenged together with the OQTF.

N

Naturalisation – naturalisation

Acquiring French nationality by decree, on application. Since 2026, it requires in particular B2 level in French and passing the civic exam.

Notification – service of a decision

The official delivery of a decision, by hand or by registered post. The time limit to appeal runs from that date: always keep the envelope.

O

OFII Office français de l’immigration et de l’intégration

The French Office for Immigration and Integration, a public body responsible in particular for the integration contract and the reception of asylum seekers.

OFPRA Office français de protection des réfugiés et apatrides

The French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons, which examines asylum claims and grants refugee status or subsidiary protection. Asylum

OQTF Obligation de quitter le territoire français

A decision of the préfet ordering you to leave France. It is challenged before the administrative court, within 48 hours to one month depending on your situation. Challenge an OQTF

P

Pacte européen sur la migration et l’asile – EU Pact on Migration and Asylum

A set of European regulations applied since 12 June 2026, which change asylum procedures and their time limits. What changes

Pays de renvoi – country of return

A decision setting the country to which the person may be removed. It comes with the OQTF and is challenged together with it.

Préfecture

The State administration in each département, responsible for residence permits. In Paris, it is the préfecture de police.

Protection subsidiaire – subsidiary protection

Protection granted by OFPRA or the CNDA to a person who does not meet the conditions for refugee status but faces a risk of serious harm in their country.

R

Récépissé – receipt

A temporary document proving that a residence permit application has been filed and, depending on the case, allowing you to stay and work. For applications filed on ANEF, an electronic certificate serves the same purpose.

Recours gracieux – request for reconsideration

A request to the author of a decision to withdraw it. Against an OQTF, it does not extend the time limit to appeal to the court.

Référé – urgent application

An urgent procedure before the administrative judge. The « référé mesures utiles » can, for example, secure an appointment at the préfecture or an answer on a stuck application. The référé-suspension can suspend a decision pending the judgment.

Réfugié – refugee

Status granted by OFPRA or the CNDA to a person who is persecuted, or fears persecution, in their country. It gives the right to a resident card.

Rétention administrative – administrative detention

Holding a person in a detention centre while their removal is organised. Its extension is reviewed by the ordinary courts.

T

Télérecours citoyens

A Conseil d’État website for filing an appeal online before the administrative judge, without a lawyer.

Titre de séjour – residence permit

A document allowing a foreign national to stay in France for more than three months: temporary card, multi-year card, resident card.

Tribunal administratif – administrative court

The court that hears disputes with the administration, including appeals against refusals of residence and OQTFs. In Île-de-France: Paris, Montreuil, Cergy-Pontoise, Melun and Versailles. Which court?

V

VLS-TS Visa long séjour valant titre de séjour

A long-stay visa of more than three months that serves as a residence permit during its first year, once validated online after arrival in France.

Voies et délais de recours – remedies and time limits

A statement at the end of every decision giving the court to apply to and the time limit to act. Read it first.