Verify my eligibility for French residency rights
This questionnaire has been designed to help you determine the reasons or “fondements” that could…
Residency rights with an “ordonnance de protection”
A "titre de séjour" or residence permit is granted to people who have received a protection order or "ordonnance de protection" from a French judge, whether due to domestic violence or the threat of a forced marriage.
Verified by FNCIDFF on 06/10/2023
Conditions
The only requirement is to be the beneficiary of a protective measure known as an “ordonnance de protection” or protection order granted by the family court judge or “juge aux affaires familiales (JAF)”.
Applicable law: Articles L.425–6 and L.425–7 of the “CESEDA”.
Type of “titre de séjour” or residence permit issued
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You are entitled to a temporary residence card or “carte de séjour temporaire” stating “vie privée et familiale” or private and family life. It is valid for one year. It allows you to work.
It can be renewed throughout the entire period covered by your “ordonnance de protection” and, if you have filed a complaint, during the course of legal proceedings.
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You can keep it and renew it when it expires throughout the entire period covered by your “ordonnance de protection” and, if you have filed a complaint, during the course of the legal proceedings.
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If you have received an “ordonnance de protection”, you are entitled to a “carte de résident” or resident card if you meet all the three following conditions:
- you have a “titre de séjour” or residence permit on the basis of you being a the beneficiary of an “ordonnance de protection”
- you filed a complaint about the violence you experienced
- the perpetrator of the violence has been definitively convicted.
Applicable law: Article L.425–8 of the “CESEDA”.
If you do not meet these conditions but you have lived in France for at least five years, or in some cases three years, you might still receive a “carte de résident” if you meet certain conditions. Learn more
Algerian citizens
In principle, these provisions do not apply to people with Algerian nationality. If you are an Algerian citizen, your immigration status in France is governed by a bilateral agreement which does not provide for this situation.
However, the local French administrative authority responsible for examining applications for residence permits, known as the “préfecture”, might still decide to grant you residency rights if you have received an “ordonnance de protection” or protection order. It is therefore recommended that you submit an application anyway, highlighting the fact that you have an “ordonnance de protection”.
Find support
In France, there are many services that can support you, give you advice, and assist you with procedures and paperwork. Most of them are free of charge.
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“La Cimade” is an organisation that specialises in supporting all immigrant and migrant people, and refugees in France, particularly people facing violence.
- This service is free of charge.
- They will be able to inform you and support you in your administrative procedures related to the right of residence in France, and direct you to other services depending on your personal situation.
- Languages available: French, English and Spanish.
- Contact :
- without an appointment at a centre near you
- by telephone on 01 40 08 05 34 or 06 77 82 79 09 on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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“Gisti” is an organisation specialising in legal advice to immigrants and refugees in France.
- This service is free of charge.
- They will be able to inform you about your rights relating to your residency rights and explain how to obtain them.
- Language available: mainly French.
- Contact:
- By phone on +331 84 60 90 26 from Monday to Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and also from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday. The line is sometimes saturated, do not be discouraged. It is sometimes easier to reach them towards the end of the day.
- By post to “Gisti, 3 villa Marcès 75011 Paris, France”. Print and complete this form and include in your letter with a photocopy of any administrative documents that could be relevant. Be sure to specify your question as clearly as possible, including all elements that could help the “Gisti” advisor to understand your situation.
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“Associations” are organisations that offer various services. Some are specialised in immigration.
- These services are free of charge.
- They can inform you about your rights in France, and sometimes support you with immigration procedures.
- Language available: mainly French.
- Contact: you can search by region and department in this directory.
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Authorised associations or “associations habilitées” can offer highly specialised services to asylum seekers.
- These services are free of charge.
- They can inform you about your rights, advise you, support you in your administrative procedures and come with you to your meeting with the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons or “Office français de la protection des réfugiés et des apatrides (OFPRA)”.
- Language available: mainly French, interpretation possible.
- Contact: you can find a “associations habilitées” near you in this directory.
While the utmost care has gone into providing you with the most accurate and up to date information, this page is not intended to replace legal or professional advice. Laws and procedures change regularly so it is important to consult qualified professionals.
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