Stateless: residence permit, travel document

Verified 31 July 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

If you are a foreigner without a nationality, you can apply for statelessness status with the Office français de protection des fugiés et apatrides (Ofpra). If your request is accepted, you will receive a residence card. In case of refusal, you can appeal to the administrative judge. We present you with the information you need to know.

Statelessness only applies to the person to whom no country grants nationality.

Statelessness can be the result of any of the following:

  • Contradictions between several nationality laws
  • Absence or failure of civil registration in some countries
  • Transfers of sovereignty
  • Revocation of nationality
  • Strict application of blood and soil law in some countries.

Filing of the application

You must submit your written request in French to theOfpra: titleContent.

This request shall include the following information:

  • Name(s)
  • First name(s)
  • Address of applicant
  • Text that explains the reasons for your request.

Ofpra registers it and sends you a form and a registration certificate.

You must return this completed and signed form to Ofpra by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt and attach:

  • 2 recent ID photos
  • Your travel document, documents concerning your civil status, a copy of your valid residence document (if you have these documents).
Who shall I contact

  • French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (Ofpra)

    On the spot

    French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (Ofpra)

    201 Carnot Street

    94136 Fontenay sous Bois Cedex

    Reception of the public by summons

    By telephone

    01 58 68 10 10

    On the Internet

    https://ofpra.gouv.fr/contact-et-informations-pratiques

Examination of the application

You can be called for an interview atOfpra: titleContent.

You are then heard in the language of your choice.

Ofpra may allow you to appear accompanied by either a lawyer or a representative of an association.

Ofpra may also collect information from the consular representations of the various countries of which you may be a national.

Recognition as stateless

If you are recognized as stateless, you are placed under the administrative and legal protection of theOfpra: titleContent.

Ofpra will issue you civil status documents (birth, marriage, etc.) if it cannot obtain them from the country where the events of its life occurred.

FYI  

Ofpra's silence on an application for statelessness status does not constitute a decision on the application.

If your application for statelessness status is refused by Ofpra, you can challenge the decision before the administrative court of your place of residence. The National Court of Asylum does not have jurisdiction over applications for statelessness.

This appeal must be lodged within 2 months of notification of the refusal.

Who shall I contact

Warning  

Litigation is not suspensive, that is, you can be subject to a obligation to leave France (OQTF) and be removed before the judge has made a decision.

You must submit your card application to the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home (inquire on the prefecture website).

Who shall I contact

Warning  

It is not possible to carry out the procedures in some sub-prefectures. Find out more on your prefecture's website.

The multi-annual residence card beneficiary of stateless status allows you to stay in France.

Members of your family can benefit from the same card:

  • Your spouse, common-law partner or civil union partner
  • Your children within one year of age 18 or aged 16 to 18 who say they want to work.

Please note

The card issued to members of your family bears the mention family member of a beneficiary of stateless status.

Documents to be provided

Depending on your situation, the documents to be provided may vary:

Stateless
  • Ofpra decision granting you stateless status
  • Civil status certificate (sent by Ofpra to the prefecture)
  • Declaration on the honor of no polygamy in France if you are married and are a national of a country that allows it

If your file is complete, you will receive a receipt awaiting the response of the prefecture.

Family of stateless persons
  • Full copy of the birth certificate with the most recent entries, accompanied if necessary by the court decision ordering its transcription
  • Passport (pages concerning civil status, validity dates, entry stamps and visas)
    or consular attestation with photo
    or photo ID
    or consular card with photo
    or certificate of nationality under 6 months with photo
  • Ofpra decision granting stateless status
  • Declaration on the honor of no polygamy in France if you are married and are a national of a country that allows it
  • Proof of family relationship with the stateless person: proof of marriage (full copy of the marriage certificate or family record) or proof of parentage for children (full copy of the birth certificate or family record for legitimate children, declaration made by the stateless person to the registrar recognizing his or her natural paternity or maternity for natural children, adoption decision for adopted children)
  • If you arrived in France for family reunification: medical certificate issued by theOfii: titleContent (at the latest at the time of delivery of the security)

If your file is complete, you will receive a receipt awaiting the response of the prefecture.

Cost

You need to pay €25 (stamp duty) by tax stamps.

Proof of payment of stamp duty is requested when the card is handed over.

Card Delivery

The card is given to you by the prefecture (or sub-prefecture) of your home.

Period of validity

The residence card is valid Maximum 4 years.

Renewal

After 4 years of stay in France with the map beneficiary of stateless status, you can request a resident card, within 2 months before the date of expiry of your residence card.

Appeals

Temporary or multiannual residence card beneficiary of stateless status or family member of a beneficiary of stateless status and the resident card entitles you to work in France.

You can practice the profession of your choice (as an employed or self-employed person).

So you don't need an express work authorization. The employment situation is not against you.

If you wish to travel abroad, you can apply for a biometric travel document for stateless persons.

Documents to be provided

The documents to be provided are different if the travel document concerns an adult or a minor:

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The travel document is for a major

In particular, the following documents shall be submitted:

  • ​Valid residence card, original and photocopy
  • Proof of residence of less than 3 months to your name or proof of accommodation and copy of the host's identity document
  • Proof that you are stateless (e.g.Ofpra: titleContent granting stateless status)
  • In the case of an application for renewal, old travel document (original and photocopy)

The travel document concerns a minor

In particular, the following documents shall be submitted:

  • Full copy of the birth certificate with filiation or family record drawn up by theOfpra: titleContent
  • Proof of parental authority:
    • Marriage certificate extract
    • Divorce judgment
    • Court ruling on parental authority
    • Separation Order
    • Copy of the court decision delegating parental authority.
  • Proof of residence of less than 6 months in the name of the minor if the address is different from that of the applicant

Duration and cost

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You have a multi-year residence card

The biometric travel document is valid 4 years.

It costs €40.

You have a resident card

The biometric travel document is valid 5 years .

It costs €45.

Statelessness ceases if you acquire a nationality or reintegrate your nationality of origin.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (Ofpra)

    On the spot

    French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (Ofpra)

    201 Carnot Street

    94136 Fontenay sous Bois Cedex

    Reception of the public by summons

    By telephone

    01 58 68 10 10

    On the Internet

    https://ofpra.gouv.fr/contact-et-informations-pratiques