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Waiving refugee status
What is it?
A refugee or a beneficiary of subsidiary protection can waive the status granted by Ofpra (the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons).
This means that it is possible to abandon the international protection of France if:
- the reasons for your asylum application no longer exist and the situation has changed for you and your family;
- you can be protected by your country of origin and return there without risk.
Exception: if a minor child has international protection because of a risk of sexual mutilation, he/she cannot renounce refugee status as long as this risk exists.
How to do it?
The first thing to do is read the first 2 pages of this document.
The situations, consequences and steps of renunciation are explained.
First you need your Ofpra file number.
If you have moved, you must change your postal address on the OFPRA website to receive mail.
> To read: the Refugees.info sheet “Inform OFPRA of a change of contact details”
Then you must print, complete, date and sign the form on the third page of this document .
It is possible to explain why you want to waive refugee status, on the document or on a sheet.
If the waiver concerns a minor child who benefits from individual protection without the parents being protected, his parents are called to an interview. Renunciation of the protection of the child entails the loss of the right of residence. In this case, the document must be signed by both parents.
You can send the completed form by post or email.
- by mail
Send the form to this address:
OFPRA
Pôle Protection
201 rue Carnot
94136 Fontenay-sous-Bois Cedex
- by email
Send the form as an attachment to renunciation@ofpra.gouv.fr
The Ofpra can ask for an interview with the person who wants to waive protection.
The end of protection decision is sent by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt and a copy is sent to the prefecture.
If you change your address within three months of submitting your application, you must inform Ofpra to ensure that you receive your mail.
> To read: the Réfugiés.info sheet "Inform OFPRA of a change of contact details".
What happens next?
Renouncing refugee status can have very important consequences:
- the withdrawal of the residence permit, in particular if you have had a residence permit for less than 5 years;
To be able to continue to live in France, you will have to apply for a residence permit from your prefecture for a reason other than that of protection by the Ofpra (private and family life, French spouse, etc.).
- the loss of the legal and administrative protection of the Ofpra;
To obtain identity and civil status documents (passport, birth certificate, etc.), you must contact the consulate or embassy of your country of origin and the prefecture of your place of residence to update your administrative situation.
Renouncing refugee status also has consequences for your family:
- Your spouse may lose refugee status ;
- Your children who have come of age may lose refugee status ;
- Your minor children may no longer benefit from the protection provided by the OFPRA ;
- Your country of origin may refuse to recognize personal and family events that have occurred in France.
If you have changed your mind and wish to benefit from international protection again, you must apply for a review of your situation and your family members. The whole process is explained on this page.
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