Subsidiary protection: status, residence permit and travel document

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

If theOfpra: titleContent grant you subsidiary protection, you receive a multi-annual residence card beneficiary of subsidiary protection. Subsidiary protection is a form of asylum protection granted to an alien who does not meet the conditions for obtaining refugee status. The residence permit issued shall not exceed Four years. If you wish to leave France to travel, a travel document can be issued.

The multi-annual residence card beneficiary of subsidiary protection which is issued to you for a maximum period of validity of 4 years.

It allows you to stay in France and work there (as an employee or self-employed person).

You don't have to ask for work authorization.

Who can apply for a residence permit?

You are affected if you have obtained the subsidiary protection.

Members of your family can benefit from the same card:

  • Your spouse, common-law partner or civil union partner, who is already authorized to reside in France under the family reunification
  • Your spouse or civil union partner, who is at least 18 years of age, if the marriage or civil union is later than the date of your asylum application. The marriage must have been celebrated, or the civil union entered into, for at least 1 year, with an effective community of life.
  • Your children, unmarried, not having passed their 19theme birthday (or as young as 16 if they wish to work)
  • Your parents (ascendants direct to 1er degree), if you are still a minor and unmarried, possibly accompanied by their unmarried minor children in their effective care

Your family members should document their identity and the family ties that bind you. They must present a visa of more than three months' duration which was issued to them by the consulate for entry into France.

Please note

The card issued to members of your family bears the mention family member of a beneficiary of subsidiary protection. It allows them to work in France.

How to apply for a residence permit?

You must submit your card application on the Internet, at the earliest 4 months and at the latest 2 months before the end of validity of your residence document (visa, VLS-TS or title).

Apply online for a residence permit, a change of situation, a travel document, an application for ANEF naturalization

When you apply for a residence permit on the Internet, you immediately get a dematerialized certificate deposit.

What documents must be provided for the application for a residence permit?

For you
  • Civil status certificate (transmitted by theOfpra: titleContent 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
  • Decision of Ofpra or the NDA: titleContent granting you subsidiary protection
For your family members
  • Full copy of birth certificate (unless he already has a residence card) with the most recent entries
  • 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
  • Decision of theOfpra: titleContent or the NDA: titleContent conferring subsidiary protection
  • Proof of family relationship with the beneficiary of subsidiary protection:
    • Proof of marriage (full copy of the marriage certificate or family record book) or of civil union (copy of civil union contract)
    • Proof of parentage for children and relatives in the ascending line (full copy of the birth certificate or family record book for legitimate children)
    • Declaration made by the subsidiary protégé or ascendant subsidiary protégé to the registrar recognizing his natural paternity or maternity for natural children
    • Adoption decision for adopted children.
  • If he arrived in France on the basis of family reunification: medical certificate issued by theOfii: titleContent (at the latest at the time of submission of the residence permit)
  • Declaration on the honor of non-polygamy in France if he is married and a national of a country that authorizes it

What is the cost of the residence card?

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

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

How is the residence card given to you?

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

How long is it valid?

The residence card is valid 4 years maximum.

How do I get it renewed?

After 4 years in France with card beneficiary of subsidiary protection, you or your family members can request a resident card.

You must apply within 2 months of the expiry date of your residence card.

If you meet the 4 years of legal residence requirement front at the end of validity of the title, you can request immediately the 10-year-old resident card.

If you wish to travel abroad, you can request a travel and identity document (TIV). This travel document is biometric. It allows you to leave France and then come back.

Your travel document is valid for 4 years if you have a multiannual residence permit or 5 years if you have a resident card. It shall be renewable.

Where to apply?

The request can be made on the following website:

Apply online for a residence permit, a change of situation, a travel document, an application for ANEF naturalization

What documents are 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

The following documents must in particular be presented:

  • Valid residence card (original and photocopy)
  • Proof of residence under 3 months in your name or proof of accommodation and a copy of the host's identity document
  • Proof that you are under protection of theOfpra: titleContent (example: decision granting subsidiary protection)
  • 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

What is the cost of a travel document?

The cost depends on the type of residence permit you have.

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You have a multi-year residence card

The biometric travel document costs €40.

You have a resident card

The biometric travel document costs €45.

What are the territorial limits of the travel document?

The travel document issued to you shall indicate the country or countries you are not allowed to enter.

In general, it is only your country of origin or the country of your habitual residence.

When you have obtained your residence permit and signed the republican integration contract, you can be supported in your efforts to find a job and a place to live.

This support takes into account your degree of vulnerability and the specific needs that arise from it.

Inquire with the territorial unit (UT) of the French Office for Integration or Immigration (Ofii) of your department.