Published in the Official Journal on 28 December, Decree 2025-1345 rewrites several chapters of France’s immigration code (CESEDA), notably Articles R.523-1 to R.523-14. Prefects must now conduct an individual public-order risk assessment before placing an asylum seeker in detention or under house arrest, and furnish a multilingual rights leaflet.
The decree also shortens key procedural deadlines: asylum-seekers in detention now have 96 hours (down from four calendar days) to lodge a full OFPRA claim, while prefects have stricter time-limits to notify the courts when requesting detention extensions. Digital notification rules are clarified to curb disputes over service.
For carriers and NGOs operating accommodation centres, the biggest operational change is that prefects, not OFII, will issue the initial registration appointment when an applicant is already in detention. Companies providing security or translation services at holding centres are preparing updated compliance manuals.
![New decree (2025-1345) revamps rules on detaining or assigning asylum seekers to residence]()
Although framed as an efficiency measure, lawyers caution that the broader detention powers could face constitutional challenges. Mobility managers handling humanitarian staff transfers should review duty-of-care protocols: employees detained for document irregularities may be processed faster under the new timelines.
VisaHQ can help organizations and travellers adapt to these shifting French immigration procedures by offering real-time visa requirement checks, application assistance and document courier services; more information is available at https://www.visahq.com/france/.
The Interior Ministry says implementing orders will follow in January, including a model bilingual information form. Prefectures are expected to update internal IT systems during the first quarter of 2026.
The decree also shortens key procedural deadlines: asylum-seekers in detention now have 96 hours (down from four calendar days) to lodge a full OFPRA claim, while prefects have stricter time-limits to notify the courts when requesting detention extensions. Digital notification rules are clarified to curb disputes over service.
For carriers and NGOs operating accommodation centres, the biggest operational change is that prefects, not OFII, will issue the initial registration appointment when an applicant is already in detention. Companies providing security or translation services at holding centres are preparing updated compliance manuals.
Although framed as an efficiency measure, lawyers caution that the broader detention powers could face constitutional challenges. Mobility managers handling humanitarian staff transfers should review duty-of-care protocols: employees detained for document irregularities may be processed faster under the new timelines.
VisaHQ can help organizations and travellers adapt to these shifting French immigration procedures by offering real-time visa requirement checks, application assistance and document courier services; more information is available at https://www.visahq.com/france/.
The Interior Ministry says implementing orders will follow in January, including a model bilingual information form. Prefectures are expected to update internal IT systems during the first quarter of 2026.
