If I am under 18 years old and I am a minor, a foreigner and not accompanied by my family on French territory, I am considered an unaccompanied minor (UMA) .
I can request asylum when I am an unaccompanied minor and I consider myself in danger in my country of origin. In this case, the Prefecture must appoint a person who will represent my interests during the asylum application, a “ ad hoc administrator ".
The Prefecture does not have the right to refuse my asylum application or to refuse to appoint an “ad hoc administrator” to represent me.
Depending on the Prefecture of the department by which I am supported or where I live, I can make an appointment directly at the Prefecture to submit my asylum application or, in certain departments of Ile-de-France, I must call the OFII telephone platform on 01 42 50 09 00 to have an appointment at SPADA (First Reception Structure for Asylum Seekers).
In SPADA, I will be given an appointment at the Single Window for Asylum Seekers (GUDA) to register my asylum application. At this time the Prefecture will appoint the “ad hoc administrator” to represent me.
⚠️ If I am a minor and not accompanied by my family, I cannot benefit from the Asylum Seekers' Allowance (money received every month on a special card) nor be accommodated with adults. I must be accommodated by Child Welfare.
Read our article on Child Welfare protection .