How to Obtain APS for Ukrainians in France?
For lawful stay in France, Ukrainians who left because of the war must obtain an APS for Ukrainians in France — autorisation provisoire de séjour, a temporary residence permit issued under the temporary protection regime.
International Law Firm "Zahist" has an office in France and supports clients at every stage — from the first APS application through to transition to a permanent residence permit. Our experience shows that applicants who submit a complete set of documents at once receive an invitation to the prefecture significantly faster than those who submit documents in parts.
What APS is and who is eligible
APS is a temporary residence permit issued by the prefecture under the EU Temporary Protection Directive, activated for Ukrainian nationals from March 2022.
Ukrainian nationals are entitled to APS, as are foreign nationals who held a permanent residence permit in Ukraine before 24 February 2022, and members of their families.
How to file the first APS application
Since 2 September 2025, APS applications are filed online via the “Démarches simplifiées” service, rather than directly at the prefecture as before.
- Complete the electronic application form on the Démarches simplifiées website, providing personal details and residential address.
- Upload scanned copies of documents confirming identity and the basis for temporary protection.
- Await confirmation from the prefecture that the case has been accepted.
- Receive an invitation to an in-person appointment at the prefecture to submit original documents.
After receiving the full set of documents, the prefecture contacts the applicant and schedules an appointment date, which must be attended together with minor children.
List of documents for APS issuance
The document package for a first APS application usually includes several mandatory items without which the prefecture will not consider the case.
- A valid passport of a citizen of Ukraine or another identity document.
- Documents confirming place of residence in Ukraine before 24 February 2022.
- Photographs of the prescribed format for permit issuance.
- Proof of actual residential address in France.
- Birth or marriage certificates for family members if the application is filed together with them.
An incomplete document package is the most common reason for delayed consideration of an application, so all copies should be prepared in advance and, where necessary, a notarized translation obtained.
Rights conferred by APS under temporary protection
Obtaining an APS opens a range of rights for the holder that apply throughout the validity of the permit and its renewals.
| Right | Particulars |
| Employment | permitted immediately upon receipt of APS, without a separate work permit |
| Health insurance | access to the public healthcare system on equal terms with other residents |
| Children’s education | right to attend state schools and preschool institutions |
| Social assistance | entitlement to certain social benefits according to family composition and income |
The role of OFII in receiving new applicants
The French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII) is responsible for receiving persons who have obtained APS for the first time and for subsequent support of their integration.
In many regions, reception of first-time applicants takes place exclusively by prior appointment, arranged by email or through the relevant prefecture online service.
After a complete request is submitted, the applicant is sent an invitation for a specific appointment date, where documents are checked and additional information is provided on further settlement steps.
APS renewal: time limits and procedure
APS is issued for six months and is subject to regular renewal for as long as the temporary protection regime for Ukrainian nationals remains in force.
A renewal application must be filed no later than three weeks before the current permit expires; otherwise there is a risk of temporary loss of rights associated with the status.
From 1 May 2026, a fee of EUR 100 is charged for APS renewal starting from the second renewal — the first two issuances of the permit remain free of charge.
Housing and financial support during the validity of APS
APS holders may apply for temporary accommodation in state reception centers or for housing assistance if they rent housing independently.
The amount and form of support depend on family composition, employment income, and the region of residence, so specific conditions should be clarified with the local social services unit.
Persons who begin formal employment gradually lose entitlement to part of social benefits, but gain access to other advantages linked to employment status.
Transition from APS to an ordinary residence permit
A government instruction of 4 December 2024 changed the approach to long-term settlement of Ukrainians in France.
Those who plan to remain in France on a permanent basis are now advised to obtain an ordinary residence permit — on the basis of work, study, or family reunification — instead of unlimited APS renewals.
Our experience shows that early preparation for this transition, including accumulation of employment history and proof of employment in France, substantially simplifies subsequent issuance of a permit under the ordinary procedure.
Duration of temporary protection for Ukrainian nationals
The temporary protection regime, activated in March 2022 under the EU Directive, is regularly extended by decisions of the Council of the European Union.
By the most recent decision of 15 July 2025, temporary protection has been extended through 4 March 2027 inclusive, meaning that the right to obtain and renew APS is retained at least until that date.
APS for children and other family members
Minor children are included in one parent’s application or receive a separate APS if they arrived in France unaccompanied by a legal representative.
For spouses who reunited in France after leaving Ukraine, the prefecture usually requires documentary proof of marriage and cohabitation.
Our experience shows that family reunification applications are processed faster when documents on family ties are submitted together with a translation at the first application, rather than added later.
Language training and integration support
Persons with APS are often offered French language courses and introductory sessions on everyday life in France under integration programs run with the support of local organizations.
Participation in such courses is not mandatory to retain status, but substantially facilitates job search and communication with public authorities.
Our experience shows that applicants who, in parallel with document processing, acquire a basic level of the language pass job interviews more quickly and feel more confident at prefecture appointments.
Common mistakes when obtaining APS
The most frequent mistake is filing a renewal application at the last moment, when less than three weeks remain before the current APS expires.
Another common problem is the absence of a translation of Ukrainian documents or a mismatch between the residential address and data previously submitted to the prefecture.
Our experience shows that applicants who seek advice before submitting documents, rather than after a refusal or delay, complete the procedure significantly faster and with fewer additional requests from the prefecture.
Change of residence and transfer of the case
If an APS holder moves to another département, the case must be transferred to the new prefecture of actual residence.
To do so, an address-change application is filed together with proof of the new place of residence, after which the documents are forwarded between prefectures without repeating the entire procedure from scratch.
Our experience shows that early notice of a move and timely updating of the address help avoid delay in receiving the next invitation for APS renewal.
Expert view: how to prepare for filing an application
Analysis of our cases shows that proper APS processing for Ukrainians in France with a complete and clearly structured document package proceeds significantly faster than when an application is filed in parts or with an incomplete translation.
Another important factor is advance planning: the expiry date of the current APS should be noted and the renewal application filed well in advance, not in the final days of the prescribed period.
We recommend that persons considering long-term residence in France prepare in parallel the documents needed to switch to a regular permit — an employment contract, proof of studies, or documents confirming family ties.
International Law Firm "Zahist" has a presence in France and supports clients at every stage of status formalization — from the initial APS application through to the transition to a regular residence permit.
An individual consultation helps accurately plan APS formalization for Ukrainians in France in light of the specific life situation and the established document filing deadlines.
Each case has its own particularities — family composition, employment history, plans for further residence — so a personal analysis of the situation remains the most reliable way to avoid delays.
The earlier an applicant seeks advice and prepares a complete set of documents, the fewer risks arise at each subsequent stage of formalizing and extending the status.
