Decree 2026-635, dated 17 July 2026 and published in the 18 July Journal Officiel, revises procedural rules both for asylum applications lodged at France’s external borders and for appeals before the National Court of Asylum (CNDA). The reform is part of the government’s wider plan to cut processing times to a maximum of six months. Key changes for border-asylum cases include mandatory digital filing of claims via a secure portal operated by OFPRA, and a shorter, 48-hour deadline for the préfet to decide whether an application is admissible. Where claims are rejected as manifestly unfounded, removal orders may now be executed after 72 hours, down from five days previously, although an automatic suspensive appeal to CNDA remains available. At the appellate level, the decree introduces remote hearings for applicants held in waiting zones, the possibility for single-judge formations in less complex cases, and a new fast-track docket aiming to issue decisions within 15 days. CNDA may also require appellants to submit travel documents electronically in advance, a measure designed to curb last-minute procedural delays. For employers, the quicker resolution of status may ease the onboarding of refugee talent but will also accelerate negative outcomes; HR teams sponsoring humanitarian hires should ensure applicants have robust supporting evidence at the initial filing stage. Airlines operating into French airports must note tighter timelines for escorting inadmissible passengers back to points of origin. Law firms expect constitutional challenges, arguing that reduced deadlines could hamper access to counsel, yet the Interior Ministry insists the reforms align with EU Directive 2013/32 on common asylum procedures. Practical advice: Mobility professionals assisting employees with protection claims should review the new digital templates and be prepared for remote CNDA hearings. Carriers should update operational manuals to reflect the 72-hour removal window.
