The visite d’accueil and contrat d’intégration républicaine

Most non-EU newcomers are asked to attend the offices of Ofii for a visite d’accueil (reception visit) and to sign the contrat d’intégration républicaine (CIR). Retirees on visitor visas are not asked to do this.

The visite d’accueil lasts half a day, and there is a language test to check ability against the European language levels. These range from very basic to expert: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2.

You will also have a one-on-one interview with an Ofii agent. You will go over your personal and administrative situation and evaluate your needs. If necessary, they will direct you to nearby services that will facilitate your integration into French society.

They will also present you with the terms of the CIR and explain a four-day training you must complete related to this.

The contract requires agreeing to certain French values such as freedom of speech and belief, equality of men and women, etc.

The four-day training – spread out over a period of about four months – covers topics such as the French institutions, health, work and housing issues. From July 2025, the training changed to also include additional history and culture elements.

From January 1, 2026, this training is set to give rise to a test in civic and cultural information, which candidates will be able to retake as many times as they wish if they do not pass. Applications for multi-year residency cards and cartes de résident will also require a pass in such a test. A senior Ofii official said the Interior Ministry is expected to organise these tests.

After you have completed the required training, you will be invited to the Ofii for an end-of-contract interview to review what you have learnt.

Respecting the terms of the contract and not being deemed to have disrespected French values are part of the requirements for the granting of multi-year residency cards of up to four years’ duration (see chapter 8 for more about these).