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). Note that people on visitor visas (such as many retirees) are not asked to do this, nor do some other categories such as students, talent card holders and workers on temporary contracts. 

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. This can include referring you to France Travail if you need support with job seeking. 

They will also present you with the terms of the CIR and explain a training course 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 training – spread over several months and totalling 24 hours over four six-hour days – covers principles and values of the Republic; institutions and politics; rights and duties; history, geography and culture and life in French society.

This training helps candidates to be prepared for tests in civic and cultural information, which they can book and retake as many times as they wish if they do not pass.

Applications for multi-year residency cards and cartes de résident require a pass in such a test.

Note, however, that over-65s are exempt from having to pass language or civic tests for multi-year cards or cartes de résident. There are also possible adaptations/exemptions for certain disabilities or chronic health conditions.

Within six months of the start of the civic training, you will be invited to the Ofii for an end-of-contract interview to review the training and possible further integration and employment support. 

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.

Note that the CIR is not the same thing as the Contrat d’engagement à respecter les principes de la République, which many foreigners applying for or renewing residence documents have to sign. The latter is a simple document, asking only that people concur with certain core 'French values', in areas such as the secular state or gender equality.