Two more formalities: Ofii visit and/or medical

Many people must carry out two further formalities within the early months of their residency in France: a medical check and a visite d’accueil (reception visit). Both are organised by the local branch of the Ofii, an agency dealing with new immigrants to France and their integration into the country.

Where appropriate, you will receive an invitation to one or both of these in the weeks after validating your VLS-TS or applying for your first residency card. If you have not heard from Ofii within 45 days of confirmation of your visa being validated, you should send a letter to the relevant Ofii office with a copy of your passport (information and visa pages) and your visa validation confirmation.

The relevant Ofii office is the one closest to your address. You can find the list here and enter your postcode to know which one is yours.

Who must undergo a medical and why?

Many foreign nationals moving for a long stay in France have to comply with the obligation to undergo a medical and will receive a convocation in the first months after their arrival.

Exemptions where a medical is not required include holders of these visas: temporary long-stay, family members joining British Withdrawal Agreement cardholders, passeport talent (for certain highly-skilled workers or people investing large sums in starting companies), salarié détaché ICT (intra corporate transfer – when being sent to work for part of the same large group), stagiaire ICT (people doing work placements), étudiant (students), jeune au pair, certain categories for people with family links in France, volontaires (issued for a European voluntary service) or vacances-travail (working holiday visa).

The latter is only available to young people from countries which have signed deals with France (eg. Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders) and allows them to come for a year and either stay for leisure, or to work, with no formalities.

The medical includes a lung X-ray, a general medical examination, check of vaccination status, and, in some cases, blood glucose measurement and urine analysis. The doctors may also give information about the medical system in France.

Ofii issues a certificate on completion of the checks stating that the person complies with France’s medical regulations. In most cases this is issued without reservation, says immigration lawyer Paul Nicolaÿ. It will be needed when you collect a residency card in the prefecture.

If the visit reveals that a certain treatment or vaccination is necessary, then the certificate will say so, and the individual should see a doctor. This does not present an obstacle to remaining – the purpose of the check-up is to ensure a medical follow-up and to prevent the spread of contagious diseases.

However, in some very particular and serious cases, the visit can find that a foreign national does not meet the health requirements to stay in France long-term. This can include plague, cholera, yellow fever, tuberculosis and certain serious psychological illnesses. Even in such cases, they may remain in France if they are expected to recover in the short term.

In most cases, the visit is preventative and aimed at stopping diseases spreading. An Ofii official told The Connexion that, for example, for a foreign retiree on a visitor visa, in the case of problems being flagged up the person would be steered towards support and the results would not affect their right to stay.

You need to take your passport, a recent identity photo and proof of your French address when you attend the medical.

In 2025, the process has changed for Britons, who are now sent a form to fill in with their GP and are only called in for an Ofii medical if this raises specific concerns. Britons who are not called in will be sent a certificate in the post. The new process for Britons aims at reducing the number attending Ofii (a procedure they did not have to do prior to Brexit).