Welcome appointment at OFII
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As part of your Republican Integration Pathway, you are invited to attend a half-day welcome visit at the French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII).
Who is concerned?
You are concerned by the welcome appointment if you have been granted permission to stay in France for the first time and wish to settle there on a long-term basis.
You do not need to take any specific steps.
OFII will send you your invitation directly.
What is the welcome appointment?
As part of the Republican Integration Process, you are invited to attend a half-day welcome appointment.
The welcome appointment is organized as follows:
On the day of your appointment, you will be welcomed by a reception officer who will check your identity and appointment notice. You will then be directed to a room dedicated to the French language test.
You will first take a 20-minute written test. Afterwards, a language assessor will meet with you in their office for a 10-minute oral test. This enables OFII to determine your level of French and, if necessary, offer you French language courses.
You will then meet with an OFII officer to:
- Review your situation and assess your needs;
- Receive invitations to attend civic training and, if you have agreed to it, language training;
- Sign the Republican Integration Contract (CIR).
Documents to bring:
- Your appointment notice;
- Your passport, residence permit, or receipt of residence permit application.
If applicable:
- The OFPRA decision granting you international protection;
- Documents proving that you attended a French secondary school, in France or abroad, for at least three school years;
- Documents proving that you completed higher education studies in France for at least one academic year.
What happens next?
After the appointment, keep your Republican Integration Contract (CIR) in a safe place.
You will need it for your future administrative procedures. Keep the original document and only provide copies when required.
You will then attend the training courses prescribed by OFII. OFII will contact you by phone for a follow-up assessment to ensure that you are attending the training and that you are not experiencing any particular difficulties.
To renew your residence permit, you will be required to pass a civic exam and obtain a language certification:
- A certificate of success in the civic exam is mandatory to obtain a residence permit. Information about the exam content and registration procedures is available on the civic training website.
- An A2-level French language certification is mandatory to obtain a multi-year residence permit. You must take the test at an accredited examination centre. The list of approved centres is available on the France Éducation International website.
Depending on your personal situation, you may be exempt from these requirements. Please contact your OFII territorial office for further information.
You may then apply to the prefecture for a multi-year residence permit, a resident card, or French citizenship (naturalisation).
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