The republican integration contract (CIR) with OFII

What it is

The republican integration contract (contrat d'intégration républicaine, CIR) is an agreement between you and the French state for non-EU newcomers who plan to settle in France. It's run by OFII (Office français de l'immigration et de l'intégration). By signing, you commit to:

civic training: 4 sessions, 24 hours in total, on the Republic's principles, institutions, rights and duties, and life in France;
French lessons, if your level is below A2: up to 600 hours.

It's free, and it matters for your future cards (see below).

Do you have to sign it?

Usually yes if you're a non-EU citizen admitted to live in France for the first time with a temporary or multi-year card, for example as an employee, a self-employed person or a family member.

You don't sign it if you're in France as a student, a visitor (living on your own means, often retirees), or with a Talent card. You're also exempt if you did at least three years of secondary school or one year of higher education in France.

Before you start

You'll need:

Your validated long-stay visa (VLS-TS) or your first residence card.
Your passport.
Time for the appointments: the interview, then the training days.

Steps

Validate your long-stay visa online (see the VLS-TS guide) or get your first card. OFII then knows you've arrived.
Wait for OFII's invitation (convocation), sent to the address you gave. It sets a date for your interview.
Go to the interview. You take a written and oral French test and talk about your situation. The contract is explained, with a translation in a language you understand.
Sign the CIR.
Attend the civic training (4 sessions) and, if you're prescribed them, the French lessons. Attendance is checked.

Why it matters for your next card

From 1 January 2026:

a multi-year residence card (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) needs French at A2 level and a pass in the civic exam;
a 10-year resident card needs French at B1.

If you don't follow the CIR's training, you can't get a multi-year card, and your yearly card can be renewed three times at most.

Cost

The CIR, the civic training and the French lessons are free.

Common pitfalls

Missing the OFII letter. Keep your address up to date with OFII and check your post: a missed appointment delays everything.
Skipping training days. Attendance counts towards your next card.
Leaving French until the renewal. A2 now matters for the multi-year card: take the lessons seriously from the start.

When to ask a helper

Ask someone who signed the CIR at your local OFII office recently: they'll know how long the invitation took and what the French test was like.