You sign the CIR if:

• You have international protection through the OFPRA (refugee, beneficiary of subsidiary protection or stateless person)
• You arrived with a family reunification and are a family member of a refugee, beneficiary of subsidiary protection or stateless person
• You have a private and family life residence permit
• You have a residence permit to work in a commercial, industrial or craft profession
• You have a resident card
• You have a long-stay visa that serves as a residence permit for employees.

The list of statuses covered by the CIR is available by clicking here , in the section "Who must conclude a Republican Integration Contract?"

You do not need to sign the CIR if:

• You are an asylum seeker in France
• You are a beneficiary of temporary protection
• You have a private and family life residence permit for health reasons.
• You have a residence permit for a posted worker, seasonal worker or temporary worker
• You have a residence permit as a trainee, student, talent passport, or visitor
• You have studied for 3 years in a French high school
• You have completed one year of higher education in France (university, IUT, school)
• If you are between 16 and 18 years old, you can apply for a resident card.
• You come from a European country and you live in France with your family.

The list of statuses that are not covered by the CIR is available by clicking here.

The French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII) sends you a summons after the issuance of a first residence permit on the ANEF (Foreigners in France) website.

The summons includes:

• the date, time, and address of the appointment
• documents to take with you (original + photocopy of your receipt or residence permit).

If you have not received the summons approximately three months after the issuance of your residence permit, you can contact the OFII territorial directorate of your territory directly.

Find the address, telephone number and opening hours of the OFII on this page.

French Interview and Assessment

On the day of the appointment, there is:

• An interview with an OFII agent to better understand your situation, explain your rights and obligations, present the training courses (civic and French), and provide you with information and advice tailored to your needs.
• an assessment of your level in French (written and spoken)

If you already have level A2 (or higher), you do not need to do the training in French.

If you do not have level A2, the OFII agent will offer you French language training.

You can refuse (i.e., not accept) the OFII French training, but commit to learning French with an association, a training center…

Signing of the CIR

At the end of the meeting, you sign your Republican Integration Contract (CIR).

You can find an example here.

By signing the CIR, you agree to:

• respect the values of the French society and the Republic
• participate in the training and courses written in the contract
• take the steps recommended by the OFII to access your rights, find training or employment
• respond to all summonses from the OFII
• give your children an education that respects the values of the Republic
• inform the OFII if your situation changes (relocation, marriage, new telephone number…).

After signing, the OFII will give you the information to start civic training and French language training (if you have accepted it).

Pay attention to the dates and addresses: it's not always in the same place.

You must complete the training courses listed in your contract to validate the CIR and obtain a multi-year residence permit.

Mandatory civic training

For 4 days (24 hours total), with:

• the principles and values of France: motto (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity), secularism, symbols and emblems of the Republic
• the institutions and political system of France: democracy and the right to vote, the organization of the French Republic
• the rights, obligations and duties of living in France
• the history, geography and culture of France
• life in French society: living and working in France, health, work, housing, support for parents, childcare options, school, children's rights…

It is advisable to take civic education seriously in order to prepare well for the civic exam.

See the Refugees.info fact sheets " Obtaining a residence permit ", " Renewing a residence permit ", " Applying for French nationality "

French language training (according to your level)

Objectives: to be self-sufficient in order to live in France, to understand and communicate about work, education, culture, family, housing, transport…

The duration and organization vary depending on the level of French.

If you have a low level of written French, in your native language and in French, a 600-hour French learning program, conducted in class, is offered to learn to speak, read and write in French.

For those with a higher level, a mobile app (Frello) is available for independent learning (no classroom classes). The goal is to reach level A2, but the app includes exercises up to level B2.

If you need an official certification or diploma, everything is explained in this Refugees.info fact sheet.

Approximately 6 to 9 months after the start of training, the OFII organizes a final interview to review your situation:

• The OFII agent will give you information to help you with the rest of your settlement in France.
• They can direct you to France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi), a Mission Locale, the AGIR program to talk about your professional project and to help you look for a job.

It is possible to request a contract extension of up to one year:

• if you have a valid reason (health problems, birth of a child, work…)
• and if your training is not yet complete.

You must also be legally residing in France (have a receipt or a valid residence permit).

You then sign a new CIR, which specifies the reason and duration of this extension.

The OFII has the option to terminate (stop) your CIR if:

• You were absent from a mandatory training session and you did not provide a valid reason.
• You do not comply with the conditions of the CIR (see step 3).