The Republican integration contract, French and naturalisation

After arriving with a long visa or getting your card you are summoned by the OFII for a visit at the direction territoriale to sign the CIR and undergo a visite médicale (a free medical check) and take an interview appointment.

• In the interview an officer assesses your French level, situation and project, and directs you to courses.
• You sign an engagement à respecter les valeurs de la République (commitment to respect the values of the Republic: liberty, equality, fraternity, secularism and equality of men and women).
• Then you follow the civic training (explaining French history, system and rights such as education, health, work, housing and secularism) in your language with an interpreter or in simplified French, about four days.
• And your attendance is assessed and you take a certificate.
• The CIR is required to get a multi-year card (pluriannuelle) after a year.
• And support services for housing and work are also offered in cooperation with France Travail.

After assessing your level (test de positionnement) you receive a prescription linguistique: a free course of 100 to 400 hours (and sometimes 600) organised in approved centres (Greta, AFPA and association forms) up to level A1, A2 or B1 according to your case, and ends with a DELF exam or an OFII test giving an attestation de niveau.

• If you do not reach the required level extra hours may be prescribed for you.
• For non-reading learners there is alpha (literacy teaching).
• And evening and weekend courses are available for workers and others with childcare.
• Other options include Alliance française courses (paid), universities (FLE) and free associations (ASL: ateliers sociolinguistiques), the Secours populaire, the Cimade and Emmaüs.
• And free sites help: TV5Monde, RFI Savoirs, Français facile, Lingua and Duolingo.
• And search on Refugies.info and Parlons français for the nearest.

The CEFR framework adopts six levels: A1 and A2 (beginner), B1 and B2 (intermediate), and C1 and C2 (advanced).

• Under the new law (2024) A2 is required for the first multi-year card, B1 for the ten-year carte de résident, and B2 for naturalisation (rules may be phased so always check).
• Recognised exams: DELF (A1 to B2) and DALF (C1 and C2) from France Éducation international, TCF (Test de connaissance du français) and TEF (Test d'évaluation de français) from the CCI, and the CIR certificate from the OFII for levels A1 and A2.
• They are held in approved centres (Alliance française, universities and CIEP) for fees from 100 to 200 euros, and may be free via the CIR.
• And some categories are exempted (the elderly or illness) or one who studied in French with a degree is accepted.
• And results are valid two years for TCF and TEF and no expiry for DELF.
• Register early since dates fill.

To acquire French nationality by decision (naturalisation par décret) you usually need: five years of stable legal residence (two years after a French higher degree or service), stable housing and income, a clean record, mastery of French (B2 oral and written under the new requirements), and assimilation, that is adapting to French society, its values, system, history and culture, tested in the entretien d'assimilation and knowledge of the Livret du citoyen and knowledge of rights, duties and secularism, and a written civic exam (QCM).

• You submit the application electronically via démarches-simplifiées or the préfecture with a translated birth certificate, proof of residence, income, taxes and criminal record.
• The decision takes from 12 to 24 months, and if refused you can appeal before the administrative court within two months.
• And for marriage to a French person (déclaration) after four years, and those born in France have special rights.
• And success is followed by the cérémonie d'accueil dans la nationalité française, an official ceremony, a certificate and a passport.

Set your goal: multi-year permit, resident card or naturalisation.

• Take a free placement test (TCF or apps).
• Enrol in the free OFII course via the CIR, then add an evening course or a conversation group (ASL) from an association, and speak French with your neighbours, colleagues and local shops daily.
• Practise the published DELF/TCF/TEF samples, and record your voice while speaking.
• Watch TV5Monde and France 24 and films with French subtitles, and listen to the RFI radio and podcasts in simple French, and read simplified books (lectures faciles) from the library.
• And learn about France: read the Livret du citoyen (available in languages), and know the symbols (the Marseillaise, the flag and the principle of laïcité).
• For help with files contact France Services, the Cimade, GISTI and an assistant social.
• And do not pay intermediaries promising success.
• And keep all your certificates.

What is the CIR?