2. The integration process
How will your reception visit to the OFII go?
You must attend this half-day reception visit at the end of which you be signing your republican integration contract. You will be offered:
- A language proficiency test in order to assess your standard and your needs in the French language in reading and writing.
- A personal and personalised interview with an OFII, making it possible to:
o Review your personal and administrative situation;
o Assess your needs;
o Know your standard and needs in speaking French;
o Offer you the CIR trainings;
o Offer you guidance towards civil law services in order to further your integration in French society;
o Eventually, you sign your CIR.
- If deemed necessary, an interview with the provider of the OFII language training which the Agent has required you to undergo.
You do not speak French? Do not worry, the OFII will request a translator in your own language.
Moreover, the CIR will be available in various languages: French, English, Arabic, Chinese, Dari, Spanish, Pashto, Russian, Tamil, Turkish.
Trainings
The OFII orders 2 types of trainings which are offered by service providers.
➔ Civic training
This 4-day training is mandatory for all the signatories of the CIR.
It will help you understand the principals and values of France as well as how the French society works in its most practical aspects. You will be more knowledgeable about:
- French institutions;
- Health;
- Work;
- Housing;
- Parents and early childhood support services, types of childcare, school, educational counselling and children’s rights.
➔ Language training
Learning French is an essential condition in being able to be integrated in France.
If your language level which was assessed during your reception visit is below level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFRL), you must undergo language training.
What is level A1?
A1 is the “discovery” level of a given language which means that you are able to:
- Introduce yourself or someone else;
- Ask someone questions and answer the same type of questions;
- Communicate in a simple fashion if your interlocutor speaks slowly and distinctively.
- Understand and use informal and day to day expressions.
You are not able yet to do all that? Language lessons will help you acquire that level.
Depending upon your results during the reception visit and your needs, one of the following 4 programmes:
- 100 hours;
- 200 hours;
- 400 hours;
- 600 hours;
Once it is ordered, this training becomes mandatory. If the training centre informs the OFII that you have achieved the A1 level before the end of the ordered hours, your training will end.
➔ A1 level certification
Language certification acknowledge and add value to writing and speaking skills of students through an external, standardised and internationally recognised evaluation.
You training centre will provide you with all the information related to available certifications. The State pays for the registration and certification fees.
➔ You have signed a CIR (or a CAI) and you want to deepen your knowledge of the french language ?
At the end of the mandatory training, you will have the possibility to continue your language programme up to the A1 and B1 levels of CECRL in speaking.
For that purpose, you are offered with two modules:
- A 100 hour programme to reach level A2. It is the required level for a resident card. This module is open for signatories having achieved the A1 level.
- A 50 hour programme to reach the B1 level in speaking. It is the required level for obtaining the French citizenship. It is open for signatories having achieved the A2 level.
➔ The end of CIR interview
Three months after the end of your trainings, the OFII will summon you to an end of contract interview in order to make an assessment about the followed trainings.
The OFII agent will give you fresh news about available local services which will facilitate the rest of your integration process.
The agent can refer you to Pôle emploi (French Unemployment Office) or to a mission locale in order to benefit from an in-depth interview on professional orientation and support as to foster your professional integration.
➔ Issuance of a multi-year card
If you have respected the CIR and the essential values of the French society and the Republic, you could be issued with a multiyear card by the prefecture upon the renewal of your residence permit. It can be issued upon the renewal of your residence permit according to article L. 313-17 of the CESEDA.
This card is valid for 4 years except as provided for in article L.313-18 of the CESEDA.
➔ Issuance of a resident card
Resident cards are issued according to the conditions provided by law n°2016-274 of 7 March 2016 related to foreigner’s rights in France:
- Respect of the republican integration conditions;
- Respect of the principals governing the French Republic;
- A language standard matching the A2 level of the CECRL in the French language.
➔ Failure to respect the contract
The prefect can terminate the contract on a proposal of the OFII if the latter notices that:
- You did not participate in the ordered training or stopped doing so without a legitimate reason.
- Or if you do not respect your obligations within the framework of the CIR.
The prefect has to inform you about his/her intention of terminating the contract. He/she mentions the grounds for the considered termination and specifies the consequences related to the issuance of a multi-year residence card.