How do you complete OFII formalities after arriving in France in 2026?

If you hold a VLS-TS, finish Validate long-stay visa first. OFII is then notified for the routes that require a medical visit or CIR. Wait for the convocation by email or post for your territorial OFII office. Bring the passport with visa, proof of address, the summons, vaccination records if you have them, and payment receipts from validation when asked.

The medical visit is a free screening visit, often including a chest X-ray and a clinical check. Keep the medical attestation. It can be requested later when you renew or change a titre de séjour through Apply for a residence permit.

The contrat d'intégration républicaine is a one-year contract between the French state and a non-EU newcomer admitted for the first time and settling durably, with published exceptions. Students, visitors, many Talent Passport holders, temporary workers, and EU citizens are outside the standard CIR table. Service-Public lists the exact titre categories that must sign and those that do not.

At the OFII interview you take a French test. Civic training is mandatory for CIR signatories. Language training is prescribed when your result sits below the published A2 threshold, unless you already hold an accepted A2 diploma or test. Attend every session and keep attendance certificates.

Since 1 January 2026, a first multi-year residence card generally needs French at A2 plus a passed civic exam, and a first resident card generally needs French at B1 plus the civic exam. Treat CIR training as early preparation for those later filings, not as optional soft culture class. Practical French still helps daily life outside OFII: Learn French in France and French language requirements. Wider arrival order: Paperwork after moving.