A Welcome from OFII

Signing my CIR and starting the integration process

Nov 12, 2024

Part of moving to France, for certain visa holders, is paying a visit to l’Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration, aka OFII (just a note for English speakers, it's O-Fee, not O-Fie).

Called the welcome visit or visite d'accueil, it's meant to help you acclimate to life in France, test your language skills, and give you general information on your next steps.

When I first arrived in France, I validated my visa online, triggering the OFII process. You technically have three months to validate, but I did it the day after our arrival. While my visa was free, I had to buy 200 euros worth of "timbres" during validation to pay the "timbre fiscaux" associated with the titre de sejour.

The next step was to wait. Based on what I'd read regarding other people’s experiences, I was expecting a long waiting period. I'd seen people complaining that they'd validated their visas, then waited months for a response.

Me? I received my convocation letter almost exactly two weeks after my validation. The visit was set for a little more than a month later. I think how long it takes to get a response depends on how busy your area is and maybe also your visa type. I think there may be a higher number of immigrants in Toulouse compared to other regions, so its OFII may be a little more bustling.

Don't take my word as gospel, though, as I'm just conjecturing here.1

Arriving for the OFII Visit

I was told to arrive at 1:30 for the welcome visit and to allow for half a day for the entire experience. The letter said my presence was obligatory and offered no information on how to reschedule if needed.

The OFII office in Toulouse is located a few minutes walk from the La Vache metro station, not too far from my apartment. I could have walked there, but decided to take the subway, just in case the walk proved to be unpleasant.

I made a joke to my husband about "oh la vache" when I left the apartment, then chuckled when I heard a little kid make the same joke as the train pulled into the station.

It took all of 10 minutes to arrive, so I was plenty early. People were already there, though, forming a loose clump of a line by the gate. We all kinda stood there for about 15 minutes, then the security guards opened the door and told us to make a proper line to the left.

At the gate, they checked our paperwork, and told some of us, I guess those with a convocation, to go into the courtyard area and line up again. Others were told to step aside. I don't know what paperwork they had.

Once in the courtyard, we formed three shorter lines, as directed by the guard. I think there were maybe 15 to 25 of us. Then the guards checked our papers and passport again, waved the metal detector wand over us and sent us into the building.

At the door, another person checked our passports, then directed us into the salle d'accueil. At the door, a third person checked our documents, then asked us if we spoke French. The couple of people directly in front of me said "un peu" or "moyen." I just said oui.

The French Test (or Not)

The person at the door led us one by one to a seat, where yet another person came by. She asked me to find my name on the sheet and sign next to it. Then she asked me if I had passed a French test and I said yes, the DELF B2. She asked if I had the certificate with me and I said yes, then presented it to her.

I was super nervous, I guess, because I actually had some trouble pulling the paper out of the envelope. She looked at it, then noted on my test that I had already passed an exam. She explained that I didn't have to take the exam that day and that after the presentation, I could go right through the door to the interview area.

Woo-hoo for not having to take the test, but also, I was a little disappointed.

Once everyone was settled in, a woman introduced herself and explained the procedure and our obligations. Over the next year, we'd be required to complete two formations: the civics formation and a linguistic formation. For those taking the test, they'd have to do a written portion, followed by an oral portion. The results would determine whether they'd need to take language classes and how many hours worth of classes.

She then asked if anyone had been exempted from the test and the woman who had initially spoken with me pointed in my direction and said, madame. The woman told me to follow her through the door, which was a little embarrassing, as I had to get up in front of everyone and walk across the room. I think there were several people in the room who spoke French but didn't have the right credentials on them, which led to grumbling.

The OFII Interview

Getting to skip the exam meant that I was first to be interviewed, which started right away. The interview was entirely in French, and it was a lot of information. The gist of it was don't lose this paper, always have your validation paper with you if you travel, and never give originals to the prefecture, OFII, or anyone else who asks.

Make lots of copies, both physical and digital.

She started on the list of administrative tasks I’d need to complete, such as exchanging my drivers’ license and applying for the national health insurance. My response to pretty much every task was “I did that already,” which led to her asking me what I still needed to do: figure out how to get work.

We talked about getting set up with France Travail (formerly Pole Emploi) and establishing an auto entrepreneurship. We also discussed the pros and cons of having my degrees translated, which the directrice seemed to imply wasn't worth it, since I'm a writer with a masters in theater. They will not be helping me get a job.

After that, we scheduled the first three of my formation civique courses. The fourth would be scheduled during the third session (apparently). My legal residence is in Ariege, at my mother-in-law's, which meant that officially I should attend the formation in Foix.

However, since it would be easier for me to attend the training in Toulouse, I asked if I could attend the class in the city. She said yes and implied that was a little better, since there is more scheduling availability in Toulouse. The formation takes place at a different location, a little further out than La Vache and in the opposite direction. I have to take a bus there.

Stay tuned to hear about how that goes.

Signing the Integration Contract (CIR)

Once we set up the courses, I signed the CIR, or contrat d'intégration republicaine. By signing, I agreed to abide by the values of the French Republic and complete my required formations within a year's time. Since I've already passed the DELF B2, I'm exempt from the language requirements and just have to complete the four civics classes.

All told, I was in and out of the welcome visit in about an hour. It took about half an hour to get everyone set up in the room, then about half an hour for the interview.

I did decide to walk back, since it was basically a straight shot down the main road. At first, the trip wasn't very scenic and the sidewalk was narrow. But then I got into the quartier of Minimes and there were some cute stores and cafes. I passed the Biocoop and also another epicerie du VRAC (bulk food store). A good excuse to explore the city.