What is the Republican Integration Contract (CIR)?

Verified 12 December 2023 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)

The Republican Integration Contract (CIR) is concluded between France and any non-European foreigner admitted to France who wishes to settle in France on a lasting basis, subject to exceptions. The signatory undertakes to follow training courses to promote its inclusion in the French business. Civic education is compulsory. Language training can be requested depending on your level of French. We present you with the information you need to know.

The Republican Integration Contract (CIR) is concluded, for a period of 1 year, between the French State and you.

By signing it, you agree to respect the principles and values of the French business and the French Republic and to follow with seriousness and diligence the training which are requested of you.

The CIR is the 1re stage of your integration pathway in France which includes the following actions:

  • Civic training on the values, principles and institutions of the French Republic, on the rights and duties linked to life in France and on the organization of the French business
  • Language training
  • Career guidance advice and support to help you find a job
  • Support adapted to your needs to facilitate your conditions of reception and integration

You are concerned if you have a temporary or multi-year residence card with the exceptions specified in the table below:

Tableau - Obligation to sign the republican integration contract according to the residence permit

Residence permit

Signing of the Republican Integration Contract (CIR)

Residence card private and family life

Foreigner born in France with continuous residence in France for at least 8 years + education for at least 5 years after the age of 10 years in a French establishment

No

Title obtained for health reasons

No

Other case

Yes

Residence certificate for Algerian

Yes

Resident Card

Yes

Long-stay visa as residence permit salaried worker

Yes

Residence card visitor

No

Residence card student

No

Residence permit for the exercise of a commercial, industrial or craft profession

Yes

Residence card trainee

No

Residence card temporary worker

No

Residence card talent passport/talent passport (family)

No

Residence card seasonal worker

No

Residence card ICT seconded employee/ICT seconded employee (family)/ICT mobile employee/ICT mobile employee (family)

No

You are dispensed if you are in any of the following situations:

  • School attendance at a French secondary school for at least 3 school years
  • Graduate studies followed in France for at least 1 academic year
  • Be between the ages of 16 and 18 and be eligible for a 10-year resident card

Warning  

This procedure does not concern a foreigner who is a national of European countrynor the members of his family living in France with him.

You will be called in obligatorily by the territorial direction of theOfii: titleContent on which your home depends.

An interview with an Ofii auditor allows you to inform and you steer to the adapted proximity services that can meet your situation and your needs.

You are also subject to a test of knowledge of french (written and oral) to assess your level and whether you need language training.

The civic education is obligatory and takes place over 4 days spread over a period of about 4 months.

The training allows you to take ownership of the values of the Republic and the rules of life of the French business.

At the end of this training, a personal certificate will be given to you by the training organization.

The Office shall be informed of the submission of this certificate.

The language training is prescribed if you have obtained results below level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in the French language proficiency test.

It is mentioned in the CIR and you undertake to follow it.

At the end of the training, the training organization will provide you with an attestation of attendance, indicating the number of hours worked and the results obtained on the evaluation tests.

You are dispensed language training if you are in one of the following situations:

  • Results obtained equal to or greater than level A1 of the CEFR in the French test
  • Justification for mastering this level through the production of diplomas or tests

The Ofii will then provide you with a certificate of language training dispensation. It is mentioned in the CIR.

The CIR is presented to you with its translation into a language you understand.

At the end of the interview, you must sign the contract (and your legal representative if you are a minor).

You agree to participate in the training provided for in the contract.

The contract is also signed, on behalf of the French State, by the Prefect.

Initial Contract

The CIR is concluded for a period of 1 year.

The contract is respected if the following 2 conditions are met:

  • Follow-up of the training courses prescribed there with diligence and seriousness
  • No manifestation of rejection of the core values of the French business and the French Republic

Extension

The contract may be extended for a maximum of 1 year by the Prefect for a recognized legitimate reason and on a proposal from the Ofii if the prescribed and followed civic and linguistic training courses are in progress at the end of the contract and you are legally staying.

The reason and duration of the extension shall be stated in the contract.

Within 3 months of the end of the training, Ofii will call you to an end-of-contract interview to review the training you have taken.

The Ofii agent provides you with new information on the offer of local services that can facilitate the continuation of your integration journey.

They can refer you to Pôle emploi or a local mission for an in-depth interview in vocational guidance and support to promote your professional integration.

Please note

If you have respected the CIR and the core values of the businesses and the Republic, the Prefect may, when renewing your 1-year temporary residence permit, issue you a multiannual card (valid for 2 to 4 years).

The prefect may terminate the contract on the basis of a proposal from the Office where the latter finds that you are in one of the following situations: 

  • Not participating in prescribed training and you have no legitimate reason
  • Non-compliance with commitments under the CIR.

The prefect must inform you of his intention to terminate the contract. It shall state the reasons for the intended termination and the consequences for the issue of the multi-annual residence card.

Who can help me?

Find who can answer your questions in your region

  • Telephone administrative information - Allo Public Service

    For more information on this topic, you can contact Allô Service Public.

    Cost: free service

    The informants who answer you belong to the Ministry of the Interior.

    Attention: the service does not have access to users' personal files and cannot therefore provide information on their status.

    The service is available at the following times:

    • Monday: 8.30am to 5.30pm
    • Tuesday: 8:30 to 12:15
    • Wednesday: 8:30 to 12:15
    • Thursday: 8.30am to 5.30pm
    • Friday: 1 p.m. to 4:15 p.m
      • Lundi : de 08h30 à 17h30
      • Mardi : de 08h30 à 12h15
      • Jeudi : de 08h30 à 17h30
      • Vendredi : de 13h00 à 16h15

    Request a call

  • French Office for Immigration and Integration (Ofii)