The republican integration contract (CIR): what it commits you to do
The CIR is the OFII: an interview, 24 hours of civic training, sometimes language training. It is not the civic exam, and it replaces neither the language test nor the preparation. The confusion costs months.
What the CIR is, and who must sign it
The Republican Integration Contract is a mutual commitment between the State and you, implemented by theFrench Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII). According to the official government information on the republican integration contract, it concerns non-European foreign nationals holding a temporary or multi-year residence permit, on their first admission to stay in France with a view to settling permanently.
Some people are exempt, in particular those who completed secondary or higher education in France, and certain beneficiaries of protection.
The contract is signed for a period ofone year, which can be extended by one year at most if the training courses are still under way and you are still legally resident.
Civic training: 24 hours over 4 days
This is the compulsory part of the contract. The civic training amounts to 4 days, or 24 hours in total (reduced to 12 hours in Mayotte). It covers the principles and values of the Republic, French institutions, the rights and duties linked to life in France, as well as the history, geography and culture of the country.
The Decree No. 2025-647 of 15 July 2025, issued to implement article 20 of Law no. 2024-42 of 26 January 2024, has changed this content by explicitly including the culture of French society.
Where to revise the content of the civic training
The Ministry of the Interior puts the official civic training content online, open to all. It is organised in two ways: by training day, and by theme. The five themes are:
- Principles and values of the Republic
- Institutional and political system
- Rights and duties
- History, geography and culture
- Living in French society
The ministry says so itself
Two warnings accompany this official content: “consulting the website’s content does not replace the obligation to attend the civic training” and it “is not a condition for passing the civic exam”. Moreover, this content includes no official multiple-choice quiz or practice test.
Language training: offered, not imposed
This is the least-known change. The official information states that language training is now offered (and no longer automatically prescribed) to people whose level is below A2, for a volume of up to 600 hours. The decree no. 2025-647 points in the same direction: compulsory enrolment in the language training organised by the OFII is abolished, the Office offers the training, and it is only included in the contract if it is accepted.
The starting level is established during the personal interview with an OFII interviewer, on the basis of a language placement test.
Beware of a misreading: “offered” does not mean “unnecessary”
Since 1 January 2026, level A2 is required for a multi-year residence permit and level B1 for a first resident card. In other words, the training became optional at the very moment the level itself became compulsory. Turning down the training without replacing it with something else means turning up without a certificate on the day you submit your application.
At the end of the contract
Within six months, the OFII holds an end-of-contract interview that reviews the training courses completed and refers you to employment services or professional support.
Failing to comply with the contract has concrete consequences: according to the administration’s official information, it prevents you from obtaining a multi-year residence permit, and limits the number of possible annual renewals to three.
CIR and civic exam: do not confuse them
This is the confusion that costs candidates the most time. The CIR civic training and the civic exam are two separate things, run by separate bodies, and one does not count for the other.
| Civic training (CIR) | Civic exam | |
|---|---|---|
| Who organises it | The OFII | An approved exam centre |
| Nature | 4 days of training, 24 hours | Marked exam: multiple-choice questionnaire of 40 questions, 45 minutes maximum |
| Result | A certificate of attendance | A certificate of success, with at least 32 right answers out of 40 |
| Exam notice | You are summoned by the OFII | You register for a session yourself |
| Categories | Not applicable | CSP, resident card, naturalisation |
The order of 10 October 2025 (Journal officiel no. 0240 of 12 October 2025) sets out the civic exam: a multiple-choice questionnaire in French of 40 questions, only one right answer per question, 45 minutes maximum, a pass mark of 80% (i.e. 32 right answers out of 40) and three categories for an identical syllabus. Its five themes are those of the civic training, with a precise breakdown: principles and values of the Republic (11 questions), institutional and political system (6), rights and duties (11), history, geography and culture (8), living in French society (4).
Nobody will summon you to the civic exam
Neither the OFII nor the prefecture. It is a step you take yourself, by registering for a session at an exam centre. Waiting for an exam notice means waiting indefinitely, and that is why we have written a whole page on where the civic exam is taken.
Who does what: the OFII, and us
Let us be precise about the division of roles, because it determines whom you need to contact.
- The OFII conducts the personal interview, delivers the compulsory CIR civic training (24 hours over 4 days) and, where appropriate, offers the language training. We do not deliver this civic training, and nobody other than the OFII delivers it.
- MYSTORY FORMATION (company name MY STORY, SASU, SIREN 913 423 083) prepares candidates for the TEF IRN and the civic exam, and has run both exams as an approved exam centre for two years. Our Qualiopi certification number is QUA007960, valid from 19 July 2025 to 18 July 2028, and the TEF IRN preparation course is registered under France Compétences listing RS6775, whose certifying body is Le français des affaires: CCI Paris Île-de-France.
Where to start, depending on your application
- 1Multi-year residence permit : level A2 + civic exam, CSP category. See the A2 pathway and the CSP category.
- 2First resident card : level B1 + civic exam, CR category. See the conditions for the resident card.
- 3Naturalisation : level B2 + civic exam, NAT category. See the accepted proofs of language level.
- 4In every case, start with the free level test : it tells you where you stand, and therefore how many hours of preparation are really useful.
Where the exams are taken
In Rosny-sous-Bois, 46 bis rue d’Estienne d’Orves (93110). Our Gagny (93) and Sarcelles (95) branches are reception and registration points: no exams are taken there. The available dates are published on the upcoming sessions page.
Official sources
We are a training organisation, not a government body: each rule quoted above refers to the text that sets it. If you are in doubt about your situation, the official text and your prefecture are what count.
What is the republican integration contract (CIR)?, official government information
Signatories and exemptions, one-year term that can be extended, civic training of 4 days and 24 hours (12 hours in Mayotte), language training offered below level A2 up to 600 hours, end-of-contract interview within six months, consequences of non-compliance.
Decree no. 2025-647 of 15 July 2025 on the provisions of Article 20 of Law no. 2024-42 of 26 January 2024 and the changes to the republican integration contract
Adds the culture of French society to the civic training, abolishes compulsory enrolment in the OFII language training, and links language level and civic exam for the multi-year permit and the resident card.
Order of 10 October 2025 on the syllabus, papers and organisational arrangements of the civic exam
JO no. 0240 of 12 October 2025. Multiple-choice questionnaire of 40 questions in French, only one right answer per question, 45 minutes maximum, pass mark of 80%, three categories, breakdown by theme.
Official civic training content, Ministry of the Interior
Revision content open to all, organised by day and by theme. States that consulting it does not replace the obligation to attend the civic training and is not a condition for passing the civic exam.
French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII)
Operator of the Republican Integration Contract.
The OFII trains you. Taking the exams is up to you
Your language level and the civic exam remain your own responsibility, and nobody will summon you to them. The free online level test places your level and determines how much preparation is useful before you book a session.
Any questions? Message us on WhatsApp we answer candidates from Monday to Saturday.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions
How many hours does the CIR civic training last?
Four days, or 24 hours in total, reduced to 12 hours in Mayotte. It covers the principles and values of the Republic, the institutions, rights and duties, and French history, geography and culture.
Does the CIR civic training replace the civic exam?
No. Civic training is provided by the OFII and leads to a certificate of attendance. The civic exam is a marked exam, a multiple-choice test of 40 questions to be taken at an approved exam centre, with a minimum of 32 right answers out of 40. The Ministry of the Interior also states that consulting the official civic training content is not a condition for passing the civic exam.
Is the OFII language training compulsory?
It is offered, not imposed, to people whose level is below A2, for a volume of up to 600 hours. Decree no. 2025-647 of 15 July 2025 abolished compulsory enrolment: the training is only included in the contract if it is accepted.
Who summons me to the civic exam?
Nobody. Neither the OFII nor the prefecture summons you: it is up to you to register for a session at an approved exam centre.
What happens if I do not comply with the CIR?
According to the administration’s official information, failure to comply with the contract prevents you from obtaining a multi-year residence permit and limits the number of possible annual renewals to three.
How long does the Republican Integration Contract last?
One year, which can be extended by one year at most if the training courses are still under way and you are still legally resident.