To start, my OFII convocation arrived quite late, so if you haven’t heard back from them yet, don’t worry or panic—it will arrive eventually. In this article, I’ll walk you through the full timeline of my OFII integration visit.
🚅 Train to Strasbourg
My OFII appointment took place in Strasbourg—lucky me, what a beautiful city to explore!
I booked my train through the SNCF Connect app. It’s very convenient: you can buy tickets, store your discount cards, and receive real-time alerts for delays or platform changes—all in one place.
💡 Pro tip: Always book a train that arrives well before your appointment time. Trains can be delayed or canceled, and OFII doesn’t reschedule easily unless you have a valid reason and notify them in advance.
🩻 Arrival at the Radiology Clinic
My X-ray appointment was at SIMSE (Société d’Imagerie Médicale Strasbourg Europe), just a short walk from the Strasbourg train station. I enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the charming Alsatian architecture to get there.
At the front desk, I was asked for:
- My OFII convocation
- Passport
- Phone number
- Home address
Afterward, I was directed to the waiting room overlooking Place Kléber—a lovely view! After about 10 minutes, I was called in for the chest X-ray.
The radiologist asked a few questions, such as:
- Why are you visiting? (Answer: OFII requirement)
- Do you smoke?
- Are you pregnant?
- Any recent surgeries?
The X-ray itself was super quick—less than 30 seconds. Make sure to remove any metal objects beforehand.
Once done, I returned to the waiting area. After a short wait, I picked up the X-ray report and was free to go. I had about two hours to spare, which I used to walk around and enjoy Strasbourg.
👩🏼💻 Arrival at the OFII
I arrived at the OFII office just before 2:00 p.m., where a small group had already formed outside. At exactly 2:00 p.m., an officer opened the door and let us in.
About 15 people had appointments that day. The officer checked that we had all required documents before sending us to the registration counter.
There, a staff member:
- Verified our passport and convocation letter
- Gave us a checklist (see below) of the four steps to complete:
- French test
- Medical exam
- Interview
- Signature of the CIR
French Test 📚
We were guided into a classroom for the language assessment. The French test lasted 20 minutes and included four questions, each corresponding to a CEFR level:
- Question 1 = A1
- Question 2 = A2
- Question 3 = B1
- Question 4 = B2
Although I speak fluent French, I didn’t have a language certificate—oops! So I had to take the test like everyone else.
💡 Pro tip: If you hold a certificate proving B1 level or higher, you can be exempted from both the French test and language courses. Present it during your appointment!
⚠️ Note: The test may differ depending on your OFII location. I have read a number of other blog posts, but they did not mention the test as they already have a B1 certificate.
After the test, we remained in the room until our names were called for the next steps—either the medical checkup or interview.
Medical Checkup 🩺
The medical team included a nurse and a doctor. Here’s what they did:
- Took my height and weight
- Checked my vision
- Reviewed my vaccination record (especially tetanus, and HPV for women)
- Asked about my medical history
The team was efficient, professional, and kind. They also took time to answer my questions about the French healthcare system. Kudos to them! 👏🏻
Interview 🗣️
Next was a short interview with an OFII agent. The questions focused on:
- Why I came to France
- My career goals or job search
- Whether I needed help with things like:
- Finding work
- Family allowances (CAF)
- Converting my driver’s license
My interview lasted about 15 minutes. After that, I was directed to the final step: signing the CIR.
Signing the CIR (Contrat d’Intégration Républicaine) ✍️
Based on my test results and conversation with the OFII agent, I signed the CIR, which included:
- Confirmation that I didn’t need French courses (due to my level being above B1)
- A requirement to attend 4 days of civic training
The CIR is a formal agreement between you and the French state that you will integrate into society and follow civic principles.
🧭 Final Thoughts
I had a positive and informative experience at OFII Strasbourg. The process was well-organized and welcoming. I learned a lot about living in France—from healthcare to language support and civic integration.
Before my visit, I tried researching what to expect, but some questions remained unanswered. That’s why I wrote this article—to help others like you better prepare.
Hope it helps!
I’ve will compile an OFII FAQ based on official sources and personal experience. Stay tuned!
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