My Experience with OFII in Rennes: A Step-by-Step Guide
Introduction
Yesterday, I had my OFII (Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration) appointments in Rennes, and I want to share my experience to help others who might be going through the same process. This post will cover the detailed steps of the OFII medical examination and integration appointment.
Understanding the Process
If you are moving to France, OFII requires you to attend two mandatory appointments:
- A medical examination (including a lung X-ray)
- An appointment at OFII for a French language test and signing of the integration contract.
These appointments are crucial for obtaining your residence permit.
Morning: Medical Examination (X-Ray)
Process:
1. Arrival and Queue: Arrive a little before your scheduled time, as there may be a queue. The waiting time isn’t too long, but it’s good to be early.2. Reception: The receptionist will ask for your appointment letter, passport, and personal details for confirmation. If you speak French, it’s very helpful since they do not speak English. However, they will try to assist, and using Google Translate is completely acceptable.
Remarks:
- Arrive a bit earlier than your appointment time to avoid delays.
- The entire process took about 1.30 hour.
- No payment is required.
- The staff were very kind and helpful.
Afternoon: OFII Appointment
Process:
1. Entrance Check: At the front door, a staff member will check your appointment letter and guide you to the waiting room.2. French Language Test: You will be called for a French proficiency test. The staff will reassure you that it’s just a test, not an examination. Honesty is key! If you don’t know French, don’t worry about admitting it.
Test Structure:
- Part 1: Answer basic personal questions (Nom, Prénom, Adresse, etc.)
- Part 2: Fill in the blanks in a conversation.
- Part 3: Read a short passage and answer four questions.
- Part 4: Write an email based on a given scenario. Mine was about resolving a billing issue.
- Part 5: An interview to assess your spoken French. They initially spoke French to me, but since I knew nothing, I simply smiled and said, "Sorry, I don’t know."
After the interview, they assessed my level and recommended a 200-hour French course instead of 400 hours due to my educational background (two Master’s degrees). They also asked where I live to assign a nearby French school.
Time spent: About 30 minutes.
3. Waiting Period: After the test, return to the sitting area and wait for the next step.
4. Signing the Integration Contract &
Civics Classes: You will be taken to a private room, where an interpreter is provided if needed. Prepare the number that you got from "Online Validation of VLS-TS".
Here, you will sign up for two mandatory courses:- Civics Classes: Le contrat d'intégration républicaine (CIR), Covers French laws and regulations. Attendance is compulsory. Missing even one session may result in rejection.
- French Language Course: Based on your level, you will be assigned 200 or 400 hours.
5. Medical Check: Finally, you will meet a doctor who will review your X-ray results and ask about your general health. The doctor spoke English, making this part stress-free.
Time spent: About 10 minutes.
Remarks:
- In Rennes, the X-ray clinic and OFII are in different locations, so plan your route accordingly.
- The entire afternoon session took around 2 hours.
- The staff were professional and helpful throughout.
Final Thoughts
My experience with OFII in Rennes was smooth and well-organized. Although speaking French would have been beneficial, the staff were accommodating. If you’re going through this process, stay calm, be honest about your French skills, and plan your schedule wisely. Good luck!
