France further complicates the lives of foreigners

This is a major turning point in the integration process for foreigners in France. The era where mere diligence in training was enough to validate one’s path is coming to an end. From now on, one will have to prove one’s knowledge of the values of the Republic through a certified exam. To accompany this transition towards greater demands, the Directorate General of Foreigners in France has launched a website specifically designed to prepare for this test. The platform includes 222 thematic fact sheets and structured content allowing candidates to deepen their understanding of the essential notions.

This digital tool responds to the new obligations introduced by the law of January 26, 2024 "to control immigration, improve integration". The text imposes, as of the beginning of 2026, the obtaining of a certificate of success in this exam for any first application for a multi-year residence permit or a resident card by nationals of non-European Union countries. By a decree of July 15, 2025, this obligation has been extended to naturalization applications, further strengthening the criteria for access to citizenship.

Concretely, the training provided by OFII as part of the Republican Integration Contract (CIR) aims to "understand the principles and values of the Republic, to know the functioning of the institutions, as well as the rights and duties related to life in France". While the new website reveals the questions that may be asked on the day, it skips the role-playing exercises. However, it does allow candidates to locate the approved centers across the country to take the exam.