Section actions
Duration: From a few weeks to several months; a OFII training can go up to 600 hours
Cost: Municipal or associative courses sometimes free of charge or at social rates; free prices in private centres
Possible online
Who this guide is for
Section actions
- Newcomers learning French for daily life and employment
- Signatories to the CIR and applicants for an initial multi-year or resident card
- Candidates for naturalization by decree preparing the level B2
To be prepared in advance
Section actions
- Convocation or documents OFII if the route falls under the CIR
- Proof of domicile and identification if requested by the centre
- Result of a placement test or estimate of the current level
- Accurate goal: French daily, professional, A2/B1 for a card or B2 for nationality
Step-by-step procedure
Section actions
- 1If you sign a CIR, pass the OFII rating. Below A2, language training up to 600 hours can be offered; once accepted and registered in CIR, it becomes mandatory.
- 2For free or inexpensive courses, look for municipal courses, social centres, associations and GRETA. The criteria, schedules and places depend on each organizer.
- 3For professional French, compare GRETA, France Travail, CPF and employer training. Check funding before registration.
- 4For a structured preparation for diplomas and tests, see Alliance Française, university centres FLE and authorized examination centres.
- 5Do not choose an examination from an old card: A2 concerns a first multi-year card concerned, B1 a first resident card concerned and B2 a naturalization by decree. For nationality, the official list is not limited to the DELF and includes certain diplomas, TCF and TEF.
- 6Before paying, check on the official form of your procedure the level requested, the accepted proof and its validity period.
Common mistakes
Section actions
- Prepare a B1 for naturalization instead of the current B2
- Believing that a common oral level automatically meets an administrative requirement
- Pay an intermediary for a OFII registration: the summons and prescription come from the OFII
- Do not check prices, schedules and refunds before a private course
- Consolidate language course, language test and civic examination
Official sources
Section actions
Important remark
The free places, funding and proofs accepted depend on the status, the approach and the organiser. Check the conditions before registration and payment.
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