The two-step process for new arrivals
When you arrive in France on a visa de long séjour (long-stay visa), your legal residence doesn't become permanent automatically. You must go through two official steps:
- OFII registration — within 3 months of arrival
- Titre de séjour application — before your visa expires
Missing either step compromises your legal status in France. Many new arrivals underestimate the urgency of step 1 in particular.
Step 1: OFII registration (within 3 months of arrival)
Register online at ofii.fr within 90 days of your arrival in France. OFII (Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration) will then schedule:
- A medical examination (obligatoire)
- A welcome appointment (rendez-vous d'accueil) where you sign the Contrat d'Intégration Républicaine (CIR)
- An OFII stamp in your passport — this stamp is what transforms your long-stay visa into a temporary residence document
Without the OFII stamp, your visa is not fully validated and you cannot apply for a titre de séjour.
⚠️ Don't miss the 3-month OFII window. Late OFII registration creates significant complications for your subsequent titre de séjour application. Register as soon as you arrive — don't wait until month 3.
Step 2: Applying for your titre de séjour
After your OFII registration is complete, apply for a titre de séjour at your local préfecture before your long-stay visa expires. The type of titre de séjour you apply for depends on your situation:
- Long-stay "étudiant" visa → titre de séjour étudiant
- Long-stay "salarié" visa → titre de séjour salarié (requires employment contract)
- Long-stay "visiteur" visa → titre de séjour visiteur (requires proof of self-sufficiency)
- Family long-stay visa → titre de séjour vie privée et familiale
Documents needed for the application
- Your passport with the OFII stamp and the long-stay visa
- Proof of address in France less than 3 months old
- Documents specific to your permit type (employment contract, university enrolment, etc.)
- 2 ID photos (French standard)
- Application form from the préfecture
What if you arrived on a visa exemption (EU/EEA)?
EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens don't need a long-stay visa or titre de séjour. They benefit from the right of free movement and can live and work in France without any permit. They can optionally apply for a carte de séjour if they want a formal document, but it's not required.