What Is OFII and What Does It Do for Students?
The Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration (OFII) is the French government agency responsible for welcoming and integrating foreign nationals in France. For international students holding a long-stay visa (VLS-TS), OFII is the essential contact in the first weeks.
Contrary to a common misconception, OFII does not issue residence permits — that is the role of the préfecture. OFII validates long-stay visas that serve as residence permits (hence the acronym VLS-TS, which stands for Visa Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour) and organizes medical examinations for new arrivals.
The two types of student visas handled by OFII:
| Visa Type | Duration | OFII Validation |
|---|---|---|
| VLS-TS "Étudiant" | 4 months to 1 year | Mandatory within 3 months |
| Short-stay Schengen visa (type C) | Up to 90 days | No OFII validation |
| Residence permit "Étudiant" (renewal) | 1 year | Renewed at préfecture or ANEF |
European students (EU/EEA/Switzerland) are not concerned by OFII — they benefit from free movement and do not need a long-stay visa.
Step 1: Validate Your VLS-TS Online via ANEF
Since 2022, VLS-TS validation is done exclusively online via the ANEF (Administration Numérique pour les Étrangers en France), at administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr.
Deadline: You must complete this validation within 3 months of your first entry into France. Do not confuse the entry date (stamped in your passport at the border) with the visa issue date (printed on the visa sticker itself).
Documents Required for ANEF Validation
- Passport with the VLS-TS visa still valid
- Visa number (11-character code visible on the visa sticker in your passport)
- Exact date of entry into France (check the border stamp or your travel ticket)
- Current address in France (even a temporary one)
- Valid email address (all OFII communications will go through here)
- Dematerialized tax stamp for €75 — purchase this before starting the procedure
How to Buy the €75 Tax Stamp
- Go to timbre.impots.gouv.fr
- Select "Residence permit" then "Long-stay student visa"
- Pay by bank card (international cards accepted: Visa/Mastercard)
- Download the tax stamp (PDF) and keep the 16-digit code
- Enter this code directly in the ANEF form
The tax stamp is issued in your name and is non-refundable. Do not purchase one for someone else.
ANEF Validation Procedure
- Create your ANEF account (profile photo required in JPEG format, under 200 KB)
- Click "Validate my long-stay visa"
- Enter your personal details exactly as they appear on your passport (exact spelling)
- Enter the tax stamp code
- Submit the form
- You will receive an acknowledgment by email within 48 working hours
Important: If your name contains special characters (accents, cedillas, hyphens), enter them exactly as they appear on your passport. Any discrepancy can cause a file block.
Step 2: Receiving Your OFII Convocation
After your ANEF file has been processed, OFII will send you a convocation by email and by postal mail to your address in France.
Convocation Wait Times
Wait times vary depending on your OFII regional office and the time of year:
| Period | Average Convocation Delay |
|---|---|
| July–September (enrollment period) | 4 to 8 weeks |
| October–December | 2 to 4 weeks |
| January–March | 2 to 5 weeks |
| April–June | 2 to 4 weeks |
During the university enrollment period (August–October), OFII receives a very high volume of files. Do not worry if you wait 6 to 8 weeks — your VLS-TS remains valid throughout.
What If You Don't Receive a Convocation?
If 6 weeks have passed since your ANEF validation without a convocation:
- Check your spam and junk mail folders
- Verify that the postal address entered on ANEF is correct (if you have moved, update it)
- Contact the OFII regional office for your department by email (list at ofii.fr)
- Have your ANEF application number ready to facilitate the search
Step 3: Preparing for Your OFII Appointment
The convocation specifies the location, date, and time of your appointment. There are two types of convocations:
Type A: Medical Convocation
The medical examination takes place at an OFII-approved center or partner health facility. It includes:
- Chest X-ray (tuberculosis screening) — 10 to 15 minutes
- Medical consultation with an OFII physician — 15 to 20 minutes
- Vision screening at some centers
Documents to bring:
- Printed original OFII convocation
- Original passport
- Vaccination record if available
- Current prescriptions and list of regular medications
- Previous chest X-ray results (if you come from a high TB prevalence country)
The medical appointment typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes including waiting time. Dress practically: avoid metal underwire bras for the X-ray.
Type B: Welcome Convocation (Without Medical Exam)
Some profiles (students from low tuberculosis prevalence countries, renewals) receive a welcome convocation without a medical exam. It includes:
- Issuance of the OFII sticker or digital certificate
- Information about the Republican Integration Contract (CIR)
- Presentation of resources available to newly arrived residents
This convocation is generally shorter (30 minutes maximum) and takes place at the OFII regional office.
Step 4: What Happens After the Appointment?
The OFII Sticker or Digital Certificate
At the end of the appointment, OFII confirms your VLS-TS validation in two ways depending on the regional office:
- Adhesive sticker (at some offices): an OFII sticker is placed in your passport, next to your visa. This is your proof of legal stay in France until the visa expiry date.
- Digital certificate (increasingly common): you receive a digitally signed PDF from OFII, legally equivalent to the sticker. Print several copies and keep a digital backup.
The Republican Integration Contract (CIR)
OFII may inform you about the Republican Integration Contract (CIR) at your convocation. For students on a VLS-TS, signing the CIR is not mandatory at this stage — it only becomes mandatory if you later apply for a multi-year residence permit or a resident card.
If OFII offers you the CIR, signing is voluntary and beneficial: it gives access to free language training (if your French level is below B1) and civic information sessions on French values and institutions.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Here are the five most common OFII procedure mistakes, with their solutions:
| Mistake | Consequence | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Forgetting to validate VLS-TS within 3 months | Irregular status, renewal difficulties | Apply for regularization at the préfecture with justification |
| Buying a tax stamp for the wrong amount | ANEF file rejected | Buy the correct amount (€75) — the old one may be refunded under certain conditions |
| Entering an incomplete or incorrect address on ANEF | Convocation sent to wrong address | Update your ANEF address before the convocation is issued |
| Not bringing originals to the appointment | Sent back with a new appointment date | Always bring passport + original printed convocation |
| Missing the appointment without notice | Potential file block | Contact OFII at least 48 hours in advance to reschedule |
If Problems Arise: Recourse and Useful Contacts
If Your ANEF Validation Is Blocked
Contact the ANEF support team via the contact form on the portal. Include your visa number and a description of the problem. Response time is generally 3 to 5 working days.
If You Missed the 3-Month Deadline
If you did not validate your VLS-TS within 3 months (serious illness, hospitalization, force majeure), go immediately to the préfecture of your place of residence with:
- Proof of force majeure (medical certificate, hospitalization certificate)
- Original passport and visa
- Written regularization request
The préfecture reviews situations on a case-by-case basis. A good-faith error with justification is generally handled favorably.
Useful OFII Contacts
- Official OFII website: https://www.ofii.fr
- List of regional offices: https://www.ofii.fr/votre-delegations-regionale/
- ANEF (online validation): https://administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr
- Tax stamp: https://timbre.impots.gouv.fr
- Service-Public.fr — VLS-TS: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F16003