newcomers · France
Newcomers in France
First steps, trusted services and people who have done it before you.
FRA×Newcomers
Newcomers · France · 31 public bodies
France · newcomers
Newcomers in France
First steps, trusted services and people who have done it before you.
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France
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First steps
This guide for France is being prepared and will be reviewed by a qualified professional. It gives information and referrals, never legal advice.
First steps
6 topics- 01Status and documents
Residence, asylum and family reunification: where to find official information and qualified help.
- 02Work and qualifications
Recognition of qualifications, licensing paths and first jobs.
- 03Language
Host-language courses and heritage-language schools.
- 04Health and wellbeing
Registering with health services and finding culturally competent care.
- 05Housing and money
Housing, banking and avoiding scams that target newcomers.
- 06Community
Meeting people safely: the local cell, events and mentors.
Public bodies for newcomers in France
31 public bodies, by what each one deals with. Each one is checked against its official page (last on 23 October 2026).
Settlement and integration
5 bodies- French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII)secondary
Reception of newcomers and the republican integration contract, with free French courses.
- France Servicesto verify
Local offices where staff help you with public services and online forms.
- City of Lyonverified
The city's official portal for local services.
- City of Marseilleto verify
The city's official portal for local services.
- Strasbourg.euverified
The city's official portal for local services.
Asylum and refugee protection
4 bodies- French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (OFPRA)verified
The office that decides asylum applications in France.
- National Court of Asylum (CNDA)to verify
The court that hears appeals against OFPRA decisions.
- UNHCR Francesecondary
The UN Refugee Agency office in France.
- France terre d'asileverified
Reception, advice and support for people seeking asylum and refugees.
Study and research centres
3 bodies- Persianverified
A public institute for languages and civilisations that teaches Persian.
- Kurdishverified
Kurdish has been taught here since 1948, in Kurmanji and Sorani, with a language and civilisation course open to adults.
- Centre for Research on the Iranian World (CeRMI)verified
A research unit on the languages, texts, history and societies of the Iranian world.
Health and mental health
3 bodies- Health insurance (Assurance Maladie)secondary
Public health insurance and how to register.
- Comedeverified
Health and social support for exiles, with interpreters.
- Centre Primo Leviverified
Care for survivors of torture and political violence.
Arrival and status
2 bodies- Foreigners in Franceverified
Official guidance on visas, residence permits and rights of foreign nationals.
- Online services for foreign nationals (ANEF)verified
The online portal for residence permit applications.
Legal help and discrimination
2 bodies- Defender of Rights (Défenseur des droits)verified
An independent authority that handles complaints about discrimination and public services.
- La Cimadeverified
Legal advice and support for migrants and refugees.
Citizenship
1 body- Naturalisationverified
Conditions and steps to become French by naturalisation.
Culture and festivals
1 body- Institut kurde de Parisverified
A cultural institute with a library and archive on Kurdish language and culture.
Disability
1 body- Mon parcours handicapverified
Official information and services for people with disabilities.
Schools and education
1 body- Enrol a child in primary schoolverified
How to enrol a child in primary school.
Older people
1 body- Pour les personnes âgéesverified
Official information on support and care for older people.
Emergency numbers
1 body- Emergency numbers: 112, 15, 17, 18, 114verified
Call 112 in any emergency. Call 15 for medical help, 17 for the police, 18 for fire. Text 114 if you cannot speak.
Work and business
1 body- France Travailverified
The public employment service: job search, training and benefits.
Family and women
1 body- 3919 Violences Femmes Infoverified
Free, anonymous support for women facing violence. Phone 3919.
Housing
1 body- National Housing Information Agency (ANIL)verified
Free legal and financial advice on housing through local ADIL offices.
Language learning
1 body- French language training (Republican Integration Contract)secondary
Free French courses for newcomers who sign the integration contract.
Recognition of qualifications
1 body- ENIC-NARIC Franceto verify
Statements of comparability for qualifications obtained abroad.
Young people
1 body- 119 Allô Enfance en Dangerverified
Free help line for children at risk and concerned adults, day and night.
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