A Beginner’s Guide
Moving to France as a Kenyan can be both exciting and challenging. Whether you’re coming for studies, work, or family reunification, there are key steps to help you settle smoothly. In this guide, I’ll walk you through what to expect and how to navigate life in France from paperwork and housing to culture and community.
🛂 1. Get Your Visa and Residence Permit (Titre de séjour)
Before you arrive:
- Apply for a long-stay visa (visa long séjour) through the French Embassy in Nairobi. Common types include:
- Student visa (visa étudiant)
- Work visa (salarié or talent passport)
- Family reunification (regroupement familial)
After you arrive:
- Register with OFII (Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration) if you entered with a visa that requires it.
- Within the last 2-3 months to your visa expiry, apply for renewal, a residence permit (titre de séjour) at your local prefecture.
🔍 Tip: Book your appointment early—it can take weeks to get a slot.
🏡 2. Find Housing
France has a range of housing options:
- Students: Look into CROUS residences (low-cost student housing).
- Professionals or families: Use platforms like Leboncoin, SeLoger, or PAP.fr.
You’ll usually need:
- Proof of income
- A guarantor (someone who agrees to pay if you don’t)
- Your ID/residence permit
💡 Pro Tip: Join Facebook groups like “Kenyans in france” or “logement etudiants paris” people often share rental leads.
💼 3. Open a Bank Account
To rent an apartment, receive a salary, or get paid for freelance work, you’ll need a French bank account.
Popular banks: Société Générale, BNP Paribas, La Banque Postale, or online options like N26 and Revolut.
Bring:
- Your passport/residence permit
- Proof of address (e.g. lease, utility bill)
- Proof of enrollment (for students)
📝 4. Register for Social Security & Health Insurance
Students:
- Register for l’Assurance Maladie to get access to French healthcare (free or low cost).
- Consider getting a mutuelle (private top-up insurance) for better coverage.
Workers:
- Your employer will register you for health insurance, social security, and pension contributions.
🧾 Tip: Visit www.ameli.fr to sign up and learn more.
🗣️ 5. Learn the Language (if you don’t speak French yet)
Even though many speak English in major cities, speaking French is essential for paperwork, jobs, and social life.
Resources:
- Free courses at town halls (mairies)
- Online apps like Duolingo or Babbel
- Language exchange meetups (try Meetup.com)
🇫🇷 Bonus: Speaking even basic French goes a long way in gaining respect and confidence.
🤝 6. Connect With the Kenyan & African Community
It helps to have a support system, especially during your first few months.
Ways to connect:
- Facebook groups (e.g. “Federation of kenyan associations in france”)
- Churches or community centers (e.g. Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church. 50 avenue Hoche, 75008 Paris– They even hold a Kiswahili Mass once a month
- Kenyan Embassy events or cultural festivals
🎉 Fun fact: Kenyan food pop-ups and cultural events are growing in cities like Paris and Lyon.
🚆 7. Understand Transportation & Daily Life
- Transport: Get a Navigo pass (for Paris and surrounding areas) or a monthly transport card for your city.
- Groceries: Carrefour, Lidl, and Franprix are common supermarkets. African shops carry ugali flour, sukuma, and spices!
- Emergencies: Dial 112 (general emergency), 15 (medical), or 17 (police).
🧠 8. Know Your Rights & Resources
- France has strong workers’ rights, tenant protections, and access to legal help.
- If you’re facing discrimination or issues with paperwork, contact:
- La Cimade (supports migrants)
- ADIL (housing advice)
- France Terre d’Asile (asylum & legal assistance)
Final Thoughts
Settling in France as a Kenyan takes patience, persistence, and an open mind. The systems can seem intricate at first, but there’s a unique rhythm to French life that reveals itself with time. Ask for help when you need it, savor the culture around you, and keep your roots close to your heart. Your journey is yours to shape — and you are far from alone.
