The objectives of the study were to describe the medical and social characteristics of patients consulting for the first time after diagnosis of HIV-infection and to compare the medical and social characteristics between French and migrant patients. From 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2002, all consecutive adults consulting for the first time for HIV infection in two HIV outpatient clinics located in the western suburb of Paris, agreed to an interview based on an administered questionnaire regarding their medical and socioeconomic characteristics. Of the 203 patients (98 women, 105 men), one-third (n=70) was of French nationality. Delay (+/-SD) in access to HIV outpatient clinic after diagnosis was shorter in migrant than in French patients, respectively 7.6+/-29.6 months (median=0.5, range=0 to 196.6) and 23.8+/-51.4 months (median=0.9, range=0 to 199.7); p=0.005. There was no significant difference in the medical characteristics between the two groups of patients on their first consultation. However, most of the migrants were living in very poor socio-economic conditions with minimal resources thus sometimes delaying initiation of HAART. The development of social facilities for HIV-positive migrants should be a public health priority.