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Moving to France - visa advice

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atornabene
  8/14/2014 09:43 EST

Hi there! I will be moving to France - outside Paris in November and am researching the visa process. I was told by the French Consulate in New York that for a long-term stay visa of any kind, I MUST obtain a work permit from an employer there in France. I did get in touch with a possible employer when I was there and will contact her about a work permit but my question is, if I am not hired and do not have a job yet, can I be there on my passport, look for a job while there and then apply for the permit and visa? I was told I had to apply for the visa in the US...is that true? This is only one set of questions I have but the most important at the moment. Any advice would be helpful, And more info - I have someone I will be living with, so I don't have to worry about living arrangements. Thank you! - AnnMarie

pkeilson
  8/14/2014 13:52 EST

I've done tons of research on this and am in the process of getting all the documents together to submit. It is true that you cannot get a long stay visa without an employer. With unemployment up very few will do this for you unless they are personal friends. It is true that you must apply in the US and have a US residence when you do. You cannot apply outside US. Getting an above board job is impossible for American's without a Carte Sejour stating you can work there. I lived and worked there for 10 years on my exhusbands British status and have seen many Americans come and try it.

Look into opening a "small business" if you have any history in this. The paperwork is unbelievable but you will have a better chance at getting a long stay visa.

If you are only doing this for a short time you can go on your passport and leave France every 3 mos, get passport stamped. Italy, Switzerland etc.

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Lindesu
  8/14/2014 22:22 EST

You might be able to get an au pair or student visa. As a student you would be allowed to work a limited number of hours. Depending upon your age and interests this might be a possibility. Many people teach English as a foreign language in France. You need the proper certification to do so. It is called TEFL and there are courses both in the United States and in France for obtaining this certificate. But you will have to apply for your visa from the United States at the closest French Embassy to where you live. You will not be able to just catch a flight and find a job.

atornabene
  8/15/2014 09:03 EST

Thank you. I am 45 years old and past the student phase. I am an artist and an artists' model (17 years) so when I was over there in Paris a few weeks ago, I visited one of the universities and spoke with the head of the art department. She gave me her card and told me to get in touch with her after the 25th of this month so that is a job lead. I just didn't realize you HAD to have a work permit to apply for the visa, no matter what...an artist is self-employed in my opinion yet even the artist visa requires a work permit. My guy over there is getting more info as well but it looks like my one lead might be it.

pkeilson
  8/15/2014 13:03 EST

I am an artist also and that is how I'm applying for the long term visa which is your best option. Go to "Maison d'Artists" and search web for required documents. Go to embassy website and get docs required for "Independent Business". You have to propose an art project that will be "beneficial to the culture of France". Write a brief business plan and budget for your art business, include Resume, exhibitions, proof of art experience, get FBI clearance, plus a ton of other things listed on French site. You also must have proof of Health Insurance which you must buy before applying for visa, and most importantly PROOF of income (bank savings - parents?) while you are there, a french bank account in French bank. You cannot rent a place without a French bank account. You need to get on the web and start searching, there is a lot to do.

atornabene
  8/15/2014 21:37 EST

Thank you for the artist info.....I think for now, I need the easiest thing, which is what long term visa? A work one, I think.... and my proof of income? hahahahahahaha and not sure my art would benefit France right now. My plan is to see if this job lead works out where I can get the work permit, and then apply. If it doesn't, then I will go in November on my passport for the 90 days and find a job, come back to the states and apply for the visa. I hope it doesn't come to that though. Oh and for health insurance, I do currently have that and read I need it for 70 working days in France and then after, I can apply for the health care there. Thank you! :)

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atornabene
  8/15/2014 21:39 EST

Incidentally, Pkeilson, what type of art do you do and what are you proposing? :)

pasadenagal8
  8/22/2014 11:26 EST

Hi, I'm following the conversation and also plan to relo to France. I lived there years ago going in as a student (at age 30) and did get a carte de sejour. well I had the application and lived there a year, the actual carte de sejour ..never got that. But the border police were satisfied with my paperwork. Now I am retired and though on limited funds I do not plan to work.
I'm thinking that enrolling in University will suffice for applying for the Carte de Sejour now as it did before. Any thoughts? I'm 68 and would think it should be easier now?

atornabene
  8/24/2014 08:30 EST

Hi Pasadenagal8 -

I found this link - http://ielanguages.com/cds.html which I assume applies to both of us (staying longer than a year) but what visa are you applying for? I am applying for a work visa until my divorce is final, then will eventually be marrying a French citizen. So, right now I am in the process of contacting a few job leads to obtain a work permit to apply for the visa. The only visa I saw that I think you can apply for is a long term visitor visa but it shows that you need to show proof of financial independence. I am not sure if you need to be a certain age to apply for a student visa, and/or again, you need to show financial support. I wish you a lot of luck and hope the process is the least annoying for you :)

AnnMarie

jrobbins
  9/1/2014 14:50 EST

I fear one can no longer go to Switzerland or Italy. You must leave the Schengen zone. I am not sure about the UK.

atornabene
  9/15/2014 07:55 EST

So if I am a US citizen but want to travel every 3 months from France to England (a non-Schengen area), can I do that or do I have to come back to the US?

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pasadenagal8
  9/15/2014 11:30 EST

The key is to find the area that qualifies! Perhaps in Scandinavia?

chopchi
  9/21/2014 20:49 EST

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/go/schengen-fact-sheet.html
Not so easy these days!
You can only stay for 90 days,make sure your passport is good for at least 6 months then you must leave for 90 days before you can retunr for the next 90 days!

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