Cparrett
8/30/2016 17:27 EST
Hello all,
I'm looking into applying for a long-stay visitor's visa to France (as an American), and am having a hell of a time getting the consulate to answer some questions I have. If anyone can help, I'd really appreciate it!
-First one, and most important: If I go to France on a standard 90 day tourist visa, and return to the US, do I need to wait 90 days to apply for a visitor's visa? Or could I apply as soon as I get back?
-Also, is there a specific financial requirement, or is it up to their discretion? I have a job here in the States I can work remotely, plus some savings, but I'm not sure how much money they expect me to have.
Thanks!
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pleasehelpsarl
8/31/2016 03:30 EST
Hi Cparrett,
if you apply for a VLS it will be for more than 90 days. We help with such things, why dont you check out our web site pleasehelp.fr
We are a relocation company.
Thanks
John
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OldPro
8/31/2016 11:31 EST
Well, start at the beginning. The FIRST thing to do is determine if you are likely to qualify for a long stay visa.
http://www.consulfrance-washington.org/spip.php?article401
Note, it does NOT allow you to work in France. I have no idea how they would view your working a US job remotely. You would have to discuss that with them.
Generally, they are looking for some kind of proof that you have around $50k Euros in savings and/or income for the year after you arrive. Each consulate seems to use their own formula to decide.
IF you can qualify, then you could apply immediately after your return to the USA. IF you get the visa, then the Schengen rule (90 in 180)will no longer apply to you.
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RubyTooz
8/31/2016 12:48 EST
Hi Cparrett,
The beauty of the 2.0 economy is that now many non-EU nationals can live and work in France without a work visa. As long as your job is completely independent of France - employer abroad, clients abroad, product made abroad, etc. - you can be a resident of France with just a long-stay visitor visa that you would renew yearly. You do need to prove that your income is sufficient to live on, that you have savings (but yes, the consulates are very cagey about the amount required!), health insurance, and a French address.
Another thing to note is that you will have to declare your global income in France if you stay over 183 days in a calendar year. If you stay in France and work remotely, when you are renewing your "titre de séjour" at the préfecture, they will eventually ask to see your French tax return to prove your revenues.
For information, if you are self-employed and your business is related to France in some way, you will need a Visa Commerçant, which is very difficult to get.
Hope that helps,
Dennelle
www.renestance.com
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Cparrett
8/31/2016 14:33 EST
Hey OldPro,
Thanks for the response!
I hate to be the guy who asks strangers on the internet for advice, then questions the advice, but: do you have experience with the 90 day tourist visa/apply for long-stay visa on return issue? How confident are you I wouldn't have to remain out of the country for 90 days?
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Cparrett
8/31/2016 14:36 EST
Thank you Ruby! That's exactly what I understood from my browsing of the French consulate website, plus the one email they did respond to.
Do you know if I would have a problem travelling to France for November/December/January on a tourist visa, then applying for a long-stay visitor's visa upon my return in the beginning of March?
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ellenycparis
8/31/2016 17:01 EST
I've been gratned long-stay visas at the NYC consulate since 2012, including this year, for from 5 to 9 months. What is a 90-day visa? My understanding is that you need a visa if you are staying 91 or more days. Only once did I hear something about a +requirement* to return to NY -- but each time I did return, so maybe the questions was moot.
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ellenycparis
8/31/2016 17:25 EST
John,
I believe that the purpose of the forum is to share experiences for 'entr'aide", so I'm sharing. my experience and questions. That does not preclude my also going to you privately.....
In 2016 for the first time, my long-stay visa appllication to the NY consulate specified a stay of more than 6 months, I paid for my visa and was instructed by the NY consulate to fill out the OFII form, take it to OFII, get the physical and pay the carte de sejour fee -- all of whch I did. and when I did it, my cart4e de sejour form was stamped and I was told it was my carte de sejour. But it is a stamped paper form, not a CARD. When my address changes (after 9 months) I was told by OFII to go to the prefecture and pay the "Prolongation" fee. At some point, will I get a carte that is a CARD -- not a stamped paper form?! Thanks,, ellenycparis
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RubyTooz
9/1/2016 02:55 EST
No that should be fine, Cparrett. As long as you don't overstay your visa, you should be able to apply for the VLS in March no problem.
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Cparrett
9/6/2016 10:56 EST
Thank you!
Last question, at least for now-does applying for a French visa mean giving up your passport for the full amount of time it takes from the visa appointment until when the visa is issued? I know typically this is the case, but my sister just got a visa for another country without having to do this, and if this is an option for France it would be great.
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OldPro
9/15/2016 10:56 EST
I"ve been away on vacation Cparett and so could not reply. As Ruby says, applying in March should be no problem. What you did or did not do previously in terms of visiting France has no bearing on any application you make for a visa.
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Cparrett
9/19/2016 13:17 EST
Thanks OldPro! Do you know if my passport will be held while I'm waiting for the Visa? Or will I have the option to hang onto my passport during that time?
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