By Joshua H. Wood
Summary: Once you arrive in France, you must apply for a visa, called a Carte de Séjour, at a local Préfecture of Police. This article describes what you need to do before you go and once you arrive in France.
Expats moving to France for their company must go through a very specific process as they seek proper authorization to move there. This process necessitates action on your part (and/or by your company) both before you move abroad and once you get there.
Before you go:
The company must receive authorization from France's Ministry of Labor. Once approval of the "contract" has been provided, a long-term visa (visa de long séjour) can be requested at a consulate in the U.S.
When you arrive:
You must apply for a visa called a "Carte de Séjour" at a local Préfecture of Police. (In essence, the Visa De Long Séjour you receive from the French embassy or consulate enables you to apply for the Carte de Séjour in France.)
Consulates General of France in the U.S.
Consulate General of France in Washington
Consulate General of France in New York
Consulate General of France in Boston
Consulate General of France in Atlanta
Consulate General of France in Miami
Consulate General of France in New Orleans
Consulate General of France in Houston
Consulate General of France in Chicago
Consulate General of France in Los Angeles
Consulate General of France in San Francisco
Embassy of France in the United Kingdom
Consulate Generals of France in the United Kingdom
Healthcare in France
Expats often ask if health insurance is free in France or if you need health insurance to go to France. Here is basic information about the French healthcare system.
Expats in France: 10 Tips For Living in Paris
Expats in Paris live in the fabled City of Lights, but what do you need to know to actually get there and establish yourself? Here are a few basic steps to help get the ball rolling. Includes information about visas, health care, where to live and more!
Expats in France: 5 Movies to Get You Excited About Living in France
Here are 5 movies set in France - most are set in Paris - but one is not. They are modern and classic - enjoy them all and explore where they were filmed - if you're lucky enough to be an expat in France!
Moving to France: 8 Things to Know Before You Move to France
Expats all over the world dream of someday making France their next destination. As with other countries, there is a lot of planning involved, and a lot of decisions to be made. Find important advice about finding a place to live, expat banking services in France and much more.
13 Healthcare & Health Insurance Tips for Expats in France
Expats in France share tips about applying for the Carte Vitale, PUMA, supplemental health insurance, English-speaking doctors in France, having a baby and more.
I found this article to be misleading. Perhaps it is accurate for others. For those of us coming from the US, we must apply for the Carte de'Sejour before leaving the states. The Embassy website is quite clear that you cannot make your initial application in France.
smt2000if in paris you must go to the police prefecture either in the 14 th area or in clichy area. For the ten year visa must go in the a.m only. you need the following. - photo copy of passport all pages - rent contract - if married in france all the marriage papers. - two documents for each year you are in france to show your address here. if all papers are ok, the police give you a letter of convocation , you then wait 6 weeks for the second rdv at the cite police prefecture. -there you need to take three photos, proof of current address, electric bill. then you wait 6 weeks for either yes or no on the carte, if yes they will say where to go to get the carte which will be ready.
First Published: Oct 01, 2010
Expatriate Health Insurance
Get a quote for expat health insurance in France from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
Get a Quote
An Expat Talks about Culture Shock & Living in Epinal, France
An expat in Epinal, France gets candid about the culture shock she experience when moving to France. She advises newcomers to get out and meet people. She started an English-speaking group in her small town and met lots of locals that way.
An Expat Discusses Living in Epinal, France
An expat shares what it's like to live in the small town of Epinal, France.
Healthcare in France
Expats often ask if health insurance is free in France or if you need health insurance to go to France. Here is basic information about the French healthcare system.
Expats in France: 10 Tips For Living in Paris
Expats in Paris live in the fabled City of Lights, but what do you need to know to actually get there and establish yourself? Here are a few basic steps to help get the ball rolling. Includes information about visas, health care, where to live and more!
12 Expats Talks About What It's Like Moving to France
Copyright 1997-2019 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.