Thinking of Moving to France?

What Americans Can Expect & What to Do

A Fave Story by Lily C. Fen

It could be that je nais se quois that the Pyrenees or the various French coastlines might bring, or perhaps it is that joie de vivre that sitting at a Parisienne café might evoke, but life in France can completely alter your way of life for the better. This was the case for Ward & Jennie Vercouteren, as reported by CNN Travel. The couple had relocated from Colorado to the Pyrenees, attracted to a more easygoing way of life. 

And as Macron and von der Leyen (European Commission President) present ideas this May at the Sorbonne University, including possible incentives to support US-based scientists who may wish to move to France, many Americans are considering what life may be like if they relocate to France, and what that entails.  (Source: The Guardian and France 24)

FAVE Visa Consultancy is here to give you a quick look at what to expect for a possible move to France.

Entering France 

Americans can enter and visit France without a Schengen visa for up to 90 days. You will need a long-stay visa (visa de long séjour) for anything longer than that, whether your planned life in France includes work, study, or retirement.

The next step after acquiring a VLS-TS, or your long-stay visa, is to apply for a carte de séjour, or French residence permit. What type will depend on your plans for your life in France. There are several types you can apply for, as listed below. 

Visitor Visa 

Known as the Carte de séjour temporaire visiteur, this type of visa is meant for retirees, who must prove that they have sufficient financial means to support themselves. This type of visa does not allow you to work in France. The daily cost of living in France may be around €120/day.

*Work Visa 

The Salarié visa is applied for by a French employer. With the help of FAVE Visa Consultancy, this will be a lot smoother and stress-free. Get a job offer from a French company or French individual employer and this can be set in motion. (A French Work Permit must also be obtained before the visa application). 

*To discuss with FAVE Visa Consultants, you may click here

Student Visa

You can apply for this upon getting accepted into a French university. This requires that you present proof of enrollment as well as financial means to support your studies. This type of permit also allows you to work part-time.

Self-Employed/Entrepreneur Visa

This choice is popular among digital nomads or those beginning a business. You’ll need to present a solid business plan and proof of income. This type of permit is called Profession libérale in France.

Talent Passport

The Passeport Talent is issued to highly-skilled professionals (often in the tech field), creatives, researchers, and even investors.

Investor

The Investisseur permit is given to individuals able to inject an investment of somewhere around €300,000 into a French business.

Final Thoughts

As Jennie Vercouteren related to CNN Travel, she found that living in France meant far less cost—there was no need to pay for a car or gas, due to a walkable city with a solid public transportation system in place. It took her a while to adjust to the French way of life, but she loves her calm life that involves trips to the village market and time to savor daily movement.

Be prepared to learn French, as this will allow you deeper access into the local community and culture. Start building new relationships, delving into museums, and even using France as a take-off point to so many other European destinations.

Various kinds of documents are needed, such as a valid passport, proof of financial means, and health insurance, as you prepare to relocate to France.

The team at FAVE Visa Consultancy can help you with visa requirements. 

Once you’ve arrived, you’ll want to register with the French Immigration Office, or Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration (OFII). Fave Visa can also adeptly assist you in acquiring your residence permit or carte de séjour for longer stays in France.

Whether you’re studying, working, or retiring in France, you can ease into a lovely French lifestyle rife with the scents of lavender fields in Provence, rich history and culture, and breathtaking scenery in the French mountains. Not to mention world-class cuisine. 

To secure your long-stay visa in France, the staff at FAVE Visa Consultancy are ready to share their expertise with Americans looking to relocate and need visa assistance.

Need help with personalized relocation tips or visa support? Reach out to our team or consult an immigration advisor to get started. Contact us at FAVE Visa Consultancy and book your FREE consultation today.