What type of visa is right for me?

Old Oct 17th, 2016, 06:09 PM
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What type of visa is right for me?

Hello everyone. My boyfriend and I are planning to move to France starting March 2017. I am an American citizen and I also have Mexican citizenship. My boyfriend is French living here temporarirly on a work visa. I want to move to France for at least a year, but I don't know what would be the most practical way of doing this would be. I currently work as a Chef in San Francisco. My dream would be to work in France for some time because the food scene there is unvelievebly rich. I know that obtaining a work visa in the EU is practically impossible, (at least for my career) but I am willing to move there in anyway I can as long as I am making enough money to survive in a city like Paris. I don't want to be away from my boyfriend because once his visa expires he is not allowed to live in the US (or work) for longer than 3 months. If anyone can give me any advise on the subject it would be extremely helpful. Thank you!!
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Old Oct 17th, 2016, 06:59 PM
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I'm afraid you are pretty much out of luck -

Unless you find a long term school course and get a student visa - but you won't be able to work.
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Old Oct 17th, 2016, 07:20 PM
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You can go with him, as a visitor, for up to 90 days. On arriving, say nothing about your (secret) plans for working and staying longer etc. Just be a tourist.

If during that time you, or he (being a French citizen), can wrangle some way of making it possible for you to stay on, and find work, get hired by some company that makes it possible for you - or get married - whatever works, then well and good.

But if not, you have to leave (not just France but the entire Schengen area which is most of continental Europe) for another 90 days before you can re-enter.

Those are the stark facts as I happen to know them. I'm not a lawyer, here on Fodors we are mostly travelers, so don't get your hopes up about getting advice that makes the impossible possible.

I wish you luck!
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Old Oct 17th, 2016, 07:25 PM
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" But if not, you have to leave (not just France but the entire Schengen area which is most of continental Europe) for another 90 days before you can re-enter."

yes.. you have to leave and HOPE they don't realize you have overstayed your 90 days, fine you and not let you back in ALL OF SCHENGEN for 3-5 years ( not sure which it is).

It DOES happen. Very poor advice from above.
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Old Oct 17th, 2016, 09:04 PM
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You could apply for either a long stay visa; requiring your visiting a consulate or embassy before you leave the US and supplying a lot of information, or you could try for a student visa and attend a school of some type.

Neither will allow you to work.

Without a long stay visa, it would be a mistake for you to stay longer than 90 days in France or in any Schengen country.
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Old Oct 17th, 2016, 09:24 PM
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>>You could apply for either a long stay visa
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Old Oct 17th, 2016, 09:58 PM
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Either you have to apply for a student visa and actually attend class, or get a work visa with a signed contract before you get to France, or you are allowed to come for 90 days with no visa.

If you plan to look for work in the restaurant industry - and if you find someone who is willing to hire you "sur le noir" (under the table) - you won't earn enough to eat, much less live on while you're in France.

It's a common dream that people have, but it usually turns out to be a nightmare.
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Old Oct 18th, 2016, 12:12 AM
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There is no boyfriend/girlfriend visa for France (or anywhere else or that matter). There is partnership visa, for which you either need to be married or in recognised partnership (such as French PACS). I don't think France recognises informal unmarried partnership as such for immigration purposes.
So your only chance is to get a visa in your own right, such as study or work. Study visa normally gives you limited hours of work during term time and full time during vacations, but you need to meet the maintenance requirement first (around 500 euro/month) without taking into account potential income through working. Work visa, as stated, will be difficult, and your chances rest if you can obtain a position of internship with sponsorship. I think there is a scheme of getting work experience in France for up to 18 months for US citizens. http://www.faccnyc.org/global-career...ees-in-france/
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Old Oct 18th, 2016, 03:44 AM
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France now has a WHV agreement with Mexico which would allow you to work in France for a year if you are between age of 18 and 30. The agreement was just signed on September 1, 2016. The French name for the program is PVT = Programme Vacances-Travail. Contact a French embassy or consulate about it.
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Old Oct 18th, 2016, 04:19 AM
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This would be what Kerouac is talking about :
http://www.ambafrance-mx.org/Viajar-...isa-vacaciones
See if you fit the requirements.
(or get married and ask for a long stay visa as the spouse of a French citizen).
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Old Oct 18th, 2016, 06:21 AM
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Getting married in France is easy...
Getting a divorce in France - especially for a woman - is extremely difficult. Women generally end up with zero.
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Old Oct 18th, 2016, 07:10 AM
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Who would ever want to get divorced?

I thought the love locks protected from that.
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Old Oct 18th, 2016, 04:55 PM
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Thank you kerouac. The only issue with that visa is that they require to be living in Mexico to get it
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Old Oct 18th, 2016, 05:43 PM
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I repeat from my first response . . .

>>I'm afraid you are pretty much out of luck - >I know that obtaining a work visa in the EU is practically impossible, (at least for my career) but I am willing to move there in anyway I can as long as I am making enough money to survive in a city like Paris. I don't want to be away from my boyfriend because once his visa expires he is not allowed to live in the US (or work) for longer than 3 months
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Old Oct 18th, 2016, 05:52 PM
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The only way for you to do this is to enter with a tourist visa and stay on after the 90 days illegally. If you are caught - or when you are caught when you finally leave, you can be fined a significant amount and banned from Schengen for several years.

As for working no one will hire you because it would cause them legal problems. You might find a small place that would employ you under the table (as a dishwasher or whatever) but you won;t be able to live on the wages.

I very strongly suggest that you DO NOT do this. But if you insist you must it's the only way. Just remember if you do the crime you do the time.
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Old Oct 18th, 2016, 07:10 PM
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Thanks janisj for your encouraging message. But I will keep trying, if there's a will there's a way.
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Old Oct 18th, 2016, 07:13 PM
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nytravler I dont intend to overstay the 90 days allowed. I know how strict the EU is with people who overstay. I am just trying to find the best way to live in France and be able to survive financially
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Old Oct 18th, 2016, 08:04 PM
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>>if there's a will there's a way.> I am just trying to find the best way to live in France and be able to survive financially
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Old Oct 18th, 2016, 11:45 PM
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Where will you live? It's extremely difficult to find an apartment in Paris and you'll be facing stiff competition from people who are already working here.

Landlords and agencies demand that applicants submit a complete dossier - with proof that you earn 4 times the monthly rent, have a work contract, pay taxes in France, have a French bank account, have multi-risk property insurance, etc.

If even one of these items is missing or insufficient, your dossier will be immediately tossed in the trash - without even the benefit of a phone call.

Even if you planned to live in a 9m2 broom closet, you'd expect to pay around 800 EU per month, plus utilities.

And if you're hoping to stay with friends - who are probably also living in broom closets - this won't last long.
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Old Oct 19th, 2016, 09:02 AM
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I presume she plans to live with the boyfriend, after all he is French and has to return there. He seems to have been forgotten.

Maybe find out how long you have to be residing in Mexico to get that Mexican visa. At least Mexico is a lot cheaper. YOu must have relatives there. So if you only have to be resident 30 days or something, you could do that.
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