Potential 6 month visit to family in France

[Madst3r85]

Wondered if anyone can help

I currently live in the uk. I have family in France who have French residency. What sort of visa would I need and can anyone talk through the process I would need to apply for jobs

[billybutcher]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

What’s your nationality?

[Gareth]

Hi. Welcome to SF.

Getting a long stay visa isn’t too problematic but wanting to work whilst here is going to be where it becomes very tricky.

You say you have family in France. Are they your immediate family, i.e. your parents? That may help you slightly, if so.

[Gareth]

@billybutcher

What’s your nationality?

Good question!

[Corona]

Applying for a long-stay visa for France - Welcome to France.

Hoping to do the same maybe next year.

[crabtree24]

Until you confirm your nationality it is impossible to give a difinative answer.

However, if you are not an EU citizen, then any potential employer will have to advertise your potential job to EU citizens, and if there is no response, then the employer must apply for a work permit for you. Once the employer has a work permit you can apply for a visa that enables you to work in France. You cannot just come to France and look for work.

If you do not need to work, must have sufficient funds so as not to become a burden on the French state, then you can apply for a visitor visa, in which you promise not to work whatsoever.

[Madst3r85]

I am British nationality( English) and my dad and stepmum live in France

[crabtree24]

Then my post just above yours applies to you.

You will have to decide if you want to come to France as a visitor, or whether you want to work. Once you have decided we can give you more information.

[blade46]

As you have family in France perhaps an avenue to explore is getting a visa to join your family? Although i think this might only apply to those joining French nationals?

[Corona]

The information and indeed how to complete the application are in the link I posted earlier. That has been my point of reference site.

[blade46]

Thought that might be so. Was just wondering if the poster had French family. Oops @crabtree24 seems you have deleted your post after i posted this😊

[crabtree24]

Deleted by mistake. It said that he cannot do what you suggest except in very excptional circumstances (e.g. medical emergency).

[billybutcher]

You can get a long duration visitor’s visa but will need proof of resources and health cover. Unless you have fluent French and either possess hard to get hold of skills or have a credible business plan for self employment it is unlikely you will be able to get a visa which allows you to work.

As well as the site that @corona linked - see https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/

[JaneJones]

@blade46

As you have family in France perhaps an avenue to explore is getting a visa to join your family?

Only applicable to minors, dependent adults and spouses. Regroupment familiale visa are quite limited.

[Madst3r85]

Thank you to everyone who gave some great advice, it was taken on board however I’m exploring some other options but know where to look for next time in the future.

Bonsoiree everyone

[Corona]

As a nice thank you to those that answered including me, maybe you could share other options as I am looking to do the same next year so any help or advice you gain would be welcome.

[billybutcher]

@corona - have you looked at the “do I need a visa” tool on https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en

Once you’ve filed in the basics you can fill in the reason for your visit - it will then list all the documents that you need.

Eg if I wanted to start a business it tells me I need:

The supporting documents to be provided are as follows:

Pre-requisites

• A travel document, issued less than 10 years ago, containing at least two blank pages, with a period of validity at least 3 months longer than the date on which you intend to leave the Schengen Area or, in the case of a long stay, at least three months longer than the expiry date of the visa requested. Be sure to transmit (scan) ALL PAGES of your travel document containing visas, entry and exit stamps or any other inscription.
• ID photograph.
• If you are not a national of your country of residence: proof that you are legally resident in that country (e.g. residence permit).
• If you have an official travel document, a note verbale is required.

Purpose of travel/stay

• All supporting documents attesting to your ability to carry out the planned retail, manufacturing or craft activity (degrees/diplomas, professional qualifications, employment certificates, etc.).
• If you do not live in France, a certificate of no criminal record or an equivalent document from the country of which you are a national.
• If you live in France, a tax status certificate regarding the payment of income tax in France.
• In case of a retail, craft or manufacturing activity : Opinion of the “Plateforme interrégionale de la Main d’œuvre Etrangère” competent in the department in which the project is planned.
• Proof of company registration (statutes, extrait K or Kbis) or affiliation to the social security scheme for self-employed (if documents already obtained).
• The completed “retailer, craftsperson, manufacturer” form.

If you are starting a business

• A written presentation of your project, your business plan and a multi-annual estimated budget.
• Business buyout : Copy of the sales agreement or contract.
• Creating a foreign legal person : Proof of nomination or a letter of intent from the competent body for the nomination + copy of the articles of association of the legal person under foreign law.
• Lease-management in own name : Copy of the lease-management agreement or contract + extract from the companies register or from the trade directory of the previous manager (dated within three months) + copy of the lease drawn up in the owner’s name.
• Proof of the letter of guarantee from a French-based credit institution or approved insurance company to stand guarantor, or proof of a credit balance from an account in the applicant’s name opened at a French-based credit institution.
• Starting a business in own name : Depending on the business in question, a copy of the commercial lease agreement stating the business activity or the sub-lease contract stating the activity and where possible authorization from the owner of the premises, or any other documents regarding the business premises or a copy of the business domiciliation contract.
• Starting a company under French law, as a subsidiary of a foreign company (1/2) : Proof of nomination or where possible, a letter of intent from the competent body for the nomination + copy of the articles of association of the legal person under foreign law.
• Starting a company under French law, as a subsidiary of a foreign company (2/2) : Copy of the commercial lease agreement stating the business activity or of the sub-lease contract stating the activity and where possible authorization from the owner of the premises, or any other documents regarding the business premises + copy of the draft articles of association with a draft breakdown of share capital.
• Starting a company under French law: Copy of the commercial lease agreement stating the business activity or of the sub-lease contract stating the activity and where possible authorization from the owner of the premises, or any other documents regarding the business premises + copy of the draft articles of association with a draft breakdown of share capital.

If you are joining an existing business

• Any proof of the economic viability of the business creation project.
• As appropriate, an extract from the company’s registration on the companies register dated within three months or an extract from the trade directory dated within three months.
• A tax status certificate for the company (P237).
• Certificate from URSSAF (French body managing social security payments) proving that the company is up to date in its payments.
• If the applicant does not have employee status, any certified accounting document proving that the company can pay the applicant a monthly income at least equivalent to the French minimum wage (SMIC).
• If the applicant has employee status, the original employment contract as well as a copy.
• If you are joining a company, a copy of its articles of association.
• Proof of nomination or where possible, a letter of intent from the competent body for the nomination.
  

Guess I won’t be doing that, then

[Stella]

@Madst3r85

Thank you to everyone who gave some great advice, it was taken on board however I’m exploring some other options

Your experiences might well be able to help others… so please can you tell us what are these “other options” you are exploring ??? Pretty-please…

cheers

[Corona]

Yes I looked over the documents the other week hence knowing and having the link on my favorites. It was just an idea that the OP may have some more info as these things are not usually that easy, especially in France.

[blade46]

Hmmm bit of a thread drift but I’ve known people who came here on vls-ts (long stay tourist visa) then change it to working visa for renewal.

Know this doesn’t help the OP but may help others. It is possible to do