Dear All,
I am trying to help out a colleague who has dual US / UK nationality and works here in France (CDI contract).
His wife is American, resident in the UK and wants to join him living in France.
The information we have looked at so far on "Infos droits étrangers" is that the members of a family of an EU citizen who are of "nationalité étrangère" (it doesn't specify that this means non-EU foreigners but we have assumed it to be the case) need just to apply for a visa. "Regroupement familial" it says does not apply in this case and the visa should be granted "as quickly as possible" according to article R121-1 of the CESEDA. However, we seem keep coming across horror stories over the length of time this can take.
My colleagues status as a working, EU citizen in France should then allow his wife to apply for the right to remain long term or indefinitely, if we understand correctly.
If this situation has already been covered in the forum, would be grateful if someone could point me to the correct thread.
Otherwise, our queries are :
Have we made the correct assumptions about his wife only needed a visa, as above? Does anyone have any experience over how long this can take in the UK for US nationals?
Does the OFII need to be involved?
Or would it help more if my colleague goes to his local Paris prefecture in person?
Many thanks in advance for any help or advice.
Danielle