With regards to making use of for a French visa, it may be a aggravating time. And until you’re a citizen of an EU nation – you’ll need a visa to remain longer than 90 days out of 180, or to reside in France on a everlasting or very long time foundation. We’ve obtained a number of emails from individuals who apply for a visa and are advised no (and also you don’t get advised why). And extra emails from folks asking for assist. They’re not sure which of the numerous kinds of visa to use for. Unsure they’ve the correct paperwork, insurance coverage and so on. And we get it, it may be very complicated, and really nerve-racking whilst you anticipate a solution.
We requested the consultants at French Connections HCB (FCHCB) what folks can do to assist themselves once they apply for a French visa. Over the previous three years, FCHCB have efficiently utilized for greater than 1200 French resident permits (carte de séjour) for English-speaking purchasers from everywhere in the world. They advise that to assist with profitable software, it helps to point out that you’re going above and past to embrace the French life. Listed here are their prime suggestions:
Making use of for a Visa for a everlasting transfer to France
First, we at all times say that you need to attempt to put your self within the sneakers of the native Prefectures whose job it’s to ship residency permits. Getting a visa isn’t only a tick field factor. The native directors are inundated with functions from residents of America, Nice Britain, Australia and Canada and different nations all over the world. So assist them – and also you assist your self. That’s why we created our Shifting To France package deal. It’s primarily based on our expertise and data (being French ourselves) of how the system works.
With regards to a residency software – there are three fundamental necessities in terms of French admin.
1. They’re in search of reassurance that you’ve adequate funds to cowl your self. In actual phrases, this quantities to a minimal earnings of 1384 euros monthly, per individual, after tax. That’s primarily based on the SMIC (Salaire Minimal de Croissance) – the minimal wage in France (2023).
2. They want proof that you’ve someplace protected to reside – whether or not it’s a everlasting house or rental. For those who’re within the course of of shopping for, an ‘acte de vente‘ – a doc that reveals you might be within the course of of shopping for will likely be accepted. And if you happen to’re renting, a French rental contract is required.
Insurance coverage is important
3. Proof of personal medical insurance coverage. For those who’re British and in receipt of a state pension, you’ll be able to come to France with an S1 type and that may allow you to use with out personal medical insurance coverage. However you need to contemplate if that’s one of the best transfer. An S1 successfully indicators you out of the NHS and there’s no straightforward means again. For those who’re in any means not 100% sure that you just want to stay in France, it’s good to maintain the NHS possibility open at the least whilst you ‘take a look at drive’ your new house. For those who don’t have the proper personal medical insurance coverage – you’re just about guaranteeing a fail in your visa software.
So, again to that time the place we stated assist the native prefecture by making their job simpler. Think about what would possibly make you stand out. Present greater than you want in your software to be accepted. In our Shifting To France package deal we outline 9 completely different phases alongside your journey to changing into French. Every considered one of them is designed to reassure the administration that you’re going above and past in your intent to turn into a French citizen.
The phases of making use of for a visa
With regards to making use of for a French long run visa, these are a few of the most essential phases and the way we take away a few of the ache and make your begin of a brand new life in France much less of a fear:
1. Your lengthy keep customer visa. FCHCB will help you collect the required paperwork (proof of tackle, photographs, and so on) and examine their validity. We are able to submit the applying in your behalf, e book an appointment for you on the visa centre and comply with up with the authorities. And we’ll monitor and ‘hand maintain’ till your visa is efficiently delivered.
2. Visa validation. When you arrive in France, it’s necessary to validate your visa to make it official. We’ll full this process for you, together with processing the visa validation charge payable to the French authorities.
Healthcare and tax
3. Carte Vitale. That is what offers you entry to the state healthcare system. You may’t apply for it till you may have been in France for at the least three months – therefore the necessity for personal medical insurance coverage (level 3 above). We’ll handle all of the preparations and create your on-line healthcare account.
4. Tax code creation. We’ll get you arrange within the system, allow you to collect the proper paperwork, examine their validity and submit your software on-line. If for any cause you aren’t eligible for a tax code, we’ll refund this a part of the quote.
5. Tax return. Proving your earnings by submitting your first French tax declaration goes a good distance in serving to you to safe a visa renewal. We companion with one of the crucial trusted accountancy companies in France to verify it’s executed shortly, affordably and effectively.
Automobiles
6. Driving licence change software. When you arrive in France, you may have 12 months to change your driving licence for a French one. We’ll allow you to assemble legitimate documentation, advocate a translator (it’s a part of the applying that your paperwork are translated into French) and submit the applying for a French licence. The method takes a very long time to finish so long as 18 months will not be uncommon although you might be permitted to drive when you submit the applying. We’ll monitor its progress and maintain you knowledgeable.
We are able to additionally allow you to purchase a automobile in France. It may be actually difficult to do that in a unique language so we provide a service that can assist you search and negotiate. We work with a community of trusted brokers proper throughout France. Plus we now have partnerships with all the principle automobile producers, so we are able to assure to get you one of the best deal in your new automobile. We are able to even organise to have it delivered to you. And we will help you with insurance coverage by our trusted companion Fab French Insurance coverage, for a extremely aggressive quote.
For those who favor to convey your individual automobile to France, we additionally provide an import and automobile registration service.
Residency
7. Residency software or renewal of carte de séjour (the residency allow). We help you in getting ready all of the related paperwork, examine their validity and submit your software. We’ll additionally present over-the-phone translation help if you’re required to deposit your file in individual on the prefecture. And we are able to prep you in your compulsory face-to-face appointment.
First Six months in France assist
As soon as you progress to France, you would possibly resolve you’d like a bit extra assist. Issues like admin duties, letters to your financial institution, making appointments in your behalf, over the cellphone translation help, writing letters in French for you and so on. We provide a 6-month VIP package deal which suggests you’ll be able to contact us to assist with all of your transferring to France duties.
After all, all people’s circumstances are completely different. If you need to speak to us about what’s greatest for you, you’ll be able to e book a 30 minute preliminary on-line session with us right here. The session prices 90 euros however that is deducted from the primary service that you just e book with us.
Discover out extra about French Connections HCB and the packages they provide right here: frenchconnectionshcb.com
