French Immigration vs. U.S. Immigration

[Jonara 0]

This topic goes out to USC/French petitioners and beneficiaries.

Prior to receiving my NO2 approval notice, my fiance and I were a bit frustrated and were looking at marrying in France instead. He said the immigration process in France is a lot easier than the U.S. I'm somehow not convinced.

1. He mentioned there is a thing called pax (oh I don't recall the spelling) that allows you to be a couple and enjoy the benefits of a married couple even though it is truly not a marriage. Anyone has heard of that?

2. I also thought with an intent to marry, I have to apply for a long stay visa as opposed to coming to France like I normally do without a visa. Thoughts?

3. Supposed I move to France, what are the rules around getting a work permit and how long will it take?

If anyone knows of a site link that I can check, please let me know. I have a tough time navigating thru the sites that I found and for some reason, the information I'm getting is in bits and pieces.

We finally got our NO2 but of course it wouldn't hurt to know French immigration info. Any helpful feedback will be great.

Merci.

Lara

[Beth/ Paris Heart 2]

This topic goes out to USC/French petitioners and beneficiaries.

Prior to receiving my NO2 approval notice, my fiance and I were a bit frustrated and were looking at marrying in France instead. He said the immigration process in France is a lot easier than the U.S. I'm somehow not convinced.

1. He mentioned there is a thing called pax (oh I don't recall the spelling) that allows you to be a couple and enjoy the benefits of a married couple even though it is truly not a marriage. Anyone has heard of that?

2. I also thought with an intent to marry, I have to apply for a long stay visa as opposed to coming to France like I normally do without a visa. Thoughts?

3. Supposed I move to France, what are the rules around getting a work permit and how long will it take?

If anyone knows of a site link that I can check, please let me know. I have a tough time navigating thru the sites that I found and for some reason, the information I'm getting is in bits and pieces.

We finally got our NO2 but of course it wouldn't hurt to know French immigration info. Any helpful feedback will be great.

Merci.

Lara

Getting a work visa in France is extremly hard, much less finding a job. I was offered a great job in Paris a few weeks ago, was told could take 1 year for work visa. Try another option. Hard to immigrate to France

Edited August 23, 2009 by Paris Heart

[Kenza 1]

This topic goes out to USC/French petitioners and beneficiaries.

Prior to receiving my NO2 approval notice, my fiance and I were a bit frustrated and were looking at marrying in France instead. He said the immigration process in France is a lot easier than the U.S. I'm somehow not convinced.

1. He mentioned there is a thing called pax (oh I don't recall the spelling) that allows you to be a couple and enjoy the benefits of a married couple even though it is truly not a marriage. Anyone has heard of that?

2. I also thought with an intent to marry, I have to apply for a long stay visa as opposed to coming to France like I normally do without a visa. Thoughts?

3. Supposed I move to France, what are the rules around getting a work permit and how long will it take?

If anyone knows of a site link that I can check, please let me know. I have a tough time navigating thru the sites that I found and for some reason, the information I'm getting is in bits and pieces.

We finally got our NO2 but of course it wouldn't hurt to know French immigration info. Any helpful feedback will be great.

Merci.

Lara

Getting a work visa in France is extremly hard, much less finding a job. I was offered a great job in Paris a few weeks ago, was told could take 1 year for work visa. Try another option. Hard to immigrate to France

Caught you Beth lol! Betsy and I were just talking about you and wondering where you went!

Ok back to topic. Immigration to France can take as long or longer than to the US. At least if you go through the immigration process to the US you have an estimated time period and for the most part everyone falls within that period. For example, when I filed my CR1, the estimated time was 6 months, our interview is on tuesday and it will have been just a little over 6 months.

[EasternDE 35]

The PACS allows the foreigner to get a residency card IF they can proove they have already been living together for a year. Quite dumb I know...

I've got a bunch of canadian friends here in Paris who have really high degrees and they have to fight like crazy with the french immigration.

And it's a neverending fight, it takes many years before getting a 5 years residency card...

There is two kind of specific visas for marriage, one with no residency, one with.

The denial rate is very high. You're not able to appeal, and they can deny you without any reason.

It's nothing like the US immigration...

In France, it's very recommended to hire a lawyer and it will cost you an arm and leg.

Do you speak french? :x

[Jonara 0]

The PACS allows the foreigner to get a residency card IF they can proove they have already been living together for a year. Quite dumb I know...

I've got a bunch of canadian friends here in Paris who have really high degrees and they have to fight like crazy with the french immigration.

And it's a neverending fight, it takes many years before getting a 5 years residency card...

There is two kind of specific visas for marriage, one with no residency, one with.

The denial rate is very high. You're not able to appeal, and they can deny you without any reason.

It's nothing like the US immigration...

In France, it's very recommended to hire a lawyer and it will cost you an arm and leg.

Do you speak french? :x

Do I? Non, not yet at least. That is part of my hesitation to move there now. I have to learn the language, and learn it really well.

But hey thanks for your info. I kinda sense it's not gonna be that easy but I figured to find out anyway. We were simply frustrated one day from living apart and waiting. A day later, my NO2 notice came. Voila. I hope your NO2 process goes smoothly. Merci bcp!

[payxibka 10,045]

Not a K-1 visa issue... moving thread

[Kinito_2k3 5]

Well, I have mixed feeling here from what I read. My wife and I lived in Paris before moving here and she got her "carte de sejour" (resident card) in about 8 weeks - her job got it for her.

[EasternDE 35]

Well, I have mixed feeling here from what I read. My wife and I lived in Paris before moving here and she got her "carte de sejour" (resident card) in about 8 weeks - her job got it for her.

Sounds she could have been an expatriated worker for a big corporation?

That's very different.

[Jonara 0]

Well, I have mixed feeling here from what I read. My wife and I lived in Paris before moving here and she got her "carte de sejour" (resident card) in about 8 weeks - her job got it for her.

Was it an American company based in Paris?

[Kinito_2k3 5]

Well, I have mixed feeling here from what I read. My wife and I lived in Paris before moving here and she got her "carte de sejour" (resident card) in about 8 weeks - her job got it for her.

Sounds she could have been an expatriated worker for a big corporation?

That's very different.

Agreed - She wasn't an expat but was on a "short term assignment". My point was that by making yourself needed by a big company in France then they would sponsor you. Are you able to make yourself needed when you don't speak french if you are not already an employee, I don't think so haha - ok Iam loopsided

[Frenchwife 1]

This topic goes out to USC/French petitioners and beneficiaries.

Prior to receiving my NO2 approval notice, my fiance and I were a bit frustrated and were looking at marrying in France instead. He said the immigration process in France is a lot easier than the U.S. I'm somehow not convinced.

1. He mentioned there is a thing called pax (oh I don't recall the spelling) that allows you to be a couple and enjoy the benefits of a married couple even though it is truly not a marriage. Anyone has heard of that?

2. I also thought with an intent to marry, I have to apply for a long stay visa as opposed to coming to France like I normally do without a visa. Thoughts?

3. Supposed I move to France, what are the rules around getting a work permit and how long will it take?

If anyone knows of a site link that I can check, please let me know. I have a tough time navigating thru the sites that I found and for some reason, the information I'm getting is in bits and pieces.

We finally got our NO2 but of course it wouldn't hurt to know French immigration info. Any helpful feedback will be great.

Merci.

Lara

Getting a work visa in France is extremly hard, much less finding a job. I was offered a great job in Paris a few weeks ago, was told could take 1 year for work visa. Try another option. Hard to immigrate to France

Are you sure about what you say?

some good links hereafter

wiki about immigration

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_e...e_fran.C3.A7ais

wiki about PACS

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/PACS

long stay visa to get married in France

http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france_15...ance_10899.html

I'd be curious about bringing my husband here.

always thought it would be very easy.

Would imagine that he can come any time and then request to stay and and be authorised to work

but have not looked at it really.

[Frenchwife 1]

another good link to learn French

http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/particu...20&l=N16144

If already married you can ask for a visa for personal reasons "vie privée et familiale"

In that case you don't require "carte de sejour"

then about working I don't know

also I don't know how long it takes

[Frenchwife 1]

another good link to learn French

http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/particu...20&l=N16144

and also

http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/particu...tml#titreN1004A

If already married you can ask for a visa for personal reasons "vie privée et familiale"

In that case you don't require "carte de sejour"

also I don't know how long it takes

you may ask at Embassy if abroad

also apparently you can already be in France and request the visa then

I see a condition about you showing interest for learning French

About working I don't know

it does not seem to me that France is difficult about allowing spouses to be together

only if suspicious of Fraud

maybe when marriage is recentor spouse if from a country that immigrates a lot to France

... or the spouse is not learning French

Edited August 29, 2009 by Frenchwife

[Frenchwife 1]

another good link to learn French

http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/particu...20&l=N16144

and also

http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/particu...tml#titreN1004A

If already married you can ask for a visa for personal reasons "vie privée et familiale"

In that case you don't require "carte de sejour"

also I don't know how long it takes

you may ask at Embassy if abroad

also apparently you can already be in France and request the visa then

I see a condition about you showing interest for learning French

About working I don't know

it does not seem to me that France is difficult about allowing spouses to be together

only if suspicious of Fraud

maybe when marriage is recentor spouse if from a country that immigrates a lot to France

... or the spouse is not learning French

would like to amend myself, thought I had removed this part from my post

i]it does not seem to me that France is difficult about allowing spouses to be together

only if suspicious of Fraud

maybe when marriage is recentor spouse if from a country that immigrates a lot to France

... or the spouse is not learning French[/i]

It may not be easy

only it is not obvious from "procedures" where it is difficult

probably pratically can be difficult, in particular if not talking French or not handled by a person

proficient in French and in paperwork

sorry I am not writing very well

tired

should go to sleep now

Edited August 29, 2009 by Frenchwife

[Jonara 0]

Are you sure about what you say?

some good links hereafter

wiki about immigration

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_e...e_fran.C3.A7ais

wiki about PACS

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/PACS

long stay visa to get married in France

http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france_15...ance_10899.html

I'd be curious about bringing my husband here.

always thought it would be very easy.

Would imagine that he can come any time and then request to stay and and be authorised to work

but have not looked at it really.

Though it's a cool tool, Wiki is always the last thing I reference for anything. The site relies on volunteers to charge articles in there. I'm not against that site by the way but in terms of immigration laws and regulations, I'd prefer to go for the most reliable source...which I presumed will be a French immigration website.

p.s. Thanks for your info too!

Edited August 30, 2009 by Jonara