Subscribed! Were you required to submit proof of 12 whole months of residency? We are more likely to only have 2-3 months booked out when we apply, and plan on moving around. Not sure if that’s a game changer…
Thank you KJ and Tony. Although I have watched several of your videos, I missed the segment on Sobriety. Our oldest daughters began their journey in 2001, unfortunately, our middle daughter died from a heroin overdose in 2018. The oldest and her husband have been in recovery (he is still medicated, which is a problem) for around 7 years. Our youngest never danced with the devil. My wife and I have been sober for 20 years. This backstory has prompted us to explore Europe (and ourselves). We decided to move forward with our journey; this we can change. The other stuff is out of our control. Again, thank you. Dean & Cindy
Hi Dean and Cindy - I apologize for the late response, I'm just catching up on comments. Tony and I are so sorry to hear of the loss of your daughter. I know there are no words, except to say that we are familiar with your suffering. We are happy to know that your oldest daughter is doing well and that you and your wife have been sober for 20 years. We are also excited for you and your journey to find a home in Europe. We are headed back to France a week from Tuesday and can't wait to discover some new places we haven't been before, while also spending some time in familiar Nice. Perhaps we'll cross paths at some point along our journeys. I hope so, as I already know we have a lot in common. Safe travels to you!
I quit my Nursing Job in the US & moved to Paris in 2004 & lived there until December 2005. Getting a long-term Visa back then was tough, involving going to the Police Dept in Paris. So I just left every 90 days & flew to The US for 2 weeks, then returned to Paris for another 90 days. I lived in a lovely ground floor apartment that was owned by a Physician & his wife. I had Beautiful French Doors from my Private Courtyard, but the Apartment was only 35 Sq Meters (about 350 Sq Ft)… It was a wonderful experience!
It sounds lovely. We are grateful to have a long-stay visa, but unsure how it will go after that. It says it's a multiple stay visa, which I think means we can renew. We'll find out.
Hi KJ & Tony. Thanks for posting another informative and detailed summary on this complicated and somewhat elusive process. As Tony stated, things are not always as they seem or as posted. Therefor one needs to do a lot of cross checking on procedures and timing. Because there is a lot of misinformation and confusion online and even on the official site. This post clarified many questions and is a valuable tool to help people through the process. Hope you're enjoying Paris in the winter! Seasons Greetings...
This has been an amazingly useful video for folk wanting to make this move - and for all of them who find it, thank you! I didn't need to do this as a British citizen as I moved before Brexit. As a result of that, the French visa office suddenly had to (and still have to) cope with British citizen's applications as well as their usual heavy workload! And a lot of those British citizens won't have been / aren't too happy, having enjoyed freedom of movement for over 40 years! (No, I didn't vote for Brexit, but you probably you guessed that?) Thank you, too, for being calm, polite and organised! Those folk behind the desks in any place get a huge amount of abuse when things go wrong, wherever the person in front of the desk is from, so meeting someone like you, with a smile, with all the papers intact, and keeping your cool when things weren't working out is a drop of rainbow in their difficult existence. And yes, I think that is one very big reason why they took Tony's application along with yours. It's going to be such a joy for French officials to have you as clients. Completely by the way, brought to mind because of *why* I know how it is for them: When you become residents, you absolutely *must* fill in a French tax return each May/ You should also fill in the return for the part-year of your application. This is regardless of the fact that you will continue to pay your taxes in the USA on your US earnings. They don't charge you twice. You declare earnings abroad and in France separately. Also, if you are doing paid work for the US while in France, you will almost certainly be taxed on it in France, because you have earned it here. Again, you'll find you aren't charged twice. If you can't make sense of it (and I didn't!), you will usually find the people at the Impôts are really helpful. What I don't know about is whether, on a long-stay visa, you're classified as residents from the start. Even though you will be moving about (they are used to that, too), I think that maybe you are, so it would be wise to check.
@@kjandtonylovefrance G'day! I'm glad it was helpful. 😊 BTW, a tip to get Tony brushing up his French: You'll both be dealing with French officialdom, and all the other face to face situations - supermarket, doctor, pharmacy, hospital (an ambulance takes us to the nearest hospital, not the nearest English-speaking clinic), in any emergency situation, and all the rest. So, sorry, Tony, but you really do need to get cracking with your language skills, because there are many times that KJ won't be able to be with you. It's also one of the biggest reasons the French aren't exactly keen on Americans (and a lot of British): because so many who don't need to work don't bother to learn the language, and live almost exclusively among the 'ex-pats'. BTW, we aren't expats - we're immigrants, just as every other non-French-born person is who moves to France, or any country not of their birth is an immigrant. When this is pointed out, a lot of folk react badly, but it is the truth - we *are* immigrants and guests of this country of our adoption. Crumbs! All this sounds rather harsh in writing, but are things which we need to accept. They are reality. Sermon over - hope it helps, anyway. 😊
@@MrsBarnabas Such great advice. Ty for posting all your tips as well as the caution to learn French. I read a recent French official document on rules related to becoming a resident. Beautiful writing, clear as day. Impression on reading it: boy they aren't kidding around about how important the official French position is: learn to speak French if you want to live here. There were lots of ways the government is providing resources to help the newcomer learn. Truly hope you can both manage to achieve good language skill. I said to my daughter the other day before I saw this video: I dont think I can do it anymore, it doesnt seem like they have a loophole for old people like me who have some impairments with language. I wonder if they do? Again, thanks for the honest, but caring tone you used.
Great video! Question - my husband and I are also applying for a long term visa here in NYC. I already submitted the applications yesterday and arranged an interview for the end of August. I input both my husband's details and my own when it was asking for the appointment (it asked if I was adding anyone). So it's one appointment. Both my husband and myself recevied separate emails confirming our appointments - but it is at the same time. Are you saying I must change that and get my husband a different appointment? Not only did I put his name on my application, as you said you did - but I also made sure to include him once again on the appointment page - so he has a completely separate identity number. Thanks for helping!
It sounds like, based upon the fact that you have two different confirmation numbers, that you should be okay. I think I definitely made a mistake when booking ours.
It proves the saying, you get more with honey than vinegar. Glad you made their day a bit more pleasant. I haven't been to France yet but have been looking at becoming an expat there or in Portugal and have made extensive excel files on both on cities/villes to visit and explore. Would you suggest just using the less than 90 day short stay not requiring a visa to explore first or do a long-stay visa to stay longer?
Yes, we would definitely recommend first going for shorter periods of time, within the 90 day max before going down the long-stay visa route. That is what we are now doing because we came back to the states after 3 months.
I was hoping you would have completed the next part of the application specifically under your plans ex. Business, family, and other. Which did you choose?
I have a few questions, what are the rental of an apartment requirements? One year lease or can I do monthly. You seem to have an apartment for one month. Second, income requirements, is it around €3000 a month and what kind of steady income do you require? IRA, rental income, savings, Social Security? Love you video and getting a tourist visa seems like the one we want to acquire after watching your wonderful video!
Hey! This might seem like a silly question haha but for the VISA application can the ID photos just be attached to the application paper by a paperclip or do they need to be stuck on or attached and printed when doing the application online?? Thanks! :)
Thanks for the video but you rushed through the (awful) web site that got you to your appointment. I'm stuck on "Voter project" and "Motif principal du sejour". How did you answer those questions? (I'm in the same boat you are in, retiring soon and hoping to move to France with wife for a couple of years) Also, when did you apply in relation to you moving date, We're hoping to move Jan 2025
I believe we put either visitor or retired. We applied 3 months in advance because you do need things like your date of departure and where you'll be living.
It's a bit of the same principle as entering the foreign legion; the French State does everything to discourage you. So, if you pass all the tests, it is certain that you are motivated and that you are coming here for the right reasons. 😋😅😂🤣🤣
Hi, what did put down as to why you were going to France..and was there anything they requested that was a problem? I know a couple here and they needed to get a security background check as part of there application..did that happen to you?
Hi David - There was not anything they requested that was a problem for us. I did do the security background check, but they didn't ask for it at the interview here in the states. I thought, however, they might ask for it at the appt. in Paris, but we never made it that far. I would go ahead and do it if I were you. You can have it done easily on line and it's not that expensive.
KJ and Tony - the visa form asks for an address in France. Did you put your first Airbnb place? Also, you may have already answered this in prior videos, but do you need a French bank account?
Hi Chris! yes, we used the address of our first AirBnB and haven't need a bank account yet. We have been told we'll need one for our insurance reimbursements, but we'll see. We will also add this to our q&A list for next week. Thank you!
Thanks for the video! I have my visa appt soon. Can you tell me how long it took to get your passport back in the mail after your Visa interview? I have an international trip 2 weeks after my interview. Thx!
I think it took 3 weeks total. And if you are going for less than 90 days you won't need a Visa. But if it's longer, I would check to see if they have an expedited service.
Hi! I am going through the visa research now for a au pair Visa for France. A basic knowledge or secondary level of education is required. Did you have this same requirement?
Approximately $1900 a month. I think it is double for husband/wife because I think that is per person, but it doesn't matter who has the income. They just want to know that you can afford to live there.
No, we are not working in France. Not sure what video you heard that in, but it is not what we meant. My husband is basically retired (he still does consulting and online work) and we have an online business that is based in the US. We don't plan on getting jobs here or otherwise working with the French or in any French business.
@@kjandtonylovefrance but you can work remotely with an American company? Will you be changing all your bank accounts to French ones or keeping American? They don’t mind if you work remote with an American company?
@@jillwhitneybirk legally, you cannot work remote in France if on a Visa. People do it, just don't get caught and don't tell them at your visa appt that you are working remote. you will be denied.
@@Antbomb, it took me about three months of preparation, but upon the appointment it only took a week for it to be approved. Mind you, I had a sponsor who visited their local mayor to get a « welcome letter » for me, which escalated the process.
@@oremust3718 wow cool! Thanks for replying. How did you get a sponsor? I’m doing a 12 French classes and 12 week internship. So I’m looking into the student visa
@@Antbomb well my situation is that my fiancée is French, so her parents are sponsoring me. Which is going to lead into a family visa in the coming year
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Subscribed! Were you required to submit proof of 12 whole months of residency?
We are more likely to only have 2-3 months booked out when we apply, and plan on moving around. Not sure if that’s a game changer…
I’m so happy to finally find a video that actually explains the process of applying for a French long term stay visa, thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!❤
Glad it was helpful!
🙌so glad you were able to keep calm doing the appointment! It work out for you both 🎉
Yes! Thank you!
Thank you KJ and Tony.
Although I have watched several of your videos, I missed the segment on Sobriety.
Our oldest daughters began their journey in 2001, unfortunately, our middle daughter died from a heroin overdose in 2018. The oldest and her husband have been in recovery (he is still medicated, which is a problem) for around 7 years. Our youngest never danced with the devil. My wife and I have been sober for 20 years. This backstory has prompted us to explore Europe (and ourselves). We decided to move forward with our journey; this we can change. The other stuff is out of our control. Again, thank you.
Dean & Cindy
Hi Dean and Cindy - I apologize for the late response, I'm just catching up on comments. Tony and I are so sorry to hear of the loss of your daughter. I know there are no words, except to say that we are familiar with your suffering. We are happy to know that your oldest daughter is doing well and that you and your wife have been sober for 20 years. We are also excited for you and your journey to find a home in Europe. We are headed back to France a week from Tuesday and can't wait to discover some new places we haven't been before, while also spending some time in familiar Nice. Perhaps we'll cross paths at some point along our journeys. I hope so, as I already know we have a lot in common. Safe travels to you!
I quit my Nursing Job in the US & moved to Paris in 2004 & lived there until December 2005. Getting a long-term Visa back then was tough, involving going to the Police Dept in Paris. So I just left every 90 days & flew to The US for 2 weeks, then returned to Paris for another 90 days. I lived in a lovely ground floor apartment that was owned by a Physician & his wife. I had Beautiful French Doors from my Private Courtyard, but the Apartment was only 35 Sq Meters (about 350 Sq Ft)…
It was a wonderful experience!
It sounds lovely. We are grateful to have a long-stay visa, but unsure how it will go after that. It says it's a multiple stay visa, which I think means we can renew. We'll find out.
@@kjandtonylovefranceyou saw the Olympics opening right? RUN
Hi KJ & Tony. Thanks for posting another informative and detailed summary on this complicated and somewhat elusive process. As Tony stated, things are not always as they seem or as posted. Therefor one needs to do a lot of cross checking on procedures and timing. Because there is a lot of misinformation and confusion online and even on the official site. This post clarified many questions and is a valuable tool to help people through the process. Hope you're enjoying Paris in the winter! Seasons Greetings...
Thank you! It's a bit chilly here now. We've made a couple of trips to UniGlo for long johns and such, which has helped. Thanks for watching 🥰
This has been an amazingly useful video for folk wanting to make this move - and for all of them who find it, thank you! I didn't need to do this as a British citizen as I moved before Brexit. As a result of that, the French visa office suddenly had to (and still have to) cope with British citizen's applications as well as their usual heavy workload! And a lot of those British citizens won't have been / aren't too happy, having enjoyed freedom of movement for over 40 years! (No, I didn't vote for Brexit, but you probably you guessed that?)
Thank you, too, for being calm, polite and organised! Those folk behind the desks in any place get a huge amount of abuse when things go wrong, wherever the person in front of the desk is from, so meeting someone like you, with a smile, with all the papers intact, and keeping your cool when things weren't working out is a drop of rainbow in their difficult existence. And yes, I think that is one very big reason why they took Tony's application along with yours.
It's going to be such a joy for French officials to have you as clients.
Completely by the way, brought to mind because of *why* I know how it is for them:
When you become residents, you absolutely *must* fill in a French tax return each May/ You should also fill in the return for the part-year of your application. This is regardless of the fact that you will continue to pay your taxes in the USA on your US earnings. They don't charge you twice. You declare earnings abroad and in France separately. Also, if you are doing paid work for the US while in France, you will almost certainly be taxed on it in France, because you have earned it here. Again, you'll find you aren't charged twice.
If you can't make sense of it (and I didn't!), you will usually find the people at the Impôts are really helpful.
What I don't know about is whether, on a long-stay visa, you're classified as residents from the start. Even though you will be moving about (they are used to that, too), I think that maybe you are, so it would be wise to check.
Thank you SO much for all that great info! Very helpful!!
@@kjandtonylovefrance G'day! I'm glad it was helpful. 😊
BTW, a tip to get Tony brushing up his French: You'll both be dealing with French officialdom, and all the other face to face situations - supermarket, doctor, pharmacy, hospital (an ambulance takes us to the nearest hospital, not the nearest English-speaking clinic), in any emergency situation, and all the rest. So, sorry, Tony, but you really do need to get cracking with your language skills, because there are many times that KJ won't be able to be with you.
It's also one of the biggest reasons the French aren't exactly keen on Americans (and a lot of British): because so many who don't need to work don't bother to learn the language, and live almost exclusively among the 'ex-pats'.
BTW, we aren't expats - we're immigrants, just as every other non-French-born person is who moves to France, or any country not of their birth is an immigrant. When this is pointed out, a lot of folk react badly, but it is the truth - we *are* immigrants and guests of this country of our adoption.
Crumbs! All this sounds rather harsh in writing, but are things which we need to accept. They are reality.
Sermon over - hope it helps, anyway. 😊
@@MrsBarnabas Such great advice. Ty for posting all your tips as well as the caution to learn French. I read a recent French official document on rules related to becoming a resident. Beautiful writing, clear as day. Impression on reading it: boy they aren't kidding around about how important the official French position is: learn to speak French if you want to live here. There were lots of ways the government is providing resources to help the newcomer learn. Truly hope you can both manage to achieve good language skill. I said to my daughter the other day before I saw this video: I dont think I can do it anymore, it doesnt seem like they have a loophole for old people like me who have some impairments with language. I wonder if they do? Again, thanks for the honest, but caring tone you used.
Great and detailed vlog KJ and Tony. Is a birth certificate required for the application, or just the passport will do? Thanks
Just the passport.
Great video! Question - my husband and I are also applying for a long term visa here in NYC. I already submitted the applications yesterday and arranged an interview for the end of August. I input both my husband's details and my own when it was asking for the appointment (it asked if I was adding anyone). So it's one appointment. Both my husband and myself recevied separate emails confirming our appointments - but it is at the same time. Are you saying I must change that and get my husband a different appointment? Not only did I put his name on my application, as you said you did - but I also made sure to include him once again on the appointment page - so he has a completely separate identity number. Thanks for helping!
It sounds like, based upon the fact that you have two different confirmation numbers, that you should be okay. I think I definitely made a mistake when booking ours.
Couple goals. 😊
😊
It proves the saying, you get more with honey than vinegar. Glad you made their day a bit more pleasant. I haven't been to France yet but have been looking at becoming an expat there or in Portugal and have made extensive excel files on both on cities/villes to visit and explore. Would you suggest just using the less than 90 day short stay not requiring a visa to explore first or do a long-stay visa to stay longer?
Yes, we would definitely recommend first going for shorter periods of time, within the 90 day max before going down the long-stay visa route. That is what we are now doing because we came back to the states after 3 months.
I was hoping you would have completed the next part of the application specifically under your plans ex. Business, family, and other. Which did you choose?
it's been awhile now, but I believe we chose other.
I have a few questions, what are the rental of an apartment requirements? One year lease or can I do monthly. You seem to have an apartment for one month. Second, income requirements, is it around €3000 a month and what kind of steady income do you require? IRA, rental income, savings, Social Security? Love you video and getting a tourist visa seems like the one we want to acquire after watching your wonderful video!
We rented through airbnb and vrbo. We did not "lease" an apt. If you are interested in doing so, we highly recommend Adrian Leeds.
What company did you get travel insurance???
To purchase Visa Travel Insurance vti.travel/
Hello, where can I find a list of required documents for the long stay visa? FBI report, etc? Thank you!
france-visas.gouv.fr/en/visa-application-guidelines
What are the requirements for a French long stay visa?
This site will tell you everything you need to know.
france-visas.gouv.fr/en/frequently-asked-questions
Did you need to get any of your documents translated to French; ie birth certificate, marriage etc? Thanks.
No, we did not have to have any of them translated.
Hey! This might seem like a silly question haha but for the VISA application can the ID photos just be attached to the application paper by a paperclip or do they need to be stuck on or attached and printed when doing the application online??
Thanks! :)
If you check the website link in the description, it should tell you. It's been so long at this point we can't remember, so not sure.
Thanks for the video but you rushed through the (awful) web site that got you to your appointment. I'm stuck on "Voter project" and "Motif principal du sejour". How did you answer those questions? (I'm in the same boat you are in, retiring soon and hoping to move to France with wife for a couple of years)
Also, when did you apply in relation to you moving date, We're hoping to move Jan 2025
I believe we put either visitor or retired. We applied 3 months in advance because you do need things like your date of departure and where you'll be living.
Hi! Question about the box for the purpose of visa. There isn't anything that says retirement or residency so do you just select "Visitor"?
Yes!
It's a bit of the same principle as entering the foreign legion; the French State does everything to discourage you. So, if you pass all the tests, it is certain that you are motivated and that you are coming here for the right reasons. 😋😅😂🤣🤣
Yes, I imagine this is true!!
Hi, what did put down as to why you were going to France..and was there anything they requested that was a problem? I know a couple here and they needed to get a security background check as part of there application..did that happen to you?
Hi David - There was not anything they requested that was a problem for us. I did do the security background check, but they didn't ask for it at the interview here in the states. I thought, however, they might ask for it at the appt. in Paris, but we never made it that far. I would go ahead and do it if I were you. You can have it done easily on line and it's not that expensive.
KJ and Tony - the visa form asks for an address in France. Did you put your first Airbnb place? Also, you may have already answered this in prior videos, but do you need a French bank account?
Hi Chris! yes, we used the address of our first AirBnB and haven't need a bank account yet. We have been told we'll need one for our insurance reimbursements, but we'll see. We will also add this to our q&A list for next week. Thank you!
why wouldn't you cover/list the document(s) requirements?
I think because the list is different depending in the type of visa you're seeking.
My grandemère is from St-Germain Village, department e L’ure …..i hoping to go back again. This time permanent j’espère
It's a beautiful village!
Also: are you renting your flat or did you purchase? Approx. cost ?
We rented our Paris apt for one month and paid $2641
Thanks for the video! I have my visa appt soon. Can you tell me how long it took to get your passport back in the mail after your Visa interview? I have an international trip 2 weeks after my interview. Thx!
I think it took 3 weeks total. And if you are going for less than 90 days you won't need a Visa. But if it's longer, I would check to see if they have an expedited service.
Did you speak any french during the visa process when you were there? I was wondering if that makes a difference in the process.
No, not at all. I don't think it will make a difference.
Hi! I am going through the visa research now for a au pair Visa for France. A basic knowledge or secondary level of education is required. Did you have this same requirement?
We both have PhDs and not reqyesting work visas, so not certain of those requirements.
Is there a required income to satisfy the long term visa? What if only one has an income and the wife will tag along?
Approximately $1900 a month. I think it is double for husband/wife because I think that is per person, but it doesn't matter who has the income. They just want to know that you can afford to live there.
Is it easy to apply a long stay visa for France or other any basic requirements that I need I’m been wanting to move from California to France in 2040
Yes, it's a relatively easy process.
I heard you say in your other video that you were both working in France. Did you have to get a special visa to work once you arrived?
No, we are not working in France. Not sure what video you heard that in, but it is not what we meant. My husband is basically retired (he still does consulting and online work) and we have an online business that is based in the US. We don't plan on getting jobs here or otherwise working with the French or in any French business.
@@kjandtonylovefrance but you can work remotely with an American company? Will you be changing all your bank accounts to French ones or keeping American? They don’t mind if you work remote with an American company?
@@jillwhitneybirk legally, you cannot work remote in France if on a Visa. People do it, just don't get caught and don't tell them at your visa appt that you are working remote. you will be denied.
Are you buying private insurance?
We bought a year of international travel insurance. It's required to get the visa.
I posted and got ghosted.
Hi there - Not sure what you are referring to? What did you post that was not responded to? We do not ghost people.
@kjandtonylovefrance no my comments have been disappearing from this site in general! Frustrating!! Was just saying hello and good to see you guys!
👍😎
💞
I just got my visa in the mail, it’s a bit funny that it’s just a sticker.
Lol... I had the exact same reaction!
How long did it take you?
@@Antbomb, it took me about three months of preparation, but upon the appointment it only took a week for it to be approved. Mind you, I had a sponsor who visited their local mayor to get a « welcome letter » for me, which escalated the process.
@@oremust3718 wow cool! Thanks for replying. How did you get a sponsor? I’m doing a 12 French classes and 12 week internship. So I’m looking into the student visa
@@Antbomb well my situation is that my fiancée is French, so her parents are sponsoring me. Which is going to lead into a family visa in the coming year
Why are you talking to a hand?...
Good question... lol.
you look too young to retire.
Thank you!