Q & A

Subject: What visa do I need?

Question: I am American and getting married to a Frenchman this December in Europe. We are planning to move to France after the wedding. I am trying to find out if it is OK for me to arrive just on a "tourist" visa (without one) and then apply for residence once we are physically there. I have received conflicting info, some consulate employees think that I "might" need a long term visa, but I found a notation in the Washington DC consulate site that says that American spouses of French nationals don't need a visa and are to apply for residence once there... HELP!!! I just want to be sure and hear if anyone has done this?

Answer: My suggestion is to arrive with a long-term visa. I tell you this because I came on a tourist visa and I am now having a problem renewing my Carte de Sejour. I was told at the Préfecture that my file would need to be "studied", I was also told that there should be no problem getting a ten year Carte de Sejour, just that I might need to meet with someone to get everything straight.
For more information on visas click here. Jeff

France 101 - A six-day long conference focusing on everything you need to know live in France.