Quote:
Originally Posted by whitelilac
Hello,
I am sorry it's me again...
So once I come back to California after having married him in France, and I apply for the visa, lets hope they issue it in some days, afterwords, can I purchase a one way ticket to France? Or do I have to buy a round trip ticket because they will ask me to return again..And of course I will to see my family, but I just wanted to know if after the visa, I still need to buy a round trip ticket, or if I will legally then have the right to live in Franc indefinitely?
We've just been living in 2 different continents for years now and I am starting to get tired. Would be nice to finally finalize things.
So then the best case scenario is that I apply for a long term visa and get it before going to France to marry him, that way I do not have to come back and wait, because something tells me I will wait a long time, already both their visa phone lines and their emails go unanswered.
Thank you once again!
|
If you apply for your visa AFTER the marriage (with your livret de famille in hand), chances are you won't be asked about flights or anything like that. It's very nearly an automatic visa - and the one or two day wait is simply to schedule your interview appointment. (They do have to assess your knowledge of French and your degree of integration into French society.)
When you return to France, you can then apply for your carte de séjour - first one will be for one year. At the end of that time, you need to show that you have fulfilled the terms of your "contract of integration" (i.e. learned French and sat through their little intro class on French life and culture). If I understand correctly, you will probably have the right to work as soon as your carte de séjour is issued.
I think you still have to renew your carte de séjour at least once, but after that, you'll probably receive a carte de residente (i.e. a 10-year card). (Unless they change the rules yet again...)
If you break up before you have your carte de residente, you'll be expected to leave the country. After you have your carte de residente, you can apply for French citizenship - and if that is granted, you have to remain married for at least two years in order for it to be permanent. (I.e. if you divorce within two years after getting your citizenship based on your marriage to a French national, your French citizenship will be cancelled.)
Cheers,
Bev