Competences et talents - timing after approval

[tinpanalley]

Very quick question for anyone who's been approved for the competences et talents visa...
When they give you the 90 days on approval to enter the country, is that also the time within which you are expected to get to the prefecture for the first time? Or is there a new time-frame within which to do the France side of the process AFTER arriving?

Thanks!

[Bevdeforges]

Normally 90 days (or 3 months) is the time limit for whatever formalities they require of you on almost any long-stay visa - signing in with the OFII, visiting the prefecture, etc.
Cheers,
Bev

[tinpanalley]

Ok... well just thinking that if the visa were approved in the middle of this month (next week), 90 days would be mid-September. I'm just thinking that arriving September 1st may not be wise then. 2 weeks to do all the other stuff seems insufficient.

[audreyc]

When we applied we gave them our flight itinerary (not even a ticket, just the flights we wanted if approved) and they gave us a visa that started just a few days before our intended arrival. (ie, our itinerary had flights on June 5th and our visa started June 1st.)

I think you may be able to request the visa start date if it isn't too far in the future. It's worth a shot, especially if you prefer to wait until September.

[Brazil]

Originally Posted by audreyc

When we applied we gave them our flight itinerary (not even a ticket, just the flights we wanted if approved) and they gave us a visa that started just a few days before our intended arrival. (ie, our itinerary had flights on June 5th and our visa started June 1st.)

I think you may be able to request the visa start date if it isn't too far in the future. It's worth a shot, especially if you prefer to wait until September.

Audrey,

Me and my wife will be in England until she finishes her master's in february/2013. After that we plan of going back to Brazil and stay until late april/2013. We'd like to apply from London rather than Rio de janeiro, as if we don't get it sorted we will probably extend our stay in UK (we need visa here as well).

Do you think it is possible to apply for the CeT when we are still in London mid-november/2012, asking them for issueing that for april/2013? (It is going to be 5 months in advance)

Does anybody know any case like this?

Thank you very much!

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by Brazil

Audrey,

Me and my wife will be in England until she finishes her master's in february/2013. After that we plan of going back to Brazil and stay until late april/2013. We'd like to apply from London rather than Rio de janeiro, as if we don't get it sorted we will probably extend our stay in UK (we need visa here as well).

Do you think it is possible to apply for the CeT when we are still in London mid-november/2012, asking them for issueing that for april/2013? (It is going to be 5 months in advance)

Does anybody know any case like this?

Thank you very much!

You can apply for the CeT visa through the French consulate where you are legally resident. As long as you are in English on valid visas you can apply - but most consulates won't accept a visa application more than 3 months in advance.
Cheers,
Bev

[Brazil]

Originally Posted by Bevdeforges

You can apply for the CeT visa through the French consulate where you are legally resident. As long as you are in English on valid visas you can apply - but most consulates won't accept a visa application more than 3 months in advance.
Cheers,
Bev

Hi Bev,

Thanks for your quick response! Yes, we have a valid visa for UK until february/2013 and, according to the consulate's general info here, they apply this 3 months rule. I was hoping to get a "better" answer after seeing this Audreyc's post...

Anyway, I will find out another way to get this visa in a timely manner.

Thank you very much!

[Brazil]

Originally Posted by Bevdeforges

You can apply for the CeT visa through the French consulate where you are legally resident. As long as you are in English on valid visas you can apply - but most consulates won't accept a visa application more than 3 months in advance.
Cheers,
Bev

Hi Bev,

Everywhere I go looking for information, I see your name...

Correct me if I say something wrong: I should pay the €349 only after I get the CeT, right? Do I pay this as soon as I arrive in France? I also noticed that London embassy charges another €19 to issue the stamp or something like this.

I couldn't find these informations all together. Some people said this visa used to be free of charge, but not anymore.

What are the fees to be paid and when to pay each of them?

[Bevdeforges]

This is the page on fees for visas from the French consulate in London: Fees - France in the United Kingdom - La France au Royaume-Uni

The visa fees are payable when you apply for the visa. If you are denied the visa you seek, you're out the money.

I suspect the 349€ fee you're talking about may be the fee for your first carte de séjour. See the chart here for further information: Première demande de carte de séjour temporaire - Service-public.fr That fee you only pay after your arrival in France when you apply for your first carte de séjour (i.e. residence permit).
Cheers,
Bev

[Brazil]

Originally Posted by Bevdeforges

This is the page on fees for visas from the French consulate in London: Fees - France in the United Kingdom - La France au Royaume-Uni[/url]

The visa fees are payable when you apply for the visa. If you are denied the visa you seek, you're out the money.

I suspect the 349€ fee you're talking about may be the fee for your first carte de séjour. See the chart here for further information: Première demande de carte de séjour temporaire - Service-public.fr[/url] That fee you only pay after your arrival in France when you apply for your first carte de séjour (i.e. residence permit).
Cheers,
Bev

Yes, it is all clear now.

Bev, thanks again! Very helpful!!!