Visa options for a move with bfriend

JasJas · #1 (**permalink**) 5th July 2012, 08:48 AM

HI everyone! i am new here and this is my 2nd post

happy to find out this forum which is very helpful

I am Chinese Singaporean, was working in english speaking MNC in singapore for few years as engineer, unfortunately my french level is yet to improve (almost 0 now, but active learning now). I am going to move to Paris in next 2 month with my boy friend (he is going to start his work in Paris). There is no plan for marriage yet in short future and a bit hesitate to do PACS (not sure if it will benefit my stay and get a social security number in paris). Is long stay visa a good solution for my stay in Paris? is it difficult to apply if there is proof to show that enough fund to support myself? Or maybe i should join alliance Francaise for french course first and apply student visa first?

Appreciate your suggestion !!! thanks

Bevdeforges · #2 (**permalink**) 5th July 2012, 09:56 AM

Hi and welcome! I've moved your post over to the regular section of the forum since you're asking a question many expats-to-be will be interested in.

The big issue for you is going to be whether or not you need to work when you get to France. I'm assuming your boyfriend is French (since you mention getting PACS'd). A spouse visa would give you the right to work right away. A PACS visa (or what they issue to PACS partners) probably would make you wait 6 months to a year before you'd be eligible to work.

A long-stay visa is much more likely if you can show that you have the means to support yourself without having to resort to working "under the table" while you're in France. A student visa would give you the right to remain in France while you're pursuing your studies - and you'd be able to work part-time at least. But the disadvantage is that you'd probably have to go back to Singapore in order to change your visa status if you wanted to remain in France once your program is complete.
Cheers,
Bev

JasJas · #3 (**permalink**) 6th July 2012, 03:17 AM

Bev thanks a lot for your reply!

JasJas · #4 (**permalink**) 2nd August 2012, 05:20 PM

Is there anyone here had successful experience for long-stay visa application? notice there is requirement for Financial guarantee, i am preparing my own bank statement to proof there is enough saving for my future stay but today i was told by friend that my application will be rejected if i do not have a sponsor from company, school or husband. Is that true? thanks for your reply

Bevdeforges · #5 (**permalink**) 2nd August 2012, 08:03 PM

There are several versions of a long-stay visa and your chances vary according to which sort of visa you're applying for.

If you have a job offer, then your employer becomes your sponsor - and you can't apply for your visa until your employer has received permission to hire a foreigner. If you're a student, you have to submit your admission to a school program in France and then submit proof that you have the means to pay for your school and living expense while you are in France.

If you are looking for a "visitor" visa, then you need to submit evidence that you have adequate resources of your own so that you won't be likely to work under the table while you are staying in France.

What seems to be the controlling factor in all this is what you put on your visa application as the "purpose" of your stay in France.
Cheers,
Bev