Long stay visa application asks for return tickets - why??!!

[lumieredusoleil]

Hello all!!

This is my second visa application question on this forum but the repsonses to the last one were so helpful that I thought I would ask again! I hope to repay this valuable information to someone else one day.

I am applying for my long stay visa for 2 years and have insurance for 2 years etc etc, but the application says that I have to provide "return tickets to France". Ummmm... if I am applying to stay in France for 2 years, why on earth would I waste the return ticket?? What is the point of this requirement? If anyone could explain the logic behind the requirement, I would be greatly appreciative.

My question is, is it acceptable to include a one-way ticket with perhaps an onward ticket to somewhere else in EUrope, like a Ryan Air ticket to another European country, thus demonstrating that I am able to move on from France if needed?

Please help!! I am so confused!

thank you

[frogblogger]

It does seem a pretty stupid requirement for a long-term visa. I don't know about France, but when I've had to do this in Asia, I've obtained a budget flight ticket for a border hop for next to nothing, and that's been acceptable.

[dougondemand]

Originally Posted by lumieredusoleil

I am applying for my long stay visa for 2 years and have insurance for 2 years etc etc, but the application says that I have to provide "return tickets to France". Ummmm... if I am applying to stay in France for 2 years, why on earth would I waste the return ticket?? What is the point of this requirement? If anyone could explain the logic behind the requirement, I would be greatly appreciative.

I thought a long stay visa is valid three months, during which you are required to obtain your carte de séjour, which is valid max one year, renewable.

Why would they be asking you to have a return ticket for two years from now? Most airlines won't even let you book that far ahead, AFAIK...

Have you already bought the tickets to France, and they want to see it in case the visa is refused? Even that would be strange, as they recommend that you don't make travel arrangements until they've issued your visa.

Which consulate is asking you for this? When I applied for my long stay visa I didn't have to show a return ticket.

The French administration isn't known for being logical, but even this seems unreasonable.

You need to confirm with the consulate on this one.

[frogblogger]

Originally Posted by dougondemand

The French administration isn't known for being logical, but even this seems unreasonable.

The French had their Age de Raison two centuries ago, and it's been downhill ever since

[frenchie]

Another way to go about this is to buy a round trip ticket that allows you to change your return flight to a later date. And yes, you are right I don't know of a single airline that will let you book so early.

I would call the consulate and ask them. I find it ridiculous. If it was a short term visa, sure I see it. But long-term? That is just stupid from their part.

[Bevdeforges]

The French are great at writing regulations that sound good, but even in their laws, they often forget to check what regulations and laws are already in effect. Someone once explained to me that the purpose of a lawyer in France is find a law that contradicts the one you are accused of having broken. It's apparently not difficult to do and is considered your "defense."

On several French consulate websites I have seen them advise visa applicants NOT to book airline tickets until their visa has been granted. I'm willing to bet that if you search a bit on the website of the consulate you're working with, you can find something similar.

Try politely indicating to the consulate that Air France limits ticket purchase to 10 months (I think it is - check their website) before the date of travel, and then kind of throw yourself on their mercy. (At least this always works the best for me.... "Can you please advise me what to do here?")

Think of it as a game, always be polite and respectful when dealing with fonctionnaires of any ilk, and just figure it's part of the "welcome to France" process.
Cheers,
Bev

[lumieredusoleil]

Hi all and thank you for your replies!

I am still super confused about this requirement, but I guess everybody else is too!!

Basically they say it is a "compulsory requirement". I emailed the French Embassy in my city in Australia (as the consulate REFUSES to give any help or explanation to anybody with regard to visas and this is stipulated on their website ) who told me that the requirement is in place to make sure you don't become 'penniless' within a few months of arriving.

The Embassy told me to book a 3 month return ticket and then just forfeit it since I won't be using it. A $250 visa fee, $3500 for comprehensive health insurance, $50 for a criminal history check and now they're asking me to spend an extra $800 or so on a return ticket that I will never use? It is just unbelievable!!

So I am posing this question to everyone... what do you think the risk is if I
a) buy a one way ticket from Australia to France
b) buy a ticket to another European country for about 3 months after my arrivcal in France to show that I will be able to leave France and go on a holiday
c) get my parents to sign affidavits stating that they will buy my return ticket if () I become 'penniless' during my stay in France
d) indicate that it is impossible to book a return ticket so far in advance

Does that sound like soemthing that would provoke the rejection of my visa application or do you think they would accept that?

I would buy the return ticket and forfeit it if it was just maybe $200 or so, but flying from Australia is like $1400 for one way or $2200 for a return. It's really, really insane... people talk about French bureaucracy and its idiocy, but this is just... well, words can't even describe...

Look fwd to hearing from anyone with their opinion!!

[lumieredusoleil]

Oh and for 'dougondemand' I meant to ask, you said it wasn't a requirement of your long stay visa to show return tix to the USA... so they didn't stipulate any flight requirements at all? Why should this differ between the USA and Australia!? It's nuts.

How long ago did you apply for your visa?

Oh and thank you for your detailed responses too!

[dougondemand]

Originally Posted by lumieredusoleil

Oh and for 'dougondemand' I meant to ask, you said it wasn't a requirement of your long stay visa to show return tix to the USA... so they didn't stipulate any flight requirements at all? Why should this differ between the USA and Australia!? It's nuts.

How long ago did you apply for your visa?

Oh and thank you for your detailed responses too!

Well it was three years ago, so I guess they've changed their requirements (there have been a few people here recently saying they have to show a return ticket). Also I was a student in London when I applied for the visa, so maybe that had some effect?

What kind of a long-stay visa are you applying for?

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by lumieredusoleil

So I am posing this question to everyone... what do you think the risk is if I
a) buy a one way ticket from Australia to France
b) buy a ticket to another European country for about 3 months after my arrivcal in France to show that I will be able to leave France and go on a holiday
c) get my parents to sign affidavits stating that they will buy my return ticket if () I become 'penniless' during my stay in France
d) indicate that it is impossible to book a return ticket so far in advance

First of all, the one bit of advice on the consulate website I would heed is the one to NOT buy your tickets until you have gotten your visa.

Part b of your plan won't work, because of the Schengen agreement. Going elsewhere in Europe isn't considered as "leaving France" due to Schengen. You'll still be "resident" in France - just on holiday within the EU.

What reason are you giving for your 2 year visa? Will you be working while in France or not? One big issue is that if you're going for a long stay "non-working" visa, it's going to be very difficult to convince them you're legit, no matter what return tickets you buy, unless you can point to an independent source of income during those two years.

The other approach is to buy a full fare, fully refundable round trip ticket - that way if you don't get the visa, you can cash it in, and if you do get the visa, you can get a refund for the return part. But it's an expensive way to go. (Actually, that's part of the game - if you can afford to do that, they figure you've got enough dosh to not have to work while you're staying in France.)

The main thing is that you have to convince them that you have every good reason to go back home when your 2 years is up. If they suspect that you're going to hang on in France for any reason, looking for a job or a spouse to get you a permanent visa, they'll reject your application.
Cheers,
Bev