New rules for some categories demanding "le titre de sejour"

[Coton90]

Originally Posted by Californiagirl

That's good news! Did they give you the visa right away or did you have to wait? They are saying that the wait is now 2-3 weeks and I was just wondering if that is the case?

Yes,
They said it would be 2-3 weeks. We have to go back there next week for my daughter's French passport and a certificate de changement de residence.

Good Luck

[Snodge]

Originally Posted by frenchie

I am still confused about that 300 euros fee.

Following the link in your second post there's another link to the page for spouses of French nationals. In a blue highlighted box I saw this:


"Applications are processed free of charge for spouses of French citizens"

so it seems it's free... ???

[frenchie]

Originally Posted by Snodge

Following the link in your second post there's another link to the page for spouses of French nationals. In a blue highlighted box I saw this:


"Applications are processed free of charge for spouses of French citizens"

so it seems it's free... ???

It is free to apply for the long term visa but to validate the visa (and therefore being allowed to stay and work for up to a year at first), it costs 300 euros.

[Coton90]

Originally Posted by Coton90

Hello,

I just applied for a long term VISA at the consulate in Washington DC and there was no mention of any charge. The staff was very courteous and helpful. We brought our original Livret de Famille but were unaware they wanted a copy. They waived the requirement. Also, they didn't ask for a deed or lease to our house in France, as listed in the required documents on their web page. We waited only 15 minutes past our appointment time so all and all it was a good experience.

I was just notified by the French Consulate my Visa is approved and ready for pick up. Pretty good processing time I'd say.

[Californiagirl]

Wow, that's fast! Congrats.

[Snodge]

Originally Posted by frenchie

It is free to apply for the long term visa but to validate the visa (and therefore being allowed to stay and work for up to a year at first), it costs 300 euros.

Well Frenchie, I just took the time to go and read the requirements again:

Requirements Retour à la table des matières
Please provide us with the original + 1 copy of each document. The visa section does not make any copies, you must bring your documents and the required copies.


Applications are processed free of charge for spouses of French citizens (emphasis mine)


1. Original passport or travel document (+ ONE COPY of the identity pages) valid for at least three months after your return to the US. Make sure your passport has blank pages left to affix the visa.

2. One application form filled out completely and signed by the applicant (please read carefully the explanation).

3. Two ID pictures : one glued/stapled onto the application form + one left loose. All photographs must be recent, in color on a plain white background, of full front view, taken facing the camera. No side or angled view are acceptable. Chin to top of hair should measure about 1"

4. Original flight itinerary (+ ONE COPY)

5. Proof of marriage : family book "Livret de famille" (+ ONE COPY)

6. Proof of Spouse’s nationality : spouse’s original « carte nationale d’identité » or consular registration card (« carte consulaire ») or « certificat de nationalité française » or the « ampliation du décret de naturalisation ou réintégration » of your French spouse (+ ONE COPY)

7. Relevant documents concerning the residency of the French spouse or his/her intention to reside in France.

8. One residence form duly filled out (upper part only)

9. A self-addressed prepaid EXPRESS MAIL envelope from the US POST OFFICE ONLY - NO FEDEX / UPS / AIRBORNE EXPRESS accepted.

Please do NOT stick the mailing label on the envelope and fill out as follows :

FROM:
CONSULATE GENERAL OF FRANCE
205N. Michigan Ave, Suite 3700
CHICAGO, IL 60601
TO:
Your full name
Your address

and as you can see there are no "processing"fees listed and it specifically says that it's processed for free. If you go to the "visitor" category page and look at the requirements it prominently lists the $300 "processing" fee. Isn't that the $300 you're talking about?

I'm just reading the rules, don't have any first hand experience, but it seems that those of us lucky enough ( and I mean that in many more ways than just this instance ) to be married to a French National are being extended the courtesy that we had in the past, i.e. free visas.

[frenchie]

Hi Snodge,

It appears that the long term entry visa are processed for free. But the stamp exempting you of the carte de sejour for the first year costs 300 euros. Linky

It does mention the fee for conjoint de francais, 300 euros. I have been trying to find a link of it in english, but got not luck with the embassy websites. They seem to be a tad behind in updating their site. The process has just changed on june 1rst, 2009. I am just going based on the french USCIS. :P

The process is the same prior to entering the french continent (i.e applying and getting a long term visa for spouse of french citizen). They just overhauled the process post-entry (i.e medical, etc...).

[Bevdeforges]

Hi frenchie and snodge,
In some ways it was always thus... when you had to get a titre de séjour on arrival, you had to pay for the issuance of the document (whereas they don't charge French nationals for a carte d'identité).

The other factor here is the recent change in procedures. Nothing is going to get updated until September in any event, and who knows what they'll come up with at that point. And, in typical French fashion, I'm sure there will be some variation between the individual prefectures in how these new procedures roll out.
Cheers,
Bev

[Snodge]

Ah, so it would cost 600 euros if one wasn't married to a National. Too bad, I like things free!
Still pretty cheap compared to US immigration fees.

Thanks for clearing things up, and also for first getting this info on the forum.

Roger

[SimonKent]

I am Australian and just married my Dutch girlfirend, so are their major changes made that I need to be aware of ? We are moving to France in the next 3 months. We have been jumping through hoops making sure everything is water tight, but now do I have to check the websites again ?