Competences et talents approved!

[brians]

Hi all--

I said I'd report back after I went through this process.

I applied for my Competences et Talents card with a long term visa 2 weeks ago exactly today and I'm excited to say I received back approval today!

As a bit of background, I am self-employed developing mobile phone applications. The business is just me and a few occasional contractors. After I visited France for about 2 months earlier this year, I decided I wanted to go full time. The CetT card seemed just perfect for my situation. I have a postgraduate (master's) degree in computer science and now have a sustainable and growing business.

I wrote up a 2 page cover letter of my "project" which is basically to continue what I'm doing now but hopefully concentrate on a few things that are related to french tourism. But really the project summary mostly dealt with my background and my experience in Paris this year. The "project" part was only a few paragraphs. But obviously it was compelling enough. I made it a point to mention the possibility of working with local professionals. And I translated the full cover letter to French and included that (as noted on the consulate web site).

Along with that bit, I submitted my application forms, passport photos, past tax returns, my business's LLC docs from california + LLC tax info, bank statements, investment statements, newspaper & web printouts about my products, a resume, a confirmed plane ticket, and a letter from a landlord saying he would rent to me.

The one bit that really worried me was that the website requires a FBI background check. I got my fingerprints taken at a local place and sent in the form but didn't receive it back, so I just gave the consulate a local (city) police report, plus a copy of my fingerprints and the USPS delivery confirmation that showed it was received at the FBI. Upon arrival, they actually had a biometric scanner to take my fingerprints, so I'm not sure if it was truly necessary.

The visit to the consulate itself was unexpectedly fast and absolutely no hassle. I stressed a lot about what to wear, how much French I should (try to) speak, etc. I had a 2:30pm appointment here in San Francisco, and got there at about 2:10. They called me to the window a few minutes later, and I basically just turned in everything, paid the money, had my photo & fingerprints taken, and that was that. I was out the door by 2:25pm. I had been expecting to have a bit of a chat with somebody but that didn't happen.

I worried afterwards since I had assumed that in talking to somebody (sort of a mini-interview), I would go through all my documentation with them, but instead I just turned over a pile of everything.

Honestly, the only things they asked for directly was 2 copies of the applications (with photos), my passport, and my e-ticket for my trip there. I then paid, and the person behind the counter asked "is there anything else you want to submit with your application?" I had about a 2-inch pile of other papers (+ a copy of each) and really just handed it all to him. I actually didn't even submit an OFII form or the other passport photos that are mentioned on the web site. I did also have a pre-paid express mail envelope that he asked for at the end (since he saw I had it).

Anyway, overall it was quite stressful waiting for the reply, but today the mailman knocked on my door. Inside the express mail envelope was my passport with a 90-day D visa and one-page letter (in French) detailing the acceptance and what will happen when I get to France.

So...one big piece of advice is to just be organized. The person who helped me was nice and all business. I can't help but think that being organized made it speedy and pleasant for both of us. I had a copy of every single piece of supporting documentation I could think of (1040s, diplomas, even the letter from the landlord).

I think as far as the whole "project" thing goes, they want to really see that you are serious about it and that you are absolutely capable of accomplishing it. Be honest, be organized, and be passionate about the opportunity and (of course) of France! My cover letter included a half page about my trip to Paris earlier this year, how I was teaching myself French, and simply how I absolutely fell in love with France, its people, and its culture (all true, by the way). I made it clear that it would be an honor to participate in the program and be able to give back to France.

Anyway, this post got much longer than I intended. But I'm super excited and I suppose its easy to get carried away. In any case, I arrive in France in 6 weeks!

Thanks to all who helped answer the questions I had in the forum, and if I can return the favor, fire away!

Brian

[leila11235]

Wow! That's great! CONGRATS and good luck

[Bevdeforges]

Super - and thanks for sharing your experience with the forum!

Your business actually sounds quite logical for the C et T program. France is dying to become a major contributor to the world of software and apps and such, but has yet to develop a real "killer app" that will catch on world-wide. I suspect you appeal to just such a "longing" in the national psyche.



Cheers,
Bev

[LeahStunts]

Congrats Brian! We have been here with that visa since Jan. It seems like it's the real deal Good luck!

[dijid]

Congratulations! And thanks for sharing your experience.

[chopperoni]

Congrats Brian and thanks for all of the detail! It's good to hear a success story!