[ntoolan]

Bonjour all, I'm new to the forum but have found it to be extremely helpful as I look toward my move to Paris in 2018.

I have a question about arriving with the long term visitor visa. From what I've seen, when I apply for the visa, the consulate will ask me when I intend to arrive in France. So my question is when I arrive at CDG airport and go through immigration, do I make sure the passport control officials see and/or stamp my visa or passport page with the visa. I'm still not sure if the visa is a document attached to the passport or as stamp on a visa page.

So what would happen if I have a visa with a certain arrival date but I actually arrive earlier? (I'm assuming a later arrival would not be an issue). I'm not talking months earlier but perhaps a week to several days.

Merci,
nancy

 

[ntoolan]

Thanks all.

I will be using the consulate in Miami. According to their information, the visa processing can take up to 21 days so they advise to apply early. But not more than 3 mos. in advance of my planned arrival which is noted on the application form.

I plan to apply as early as I can, at least 2 months in advance. It's that catch-22 in that I may not have a permanent place to live at that point but will show I have a short term place of 3 months and I am actively looking.

My question stemmed more from the apartment search situation. For example I tell the consulate that I plan to arrive in France on Nov 1 and my visa shows Nov 1 as the valid date. Then I find an apartment that is ready Oct 15 and I am able to move by then. So can I go early and enter France as a normal visitor regardless of the visa date. I suppose the issue is if the immigration officer flips through my passport and sees the visa valid on Nov 1 and I'm 2 weeks early.

Another scenario would be that I receive my visa for Nov 1 entry, an apartment comes up and I take a quick round trip to Paris to look at the apartment. This would not be a long term entry, but rather a to/from for a very short period.

I'm not planning any of this just trying to understand the process. I don't know whether asking these questions to the consulate would raise any red flags.

Merci.

 

[ntoolan]

RayRay, I just re-read your reply. Hmmm, so maybe there isn't a valid date. I'll contact the consulate and see.

I've had many visas in the past form other countries and yes usually they show an issue date, but then also the valid period (3 months, 1 year, etc.).

The only thing I know for sure is that I have to send in my OFII form within the 1st 3 months.

 

[ntoolan]

Just a quick update.

I contacted the consulate in Miami and was informed that the start date for the validity period will be whatever date I indicate as my arrival date in France. The officer also told me that I can move to France anytime after the start date but that will reduce the amount of time and I will have to start the renewal process earlier. For example if I delayed my arrival for a month after the start date, I essentially have an 11 month visa.

Now onto finding good expat medical insurance. My current insurance does cover me for overseas visits and some evacuation but no repatriation.

Merci,
nancy

 

[ntoolan]

Thanks Ray, I do have BC/BS for my primary insurance right now. I'll start Medicare later this year and then BC/BS will become my secondary. But from what you said, that should be fine. I just need to check if the GeoBlue is available in Florida.

I love this forum for all the great advice from those who have gone down this path already!!!

 

[ntoolan]

Yes I am aware of the limits on Medicare.

I've done a few online quotes for expat insurance. Am I misreading what I've found - that the premiums can be as much as $1800/month? If so, yikes!

 

[ntoolan]

Thanks Bev, I did look at that site.

After further review, my regular BCBS provides great coverage and some evacuation. What's not covered is repatriation. I did find a separate evacuation/repatriation policy with Medjet Assist that is $665/year. It's seems crazy to buy a full medical policy when I have one that is great but just lacking that one coverage. So now I just need to verify with BCBS that my coverage is at least $50,000 which I'm sure it is as it doesn't state any limits, and check with the consulate if it's OK to have 2 policies to meet their insurance requirements.

 

[ntoolan]

I looked at IMG but I guess what I'm resisting is that I already pay for and have fabulous insurance that fully covers me overseas except for the repatriation. So I hate to pay for more medical coverage. If I have to I will but I'm hoping as long as I show I have all the coverage they require, they will accept that. I didn't see anything that said it had to be on one policy but I'll check on Monday with the contact at the consulate.

 

[ntoolan]

Bev I did check and there's a huge network in Paris and all throughout France.

Soleil, let's hope I'm not pushing my luck with the consulate. They should be responsive when one is trying to clarify the requirements. One trick I learned is to quote what's on the website and then ask my clarification question. That way they know I've read all their material. I'll let everyone know what I find out about the insurance.

 

[ntoolan]

I don't talk with them, I only email. Their website says don't call but if you have questions, send an email But so far they've been receptive. I just keep replying to the same woman who answered my first email so we will either become good friends or she'll get sick of me. If she's really good to me then I'll make sure to let her boss know.

 

[ntoolan]

Ray did they not require repatriation? My consulate has told me specifically that I need $50,000 in coverage with both evacuation and repatriation. I've scoured my benefit description and have seen the network of doctors in France. I've got great in- and out-patient coverage, basically the same as in the states, as well as evacuation. But the policy states outright that it does not include repatriation. So that's where I'm stuck. But if they'll allow me to have two policies then I'm fine with buying a second one for only $665/year.

I'm not moving for another year so it's too early to get a letter from BCBS but I want to contact them to be clear on what is and isn't covered. I'm looking into all of this now so I can plan all the costs associated with moving to France. They are definitely adding up but this has been a dream and why I worked hard for so many years.