Working and Living in France
There are a lot of people whose only dream in life is to spend a few years or maybe their lifetime living in France. Of course, the country is known for its beautiful language, charming little cafés, picturesque scenery, and chic citizens—and it is no wonder why people of all ages, social class, and race want to pack up and realize their dream of living in France. There are people who even devote their time and effort to learn the French language, so they can immigrate to France to live and work there. However, living in France is not an easy feat to accomplish.
Like most developed countries in the world, France is a bit concerned about the number of people who want to immigrate to their country. There are immigrants from poorer countries who think that living in France will help them solve their economic problems—and they will sometimes find illegal ways to enter the country. However, France is also burdened with a high unemployment rate—and this is why the French government is not too eager to give jobs to the immigrants. Of course, immigrants living in France will also take a huge bite out of the resources of the country.
Visiting France will be quite easy—one will only need to secure a tourist visa that will last for 90 days, or roughly three months. But if one’s intention is to be an expatriate living in France, then one might want to fix their visas and permits before the 90 days of the tourist visa is up. If you are going to be living in France for a longer period of time without working, practicing your profession, or attending any kind of educational institution, then you might want to apply for and secure what they call a “visa de long séjour.” This kind of visa will require a financial guarantee that will prove that you will not be a “drain” on the resources of the state, as well as proof that you have medical insurance and police clearance.
If you are a citizen of the European Union, then you can work legally in France without—unlike the foreigners who come from countries that are not members of the European Union. First, a European Union citizen who wants to be working and living in France must first secure a position in a company they wish to work in. Obtaining a work permit and a visa de long séjour are next, and to be followed by an application for a “carte de séjour.”
A foreigner that is not a European Union citizen will have a bit of trouble with realizing his or her dream of living in France. A work permit will be very hard to secure because of the reasons mentioned above. A student visa will be a bit complicated, but it will be easier to obtain than a work permit. Marrying a French citizen can be one’s ticket to living in France, but there will still be a lot of documents and paperwork.
