Comments on: Carte de Sejour http://francetales.com/2007/12/23/carte-de-sejour/ I'm very interesting in having funny times! Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:44:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Owen http://francetales.com/2007/12/23/carte-de-sejour/#comment-1848 Owen Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:43:17 +0000 http://francetales.com/2007/12/23/carte-de-sejour/#comment-1848 I have the right to work now on my student VISA. What would happen if I still had a job and then when I applied for my CDS vie privé et familiale there was a gap in when I could work? Would I have to quit my job? If as you say I would get my recipissé without the right to work immediately but then one would come later, what do I do in the meantime? On a lighter note, yes the paper trail is amazing. Not just the accordian files but the pre-printed forms with carbon copies. I didn't realize companies that made those types of forms still existed since you can make them all on a computer. With your papers it is also amazing that some things that you think will go easily are difficult and the things you expect to be more difficult can turn out to be easy. It's like it depends on their mood. I'm going to give the take 10 numbers at a time trick the next time I have to step foot into an admin building. I have the right to work now on my student VISA. What would happen if I still had a job and then when I applied for my CDS vie privé et familiale there was a gap in when I could work? Would I have to quit my job? If as you say I would get my recipissé without the right to work immediately but then one would come later, what do I do in the meantime?

On a lighter note, yes the paper trail is amazing. Not just the accordian files but the pre-printed forms with carbon copies. I didn’t realize companies that made those types of forms still existed since you can make them all on a computer.

With your papers it is also amazing that some things that you think will go easily are difficult and the things you expect to be more difficult can turn out to be easy. It’s like it depends on their mood. I’m going to give the take 10 numbers at a time trick the next time I have to step foot into an admin building.

]]> By: Christina http://francetales.com/2007/12/23/carte-de-sejour/#comment-1844 Christina Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:25:28 +0000 http://francetales.com/2007/12/23/carte-de-sejour/#comment-1844 Hi- Just read the comments on the cds and the pacs. My boyfriend and I pasc'd last february and I'm now waiting for the final approval for the recipisse with the right to work. Don't know if my experience will help you or not (especially since you already received your cds) but hope this helps: - you won't need a visa once you apply for a cds vie prive et familiale - once you apply for the "cds vp et f" you'll receive a recipisse without the right to work then they'll verify the papers and then you'll receive another recipisse with the right to work and then finally the cds - when you apply for the cds vp et f you'll need to write to paris to ask for an attestation de pacs (don't forget a copy of your ID and your pacs from toulouse) Sounds like things are going well overall. Have been here for a while, since Sept 06 with a 7 month break in Niger, and am still waiting for the right to work. But overall the Vie Prive et Familiale is the easiest way to go after your student visa runs out. On a lighter note, all this paperwork is so funny to me- especially the accordian-type file folders everyone has when going to the prefecture, the Secu, or any administrative place. Hope you're enjoying Toulouse! Hi- Just read the comments on the cds and the pacs. My boyfriend and I pasc’d last february and I’m now waiting for the final approval for the recipisse with the right to work. Don’t know if my experience will help you or not (especially since you already received your cds) but hope this helps:
- you won’t need a visa once you apply for a cds vie prive et familiale
- once you apply for the “cds vp et f” you’ll receive a recipisse without the right to work then they’ll verify the papers and then you’ll receive another recipisse with the right to work and then finally the cds
- when you apply for the cds vp et f you’ll need to write to paris to ask for an attestation de pacs (don’t forget a copy of your ID and your pacs from toulouse)
Sounds like things are going well overall. Have been here for a while, since Sept 06 with a 7 month break in Niger, and am still waiting for the right to work. But overall the Vie Prive et Familiale is the easiest way to go after your student visa runs out.

On a lighter note, all this paperwork is so funny to me- especially the accordian-type file folders everyone has when going to the prefecture, the Secu, or any administrative place. Hope you’re enjoying Toulouse!

]]> By: samantha http://francetales.com/2007/12/23/carte-de-sejour/#comment-514 samantha Sat, 29 Dec 2007 21:54:24 +0000 http://francetales.com/2007/12/23/carte-de-sejour/#comment-514 You used to be able to get a 10 yr cds after five continuous years in France, but I believe that just changed a few months ago. As I wrote on Walt's blog, I know two different people that just tried to apply for the ten yr cds and they were both told that the new rule is that you had to have made at least 11,000€ per year for the past four years in France before you will be eligible (as proved by French tax returns). I don't know if the 11,000 is net or gross though - guess I'll find out in March when I go in to renew for the fifth time!! You used to be able to get a 10 yr cds after five continuous years in France, but I believe that just changed a few months ago. As I wrote on Walt’s blog, I know two different people that just tried to apply for the ten yr cds and they were both told that the new rule is that you had to have made at least 11,000€ per year for the past four years in France before you will be eligible (as proved by French tax returns). I don’t know if the 11,000 is net or gross though - guess I’ll find out in March when I go in to renew for the fifth time!!

]]> By: Owen http://francetales.com/2007/12/23/carte-de-sejour/#comment-469 Owen Fri, 28 Dec 2007 11:23:38 +0000 http://francetales.com/2007/12/23/carte-de-sejour/#comment-469 This makes sense now. No one ever told me you only had to renew your CDS not your VISA. What a relief. I never understood why I was told you could do the VISA for non-professional purposes and that after 1 year I would probably be eligible for a work permit. I could have gone and not worked for a year, in that year established that we lived together for a year and then gotten vie privée & familiale CDS. I never understood why the student VISA was my next best option, other than having the ability to work. Now it all makes sense, until renewal time. Thanks BTW, are you able to get a 10 year CDS yet or do you have to renew every year? Just trying to understand how long it takes to get to that point. This makes sense now. No one ever told me you only had to renew your CDS not your VISA. What a relief.

I never understood why I was told you could do the VISA for non-professional purposes and that after 1 year I would probably be eligible for a work permit. I could have gone and not worked for a year, in that year established that we lived together for a year and then gotten vie privée & familiale CDS.

I never understood why the student VISA was my next best option, other than having the ability to work. Now it all makes sense, until renewal time. Thanks

BTW, are you able to get a 10 year CDS yet or do you have to renew every year? Just trying to understand how long it takes to get to that point.

]]> By: samantha http://francetales.com/2007/12/23/carte-de-sejour/#comment-468 samantha Fri, 28 Dec 2007 10:05:00 +0000 http://francetales.com/2007/12/23/carte-de-sejour/#comment-468 Sorry, just catching up on the comments now - you actually don't have to renew your Visa, just your CDS (your visa is valid for as long as your CDS is valid). So at least that's one less thing to worry about - you'll never have to deal with the French consulate in the US again, only the préfecture here in France. And like you, I first came here on a student visa b/c I wanted to have the right to work, and then I easily switched to the cds vie privée & familiale once we could show that we had un an de vie commune, and now I've been on that ever since. Sorry, just catching up on the comments now - you actually don’t have to renew your Visa, just your CDS (your visa is valid for as long as your CDS is valid). So at least that’s one less thing to worry about - you’ll never have to deal with the French consulate in the US again, only the préfecture here in France.

And like you, I first came here on a student visa b/c I wanted to have the right to work, and then I easily switched to the cds vie privée & familiale once we could show that we had un an de vie commune, and now I’ve been on that ever since.

]]> By: walt http://francetales.com/2007/12/23/carte-de-sejour/#comment-415 walt Mon, 24 Dec 2007 16:27:55 +0000 http://francetales.com/2007/12/23/carte-de-sejour/#comment-415 We don't work in France. So our Cartes de Séjours are just visitor status, and we've renewed them every year since we've been here, without much trouble at all. We got our Visas in San Francisco before we moved, back in 2003, and then immediately got our CDS. We've renewed them every year since. We hope we can qualify for 10 year permits this next year. We both speak French very well, and we live in the countryside, without a big city to deal with. I think things are easier here for that reason. But I don't know. I wish you good luck. It's hard to be a foreigner. Imagine what immigrants to the USA have to go through and you get a better appreciation for what it's all about. We don’t work in France. So our Cartes de Séjours are just visitor status, and we’ve renewed them every year since we’ve been here, without much trouble at all.

We got our Visas in San Francisco before we moved, back in 2003, and then immediately got our CDS. We’ve renewed them every year since. We hope we can qualify for 10 year permits this next year.

We both speak French very well, and we live in the countryside, without a big city to deal with. I think things are easier here for that reason. But I don’t know.

I wish you good luck. It’s hard to be a foreigner. Imagine what immigrants to the USA have to go through and you get a better appreciation for what it’s all about.

]]> By: Owen http://francetales.com/2007/12/23/carte-de-sejour/#comment-393 Owen Mon, 24 Dec 2007 10:49:47 +0000 http://francetales.com/2007/12/23/carte-de-sejour/#comment-393 I guess what I don't get is why did the Consulate in DC told me that our PACS status did not allow me to get a VISA for the spouse of a French national. They said my only options were a Long Stay VISA for non-professional purposes or a student VISA. Since I wanted the possibility to work I went with the student VISA. Since I am taking language classes first and then probably will enter a University it is fine, BUT I'd prefer not to HAVE to do it to keep my status. I'd rather have a spousal VISA and enter a University when and if the timing is right and I feel like it. It sounds like I could have gotten the spousal VISA. I saved all my communication with the Consulate because some of it was extremely contradictory. I am out of the habit for the time being following the ins and outs of VISA's and CDS but here is my real question. . . Next year when it is time to renew, I have to renew my VISA, what will I ask for? If they tell me a VISA that allows me to work that is not a student VISA is not possible then what? Do I insist I know people who are PACSed and that have gotten spousal VISA's? Does it matter if it is same gender or opposite gendered couples? We are looking into meeting with an immigration lawyer but of course would prefer not to spend the money if we don't have to. If the Consulate tells me I can only get the VISA for non-professional purposes then can I still get a CDS vie privee et familiale? The whole thing makes me feel like I am trying to do something questionable which we are not. I am thinking of changing my address in the States to my mother's address, NY, which would allow me to go to the Consulate in NYC rather than the one in DC. I have heard they are more helpful. Anyone have an opinion? Ken and Walt, are you on non-professional purposes VISA's? Each year you have to renew? What were you told that your options were, if it is not too private? I guess what I don’t get is why did the Consulate in DC told me that our PACS status did not allow me to get a VISA for the spouse of a French national. They said my only options were a Long Stay VISA for non-professional purposes or a student VISA. Since I wanted the possibility to work I went with the student VISA. Since I am taking language classes first and then probably will enter a University it is fine, BUT I’d prefer not to HAVE to do it to keep my status. I’d rather have a spousal VISA and enter a University when and if the timing is right and I feel like it.

It sounds like I could have gotten the spousal VISA. I saved all my communication with the Consulate because some of it was extremely contradictory.

I am out of the habit for the time being following the ins and outs of VISA’s and CDS but here is my real question. . .

Next year when it is time to renew,

I have to renew my VISA, what will I ask for?

If they tell me a VISA that allows me to work that is not a student VISA is not possible then what? Do I insist I know people who are PACSed and that have gotten spousal VISA’s? Does it matter if it is same gender or opposite gendered couples?

We are looking into meeting with an immigration lawyer but of course would prefer not to spend the money if we don’t have to.

If the Consulate tells me I can only get the VISA for non-professional purposes then can I still get a CDS vie privee et familiale?

The whole thing makes me feel like I am trying to do something questionable which we are not.

I am thinking of changing my address in the States to my mother’s address, NY, which would allow me to go to the Consulate in NYC rather than the one in DC. I have heard they are more helpful. Anyone have an opinion?

Ken and Walt, are you on non-professional purposes VISA’s? Each year you have to renew? What were you told that your options were, if it is not too private?

]]> By: walt http://francetales.com/2007/12/23/carte-de-sejour/#comment-391 walt Mon, 24 Dec 2007 09:36:56 +0000 http://francetales.com/2007/12/23/carte-de-sejour/#comment-391 And you are the luckier ones, having a French citizen in your family. Ken and I are both Americans, so pacsing doesn't make much difference and we're on the CDS track (five annual renewals now) and we're hoping that next year we will qualify for a 10-year residency permit. We shall see! And you are the luckier ones, having a French citizen in your family. Ken and I are both Americans, so pacsing doesn’t make much difference and we’re on the CDS track (five annual renewals now) and we’re hoping that next year we will qualify for a 10-year residency permit.

We shall see!

]]> By: samantha http://francetales.com/2007/12/23/carte-de-sejour/#comment-390 samantha Mon, 24 Dec 2007 09:01:54 +0000 http://francetales.com/2007/12/23/carte-de-sejour/#comment-390 Sorry if I wasn't clear - you can't get a CDS without a Visa. What I was trying to say is that next time you renew, you can ask for the CDS vie privée et familiale if you want to. Or you can renew your student CDS if you want to do a masters - it's up to you. The student CDS is free and the vie privée et familiale one is not, but it does give you the right to work full time (which the student CDS does not). Sorry if I wasn’t clear - you can’t get a CDS without a Visa. What I was trying to say is that next time you renew, you can ask for the CDS vie privée et familiale if you want to. Or you can renew your student CDS if you want to do a masters - it’s up to you. The student CDS is free and the vie privée et familiale one is not, but it does give you the right to work full time (which the student CDS does not).

]]> By: Owen http://francetales.com/2007/12/23/carte-de-sejour/#comment-389 Owen Mon, 24 Dec 2007 07:13:19 +0000 http://francetales.com/2007/12/23/carte-de-sejour/#comment-389 I didn't realize that you could get a CDS without a VISA so when I began asking the Consulate questions I was coming at them as if I were going to go as a student, which I am. If I knew I could have gotten a CDS just from being PACSed then I probably wouldn't have gone on a student VISA. I would like to do another Masters degree but am glad that I won't have to do that in order to keep my status. This is good news. I didn’t realize that you could get a CDS without a VISA so when I began asking the Consulate questions I was coming at them as if I were going to go as a student, which I am. If I knew I could have gotten a CDS just from being PACSed then I probably wouldn’t have gone on a student VISA. I would like to do another Masters degree but am glad that I won’t have to do that in order to keep my status. This is good news.

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