If you’re thinking of moving to France, you’ll probably have many questions about the process involved in order to comply with relevant entry requirements and legislation. One of the first, and most important aspects of your move – if you’re not a resident of the EU – is applying for the right visa. It’s estimated that at least 20% of visa applications are refused because of the wrong paperwork, or through not being aware of what’s required and failing to supply the correct information. If you’re turned down, there is no explanation given, so understanding what’s needed can be a bit of a nightmare. However, help is at hand. Hand-holding service, The European Concierge takes away a lot of the stress, ensuring the process of dealing with all the paperwork happens smoothly and minimising the likelihood of unexpected surprises along the way. Our guide to visa application for France offers expert advice.
What visa do you need?
If you’re moving to France, unless you have rights as an EU citizen, the chances are very high that you’ll need to apply for a visa. Navigating the complexities of the requirements of the French authorities can be a daunting prospect. The first step will be to establish what kind of visa you need to obtain. If you are retired, you can apply for a visa either as an individual or as a couple. This will not give you the right to work after your move, and you must prove you have sufficient income to not be a burden on the state.
If you are planning to work in France, either running your own business or working for a UK, EU or non-EU-based business, you will need to apply for one of the numerous types of right-to-work visas.
If you are taking children with you, they too will need to be included in your application and arrangements for their schooling will have to have been made prior to your interview.
In other cases, a different and specific visa may be appropriate. Approximately one in five French visa applications were turned down in 2022 and many of these failures were due to a lack of the correct paperwork being submitted.
Process
Whichever kind of visa you need, you will need to meet certain criteria in order to be accepted. This includes needing to comply with rules around private health insurance before you relocate and offering proof of income. The latter needs to be equivalent to the French minimum wage known as SMIC (salaire minimum interprofessionnel de croissance). It’s possible you will also need to ensure key documents are translated into French by French administration approved translators for the relevant authorities. Once you have moved to France, more administration awaits from opening a bank account, integrating into the healthcare system, applying for residential status, importing a vehicle or renewing your driving licence. If you decide to seek French citizenship, the process is long and can be quite complicated to navigate alone.
Help to get your visa for France
One company can handle it all for you. The European Concierge is run by Eric Donjon. A French national, Eric now lives in the UK. He says, “Having navigated the path from France to the UK myself, I know that moving to a new country can be daunting in terms of the bureaucracy, the paperwork and the uncertainty. I also understand the excitement and challenges of relocating. My goal is to ensure your journey to France is smooth and fulfilling with more of the fun – and less of the worry.”
Since 2016, Eric is the North of England Honorary Consul for France. There are only @480 such Honorary French Consuls across the world who, like Eric, report to the French Consulate or the French Embassy in their respective countries and serve, in their official role, assisting French nationals and promoting trade links between the two nations. Eric’s experience in helping people from around the world (including the UK, South Africa, Australia, USA or New Zealand), to attain a visa and help his clients deal with the French Administration is second to none.
In Eric’s view, when it comes to applying for a visa, each client’s situation is unique, and he will tailor his approach to their case accordingly. “Whether you’re looking at visa documentation or applying for French citizenship based on French lineage, I combine my expertise with a personalised touch. My goal is to ensure that your transition to France is as seamless as it is successful. With my in-depth understanding of both French and British cultures and their respective legal systems, I guarantee a service that’s not just reliable, but one that anticipates and addresses your specific needs for a worry-free life changing relocation.”
How it works
An initial consultation with Eric helps him to understand your particular needs, answer any questions you have and help you to start planning your journey to France. The European Concierge will create a comprehensive plan which takes account of all necessary documentation and procedures. They will then work methodically through the submission process, ensuring everything is in order.
What clients of European Concierge say
Joanne says, “I asked Eric for assistance with applying for my long-term visa for France. From the outset he was incredibly professional, offering sound advice and he was always available to speak to me when I was panicking (which was often)! I would not hesitate to recommend Eric to anyone who needs assistance with the visa process. I’d definitely give The European Concierge 10 out of 10. Thanks to Eric I flew out to France in January, and I cannot thank him enough.”
Natalie and Tony enlisted the help of The European Concierge. They say, “We had trouble getting our visas and someone recommended Eric to help. He was very professional in helping us and prepared and submitted all the paperwork. He was available to speak to us anytime and we got the visas we required due to his hard work and knowledge. While we were getting the visas in the UK, our dog went missing in France and Eric even telephoned the local veterinary clinics in the area to see if the dog had been taken in. We highly recommend The European Concierge.”
“Eric offered exceptional client service,” add Karen and Jacqueline. “His professional knowledge, dedication and commitment to providing excellent customer service and first-class results is inspiring.”
Find out more
To get help with applying for your visa for France, visit: theeuropeanconcierge.com
