A wealth of information can be found on the Start Business in France website. Valerie Lemiere is French and works in France as a business adviser for the national organization called Boutique de Gestion. She helps French entrepreneurs with all aspects of starting and running their business. This video presentation is slightly over 24 minutes (so grab a large cup of coffee) … [Read more...]
Born in France, Not a French Citizen?
When I was pregnant with my daughter, I was surprised to find out a child born in France does not automatically have French nationality. In the US, any child born on US soil is an American citizen. In France, one or both parents must be a French citizen for the child to gain French nationality. There are some exceptions. For instance, if the child was adopted by French … [Read more...]
9 Months to Get a Spouse Visa in France
Over the past 9 months you may have read my posts about switching from a student to a spouse visa. My husband took charge of getting this and I have to commend him for all the work he did. It was truly a frustrating ordeal and a wonderful introduction for me to the French administration. After 5 months of constant phone calls and appointments, we gave up on my application in … [Read more...]
Switching to a French Spouse Visa – Part III
Switching to a French spouse visa from a student visa has been quite an ordeal! It is unbelievable that now, almost 6 months later, I have my spouse visa. (Read Part I and Part II) We talked to countless people at the Bordeaux and Caen prefectures and were continuously being misguided. We were given estimated dates that were weeks off. So here is what has happened since my … [Read more...]
10 Tips for Moving to France from the USA
Moving to France was one of the most exciting and exhausting experiences of my life. I packed things I didn't need and left behind things that I wish I brought. I had unrealistic expectations about how fast I would learn French, and what life would be like once I arrived. Do not expect to do things the same way, or as quickly, as in the US. My biggest shock came when setting … [Read more...]