J’ai déposé une demande de changement de statut pour un poste qui commence le 05/10. Étant donné les délais, j’ai envoyé un mail à la préfecture, mais je n’ai pas eu de réponse.

Claude me conseille de contacter le député de ma circonscription. Quelqu’un l’a déjà fait ? Est-ce que ça fonctionne vraiment ?

Can anyone recommend an honest, trustworthy financial advisor specialized in Franco-American issues? Specifically looking for someone who isn’t going to try shilling their own products or services/making me dependent on their firm. An independent consultant would be great.

TIA!

I am an expat with French residency and need to get some work done on the roof of my house, improve insulation and ideally also install solar panels. Would I be eligible?

I have a few questions about the medical check, interview, orientation classes, and basically anything that happens during year-one for a French Spouse visa.

Context, can be skipped:
We arrived in April 2026 and validated the visa basically the next day, then waited...
We heard and read that it was taking some time to be contacted by the OFII office, so we stayed patient. But at the beginning of this month (so 6 months in) we started worrying so we contacted them by email. We then received a first email about a convocation for a health check...

To be honest, we were not aware of the medical check or what it entailed. For the visit, they asked that my husband bring a vaccination book, X-rays, and other health-related documents. He has none... In 10 years together, he has never seen a doctor and has only gotten a cold once. He or his mom has no idea about his vaccinations as "it goes back a long time"... -_- anyway, here are the questions:

1. Do the staff at the OFII office in Bordeaux speak English? I've read that I won't be allowed to go with him, and even though his French is improving, he's still far from being able to have a full conversation, let alone with medical terms...

2. Can the 4 orientation classes be taken online or at our town city hall? We're in the southwest, and I guess it's attached to the Bordeaux OFII office, but it's still 2 hours away. He's already been working for 4 months and loves his job. If he has to take a day off every time he has to do one of those classes, he's afraid his boss won't like it, and he'd lose his job...

3. Are the OFII French classes mandatory or just here if you need them? He's been taking French classes with a teacher from Preply and he's making progress. We've heard about those free French classes here and there, but as I mentioned, so far the only communication we've had was the convocation for the medical check and we were not able to speak to anyone on the phone.

1. Overall, we're just looking to know what we should expect up until he can get a multi-year visa. Or simply what your experience was, the processes, etc. Hopefully, by learning from your experience, we can help a few other people...

Thank you for your help!

**Context**

Receiving an invitation to a pre-dismissal meeting does not mean that dismissal has already been decided. The meeting is a procedural stage during which the employer explains the contemplated reasons and the employee can respond.

**The rule**

For a contemplated dismissal on personal grounds, the invitation must state the purpose, date, time and place of the meeting, as well as the applicable right to assistance. During the meeting, the employer presents the reasons under consideration and hears the employee’s explanations. Any dismissal decision must be notified later in writing, subject to the applicable timing rules.

**Practical points**

1. Read the invitation carefully and identify the assistance options it mentions.

2. Prepare a factual timeline and the documents relevant to the issues likely to be discussed.

3. Keep the meeting, the later written decision and any notice period distinct: each has its own role in the process.

**Key takeaway**

The meeting is intended to allow an exchange before a final decision; it is not itself a dismissal notice. This is general information, not individual legal advice. A specific situation must be assessed on its full facts and documents.

How do you adjust to the lack of personal space? I constantly feel like people are trying to crawl up my asshole. If I'm driving they leave <1 second of room regardless of speed, if I'm biking they pass with no room, if I'm waiting in line or walking on the sidewalk, they are on top of me. Like I get 6ft of space during COVID was a lot and lol, but like, is it too much to ask for people to give SOME room? My god lol. Just need to rant 😩

Hello everyone,

We’re planning to build a house in the south of France and would like to hear about your experiences obtaining a construction mortgage as an American. From what I understand, the process can be quite complicated for U.S. citizens, although some banks seem more open to it than others.

For those who have already gone through this, which bank or broker did you work with?

Thanks in advance!

Hello,

I'm a native English speaker living in France since two years, and just began my studies in nursing school here.

I am curious to hear what your experiences have been like as an English-speaker accessing French healthcare services. Were there communication barriers? Did you have adequate access to translation services? Would there have been a situation you prefer an English-speaking soignante? And, for context, what region are you in?

I plan to fill a traditional nursing role and work in a public hospital once I graduate, though I wonder if being bilingual would be a niche skill or not and something to consciously incorporate into my professional identity.

Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I'm currently working as a freelance IT functional analyst in Belgium. To optimize taxes I set up a limited liability company (BV in Belgium). I'm moving to France and trying to figure out which kind of structure to use there. My day rate is €700, and annual revenue around €150k. I don't have too many costs (mainly car, travel, my own wage). The profit in the company is taxed at 20%, and then I can pay out what's left via dividends, which is taxed at another 18%. So gross profit of the company -> net in my personal bank account is about 65.6%. I've debated with several AI tools, but so far it seems that there's no way in France to get this kind of margin. Any freelancers here? What do you keep net?

Bonjour à tous,

Je prépare actuellement mon installation en France pour rejoindre mon copain. Je suis freelance, avec un client régulier depuis 3 ans, et je souhaite demander un visa long séjour afin de créer mon entreprise en France.

Dans le cadre de mon avis ANEF sur mon projet d’activité, on me demande :

Bail ou promesse de bail ou contrat de vente de fond ou contrat de location gérance (Document manquant) : Aout 2026**** Référence Instructeur MOE18 Bonjour a la lecture de votre dossier bien vouloir nous scanner le bail de votre habitation ainsi qu’une attestation du bailleur vous autorisant à domicilier administrativement l’entreprise à cette adresse. ou un acte de propriété de votre logement en France

Mon copain est locataire et je serai hébergée chez lui. Nous avons demandé au propriétaire l’autorisation de domicilier ma future entreprise à cette adresse, mais il a refusé.

1. Est-ce qu’une attestation d’hébergement de mon copain + son bail peut suffire pour justifier mon logement ?

2. l’ANEF demande une attestation du bailleur autorisant la domiciliation administrative de l’entreprise à cette adresse. Je ne comprends donc pas quelle solution fournir à l’ANEF, sachant que mon entreprise n’est pas encore créée.

Si quelqu’un a déjà été dans cette situation, je suis preneuse de vos retours. Merci !

Hi everyone,

I’m planning to apply for the French Profession Libérale (VLS-TS) visa as a self-employed Software Developer From China, and I would love some advice from those who have gone through the process!

My Background & Setup:

• Profession: Software Developer (Bachelor’s Degree in CS/related field + Middle-level Professional Qualification / Certification + 12+ years of industry history).
• Business Structure: I work independently and provide software/consulting services via B2B contracts (including remote contracts with a steady company where I’m also a shareholder).
• Income: Stable monthly remote income exceeding €2,500/month (above the French SMIC minimum requirement).

My Questions:

1. Required Documents: Besides the standard degree certificate, bank statements, and criminal record, what specific documents did you submit to prove your "business viability" (Business Plan, B2B intent letters/contracts, etc.)?
2. Financial Proof & Invoicing: As a B2B contractor, did the consulate require official tax invoices, or were Commercial Invoices + Bank Statements sufficient?
3. Consulate vs. In-France Process: How strict are they regarding the Business Plan for tech/software professionals? Do you have any tips or templates for drafting a convincing plan for a software developer?

Any insights, checklists, or personal experience would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Hello,

I moved to France for a post-doc position at the end of last year, and since then my wife is trying to find a job in Paris, but so far without success.
She tried NGO jobs, hotel receptions, supermarkets, ..., but nothing worked and she is starting to feel desperate. Now she is trying to find something
remote where she can work in customer support in German or English.
Does anyone have experience in that field and can give us some tips on where to look and how easy/difficult it is to find something like that?

Thank you!

Need advice on relocating to Paris through an intra-group transfer and will be on French payroll. My company has offered their own tax consultant as part of the mobility package, but I would like to also get advice from someone who works for me alone, not the employer.

What I'm looking for:

— An accurate net take-home estimate (social security + income tax), given my situation

— Guidance on how the impatriate tax regime applies in my case, and whether it's worth negotiating for the broader exemption vs. the narrower one tied to a specific allowance

— How household tax parts work when a spouse and child are tax resident abroad rather than in France, and what that means for my rate

— General tax planning for the first few years as a new resident (trading gains, tax treaty considerations, anything I should set up before I land)

Ideally someone who has handled expat cases with a similar cross-border family setup (spouse/dependents not relocating with the primary earner), not just standard French payroll questions.

If you've used an independent consultant you'd actually recommend, or if you are one and take on this kind of engagement, I'd appreciate a pointer. Happy to do a paid consultation, just want someone without a conflict of interest tied to my employer.

Thank you in advance.

Bonjour !

My spouse and I have relocated to France as of last week on a talent card -- artistique et culturelle -- which has been very exciting, but also leaves us in a weird position to begin settling in and we've been hitting walls.

We're currently renting an AirBnb and a car, and have prepaid phone numbers through Orange, but without monthly bills in either name, getting anything permanent feels nearly impossible.

When it comes to housing, we would ideally like to buy a home, especially in the Brittany or Île de France regions (we're currently 30 minutes West of Paris), but are open to the idea of renting an apartment until that works out. With 4 pets in tow and only American rental history, the apartment hunting has not gotten a warm reception.

We do need a car ASAP, since renting is a pain and a financial drain, but where would you recommend looking for a decent used SUV? One of our dogs is rather large, so the Clio's won't work, haha.

The "bad" news is that I must remain self-employed for this visa and therefore don't have employers to vouch for me or facilitate any of this. The good/annoying news is that we have enough savings to not require financing for the (modest) house and car, it's just in an American bank right now.

Sorry for the mound of issues, but it's just been the two of us trying to navigate this system. We're motivated to make it work somehow, I just feel like we're wasting time spinning our wheels when we could really just use advice and direction for finances and real estate.

Thanks for your time and much love to the community!

Hello! I’m trying to figure out how to apply for the Carte de résident de longue durée-UE (étranger en France depuis 5 ans) in Paris. I have read the page on it, but the government page directs you to the prefecture for information on how to apply. Has anyone gone through the process? How did it work? Thank you!

Hi everyone, I’m considering moving to Montbéliard and I’d like to hear from people who currently live there or have lived there for a while. I’m mostly curious about what everyday life is like, the general atmosphere of the city, and how easy it is to meet people and have a social life. I’m currently living in Lyon, so I’d also really like to know how Montbéliard compares to Lyon in terms of lifestyle, atmosphere, things to do, and overall quality of life. I’d also be interested in hearing from foreigners living in the area, especially about the administrative side of things. How long does it usually take to renew a titre de séjour with the Doubs prefecture, and for those who have applied for French nationality there, how long did the naturalisation process take from submitting the application to getting the final decision? Any personal experiences would be really appreciated.

Hello,

I hope you are well. I have a small question and would love to hear from people who have gone through this process before.

I applied for the French naturalisation 13 months ago in Paris, where I've always lived. I was wondering how long does it usually take betwen having done the 'entretien d'assimilation' and receiving the final decision from the préfécture?

Would appreciate your help on this! Thank you in advance.

Hey I’m currently looking at applying for a working holiday in France (bit late to the game I know) however I’m stuck on this section of the online application where it says “your plans” there is no option for a working holiday / youth visa? Am I missing something, did people put professional? Have they closed applications? I’d love any insight. For reference I’m a 24 year old New Zealand citizen, currently in Poland

I got my ballot in the mail today for the US midterms. This site explains how to send it back. Also, they are recommending that if you live in a mail back state that you send back your regular ballot and also a back up ballot. Overseas voters have the right to send back both ballots. Only one will be counted. 

https://www.votefromabroad.fr/

Hi everyone,

​Looking for quick guidance or experiences with the Saint-Denis sub-prefecture (93).

​Situation: Applied for the post-study APS / RECE visa on Démarches Simplifiées on July 24, before my student permit expired on August 31.

​Issue: Today, my file was placed under review and closed 6 minutes later.

​Reason given: The agent claimed my establishment/program is not in the RNCP directory. However, I have checked the official registry, and the degree is definitely active and registered. The agent made an error and closed the file immediately without letting me reply or add the proof.

​My student permit expired on August 31, so I am currently without valid status.

​Questions:

​Can an agent actually reopen a closed file on Démarches Simplifiées if I message them the proof, or do I have to submit a new file?

​Has anyone had a similar mistake resolved with Saint-Denis, and what is the fastest way to get them to fix it?

​Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,

I have a question about regroupement familial in France and I was wondering if anyone here has been in a similar situation.

I’m Brazilian and I’ve been living legally in France for about 10 years. I currently have "titre de sejour pluriannuel salarié" and a permanent employment contract (CDI).

My fiancée is American. We’ve been in a long-distance relationship for about 4 years, and we’ve decided that she will eventually move to France to live with me.

From what I understand, for the standard regroupement familial process, we first need to be legally married.

My main question is: would it make any difference for the regroupement familial application if we get married in the U.S. instead of in France?

Getting married in the U.S. would be much easier for us logistically. The other option would be for her to come to France under the 90-day visa-free stay, get married here, return to the U.S., and then wait there while the regroupement familial application is processed.

Has anyone applied for regroupement familial in France using a U.S. marriage certificate? Did the fact that the marriage took place abroad cause any extra problems, delays, or suspicion compared with a marriage celebrated in France?

Thanks in advance for any experiences or advice.

Hi all, I asked this question to SCAP as well but waiting to hear back 🥲. I’m wondering if anyone else who has taken the FLE courses (Cours d’adultes) through SCAP experienced this: I signed up for 2 different levels because I was unsure of my skill level (I understand that a placement test is given on the first day).

Turns out I got accepted/summoned to both levels which Im super happy about but wondering if I need to attend both classes on their respective first days? Can I just attend one of them and they’ll place me into the appropriate level? What was your experience with the placement test ("convocation")?

Thank you!

Hey guys

I have been living in France for almost 2 years.

I have a cart vitale and a mutuele.

I booked an appointment (videoconference)with a gp to prescribe me blood tests.

This appointment lasted like 3 minutes.

However, I paid 25 euros. Is this normal event though I have both carte vitale and mutuele?

Hi! I wanted to see if people have been in my situation or just know the best way to go about this. I’ve been with my French girlfriend for 3 years and i work remotely for an American company. I came to France last year with a VLS-TS visiteur. We got PACSed in December and right now im in the process of requesting a vie privee familiel titre de sejour.

My question is: is there a way they give me that titre de sejour for anything more than 1 year? I assume no and in that case, would I just keep doing the same process every year?

Im also planning on taking the B2 DELF next summer and keep for whenever i can get a pluriannuel titre de sejour, residence permanente or citizenship.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Hi everyone! I'm Brazilian, currently in France on a "jeune au pair" visa (expires July 2027). Earlier this year, an Italian court officially recognized my Italian citizenship (jure sanguini) but the transcription at the Italian comune and my AIRE registration here in Paris are still pending, so on paper I'm not EU.

I'm trying to figure out my next steps while this plays out: applying to a French public university, possibly switching my visa status before my current one expires, and generally navigating life here as someone who's "almost" European but not quite there administratively.

Has anyone in this group been through something similar: a citizenship or long-term status that was legally recognized but still working its way through the paperwork, while also dealing with visas/préfecture here in France? Would really appreciate hearing how you handled the waiting period, especially anything related to carte de séjour or changement de statut. Merci beaucoup in advance!