Question about long stay visas for France

[Laura]

I know this is a longshot but I thought I might ask if anyone has run into this issue. DD is moving to France for 4 months in January. Because she is staying longer than 90 days she needs a "long-stay" visa. In order to get that, the French consulate website has said we need to provide a financial affidavit including bank accounts and amounts in them???? I'm a little leery of just putting that information out there. I have emailed the French Consulate but have not yet received a response, and they only answer the phone two hours a day so it is almost impossible to get through to them. I am just wondering if anyone else has done this and what their experience was.

[MISSINDI]

I've done scads of visas for our engineers, and haven't encountered any that required that type of information. We have two engineers that went on 1-year assignments to Paris. That info was not required, though there are tax returns and whatnot that needed to be filed because of the length of stay and income derived.

Getting in touch with the consulate is always a challenge. I'd suggest contacting a visa service ... very easy to get ahold of, and they do hundreds a day and know all the ins and outs. We use Zierer Visa Service (http://www.zvs.com) - hope this helps.

[Laura]

Thanks Missindi. I think they may want the information because she is not working while she is over there. I will look into the visa service you suggested.

[Terrytx]

I have a son who has been in the Czech Republic all summer, and when his 90 days was almost up he just left the country on a couple of day stay to Austria and reentered and that extended his visa. I really don't know the details, but that is how he explained it to me.

[Laura]

I have a son who has been in the Czech Republic all summer, and when his 90 days was almost up he just left the country on a couple of day stay to Austria and reentered and that extended his visa. I really don't know the details, but that is how he explained it to me. Thanks for the info; unfortunately with France, and other countries that are referred to as the Schengen states, you cannot do that as you are only allowed a cumulative 3 month stay in all those countries combined without a visa.

[Terrytx]

okay, sorry-I really don't know anything, but what he says. He is the only one in the family that travels out of the country.

[Laura]

okay, sorry-I really don't know anything, but what he says. He is the only one in the family that travels out of the country.
No worries. I am just learning all this too. :)

[badunnin]

No worries. I am just learning all this too. :)

Laura - when I was living in Germany I had to provide financial documents for my visa as well. I needed to prove that I had approximately $800/month for living, and my stipend only covered part of that. I had my bank statements as well as a notarized letter from my parents stating that they'd cover me in case of an emergency.

[funnybone]

They probably want the financial information since she will not be working over there. This ensures them that she won't be seeking illegal employment. I don't think there is any way around it.

I found this info on the Embassy site http://www.info-france-usa.org/visitingfrance/usvisas.asp#4


LONG STAY VISA

If you are a U.S. citizen and would like to travel to France, Monaco, an Overseas Department (DOM) or Territory or New Caledonia for a long stay (over 90 days)


You DO need a visa.

Please submit:

a passport signed and valid 3 months after the last day of stay + 3 photocopies (The consulate will not keep the passport, only the copies)

4 long stay visa application forms signed and legibly filled out.

5 recent passport-size photographs .

Financial guarantee such as:
- a formal letter of reference from the applicant's bank showing account numbers and balances or recent bank, savings or brokerage account statements + 3 copies
- for people wishing to retire in France, proof of sufficient income: pension, dividends, savings, band and brokerage account statements + 3 copies

Proof of medical insurance with coverage valid in France + 3 copies

Police clearance: document obtained from the Police Department of the place of residence in the United States stating that the applicant has no criminal record + 3 copies

Letter from applicant certifying that he/she will not have any paid activity in France

Visa fee

[Laura]

Thanks everyone, I am sure that I will have to provide some form of document as her bank statement is not going to cut it.

[MISSINDI]

Thanks everyone, I am sure that I will have to provide some form of document as her bank statement is not going to cut it.

When we get the Visas, some of them require a Company Letter of Guarantee. What they're looking for in those cases, and it's just a few lines, is that the country they're going to is not going to become responsible for financial aspects of the person visiting. We guarantee that we are responsible for that.

[wallycat]

I worked there for 4 months and no visa required.
Not sure if that is because I was with a big US company or if 1990 was just different.