The Steps

For quick reference see: Steps Outline

TO BEGIN WITH: Anyone who thinks the process is as easy as it is touted on the web, will need to know coming out of the gate, that this simply isn’t true. It’s not an easy process. You have to educate yourself on what is needed to get there and every country is different. Don’t let it stop you but be prepared for the work ahead.

THE VISA

Every country has basically the same type of visas for various uses but their requirements are different. A long term residential visa is still what we were looking for. For the process of obtaining it, I took bloggers advice and researched ratings on immigration attorneys. Having picked one, whose fees fell under $2,000, our communication was pleasant and he answered my questions thoroughly, on a timely basis. Only after retaining his services did he send a bullet style list of required documents for him to submit our visa application. With this tool and his assistance in addressing any questions, we have avoided much frustration and possible pitfalls. 

The documentation list for a long term France residential visa, which he sent, was as follows:

  • Copy of passports. Must be issued less than 10 years ago, be valid for at least 3 months after your return to the US and have at least 2 blank visa pages.
  • Proof of means of income; copy of your last 2 bank statements, investment certificates, pension slips, etc. Any account that shows access to cash of at least $20,000 per person will also suffice.
  • Proof of a permanent US address (lease, driver license with address)
  • Proof of accommodation in France (lease, deeds, rental agreements)
  • Letter promising not to engage in any employment in France, certified by notary.
  • Proof of medical coverage
  • Marriage Certificate
  • Police or FBI report on each of us
  • Reservation confirmation email or E-Ticket showing date of departure to Europe.

Then, as I cover later, he sent these requirements:

  • The financial records he couldn’t open and he wanted them resent. 
  • The proof of insurance we sent was inadequate and he needed it to meet French rules, which he sent a copy of. 
  • Needed the first and last names of both of our parents.
  • Needed the places of our birth.
  • A statement of why we wished to reside in France.

The items provided by him are as follows:

  • A cover letter in support of the visa request.
  • Long Stay Visa Application Form (one each).
  • Resident forms (one each).

He would send us the entire packet and after we submit the application to the consulate in person, they would (hopefully) approve the visa in 10 to 15 days. 

THE LANGUAGE

To begin with, it is stated in many blogs that it is possible to relocate overseas even if you can only speak English. However, it is hard to help someone here in the US who does not speak English or speak it tolerably well. Therefore, although smiles and gestures go a long way, we felt  that it would be rude not to learn the basics of the language of the targeted destination. For our situation, it is clear that Spanish is not close to French (nor is Portuguese for those who don’t know). We hired a French language tutor to come twice a week and began the learning process. Languages are not easy for me but determination and a sense of humor go a long way. In addition, our tutor is from France and has answered a wide variety of questions which is a wonderful addition to the lessons. We would work on actual fluency in French once we were immersed there.

WHERE?

That is not as simple as it sounds. This question hails back to the point of making sure both parties are satisfied with the choices. I tend to want to budget tighter and avoid big city costs. G and our tutor felt that for getting our bearings in both culture and language, we need to live in a big city. So the compromise is to live in a large city but not in Paris.

LEASING?

I can’t address buying a property because we were never interested in doing so. One visa requirement is that you have a lease in France for over 90 days (five months minimum are recommended if you want the option of renewing the visa without returning to the US) but you must apply for the visa itself, in the US. This means that either we fly there on a visit, hunt frantically in a short period of time for living arrangements and return with a lease or we lease a place online, sight unseen. There are con artists in every corner of the world. You will definitely have a vulnerability in the place you pick on-line. Using online ratings, our tutor’s input and any advice gleaned from bloggers, we were as careful as possible. And we only leased for the smallest time required for the visa so we could hunt for a more permanent base, in which we have more control over the situation we choose. If our online leased accommodations turned out to be a nightmare, they would only be so for a short period of time. What you find available ranges from a room with shared amenities (bath, kitchen, living room) to entire houses. Since this is a step to a place we plan to settle into for a much longer time, we could be flexible on several points. It is the points that one or both of us can not compromise which played into where we settled. Our desire for a private bathroom and kitchen (shared might have worked in our 20’s) was the pinnacle of our search. We also need a place centrally located since we would be without a car (advertised parking spots are not needed). Being able to walk to the market, the train station or bus line, was imperative. These were all choices specific to our needs and yours will be different.

TAXES

We met with our tax accountant who can incidentally handle Canada but cannot handle our French taxes, which is apparently quite sticky.  We had to add getting French tax assistance to the list. There are many on-line expat tax services. And be careful. We picked a recommended one that implied it did both countries. We gave up a long time accountant in the US, only to return to them when we discovered the French expat pick accountants only did taxes in France.

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Useful books and web sites we found:

For those interested in Western Europe, this site will explain the Schengen Treaty and it’s rules:  https://www.travelinsurancedirect.com.au/tripwise/guide-to-europe/schengen-visas

This site has many great pieces, including a list of emotions you will experience overtime in your new home (much like those associated with grief), which will help your transition. https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-move-to-another-country-2436117

Also a site with many pieces and deals with several countries:  International Relocation Guide : Moving overseas : Expat Info Desk

One of the best books by a relocation veteran: “How to Retire Overseas” by Kathleen Peddicord.