Foreigners in France do not need visas or permits to visit France if they stay a maximum of three months (90 days).
Those who want to stay longer in France must apply for long-term visas (visa de long séjour) that require a financial guarantee, proof of medical insurance and police clearance.
To work in France, you must apply for a long-term visa and have arranged employment approved in advance by the French Ministry of Labor.
Here are the main steps to follow, except for the spouses of French citizens and residents for 10 years:
Obtain a work permit
Obtain a visa de long séjour
Go to France
Apply for a carte de séjour
To get a job in France is very difficult. Highly skilled workers and qualified managerial personnel can get job opportunities easily. A few teaching positions are available such as teaching assistants, visiting professors in universities. Contact the French Ministry of Education.
See the American Chamber of Commerce in France for job opportunities with private firms: http://www.amchamfrance.org (156 bd Haussman, 75008 Paris, tel (+33)1 56 43 45 67
To study in France, a student must apply for a letter of admission or registration from the French university, meet the financial requirements, obtain a student visa that allows him to get a part-time job, usually an au pair position.
To apply for a « carte de séjour » outside Paris, the foreign citizen must contact the Mairie (Town Hall) or the local police station or even the Direction de la Déréglementation of the Préfecture.
The American Consular Office in Lyon does not provide visa services but it gives assistance to American citizens.
American Presence Post in Lyon
1, quai Jules Gourmont, 69002 Lyon
Tel: 04 78 38 33 03 Fax: 04 72 41 71 81
British nationals can contact the British Consulate General in Lyon for general consular assistance as well as Legalization and Notarial Services and Voter Registration Information.
A section « living in France » on the site gives a lot of information about employment, tax, social security and health care and casier judiciaire.
Consulat Général de Grande-Bretagne
24, rue Childebert 69002, Lyon
Tel: 0472778170
Fax: 0472778179
http://www.british.embassy.gov.uk/
