Expat Community > France

stefmit
Joined 2018
Posts: 4

Proper sequencing of events (visa and nationality application)

3 years ago

Maybe someone in this forum has some experience with a similar situation: presently in the US, as a married couple for 10+ years, with my wife of French citizenship.

We obtained (formal translation + appostile) the French marriage license recently, and we subsequently started to assemble the necessary paperwork for my nationality. We are also planning to move to France in August, so - in an initial email exchange with the French authorities in the US (consulate), we have been advised to rather file this while in France, as there won't be enough time for the process to finish before our departure from the US.

Based on the above, I "assumed" I would need a "safe" longer official stay in France, so I applied for a visa for over 90 days, so that I do not overstay the default max 90 as regular US tourist, while having the paperwork done in France. I was able to submit the request online, and I assume I will be contacted for an appointment with the consulate in my area. What is a "safe" duration I should be asking for, and should I actually be specific on the intent, when (and if, by August) I receive an invitation to discuss the visa requirement?

Also: does anyone see any flaw in the above described approach towards establishing the final destination of our life journey (we're actually retiring in the process ...)

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