Thursday 28 September 2023

How to Get USA Green Card

How to Get USA Green Card

How to Get USA Green Card . The USA Green Card is issued to immigrants who have been given permission to live in the country on a permanent basis.

This is the first step towards gaining citizenship of the United States and can be applied for under several categories. 

If you are a green card holder you can enjoy many benefits that a standard visa or work permit cannot give you, including permission to work in a greater range of employments, receipt of social security benefits upon retirement, reduced cost of university tuition fees, equal rights under most US laws, a legal right to own property and any other assets within the United States as well as better access to financial products such as insurances and mortgages.

The green card does not give the holder the right to vote in American elections however, as this right is reserved for citizens.

Who is Eligible for a Green Card?

Only some people are eligible to apply for a US green card, and any applicant must fit within one of the stated categories in order to be accepted.

Family

Anyone with a close family relationship to a US citizen can be sponsored by their relative for a green card in the family category. Priority is given in a specific order:

First - the parents of a US citizen

Second A - the spouse and unmarried children aged fewer than 21 of a citizen

Second B - unmarried children over the age of 21 of a citizen

Third - married children of US citizens together with their spouse and children under the age of 21

Fourth - siblings of US citizens, their spouse and minor children

Employment

To be eligible under the employment category, you must be sponsored by a United States employer for green card status. Again there is a specific priority order:

First - workers with extraordinary skills and abilities such as talented professors and researchers.

Second - workers with exceptional skills and advanced degrees

Third - professionals, workers with qualifications and skilled workers

Fourth - workers with religious vocations

Fifth - entrepreneurs and investors

Refugees

Asylum seekers and refugees can apply for a green card after being resident in the country for a year.

Other Categories

There are some other programs that can be followed by those looking for a green card including the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and people who have been born to a foreign diplomat in America. More can be found out about these minor categories on the USCIS website.

How to Get USA Green Card 

If you are eligible to apply, you will want to know how to get USA Green Card. The first step is to complete the relevant form for your application. This will be an immigrant petition form which outlines the reasons why you should be given permanent residency.

There are different forms for different categories, e.g. The I-130 is a family application while an I-140 is for employment status. Depending on the category being applied under, you may have to submit an application for an Adjustment of Status at the same time.

There are only a limited number of visas available every year (except for immediate relatives of citizens) so your application will be processed according to priority date (the date of submission), the category you are applying under and your home country.

You will usually also be required to submit relevant paperwork to prove your qualifications, financial circumstances and possibly your health status.

Proving Admissibility

You must also prove that you are admissible to the United States, as some people are excluded under grounds of criminal record, health or other security grounds.

If you are inadmissible, you may be able to apply for a waiver in some circumstances. Once all your paperwork has been received you will attend an interview and security checks will be carried out on you. Following this, the USCIS will make a decision about your application and inform you of the outcome.

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How to Get UK Green Card

How to Get UK Green Card

How to Get UK Green Card  . If you are interested in relocating permanently to the UK, you are probably wondering how to get UK Green Card.

Firstly, there is no such thing as a Green Card in the UK; however you can apply for a UK permanent residence card, which is pretty much the same thing.

While permanent residency is not quite the same thing as citizenship of the country, it is a first step towards it, and will allow you leave to remain in the country for as long as you like - unlike other types of UK visa which only grant you leave to remain for a specific period of time.

Who Is Eligible For A UK Permanent Residence Card?

There are several ways in which you can be eligible to apply for a UK permanent residence card. Firstly, you have to have been resident with a family member in the UK who is already a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) for a period of not less than five years. This family member must have permanent right of residence within the EEA or must have been a qualified person within the EEA during this five year period.

You are also entitled to apply for permanent residency if you have been continuously residing in the UK for 5 years and you have held an EEA residence card or permit through this time as you are an extended family member of an EEA national.

If you have been living in the UK continuously for 5 years, initially as a family member and then with retained right of residence you can also apply. There are some circumstances in which you can apply for permanent residency before a five year period has expired.

This includes if you have been living with an EEA national family member in the UK in the period immediately before they passed away, if your family member who was working in the UK then retired or became unable to work due to disability or if your EEA national family member took up employment in a different EEA country but returns to the UK on a weekly basis.

How to Apply

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can submit a permanent residency application form. This can be downloaded from the Gov.uk website, completed and then posted to the Home Office.

You must submit the relevant supporting documentation at the same time as you submit your application and you must also pay the required fee which is currently £65 per head. As part of your residency application, you will also be required to submit bio-metric information for each applicant.

This can be submitted at several branches of the Post Office and is subject to a fee of £19.20. This involves having a digital photograph of your face taken, your fingerprints being scanned on a glass screen and your signature being recorded. This entire information taking process is very quick, taking under five minutes.

If you are applying on behalf of a child under 6 years old, there is no need for their fingerprints to be taken; they are only required to have their digital photograph submitted.

Necessary Supporting Documents 

As well as the bio metric information, the application form and the required fee, you must submit certain supporting paperwork.

This includes your current passport, two up to date passport photographs, a passport photo of your sponsor who must be an EEA national, your sponsor's passport, evidence of your relationship to your sponsor such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate as well as evidence that your sponsor is an EEA national or qualified person or that you qualify as you have retained right of residence. Depending on your application, there may be other essential documentation that you will have to submit.

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Monday 24 April 2023

How Skilled Worker Freelancer and Investors Can Apply For 5 Years UAE Visa

How Skilled Worker Freelancer and Investors Can Apply For 5 Years UAE  Visa

How Skilled Worker Freelancer and Investors Can Apply For 5 Years UAE  Visa.The UAE government offers a 5-year visa to skilled workers, freelancers, and investors who meet certain criteria. Here are the general guidelines for each category.

Skilled workers

Skilled workers are those who have specialized skills in a particular field, such as doctors, engineers, and scientists. To apply for a 5-year visa, skilled workers must meet the following criteria:

 

Hold a university degree or higher from an accredited institution

Have at least 5 years of professional experience in their field

Have a valid employment contract with a UAE-based company that pays a salary of at least AED 20,000 per month.


Freelancers

Freelancers are individuals who work independently and provide services to clients without being employed by a specific company. To apply for a 5-year visa, freelancers must meet the following criteria:

 

Have a valid UAE residence visa

 

Have a minimum income of AED 20,000 per month

 

Provide proof of their freelance work, such as invoices or contracts.


Investors

Investor sare individuals who have invested in a business or property in the UAE. To apply for a 5-year visa, investors must meet the following criteria:

 

Have invested at least AED 5 million in a UAE-based business or property.

The investment must be in a property that has a value of at least AED 5 million or in a company that is valued at least AED 10 million.

 

The investment must be retained for at least three years

 

To apply for a 5-year visa, individuals must submit their application through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).


The specific requirements and process may vary depending on the individual's circumstances, and it's recommended to consult with a legal or immigration expert for guidance.


For More Detail Visit Official Website Click Here

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Wednesday 1 February 2017

How to get An EU Blue Card in Germany

How to get An EU Blue Card in Germany

How to get An EU Blue Card in Germany. If you want to relocate to Germany in order to live and work, you may need to apply for an EU Blue Card if you are from a non-EU country.

This document gives the holder the legal right to remain in the country as a worker and acts as evidence to prove this fact. If you want to know how to get an EU Blue Card in Germany, this article will help you to find out the answers to all of the key questions that you need to know.

Who Can Obtain An EU Blue Card?

Any citizen from a non-EU state may apply for an EU Blue Card if they have obtained a university degree from a German university or if they have already obtained an accredited university degree from a foreign university that is comparable to that awarded from a German institution, and if they have been offered an employment contract with a German company that has a salary of a minimum of 50,800 Euros per year (or 4,134 Euros per month) or an employment contract in a shortage occupation (such as science, mathematics, engineering, medicine or information technology) that pays a minimum of 39,624 Euros per year (or 3,302 Euros per month).

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Is It Necessary To Apply For The Blue Card Before Entering Germany?

Someone from overseas must apply for their Blue Card before they come to Germany. The application must be made to the German embassy in their home country.

How Long Is The Validity Period For The Blue Card?

The validity period for the Blue Card is four years, however if the employment contract offered to the applicant is for a period of under four years, the EU Blue Card is only valid for the period of the contract plus a further three months. It is possible to extend a Blue Card once its validity period has expired.

Can A Blue Card Holder Apply For Permanent Residency?

It is possible to apply for permanent residency in Germany after holding the Blue Card for a total of 33 months or more. If the holder has knowledge of the German language at level B1 or above, it is possible to make an application for permanent residency at an earlier stage after just 21 months. If the holder has already been living in a different EU country with an EU Blue Card, this period of time is also taken into consideration when applying for permanent residency in Germany.

Will the Blue Card Be Invalidated If The Holder Leaves The Country?

The holder of the EU Blue Card is permitted to leave the EU for a period of up to 12 months before they lose the right to remain in the EU or Germany. Once the holder has remained in Germany for a total period of 18 months or more, they are then permitted to move within the EU to a different country.

What Are The Rules Regarding Spouses Being Employed In Germany?

The spouse of an EU Blue Card holder may work without any restriction in Germany and does not have to wait to undertake employment. Spouses do not have to prove their ability in the German language and therefore no knowledge of German is necessary.

How to Get an EU Blue Card in Germany

In order to apply for an EU Blue Card, the applicant must complete the necessary application form themselves, or ask their new German employer to complete it on their behalf.

They must also be able to supply a recognized university degree and prove that they have been offered an employment contract by a German employer for a minimum of one year. If the applicant is working in a regulated profession, they must also hold the relevant license or certificate for that profession and applicants must be able to demonstrate that their salary will exceed the German average by 1.5 times or by 1.2 times if they are in a shortage profession.

They will need to submit a written employer's declaration and show their valid travel document or passport. Applicants must not pose any threat to security, public policy or the health of the country. Two recent passport photographs must be submitted along with the application together with the necessary fee.

If an applicant does not have a degree from a university, they must be able to show that they have five years of relevant work experience in their chosen profession.

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Saturday 14 January 2017

How to Apply Permanent Residence UK

How to Apply Permanent Residence UK

If you are settled in the UK and want to stay indefinitely with no restrictions on the type or amount of work that you do, you are probably wondering how to apply for permanent residence in the UK. This means that you are no longer subject to any restrictions and there is no longer any time limit on how long you can live in the country. There are many people who are eligible to apply and this article will help you to find out more about the application process and when you can put it in motion.

What Is Permanent Residency?

Permanent residence refers to a status of immigration which can be awarded to someone who is not a naturalized UK citizen but who has been permitted to stay in the country without facing any time restrictions on their stay and who is allowed to work in any type of employment or study on any course without any limits. It is important to note that it is not permanent however and if the holder lives outside of the country for over two years continuously their status can be revoked. Settled status is the most common route to become a naturalized citizen or to becoming registered as a British citizen. It is also relevant if the non-British citizen holder gives birth to a child while in the UK as unless at least one of its parents is a holder of settled status the child is not automatically awarded British citizenship

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Who Can Apply For Residence In The UK?

Most immigrants can eventually apply, however the length of time after which they are eligible after relocating to the country varies from case to case. Here are some of the timescales involved:

0 years

A child or adopted child with an age of under 18 years who is permitted to enter the country with parents or relatives who are considered to be "settled" and who are also resident in the UK
A parent, dependent relative or grandparent aged over 18 of someone who is both settled and resident in the UK
Anyone given permission to relocate to the UK for a period of up to 27 months or to extend their stay for 2 years as the spouse, civil partner or same sex partner of a settled resident and who was still in the relationship at the time that permission was given and can prove that that relationship has now permanently broken down due to violence.

2 years

Anyone who has been living with temporary permission in the UK as a spouse, same sex or unmarried partner of a settled individual or British citizen and who still lives with that partner if that permission was given before 8 July 2012

4 years

Anyone who has been living in the UK for 4 years on a visa issued before 3 April 2006 under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme and the Employment Not Requiring Work Permit
Any commonwealth citizen who has been a serving member of the British armed forces for a minimum of 4 years

5 years

Anyone who has been resident for 5 years with a visa for any of the following:
Tier 1 or 2
Work Permit
Businessperson permit
Innovator permit
Investor permit
Representatie of overseas media
Private servant or domestic worker of diplomatic or private household
Employee of an overseas government
Religious minister, member of a religious order or missionary
Airport-based staff of overseas airline
Self employed lawyer
Artist, composer or writer
UK ancestry
HSMP migrant
A retiree with independent income
Sole representative of overseas business
Anyone given humanitarian protection after 30 August 2005
Anyone living in the UK or 5 years under the Gateway Protection Programme
Anyone living in the UK with temporary permission for 5 years as a spouse or civil partner of a settled resident or British citizen and who is still in the same relationship

6 years

Anyone living in the UK with discretionary leave

10 years

Anyone living lawfully continuously in the UK for 10 years as long as they have never left the country for over 18 months in total during that time or for more than 6 month in any one stay. 

14 years

Anyone living unlawfully in the UK for 14 years continuously or as a mixture of a lawful and unlawful stay.

How To Apply For Residency In The UK

If you are eligible to apply you must download the correct application form from the UK Government website, complete it and send it to the address shown on the form. You will need to send relevant documentation to support your application and you will also have to pay a fee unless you are a refugee or have been given humanitarian protection. After submitting your application you will also be required to supply bio metric information including a digital photograph and fingerprints.

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Saturday 26 November 2016

How To Get Irish Immigration

How To Get Irish Immigration

How To Get Irish Immigration. In recent times, the Republic of Ireland has become one of the most popular destination for immigrants thanks to the country's strong economy and easy to understand immigration process which makes relocating to the country very easy for those who are highly skilled. If you are interested in finding out how to get Irish immigration status, this article will give you further information about the eligibility criteria and the various types of visa that you can apply for.

Who Requires A Visa To Enter Ireland?

If you are from any country that is currently a member of the EU, you do not need to hold any kind of visa in order to enter Ireland. However, if you are from a country that is outside the EEC zone, you will be required to apply for a visa in order to enter Ireland to either study or obtain employment. If you are a national from one of the many Asian, Middle Eastern and Eastern European countries that are included in the Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme, and already have a short term UK visa, you are permitted to enter Ireland during the validity period of your visa without having to obtain a separate one. If you are a Chinese or Indian citizen, you can also travel within Ireland under the BIVS scheme on a short term basis. If you wish to leave the country and then return at a later time, you will be required to apply for a re-entry visa, and this will require you to register with the GNIB (Garda National Immigration Bureau)

Does Ireland Have A Points System For Immigration?

While many countries like Australia have an immigration system that is based on points, awarding a set number of various factors such as educational background and employment experience, Ireland has no such system. Instead, the Irish immigration system is centered around enabling migrants that have the necessary expertise and skills to benefit the country's economy to obtain the most appropriate visa to suit their needs with ease.

What Kinds Of Visas Are There To Enter Ireland?

There are many different Irish visa types which have been designed to meet the needs of a broad spectrum of immigrants.

Short Stay 

The short stay Irish visa is aimed at those who wish to enter the country for brief periods of time i.e. up to 3 months in order to explore the country, undertake a short educational course or to attend to temporary business. There are 12 categories of short stay visa. These include:

1. Business Visa

2. Conference/Event Visa

3. Information for Conference Organizers

4. Exam Visa

5. Short Term Employment

6. Internship

7. Visa to join a ship

8. Civil partnership or marriage visa

9. Medical Treatment

10. Performance or Tournament

11. Training

12. Visiting Family or Friends

13. Tourist Visa

Long Stay

Anyone who wishes to relocate to Ireland for a period of longer than three months in order to work, study or settle with family members who already have permanent residency, must apply for a D visa (long stay). Anyone who is granted this visa type must then register and apply for a residency permit in order to remain in the country for an extended period.

There are several different long stay visa types including:

1. General Employment Permits

2. Employment as a Scientific Researcher

3. Employment (Van der Elst)

4. Visas to Join Family Members

5. Lay Volunteer visas

6. Minister of Religion

7. Study permits

How To Apply For An Irish Visa

The application process for an Irish visa is done online. Applicants must complete the online form and then to send all of the relevant documentation to the address provided. The necessary paperwork varies depending on visa type and may include some or all of the following:
2 recent passport photographs

A current passport and full copies of previous passports

Signed application letter

Details of your accommodation and travel

Recent bank statement

Evidence that you are returning to your home country if applying for a short term visa

Students must supply a letter confirming their place on their chosen course

Evidence of any criminal conviction

The relevant fee

Applications generally take around 8 weeks to be processed, however applications to join family members in the country usually take longer.

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Thursday 1 September 2016

How to Get Spouse Visa for Canada

How to Get Spouse Visa for Canada

How to Get Spouse Visa for Canada. The Canadian government has made it possible for Canadian citizens or those who have been granted permanent residency to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner to legally enter the country. If you are eligible and want to bring your wife, husband or partner to live in the country with you, you will need to know how to get a spouse visa for Canada. In this article we look at how to go about making the application, meeting the eligibility criteria and all of the other essential details that you will require before submitting your application.

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible to apply for a spouse visa for your partner, you need to be a permanent resident in the country or already be a Canadian citizen. You must also be aged over 18 years. If you live in Quebec province, there are also other criteria that must be met. You must also be able to demonstrate that you can meet your partner's basic needs such as providing a place to live and enough resources to feed and clothe them as well as yourself. You must be able to support your relative financially so that they do not have to rely on the government for financial help. Your spouse or partner must also meet all of the essential requirements for entry into the country in order for the application to be successful.

Who Cannot Sponsor A Partner?

Even if you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may not be able to sponsor a partner if you fall within any of the following categories:

You have previously failed to meet the terms of a prior sponsorship agreement.

You have failed to pay child support despite a court order demanding that you do so.

You are in receipt of social assistance for any reason other than disability.

You have been convicted of a sexual offence, a violent crime, bodily harm against a relative, or threatening violence to a relative.

You have been sponsored yourself as a spouse or partner to become a permanent Canadian resident within the last 5 years.

You have failed to repay an immigration loan or have missed payments or failed to make them in a timely manner.

You are in prison.

You have declared bankruptcy and have not yet been discharged.

What Is The Definition Of A Spouse or Partner?

A spouse refers to anyone that you have a legal marriage to, whether that marriage took place inside Canada or in another country as long as it is legally valid under that country's law. A same-sex partner can also be considered to be a spouse as long as you are a permanent resident or citizen of Canada and were married in the country or legally married in any other country as determined by their law. You must be able to provide evidence of your legally married status to the CIC. A common law partner is someone of either sex that you have lived with as if married for at least a year. In this instance, evidence must be supplied regarding your joint household and financial affairs in the form of joint bank accounts, joint ownership of a property, joint utility bills, joint purchases, or mail sent to both partners at the same address. There is also another category which is a conjugal partner. This refers to a couple who are unable to live together due to a situation beyond their control. This may be as a result of an immigration situation, a situation in which one partner is unable to legally obtain a divorce from another partner or a situation in which the couple cannot legally live together in their home country - for example in the case of a same sex relationship.

Who Cannot Be Sponsored?

You cannot apply for a spouse visa for your partner if you are younger than 18 years, if you were already married to another person at the time you married your partner, or if you have previously sponsored another spouse within the last 3 years.

Canada Spouse Visa Requirements

How to Get Spouse Visa for Canada. In order to apply, you must first obtain an application pack, complete the necessary paperwork and supply all of the relevant paperwork to support your application. Your partner must also undergo a medical examination and submit this also as evidence. You must then pay the processing fee which can be done online and the receipt should then be submitted along with the evidence and paperwork. Completed forms are sent by post to the Case Processing Center which is in Ontario. Once your application has been received you will be assessed as an eligible sponsor and your partner will also be assessed for suitability.

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Monday 25 July 2016

Best Immigration Lawyers in London

Best Immigration Lawyers in London

If you are in need of immigration advice and are based in the South East of the UK you will need the assistance of some of the best immigration lawyers in London. The legal teams that you find listed here will be able to offer you all of the help that you require to have the best chance of succeeding in your immigration case.

OTS Solicitors

OTS Solicitors

OTS Solicitors are one of the leading firms of solicitors that specialize in immigration law. They have more than 60 years of combined knowledge and experience in this area and offer some of the top services in this field in the UK. Their team of lawyers is all highly recommended and is ranked among the top performing lawyers in the immigration sector. Holders of the highest Law Society Accreditation award, they have a high rate of success and always ensure that they cultivate a thorough understanding of each client's case before the first consultation. Dedicated to providing outstanding service to their clients, they can advise on a wide range of immigration issues including appeals, spouse visas, work permits, student visas, EEA applications, asylum rights, citizenship and business visas. Whether you need assistance in bringing your partner into the country, need to apply for a visa to remain in the country or have to appeal a case, OTS solicitors are sure to be able to assist.

Westkin Associates

Westkin Associates

Westkin Associates are a firm of leading immigration solicitors with a base in the heart of London in Mayfair. Focusing on all areas of immigration law, this firm specializes in Tier 1 business visas for Entrepreneurs and investors and Tier 2 general business visas; however they also handle all other types of immigration problems such as asylum, human rights and spouse visas. Westkin Associates have exacting standards and support clients throughout the process of their case, starting with a one hour consultation in their offices. They also offer a form checking service to go through cases that have been prepared for the immigration authorities to ensure that everything is in place. Their team has more than 14 years of experience in the field and has an excellent reputation in the industry.

Gulbenkian Andonian

Gulbenkian Andonian

Gulbenkian Andonian is known as one of the UK's top law firms with a specialist in immigration law. Their team of lawyers is all very experienced and able in the field of immigration and serves clients all over the world. Established as long ago as 1985, Gulbenkian Andonian have a long pedigree and plenty of experience in this area of law, working with both business clients and private individuals who require assistance with an appeal or with obtaining a visa. The firm can assist with all types of issues including applications for visas, asylum law, family and spouse visas, obtaining British Citizenship, immigration appeals and judicial reviews.

Sunrise Solicitors

Sunrise Solicitors

Sunrise Solicitors are among the leading specialists in human rights law and immigration in the UK. Providing all aspects of legal advice within these fields they deal with clients from all over the world, they are based in London, within South Wimbledon, and have a skilled team of reliable and professional legal representatives who can handle a wide variety of cases within this area of law. Offering a professional service with affordable fees and payment terms that are flexible enough to fit into any client's budget. They are regulated by the SRA and are highly qualified to provide the best legal advice on matters as diverse as working visas, asylum protection, immigration appeals, family applications and obtaining British Citizenship.

Bindmans LLP

Bindmans LLP

With an excellent national reputation, Bindmans is well known for their high quality work within the field of immigration law. Their service to clients is not only sympathetic and efficient but also very cost effective. They can deal with all kinds of problems including obtaining visas to work or study in the UK, bringing family members into the country, or assisting unlawfully detained immigration detainees. Led by an award-winning team of solicitors, this firm specializes in acting on the behalf of children in matters of immigration. The team have a broad focus across all aspects of this area of the law and have a wealth of experience and knowledge to draw on to find the perfect solution to clients' issues.

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Saturday 16 July 2016

How to Get Immigration Visa for France

 How to Get Immigration Visa for France

How to Get Immigration Visa for France. When looking to relocate overseas, France is a very attractive option. With an excellent quality of life and plenty of employment opportunities, it is a popular destination for immigrants from all over the world. There are several types of visa available for those who wish to enter France, and the kind that you require will depend on the duration of your intended stay and the reasons for it. Once you have obtained your visa and entered French territory, you are unable to change your status or modify your visa in any way. If you need to know how to get immigration visa for France, you can find all the information that you need here.

General information about French Visa Applications

The regulations that apply to obtaining a French visa vary depending on the type of passport that you hold, whether it is a regular one, an official duty passport or a diplomatic passport. In any case, your passport must have a long enough validity period to cover the entire duration of your stay. You will need to pay a fee for the processing of your visa, which are non-refundable in the event that you application is rejected. There may also be added costs for making appointments in connection with your application with third party agencies.

Visa Categories

There are both short stay and long stay visas available to those who wish to come to France; however a short stay visa (also known as a Schengen visa) will only allow you to enter the country for a period of less than 90 days within a 6 month period. This type of visa is best suited to those who are visiting France on holiday or for short stay for business reasons or to visit family; however it can also be used for those who are coming to France to attend a short educational course. If you wish to stay in France for a longer period of time, you will require a long stay visa. These are suitable for those who intend to stay in France for a period of longer than 3 months and are suited to those who are moving to France to work or to join family members in the country. When a long stay visa is issued to you, it is important that you register with the OFII (French Immigration and Integration Office) immediately upon arriving in the country, and you may need to also apply to your prefecture to obtain a residence permit. There are several categories of long stay visa, and some are valid as a residence permit throughout the first year of your stay. These include some work visas, spouse visas and study visas. After one year, you will be required to renew your residency permit. If you are relocating to France to work, you will need your employer to have your contract approved by the DIRECCTE in advance before your visa application is submitted.

Necessary Documentation

The documentation that you will need to supply with your visa application depends on the type of visa that you are applying for. All applicants will need to download and submit the necessary application form together with 2 passport photographs and copies of any visas that have previously been issued to you. You will also need a copy of your passport, which must have a minimum of 3 months validity after your return date and a minimum of 2 blank pages remaining. You may also need to send a copy of your return ticket reservation as well as a travel insurance confirmation worth at least 30,000 Euros of cover. You will need to submit a letter which states the purpose of your visit to the country and details of your flight tickets as well as proof of your accommodation during your stay in the country and any evidence of your civil status. You will also need to demonstrate that you can support yourself financially while you are in the country. For a work visa, you will also need a contract from your employer and an Income Tax return form. It is your French employer's responsibility to contact DIRECCTE's foreign labor department on your behalf and once their application for you has been approved it will be sent to the French consulate in your home country. Students requiring a study visa will need to submit evidence of their place at a French institution and a no-objection certificate from their university. They will also need to show how they intend to fund their stay in the country and pay for their course. Those coming on a spouse or family visa will need to show evidence of their partner's French national status as well as a family record book and marriage certificate.

Extension of French Visas

You may not stay in France if your visa has expired and therefore, you must apply for a visa extension before your current visa runs out. You can do this my supplying the necessary evidence to your prefecture authorities.

Bringing Dependents to France

If you are immigrating to France and wish your family to join you, you will need to be resident in from for 18 months before being able to apply under the Family Reunion Procedure. The application must be made in person to the OFII office and the authorities will then carry out the necessary processing which can take several months. Your family members must submit their own visa application in order for processing to take place.

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