Permanent Residency Applicaitons
In order to work in France, Joe had to apply for a permanent residency Visa at the French Consulate in Boston. Since I was going with him, I needed a Visa as well. There is no way to get information about this over the phone. The only access is online. On the website we were told that we had to apply for an appointment at the consulate and bring passports, photos and documentation for Joe’s employment (Job offer letter, salary information, dates of employment contracts, etc). We also had to provide a copy of our marriage certificate to prove that we really are married. There is no way to expedite the process or discuss your needs with anyone.
We made our first contact with the consulate on line the second week in August. The earliest interview appointment we could get was on September 18. Everyone goes on vacation in France during the month of August…I guess that applies to consulate workers in Boston as well. We were told (on the website) that it takes a minimum of three weeks to process the visas. An October 1st start date did not look promising. But at least we wouldn’t have to give up our US passports before we had a chance to go apartment hunting.
On the day of our interview we were there when a couple from New Hampshire came down to see the consulate in person because the website wasn’t working for them. The guard wouldn’t even let them in the office, but the consulate personnel agreed to send them a link to the right website so that they could follow official protocols from home. When our visas were ready (around the 6th of October) we got an email. We went immediately downtown and discovered that interviews are held in the mornings only and we couln’t pick up the visas until between 2-5. We had to go back. This time we didn’t pay $25 to park. I drove and Joe went in to get both Visas. They couldn’t give Joe my visa…luckily I had my iphone and I could pull over and email Joe my permission to pick up the Visa…which he could show to the Consulate employee and we were on our way!
Andrus Foe Paws 