Job Discussion Forums

mikesspamlessemail · Joined: 30 Dec 2004 Posts: 22

Is there any way other than marrying someone to get citizenship or to stay legally in the country? I know in many Latin America countries if you buy property or put up a certain amount of money this is possible... but I would imagine this is much more difficult since France doesn't have trouble attracting people who want to live there, since it's awesome. Any suggestions?

rogan · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 416 Location: at home, in France

As far as I know the citizenship process requires 5 years' residence before the application is made.

Theoretically this could be achieved in any of the DOM or TOM.

mikesspamlessemail · Joined: 30 Dec 2004 Posts: 22

rogan · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 416 Location: at home, in France

DOM - Departements outre mer
TOM - Territoires outre mes

There's a slight difference in their legal status.

An overseas Departement has exactly the same legal status as any mainland Departement (local administrative unit, like a County in the UK, maybe like a State in the uS) .

Martinique, in the Caribbean is the same as any other mainland French administrative authority - it counts as being the same as (for eg) Provence.

So it's possible to live on an island paradise for 5 years, gain citizenship and then jump on a plane to Paris.

Perpetual Traveller · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 651 Location: In the Kak, Japan

Unfortunately the only other way you can really do it is if you have a fair bit of money put away. Then you can invest in a business or come over as a fee paying student. But as rogan said there is a residence requirement, no matter which way you try it.

PT

mikesspamlessemail · Joined: 30 Dec 2004 Posts: 22

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

Just phone up the French equivalent of the Home Office/Immigration dept. and ask.

You can however expect that the amount of money you would be required to invest would be considerable (as in millions), even then the process is not automatic.

wildchild · Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 519 Location: Puebla 2009 - 2010

Hello all, I hope all is well and I thank you for entertaining my question, although it doesn't really, directly apply to meself (I'm a married to a French).

So you saying that any old joe who shows that he's been livin with DOMinique or TOMas or whoever for five years is entitled to a french card? If so, what kinda documents they need to show? Just some rental/lease agreements that show 5 years? And that's it? Holy smokes, load up the jalopy, we're a rollin West...or, uh, East that is. Razz

I'm just a gonna smush them grapes all over me face! Razz

michellem · Joined: 31 May 2005 Posts: 29