The visiteur immigration status now a 'dead end'

THE always enlightening newsletter of Paris-based legal expert and jurist, Jean Taquet, makes for interesting reading this month if you are looking to enter France under the visiteur status.

The long term residency option allowed people to stay in France for 12 months as long as they had the financial means to support themselves, a permanent address and health insurance.

Many American clients of Jean Taquet had gone through the process with few problems and been able to use it as a stepping stone to setting themselves up in France legally and with the prospect of long term employment.

But in his October 2012 newsletter he highlights the changing attitude in the préfectures as obstacles are placed in the way of applicants, while some are accused of lying, with Jean Taquet saying the visiteur status is now a 'dead end'.

He concludes:

My advice to all of you who intend to immigrate to France and work here is to consider seriously the difficulties of doing so legally. Likewise, if you want to change your visiteur immigration status, think it over again. If you choose to do try, make sure your file is rock solid.