Making The Residency Application
Residency visa requirements aren’t onerous, but the paperwork can be a hassle and the process can require several trips to the local immigration office, where the bureaucrats behind the counter aren’t going to speak English (except in the case of Malta, Ireland, or the U.K.). Again, this is why we recommend that you engage an in-country attorney experienced at helping foreigners obtain residency. The cost is typically modest, and you save yourself time, headaches, and missteps.
We’ve heard stories from people over the years who’ve tried to apply for foreign residency status in various countries on their own, spent sometimes months battling with the local bureaucrats, resubmitting forms, refiling applications, collecting more and other documents, only ultimately to have their applications denied for reasons they didn’t understand. In the cases where the would-be expat then enlisted the help of a local attorney to restart the application process, the attorney was able to identify quickly where the mistake had been made the first time around.
This isn’t rocket science. But it’s a process. And it takes place in another language and in another country, where they do things the way they do things. The systems and protocols don’t have to make sense to you, and sometimes they won’t. It’s a waste of time and energy to try to understand. You don’t need to understand how the residency visa application process works in France. You need only qualify for a visa to remain in the country (if that’s your objective). Why drive yourself crazy (and waste your time and money) trying to make heads or tails of French immigration law when you could easily hire a French attorney who has spent years interpreting it?
Generally, to apply for a residency visa, you’ll need a police report from your current country of residency. For Americans, that means an FBI background report. For Canadians, it means a report from the RCMP. In other countries, you should check with the national police on how to obtain the necessary report. You may also be required to undergo a physical exam and to show proof of health insurance that covers you locally.