As usual - superb video. I've done a fair bit of searching for info on France in the last few months and this seems to be - by far - the best such channel on UA-cam: very well produced, entertaining, varied and, above all, full of the kind of information people like me are actually looking for. Thank you.
I'm moving there for a year long French intensive course and then will be getting my Masters at a French university. Now that you said that about getting a Masters, I feel great and optimistic.
Good information! Jay, I feel really bad because I am one of those people who emailed you with questions. I publicly apologize because I really didn't stop to think that 1000 other people are asking you the same questions. I am also one of the people who don't have to work when they arrive, not because I'm filthy rich but because of saving, saving and more saving.😊. Thanks Jay......
Don't apologize!! That's not the point at all - I just figured I should make a link I could share to be a bit more efficient =D You were well within your rights to reach out and ask questions. I'm just another schmuck. And good job on the saving! We all take different paths to get here, and yours will be far less stressful than mine was haha
Thanks Jay. If my comment sounded bitchy I apologize😄 You are living the life of your dreams and you will get to the point where you can sit back and really enjoy. I have been through many struggles and the thought of retiring to Paris and sipping wine on the bank of the Seine is what got me through! 😎
It's a great thought to help get you through for sure =D And no worries, didn't sound bitchy at all - I was just worried that you were worried, and we entered a worry spiral vortex that I'm guessing we can both exit now =D
Today (June 1) is month number 5 for Patreon support. Looking forward to month number 6 for the Gustav sticker. Sorry we missed both you and Gustav at the Peleton both days we visited.
In France, you should start with the visa category that you will stay on because you cannot change to another visa type in France until atleast one renewal, and if you start out on the visitor/tourist visa, it is really difficult to change to something else
Hey Jay, I was just looking for people who have successfully gotten the talent passport. It's so new that I only found your channel and a different one that talked about it from an American perspective. I've asked my company for a transfer and they said I would have to be a local candidate (meaning no relocation package), so I figured that the TP would be the best bet with my education and a transfer (wish me luck!)
My dad was French, born in Bretagne. He came to Australia in the 1970s. My brother and I tried to apply to start the French visa process about 10 years ago and it was a headache from the outset. We gave up and have just gone with , it’s easier to keep our Australian citizenship. In saying that, our Mum is from Hong Kong so we could apply for HK id. Although, she’s hesitant for us to do so as it’s now part of China. Having lived and worked overseas twice it was great. But yes, once the “honeymoon” period is over it can get hard.
airhab airhab ....They need to contact their French Consulate to claim the French nationality. I did it with my son in Los Angeles, then it was quite easy for him to get a French passport
Gustave loved his shirt! (I believe his owner was impressed as well😍) So glad we finally got to this point! I say we...I mean you Jay, just re-watched a few past vlogs and realize how far you've come!!! Two questions: this probably makes no sense, but what hurdles do you need to leap over if you already got a masters, say MLITT degree and an MFA in something specific other than teaching...does one still need to go through an English speaking program like you discussed?????? Lastly: what level of French or swhatever country you choose language of choice fi you need to attain in order to qualify for an English teaching host program? I'm thinking Japan as a second, please advise!💖😎💗
Unofficial advice to brits (or non EU peps) if your mother is Irish, regardless of where you are born (I was born in London my mother was born and raised in Dublin) you are entitled to claim irish citizenship, and then go on and apply for an irish passport. Again Unofficial *add sound effect* Google can show thee the way
As someone who has a visa appointment coming up, this video was what I needed! Do you remember if you needed a book flight reservation for your visa appointment (american getting a long stay work visa)? The required documents list on my application does not mention it anywhere, but I've gotten mixed answers from my friends who've already gone through the visa process. Thank you!
Your appointment at your consulate? No, you don't have to have a flight booked to France before that - at least I never have. I always waited to get approved for my visa before buying the ticket, just to be safe =) But with TAPIF your start date with the school kind of dictates a guaranteed timeframe - at least it should. There are lots of horror stories of people waiting for their passport to arrive with their departure date ticking down and getting closer.
Yeah, though currently some consulates are outsourcing through VFS Global right now, which is where my appointment is. And my main concern was exactly that - having the ticket but not getting the visa in time. I did put a planned date of arrival on my application (a few days before my start date with my company), so hopefully I'll get it before then. Thanks for the quick reply!
Visas can be such a headache. Had to leave Australia in the end due to that. Now I had problems in Congo ... Hope you'll get your citizenship one day 😊👍🏻
You are in great from ,you speak faster and faster ... hey i m a poor french guy with a basic english ! Hmmm i have found a solution , to lower the speed at 0.75 .
I think Jay did speak faster than average in this video. Maybe because he was providing all that factual information. Or maybe he increased his caffeine consumption ?
And I met a bunch of Patrons and subscribers before filming, so I was pretty hyped. You can always run the video at 0.75 speed like Stephen if it helps =D
I live in Europe, and this guy looks like the stereotypical American in France. Baseball cap, colored graphic t shirt, sports pack, and out of date sun glasses lol.
I came to France via a spouse visa, it's a bit of a hassle (its only valid for 2 years at a time and depending on what prefecture you are attached too, its a nightmare) but it always you to work in any field you want (as long as you don't need french nationality)
Ughhhh don't remind me!! I just got settled in Scotland and now we have to move again 😣 Luckily still going to be in the UK, but essentially starting over on everything else. Yay for 6 months of misery! Awww man. I'm a recent patron so I don't get a sticker 😢
French visas sound pretty annoying. I never had to go through that but it was a painful experience to get the nationality. Worth it at the end as I now have dual citizenship (American + French)
How was the process claiming French citizenship? I started the process to claim French citizenship through my mother and they said the process could take 3 years...I heard it's much easier/faster if you're still a minor though.
Many people don't know that the U.S. (and Eritrea) tax based on citizenship, not residency--and Jay, you mention paying French taxes--so, do France and U.S. NOT have a double taxation treaty? I am moving to Portugal and will have 10 years (under the NHR) of NOT paying taxes to them. AND, if I play my cards right and can be out of the U.S. for 330 days I can take advantage of the Foreign Earned Income Exemption (I imagine that's what you are doing?).
To my knowledge they don't have a treaty that prevents double-taxation, but the foreign earned income exemption is what I'm aiming for this year anyway and I won't earn enough (barring all miracles) to need anything else as far as I understand it. I'll pay taxes to Uncle Sam for the rest of my life probably, haha
Shanna Trenholm yeah but renounce to the US citizenship cost almost $3,000. Plus when going back to visit the US it can be a little bit of a hassle to enter.
Thanks for this info. What happens if your company is registered in another country or if you're self-employed paying taxes in your own country? Does that mean I have to pay double taxes, tax payments in France, and other tax payments in my country?
Getting a tourist visa for South Africans is impossible if you are not able to show them: Your bank account statements for three months, That you have a job to go back to, A purchased Return airline ticket, a Travel Health Insurance, Enough cash/credit to support you while in France, Evidence of your pre-booked accommodation, If you move around Europe every pre-booked train/plane/hotel ticket must be submitted, a squeeky clean police record. Visa can be valid for the exact time you are away, maybe a year or two if you are lucky. I am very relieved to say the French Government gave me a 5 year visa - FIVE fricking years!, the 16th time I applied. Going to be my 18th trip to Paris this year!
I got work through knowing someone - and that was it, ha. There are agents in the city (two or three I think) that move the bulk of the work according to my real VO friends, but I'm a hack who just stumbled into a gig that I turned out to like a lot. The real clincher was that I'm also a writer who speaks French, so they wanted me to bring some life to their English versions by doing the translations myself. It's been REALLY fun. Sorry I don't have better info for you =/
no that's super cool and helpful. I have an agent in Minneapolis which is not the best market to be in, go figure, but when I move to Paris (right now living vicariously through your vlog), I'll have to see if something could be cooked up agent wise!. Thank's for responding BTW!! I'm so pleased you found the time to get back to little ol me. super gracious. (while I'm here loved the vlog on Mercy Ships; that's another dream - although I'm not sure how much they need someone who is an expert at ear lavage. ha ha. but that's another story)
Jay, your videos are awesome but this video made me cringe 🤦🏻♀️. I know it’s unofficial but it lacks pertinent information that can make a huge difference. Example even on a tourist visa one can get micro entrepreneur only with permission of prefecture at renewal. Being a digital nomad on a tourist is actually illegal, although that is up to each individual prefecture and how you argue it. Micro entrepreneur is actually the easiest to obtain, but you can’t just have one client- that’s the profession liberal . Also a regular student visa is not renewable (meaning you must leave France to get another status other than student) but a masters is renewable and changeable. There are 2 kinds of tourist visas, one renewable the other not. Also anyone with a business plan can do profesión libérale and start a business in France (process starts at the consulate) and get ready for even higher taxes since the talent passport is taxed at the lowest rate! Most importantly, it’s easier to start with the consulate with your desired visa than trying to change status in France. I do consulting for people who want to move to France or abroad and hook them up with the right attorneys /transition companies depending on their situation. You are right in the fact that the consulates requirements and OFII or Prefactures requirements are as different as men and women. I agree that for the French to be happy is: 1) you aren’t taking one of their jobs- rural sentiment 2) you pay taxes and not drain the system. Another point is that one needs a consistent visa and to pay taxes to apply for citizenship. Even having too many CDI ‘s can look badly on citizenship application. I should make a french visa 101 video 😂, but it won’t be as good as this one with sprinkled info.
See - you should be making videos ;D My goal was more to de-stress the process by walking people through what to expect from a higher level since you're normally dropped into the deep end with little-to-no real explanation of what to expect (no one told me I had to go to the prefecture, for example, I just knew I needed to from past experiences - but which one? When? OFII? etc). When you make your video explaining the gritty details be sure to share it with me so I can link to it! I think it would be wildly helpful =D
@Maday, your comment is extremely condescending and over the top BITCHY. I think it's great that you know the information and you want others to know that you know but you come off as a know it all. He specifically said it was unofficial advice and he's not an expert so leaving out information was to be expected since HE'S NOT AN EXPERT and stated that. I think, since you know so much, then maybe you should make a video and put out the pertinent information to help others instead of writing an essay in the comments that most people aren't going to read. I'm glad that since I will be getting my Masters there, that people like Jay can give "unofficial" advice. The rest needs to be up to the individual to find out on their own which I would assume Jay expects people to do. You'd be better off making a video to help others and when you do, try not to sound like a condescending Bitch. Thanks.
Jay Brown It depends so much on your niche and location, there are so many variables. The latest trend is the tech field, jobs are found quickly. I do believe though that you can renew your masters to a profession liberal and basically be a independent contract worker (verify this since things have changed). I would ask Facebook groups like Americans in Paris or American expats in Paris and see if anyone has made the change. Others experiences are valuable information for the process.
le sigh I truly apologize that my comment came across that way. I actually feel really sad that you were offended to the point of calling me Bitchy. Honestly I’m far from it- I promise . I edited several times because this information is as dense and stressful as the French bureaucracy one encounters because it is french bureaucracy and difficult to make light. I thought that mentioning this is what I do would be important (so people knew where I was coming from ). I assumed it would change my tone and not seem as a know it all, but as someone who knows the subject. I did also say that any video I made wouldn’t be as good as Jays. He has a talent and I wouldn’t be a fan if I didn’t respect him. Although in the middle of the night as I watched this I didn’t get that he was encourage others to keep at it -all I thought was “oh no! 10,000 people will take this as how it is.” The reason I thought this - because I work with so many people who don’t actually do any research and make life plans based on false information and this affects their life and many times their family (children), always in a position where only an attorney can help them and they don’t have a dime for it. I didn’t make it clear why from my perspective it was cringe worthy. I felt compelled to add the information so that maybe future viewers could read my comment. I don’t know if I could do a video, I care too much about doing it well and I would be as honest as Jay is and couldn’t deal with negative comments. So again I truly apologize for the essay and this reply. I only wrote it only because I really care.
Jay Swanson I don’t know..I don’t have the guts now. I might need liquid courage and just turn on the camera 😂. I’m really sorry if I sounded condescending, I guess I am one of your followers that feels like I know you enough to say things like I did. Please read my other replies so you get where I’m coming from. ✌🏼
As usual - superb video. I've done a fair bit of searching for info on France in the last few months and this seems to be - by far - the best such channel on UA-cam: very well produced, entertaining, varied and, above all, full of the kind of information people like me are actually looking for. Thank you.
Thanks! That's really kind of you =D
I'm moving there for a year long French intensive course and then will be getting my Masters at a French university. Now that you said that about getting a Masters, I feel great and optimistic.
It's a really good route to take. It sounds like Maday's got lots of knowledge to share as well if you want to respond to her comment too.
What course are you referring to?
I guess I'm quite off topic but does anyone know a good place to watch newly released tv shows online?
@Kylo Simon lately I have been using Flixzone. Just search on google for it =)
@Clark Immanuel Yup, I have been using flixzone for since april myself =)
Good information! Jay, I feel really bad because I am one of those people who emailed you with questions. I publicly apologize because I really didn't stop to think that 1000 other people are asking you the same questions. I am also one of the people who don't have to work when they arrive, not because I'm filthy rich but because of saving, saving and more saving.😊. Thanks Jay......
Don't apologize!! That's not the point at all - I just figured I should make a link I could share to be a bit more efficient =D You were well within your rights to reach out and ask questions. I'm just another schmuck. And good job on the saving! We all take different paths to get here, and yours will be far less stressful than mine was haha
Thanks Jay. If my comment sounded bitchy I apologize😄 You are living the life of your dreams and you will get to the point where you can sit back and really enjoy. I have been through many struggles and the thought of retiring to Paris and sipping wine on the bank of the Seine is what got me through! 😎
It's a great thought to help get you through for sure =D And no worries, didn't sound bitchy at all - I was just worried that you were worried, and we entered a worry spiral vortex that I'm guessing we can both exit now =D
Jay Swanson absolutely!!😊😊😊😊
Today (June 1) is month number 5 for Patreon support. Looking forward to month number 6 for the Gustav sticker. Sorry we missed both you and Gustav at the Peleton both days we visited.
You'll get us next time though =D
Thanks for this! It's awesome to see how far you've come in two years!!
Right? I'm glad things have kept a decent pace =)
In France, you should start with the visa category that you will stay on because you cannot change to another visa type in France until atleast one renewal, and if you start out on the visitor/tourist visa, it is really difficult to change to something else
Hey Jay, I was just looking for people who have successfully gotten the talent passport. It's so new that I only found your channel and a different one that talked about it from an American perspective.
I've asked my company for a transfer and they said I would have to be a local candidate (meaning no relocation package), so I figured that the TP would be the best bet with my education and a transfer (wish me luck!)
Good luck!
That was helpful and yet made me anxious. Not for me but for my husband who still doesn’t have his Italian citizenship. Aye!
Italy is even worse, haha. Good luck though!
My dad was French, born in Bretagne. He came to Australia in the 1970s. My brother and I tried to apply to start the French visa process about 10 years ago and it was a headache from the outset. We gave up and have just gone with , it’s easier to keep our Australian citizenship. In saying that, our Mum is from Hong Kong so we could apply for HK id. Although, she’s hesitant for us to do so as it’s now part of China.
Having lived and worked overseas twice it was great. But yes, once the “honeymoon” period is over it can get hard.
They certainly don't make it easy =/
If your father is a Citizen then you don't need a visa all you need is to directly apply for your French passport.
airhab airhab ....They need to contact their French Consulate to claim the French nationality. I did it with my son in Los Angeles, then it was quite easy for him to get a French passport
andreamobo
If your grand-parent or patent was born french You are entitled to The french nationality.
FYI living in the USA as a European it is as complicated / expensive to get a green-card as for an American moving to Europe!
Yep - probably even moreso in the current climate =/
Gustave loved his shirt! (I believe his owner was impressed as well😍)
So glad we finally got to this point! I say we...I mean you Jay, just re-watched a few past vlogs and realize how far you've come!!!
Two questions: this probably makes no sense, but what hurdles do you need to leap over if you already got a masters, say MLITT degree and an MFA in something specific other than teaching...does one still need to go through an English speaking program like you discussed??????
Lastly: what level of French or swhatever country you choose language of choice fi you need to attain in order to qualify for an English teaching host program? I'm thinking Japan as a second, please advise!💖😎💗
Unofficial advice to brits (or non EU peps) if your mother is Irish, regardless of where you are born (I was born in London my mother was born and raised in Dublin) you are entitled to claim irish citizenship, and then go on and apply for an irish passport. Again Unofficial *add sound effect* Google can show thee the way
There are particular embassies in particular parts of the world that are currently overflowing with paperwork ;D
Jay Swanson indeed - and they are quite “relaxed” too so think 🐌 pace rather than sprint
Fathers and Grand Parents count as well. Just takes a bit more paperwork for grand parents.
Can be either parent or grandparents. You just need one.
As someone who has a visa appointment coming up, this video was what I needed!
Do you remember if you needed a book flight reservation for your visa appointment (american getting a long stay work visa)? The required documents list on my application does not mention it anywhere, but I've gotten mixed answers from my friends who've already gone through the visa process. Thank you!
Your appointment at your consulate? No, you don't have to have a flight booked to France before that - at least I never have. I always waited to get approved for my visa before buying the ticket, just to be safe =) But with TAPIF your start date with the school kind of dictates a guaranteed timeframe - at least it should. There are lots of horror stories of people waiting for their passport to arrive with their departure date ticking down and getting closer.
Yeah, though currently some consulates are outsourcing through VFS Global right now, which is where my appointment is. And my main concern was exactly that - having the ticket but not getting the visa in time. I did put a planned date of arrival on my application (a few days before my start date with my company), so hopefully I'll get it before then. Thanks for the quick reply!
Very useful. Thank you, Jay.
Visas can be such a headache. Had to leave Australia in the end due to that. Now I had problems in Congo ... Hope you'll get your citizenship one day 😊👍🏻
Me too :) I hope your visa troubles get resolved quickly!
Letting you stay in Paris is the best deal the French ever made , they should make your birthday a holiday
Thanks very much. Very usefull information in broad strokes.
Thanks for the video!
The Gus likes his shirt! Yes! Guess he’s looking for his cut! Gourmet doggie bones!🐶🐶🐶
Behind-the-ear-scritches ;D
lots of cafe before you created this VLOG? BUT - fantastic intel. :)
Gotta get through it somehow haha
Thanks for your insight.
You are in great from ,you speak faster and faster ... hey i m a poor french guy with a basic english ! Hmmm i have found a solution , to lower the speed at 0.75 .
Great solution!
I think Jay did speak faster than average in this video. Maybe because he was providing all that factual information. Or maybe he increased his caffeine consumption ?
Jay--really, slow down :)
And I met a bunch of Patrons and subscribers before filming, so I was pretty hyped. You can always run the video at 0.75 speed like Stephen if it helps =D
Watching this multiple times...
Sweet
@@JaySwanson
Watching again.
I live in Europe, and this guy looks like the stereotypical American in France. Baseball cap, colored graphic t shirt, sports pack, and out of date sun glasses lol.
I came to France via a spouse visa, it's a bit of a hassle (its only valid for 2 years at a time and depending on what prefecture you are attached too, its a nightmare) but it always you to work in any field you want (as long as you don't need french nationality)
Definitely a good option if you've got someone you actually want to marry =D
@@JaySwanson very true :)
how to do find a job to work 20 hours a week? Jobs are extremely scarce
Ughhhh don't remind me!! I just got settled in Scotland and now we have to move again 😣 Luckily still going to be in the UK, but essentially starting over on everything else. Yay for 6 months of misery!
Awww man. I'm a recent patron so I don't get a sticker 😢
Eventually ;D
And yeah, I don't envy the moving but hopefully you like your new location even more =D
Jay Swanson we'll be in Brighton so I'm looking forward to exploring a new city and being close to London.
French visas sound pretty annoying. I never had to go through that but it was a painful experience to get the nationality. Worth it at the end as I now have dual citizenship (American + French)
I'm not looking forward to that process. How did you manage to skip the visa process?
Jay Swanson I was just really lucky. My dad is French so that’s how I claimed the citizenship when I moved to Paris 6 years ago
How was the process claiming French citizenship? I started the process to claim French citizenship through my mother and they said the process could take 3 years...I heard it's much easier/faster if you're still a minor though.
Oui... Go Buddy... it all makes sense.. very very Informative Video..umm. i would say best chitti chatty vlog till now. Thank you..
Glad you liked it!
Many people don't know that the U.S. (and Eritrea) tax based on citizenship, not residency--and Jay, you mention paying French taxes--so, do France and U.S. NOT have a double taxation treaty? I am moving to Portugal and will have 10 years (under the NHR) of NOT paying taxes to them. AND, if I play my cards right and can be out of the U.S. for 330 days I can take advantage of the Foreign Earned Income Exemption (I imagine that's what you are doing?).
To my knowledge they don't have a treaty that prevents double-taxation, but the foreign earned income exemption is what I'm aiming for this year anyway and I won't earn enough (barring all miracles) to need anything else as far as I understand it. I'll pay taxes to Uncle Sam for the rest of my life probably, haha
Well, you could renounce citizenship--or stay compliant with the FEIE--ten you're golden! :)
Shanna Trenholm yeah but renounce to the US citizenship cost almost $3,000. Plus when going back to visit the US it can be a little bit of a hassle to enter.
Yes. There are trade-offs to everything, right? :)
I definitely don't want to renounce my US citizenship, haha.
Thanks for this info. What happens if your company is registered in another country or if you're self-employed paying taxes in your own country? Does that mean I have to pay double taxes, tax payments in France, and other tax payments in my country?
Thank you so much
Getting a tourist visa for South Africans is impossible if you are not able to show them:
Your bank account statements for three months, That you have a job to go back to, A purchased Return airline ticket, a Travel Health Insurance, Enough cash/credit to support you while in France, Evidence of your pre-booked accommodation, If you move around Europe every pre-booked train/plane/hotel ticket must be submitted, a squeeky clean police record. Visa can be valid for the exact time you are away, maybe a year or two if you are lucky.
I am very relieved to say the French Government gave me a 5 year visa - FIVE fricking years!, the 16th time I applied. Going to be my 18th trip to Paris this year!
Those slap sounds were a bit much lmao
Yeah literally Everytime it happens hurts my ears it’s so much louder than anything else.
would you do an episode on HOW one get's VO work in FR? I'm a VO artist and would love to know how you got work. :)
I got work through knowing someone - and that was it, ha. There are agents in the city (two or three I think) that move the bulk of the work according to my real VO friends, but I'm a hack who just stumbled into a gig that I turned out to like a lot. The real clincher was that I'm also a writer who speaks French, so they wanted me to bring some life to their English versions by doing the translations myself. It's been REALLY fun. Sorry I don't have better info for you =/
no that's super cool and helpful. I have an agent in Minneapolis which is not the best market to be in, go figure, but when I move to Paris (right now living vicariously through your vlog), I'll have to see if something could be cooked up agent wise!. Thank's for responding BTW!! I'm so pleased you found the time to get back to little ol me. super gracious. (while I'm here loved the vlog on Mercy Ships; that's another dream - although I'm not sure how much they need someone who is an expert at ear lavage. ha ha. but that's another story)
does france have an income tax system like the us? I mean do they have to file like here in the states?
Anyone who resides in France for more than 183 days must file taxes there.
There was another guy asking about moving from a masters into the workforce if you wanted to chime in there Maday =D
If I come to Paris during this video, what a will the weather be like?
😂
His wife is eligible for a visa, ladies
Jay Let's get married so I can get a visa Please
SAGE advice man
Hey Jay - I just sent you a very important message thru Patreon. Can u please reply asap? Thanks
Done - sorry if it took me a minute
No u were quick...tanks!
Jay, your videos are awesome but this video made me cringe 🤦🏻♀️. I know it’s unofficial but it lacks pertinent information that can make a huge difference. Example even on a tourist visa one can get micro entrepreneur only with permission of prefecture at renewal. Being a digital nomad on a tourist is actually illegal, although that is up to each individual prefecture and how you argue it. Micro entrepreneur is actually the easiest to obtain, but you can’t just have one client- that’s the profession liberal . Also a regular student visa is not renewable (meaning you must leave France to get another status other than student) but a masters is renewable and changeable. There are 2 kinds of tourist visas, one renewable the other not. Also anyone with a business plan can do profesión libérale and start a business in France (process starts at the consulate) and get ready for even higher taxes since the talent passport is taxed at the lowest rate! Most importantly, it’s easier to start with the consulate with your desired visa than trying to change status in France. I do consulting for people who want to move to France or abroad and hook them up with the right attorneys /transition companies depending on their situation. You are right in the fact that the consulates requirements and OFII or Prefactures requirements are as different as men and women. I agree that for the French to be happy is: 1) you aren’t taking one of their jobs- rural sentiment 2) you pay taxes and not drain the system. Another point is that one needs a consistent visa and to pay taxes to apply for citizenship. Even having too many CDI ‘s can look badly on citizenship application. I should make a french visa 101 video 😂, but it won’t be as good as this one with sprinkled info.
See - you should be making videos ;D My goal was more to de-stress the process by walking people through what to expect from a higher level since you're normally dropped into the deep end with little-to-no real explanation of what to expect (no one told me I had to go to the prefecture, for example, I just knew I needed to from past experiences - but which one? When? OFII? etc). When you make your video explaining the gritty details be sure to share it with me so I can link to it! I think it would be wildly helpful =D
@Maday, your comment is extremely condescending and over the top BITCHY. I think it's great that you know the information and you want others to know that you know but you come off as a know it all. He specifically said it was unofficial advice and he's not an expert so leaving out information was to be expected since HE'S NOT AN EXPERT and stated that. I think, since you know so much, then maybe you should make a video and put out the pertinent information to help others instead of writing an essay in the comments that most people aren't going to read. I'm glad that since I will be getting my Masters there, that people like Jay can give "unofficial" advice. The rest needs to be up to the individual to find out on their own which I would assume Jay expects people to do. You'd be better off making a video to help others and when you do, try not to sound like a condescending Bitch. Thanks.
Jay Brown It depends so much on your niche and location, there are so many variables. The latest trend is the tech field, jobs are found quickly. I do believe though that you can renew your masters to a profession liberal and basically be a independent contract worker (verify this since things have changed). I would ask Facebook groups like Americans in Paris or American expats in Paris and see if anyone has made the change. Others experiences are valuable information for the process.
le sigh I truly apologize that my comment came across that way. I actually feel really sad that you were offended to the point of calling me Bitchy. Honestly I’m far from it- I promise . I edited several times because this information is as dense and stressful as the French bureaucracy one encounters because it is french bureaucracy and difficult to make light. I thought that mentioning this is what I do would be important (so people knew where I was coming from ). I assumed it would change my tone and not seem as a know it all, but as someone who knows the subject. I did also say that any video I made wouldn’t be as good as Jays. He has a talent and I wouldn’t be a fan if I didn’t respect him. Although in the middle of the night as I watched this I didn’t get that he was encourage others to keep at it -all I thought was “oh no! 10,000 people will take this as how it is.” The reason I thought this - because I work with so many people who don’t actually do any research and make life plans based on false information and this affects their life and many times their family (children), always in a position where only an attorney can help them and they don’t have a dime for it. I didn’t make it clear why from my perspective it was cringe worthy. I felt compelled to add the information so that maybe future viewers could read my comment. I don’t know if I could do a video, I care too much about doing it well and I would be as honest as Jay is and couldn’t deal with negative comments. So again I truly apologize for the essay and this reply. I only wrote it only because I really care.
Jay Swanson I don’t know..I don’t have the guts now. I might need liquid courage and just turn on the camera 😂. I’m really sorry if I sounded condescending, I guess I am one of your followers that feels like I know you enough to say things like I did. Please read my other replies so you get where I’m coming from. ✌🏼