Immigrationboards.com - Archive

Archive » Europe » American in France for 6 yrs wants French legal status

Author	Post
susenfrance Junior Member Member # 3187	Posted April 29, 2002 01:45 PM I am an American working and living in Paris since 1997 under "détachée" status. I have been employed by the same company all this time, I have been paid in dollars, and aside from my carte de travail, I have not entered into the French system. Now my company is closing and I will soon be unemployed. If I had been employed in the French system all this time, I'd have the right to ask for a "carte de résident" giving me French legal status and the freedom to be employed as a French person. But this isn't the case and it seems I have to start all over as if I had never lived in France. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Does anyone know if I would be granted legal status here even without a job offer if I tried??? Thanks for any info you have on this!!!
Elfa Member Member # 5	Posted June 04, 2002 03:27 PM Hi I am wondering how you have been working on a detache since 1997 since these work permits are only valid for up to 22 months total without the possibility of extension. If your employer has not been paying French taxes on your behalf then it is unlikely you would qualify for a carte de travail - these can only usually be applied for if you had a full French work permit rather than a detache. You may wish to contact the French Consulate in the US with further queries on how you can gain French permanent residence status. Hope this helps! Elfa -------------------- Elfa Kere, Consultant Workpermit.com

Author

Post

susenfrance
Junior Member
Member # 3187

Posted April 29, 2002 01:45 PM

I am an American working and living in Paris since 1997 under "détachée" status. I have been employed by the same company all this time, I have been paid in dollars, and aside from my carte de travail, I have not entered into the French system. Now my company is closing and I will soon be unemployed. If I had been employed in the French system all this time, I'd have the right to ask for a "carte de résident" giving me French legal status and the freedom to be employed as a French person. But this isn't the case and it seems I have to start all over as if I had never lived in France. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Does anyone know if I would be granted legal status here even without a job offer if I tried??? Thanks for any info you have on this!!!

Elfa
Member
Member # 5

Posted June 04, 2002 03:27 PM

I am wondering how you have been working on a detache since 1997 since these work permits are only valid for up to 22 months total without the possibility of extension. If your employer has not been paying French taxes on your behalf then it is unlikely you would qualify for a carte de travail - these can only usually be applied for if you had a full French work permit rather than a detache.

You may wish to contact the French Consulate in the US with further queries on how you can gain French permanent residence status.

Hope this helps!

Elfa

--------------------

Elfa Kere, Consultant
Workpermit.com