Here at The Local we’re an Anglo-American team living in France – which means all of us have been through the simultaneously exciting and terrifying process of moving countries.

Our new newsletter is aimed at people who are in the process of moving, have recently moved and are still grappling with the paperwork or perhaps are just thinking about it – and we’ll share a monthly selection of practical tips. Our team is also available to answer questions from subscribers to The Local.

Online

In a milestone development, the French government has announced that its visa application process is now fully online. 

In truth, because this has been a change gradually phased in since 2017, many types of visa have been available via the visa portal some time (years even). Nonetheless, it marks the end of a long process, and it is the latest development in France’s overall project of moving all of its vast apparatus of bureaucracy online.

Despite its reputation as the country of paper forms and filing cabinets, these days you’re much more likely to be directed to a website or app in order to complete your admin tasks.

7 handy shortcuts for French bureaucracy

Outsourcing

When it comes to visas, the process is a two-step one – first make the application via the France-Visas page, which also includes the helpful ‘visa wizard’ which helps you narrow down the right visa type for you.

The application is passed to a French consulate in the country you are applying from, which deals with the application and may require an in-person appointment.

Well, we say the consulate – many consulates now outsource this work to third-party companies – and it seems that it is this stage of the process where problems are most likely to crop up.

Those applying from the UK are required to use the TLS Contact visa service firm and reports about their reliability and efficiency are decidedly mixed.

Users speak out about frustration with TLS Contact’s French visa site

Working

If you’re moving to France to work and you do not have citizenship of an EU country then you are going to need a working visa.

But in a Catch-22 situation, needing a visa is likely to make it harder to find a job. The key to getting French working visas is often having realistic expectations.

Explained: How to get a visa if you want to move to France to work

Dual nationals

If you’re lucky enough to have citizenship of an EU country then you can avoid all this visa paperwork – since EU freedom of movement gives citizens of any EU country the right to live and work in France.

However if you are a dual national there are a few things to be aware of – especially when it comes to travel.

5 things that dual nationals in France need to know

Splendid isolation

France has some lovely cities – you might have seen a certain capital looking rather handsome during this summer’s Olympics – but if you prefer to get away from the madding crowds then the country also has some very isolated areas.

Revealed: Where are the most remote areas of France?