LKL's Blog

9 comments

1. Becky

   said on 30 July 2006 at 12:46 pm:
   Permalink1

   C’est dommage! I, too want to live in France

   one day and have been living vicariously through you reading about how you are doing it. Du

   courage. It will happen when the time is just right!~Becky

2. Marisa

   said on 30 July 2006 at 4:55 pm:
   Permalink2

   Hi Laura,

   I’m sorry to hear about your visa woes. Although I don’t have a

   visa problem because my husband is French, I was wondering about something. I know that you

   work online and I was wondering if there could possibly be any connection. My reason for

   saying so is that awhile back I was doing work online, and my bank in France had an incredibly

   hard time believing this as they’re not used to the internet being used for employment, and

   the idea that the contracts might look different or exist in different forms (sometimes even

   not existing at all) etc. I know you’ve probably covered all your bases because your visa

   research is meticiulous (I’ve read the info. you shared on About), but I just thought I’d

   throw that out because I had a heck of a time convincing my bank that YES, people really do

   work online and get paid for it. The idea of self-employment or independent contractors is a

   very foreign concept here. But, in any case, I really hope your appeal comes through. My

   husband has worked in politics and immigration issues so if you ever any questions, I’d be

   glad to ask my husband if that might help in any small way. Again, hope it all works

   out.

   A fan of your websites in Bourgogne,
   Marisa

3. lklawless

   said on 30 July 2006 at 5:42 pm:
   Permalink3

   Hi Becky and Marisa,

   Thanks for your nice comments.

   Marisa: In fact,

   I have enough savings (in theory anyway) to meet the financial requirements, so my working

   online is a non-issue.

4. Eden

   said on 31 July 2006 at 1:15 pm:
   Permalink4

   Hi Laura,

   I too am very sorry to hear

   that your visa application was turned down. I hope the appeal goes well. I had also wondered

   if your working online might have affected their decision in some way. I cannot imagine why it

   should, but who knows. Hang in there.

   Eden

5. p2

   said on 1 August 2006 at 2:04 pm:
   Permalink5

   potential problem:
   France is protecting

   native teachers of French and you pose a potential competitve threat
   ideas:
   1. make a

   deal with a native teacher based French school/program to help develop some online resources

   which complement their in-class program, then get them to help lobby for your long stay

   visa
   2. contact any business, political or cultural resources you know with links to France

   and beg them to lobby on your behalf with the consulate
   3. go stay for the 90 days without a

   visa, network and make connections which will help you obtain the long stay visa
   4. go stay

   beyond the 90 day limit and take your chances; there a thousands of expat Americans in France

   without visas and the last American deported was a convicted felon and it was a number of years

   ago (so I am told)

   Bon chance!
   I am working on my long stay visa application right

   now, and am trying to research any potential problems and solutions.

6. lklawless

   said on 1 August 2006 at 2:09 pm:
   Permalink6

   P2 -

   That would be true if I were trying to get a work permit, but I’m not.

   I am not going for work; I applied for a long-stay, non-professional visa.

7. p2

   said on 8 August 2006 at 1:41 pm:
   Permalink7

   I think even though you have applied for

   non-professional visa which requires a written statement indicating you will not work, your

   work experience and existing following on the net might be construed as a potential competitve

   threat to native French teacher based in France. Otherwise, I cannot imagine why an obvious

   Francophone like you would be denied a visa. Do not despair, but use your power, finess and

   intelligence to overcome this visa problem.
   Suggestion for a French attorney licensed in

   both France and US (Delaware): Jean Taquet. I have used M. Taquet and found his advice very

   useful; he is well versed on visa /immigration issues specific to US citizens, which are quite

   different than those of citizens of European Union member countries.

   (http://www.parlerparis.com/practicalanswers.html)
   PS – You have an excellent web site

   which has helps me to improve my French language skills. Keep up the good work! Allez

   Laura!!

8. Mike

   said on 2 February 2007 at 2:24 pm:
   Permalink8

   Laura, I’m a big fan and want to assist you

   with visa. I am an American and live in Southwest France and married to French lady. Please

   contact me and I will discuss my ideas about my offer. Thanks. Mike

9. Ray

   said on 7 July 2007 at 7:42 am:
   Permalink9

   Sorry to hear about your visa

   troubles. Probably comes down to a low level decision made by a low level fonctionnaire with a

   chip on his shoulder. You may love France, but France doesn’t necessariy love you. That’s

   the state of international relations at this moment. Enjoyed your site, especially the part

   about French gestures/body language.