Why did you move to France?
Moved from Jakarta to France in August 2010 to join my Belgian husband who got transferred to his Paris office.
How did you do it?
Despite all the horror stories about making visa to France, the process I went thru was quite smooth. Yes the paper works to get the visa was as thick as a dictionary but I did it with ease since it was not the first time I requested for a visa. As a spouse of an EU citizen, I got waiver for any fees incurred. A week after entering France we went to the local prefecture, bringing my passport and marriage certificate and other paperworks. The process was very easy. We waited for our turn, and we got inside to meet with this person who looked at all our papers. It took like 15 minutes when I was handed my temporary Carte de sejour. We were asked to come by in a few days to get the original one. In less than 1 week, I was issued with a Carte de Sejour valid for 10 years ! And this CDS gives me the right to stay and work in France ! Is it always this easy or this is just one of miracles in my life ? :)
Tips and Tricks
- There is no really tips and tricks here actually... One thing for sure is that we must have all the required papers ready and follow all the instructions to the details !
Has living in France lived up to your expectations?
I stayed in France for 8 months and in early May 2011 I returned back to Jakarta for some assignments. During my 8 months in France I haven't really settled down. Simply because my French is catastrophe !
What has surprised/disappointed you the most?
The people I have encountered were quite different than the people I have met in other parts of the world. Too early to judge, though...:)
Are most of your friends French or other expats?
I haven't been able to create any friendship with the locals. I met few indonesian who has been living in Paris more than 2 or 3 decades. But my plan is, when I am back in France, I will seek ways to be friends with locals and other expats.
Do you have anything else to add?
Just 2 questions :
1. My CDS, do I still need a work permit to enable me to work?
2. My CDS is valid until 2020, but since I have been away for almost a year, do I need any other paper to re-enter France, or I simply just show my CDS at the immigration ?
