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Want to live with boyfriend in France but I am disabled

Last activity 23 September 2024 by Expatofrance

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AetherCircuit

Greetings. My boyfriend and I are trying to figure out how to live together. He is from France and I am from California. I am disabled however, and I am on SSI benefits. I also have a part-time job to cover bills. Will I have trouble obtaining a visa to live in France because of this? If I go there, I can not come back as I will lose my SSI benefits, my housing, and all the support I have here. We thought maybe he could come live with me here in the US, but that seems to be very difficult and not very possible, as he himself doesn't have a major career or degree, he just works average jobs, and in order to live with me he would have to contribute to my rent (I am on section 8 housing). It seems like all the visas available do not apply to him. Ideally we want to live together in under a year, but I'm not sure if that's possible. We aren't yet prepared to marry either.

I should explain that I have trouble getting normal jobs because I have been on the SSI most of my adult life and now I am 38. I plan to return to school for psychology if possible.


So I am wondering, what is possible? Will I even be able to move to France to be with him? I Have a hard time believing they would even accept me given my circumstances. We love each other very much and just want to be living together.

Expatofrance

Hello Aether. It seems like a very difficult situation.

In general, visas to France are based on revenus and the ability to sustain finiancially in France, or prove that yu have a job in France, this is why in your situation it is difficult.

You have various options:

  • if you can consider to marry, you will be entitled to a private family visa as he is French,
  • If you are "PACSed" (civil union) and wait for one year of living together in Frane, you can  request a residence permit. Note that this solution is very complicated as your situation in France during that period would be uncertain and that the french authoritities are overwhelmed and take a very long time to process your card
  • another solution would be to create a freelance business in France and ask a business visa, but you need that this business can generate at least the french minimum wage.


I am an immigration attorney, I hope these few ideas helped.


Best regards,

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