Long Stay Visa Language Tests - France

[wedders]

The French have approved a compulsory visa requirement for non-EU citizens wishing to settle in France - a spoken/written French language test that takes place at the time of the application for certain types of long-stay visa (and not once you've arrived in France). It's already being imposed in Turkey, Canada, the Ukraine, Senegal and certain North African countries. In Thailand it is supposed to be in place at the start of October.

The test applies to all visa applicants wishing to be granted a long-stay visa on either the 'family reunion or 'spousal' basis.

Typical of the French, its implementation is chaotic, there's sweet f.a. about it on the Embassy website, and so far none of the staff know how it's supposed to work. I went to see the French Consul in Chiang Mai this morning, and after a lengthy three-way discussion with the authorities in Bangkok, this is the current situation in Thailand.

- these measures are due to come into effect at the start of October at Bangkok.

- the French Consul in Chiang Mai knew nothing about the imminent application of the new rules until I told him.

- there is nothing about it on the French Embassy's website, and there won't be until October 1st when visa services in Bangkok are due to get final clarification of the new rules.

- as far as the head of visa services in Bangkok understands it, the language test definitely applies both to family reunion long-stay visa requests, and to spousal visa requests.

- however in my case, living in France but of British nationality, his current interpretation of the rules is that my wife "may" not have to take the test.

- nonetheless, he will only be sure on October 1st, ie six days before my wife has her visa application appointment at the Embassy. Rather a tall order, learning French in six days to the required level.

- they do not know at this point what language ability will be required, as it has yet to be decided which will be the appropriate language course (DELF or DILF) for those who fail the test.

- taking the expensive and lengthy course is compulsory, and through nominated schools. That's tough on anyone who lives in the middle of Isaan.

- they don't have to pass the course - they just have to attend regularly, through to its conclusion. A certificate of attendance allows the person concerned to apply for his visa again without further tests.

To sum up, at the Consulates and the Embassy, all those involved, ie visa services and Consuls, don't really know what the final rules will be.

All this less than a fortnight before the new rules are supposed to be implemented.

People are going to be turning up from October 1st without any preparation for the test. I only found out by chance.

Crazy... but very French. A plethora of rules and regulations, the French love their fonctionnaires and red tape, but as usual one hand doesn't have a clue what the other one is doing. Pathetic.

And TVers complain about the Thais making it tough for farangs to stay in LOS. Imagine if all non-immigrant visa applicants had to take a written and spoken test in Thai!

Edited September 16, 2009 by wedders

[johnnort]

I am also a Brit with a house in France. Although we stay approx 6-7 months in our home in Thailand my Thai wife has a Carte de Sejour enabling her to stay in France without further applications for visas. She does not speak or read French. Will this affect her in any way??

Also would you please furnish details of the two French courses [DELF and DILF] that are available here in Thailand. Price and location etc.. This may be just what my wife requires as she wishes to learn French. Thanks.

[wedders]

Doubt it will affect your wife, it looks like a measure to discourage people from attempting to move to France in the future rather than bothering with those who are already holding a CdS.

The Consul mentioned that in Chiang Mai the Alliance Francaise (housed in the same building as the Consulate) would be sorting out the courses... once Paris lets them know what level of spoken and/or written French is actually needed, that is.

I suppose that will be the case in Bangkok too - best to contact the Alliance Francaise in Bangkok for further info. There are some details about the courses at this url.

[johnnort]

Wedders. PM sent to you. Regards.