tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852622575677869620.post5438349408951055601..comments2024-03-23T00:40:43.258+01:00Comments on Michele's life en franglais: Morning at the OFIIMichelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17460908569554684989noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852622575677869620.post-26783914504503440762013-07-18T10:23:31.458+02:002013-07-18T10:23:31.458+02:00I think they started this new program with the con...I think they started this new program with the contract d'accueil and the formations back in 2007 or 2008 so it sounds like you are lucky and missed out on it all! Lionel and I didn't get married until Nov. 2008, so well after my assistant visa had expired in May 2008 which meant that I couldn't just change my situation. I had to go back to the US for the summer, do all of the paperwork to get a visa with the intention of getting married and living in France, come back to France, finish the paperwork to get married, and plan our little wedding. Once we were married I had to do all of the prefecture stuff and OFII stuff and because the Val de Marne is so slow, I didn't even go into the OFII until June 2009 at which point the contrat d'accueil and possibility of formations was definitely part of their process.<br /><br />But like I said, back then I was exempted from it all. I just don't understand why that didn't just hold true for this time around in Bordeaux. But oh well, it's taken care of and now I'm ready to fight the next battle...citizenship! Though I really hope it goes smoothly and relatively quickly!<br /><br />I think you're brave to not ask for citizenship. I just can't face all of those years of potential prefecture trips and administrative hassle. Plus, I've been hearing rumors that they were talking about doing away with the 10 year card. They even told me about the possibility at the prefecture. I definitely can't imagine them getting rid of the 10 year card and then having to spend my life going to the prefecture every year for 1 year cards. I've just decided I don't want to take the chance and I would rather fight this one last battle, get citizenship, and then never have to worry about it again...no OFII, no prefecture, etc.Michelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17460908569554684989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852622575677869620.post-43557679933680158752013-07-18T08:17:12.675+02:002013-07-18T08:17:12.675+02:00I've never had to do any of that. I did get th...I've never had to do any of that. I did get the lung x-ray back when I first came and was on my assistant Visa, but then when I got married, I got my carte de séjour just by handing in some papers, and was never once told about any sort of formation civique or other. I have no idea if that's because this all happened 7 years ago, but I dare say I've never had any real problems or headaches dealing with the immigration side of me living here! <br /><br />I totally sympathize for you, though, and I hope getting your citizenship will prove quick and efficient! (I have no plans on ever asking for mine...I'm good with my Canadian passport and resident card, thankyouverymuch!)Crystalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18136483568967161966noreply@blogger.com