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On
arrival in the
country
 YOUR
ARRIVAL IN THE COUNTRY
:
Formalities
:
- On
arrival several formalities
must be completed
immediately.
- The
role of the French Embassy is
essentially political but the
Consulate's job is to
administer to and protect the
French community residing in
the country. It is important
to clearly understand their
respective roles.
- Register
at the French Embassy or at
the Consulate.
- Usually
your employer will have a
department dealing with all
the administrative
formalities. When you register
you will obtain a consular
card which will be very
useful.
- Register
with the local authorities :
police, labour office : who
will provide your work and
resident's
permits.
Usually
when you arrive you will be given
a receipt to be able to circulate
in the country.
The
Embassy :
- It
plays a political role. The
French Ambassador is the
personal representative of the
French President, accredited
by the country's Head of
State. He represents the
supreme authority for all the
French services working in the
country.
The
Consulate
:
- His
role is partly to be the Head
and the Protector of the
French community and partly to
represent the various French
administrations abroad vis
à vis the local
authorities.
- Your
French or local employer
should register you with the
French Consulate dealing with
the area where the
headquarters of your company
are established. This is not
obligatory but is
recommended.
Why
should you be registered
?
Registering
at the Consulate
:
- This
guarantees you the protection
of the consular authority in
case of accidents, of events
which could threaten the
security of French citizens,or
in the case of incidents with
local authorities or any abuse
or discrimination which the
expatriate might have to face
in the country.
- It
puts you in order with the
French military authorities
(the consulate ensures the
follow-up of the military
service of young people born
or living in the region)
- It
is indispensable to accomplish
certain formalities,such as
:
the
prolongation, the delivery or the
renewal of passports, identity
cards, records of civil
status.
Registering
for the right to
vote.
- It
is necessary to obtain
:
- the
payment of a
pension.
- study
grants for children in French
schools
- the
application of
conventions.
- the
liquidations of
successions
- it
facilitates customs control
when entering France and
permits when leaving to
benefit from tax refunds on
goods exported
- it
gives you access to
preferential rates when you
have to have official
documents made at the
consulate.
To
complete the formalities you have
to show :
- your
passport or identity
card
- your
Family Record Book
- the
foreign resident's card or
resident's permit or your work
permit if you don't yet have
your resident's
permit
- Your
military booklet or national
military service
card
The
Consul who represents French
people abroad can give legal and
administrative help in case of
arrest or imprisonment, in case
of accident or serious legal
problems. You can contact your
consulate at any time to take the
necessary steps with the local
authorities to ensure the respect
of your rights.
The
Consul can also exercise his
notarial functions and competence
and validate different official
documents :
- donation
acts within the
familly,
- Marriage
contracts,
- Procurations,
- Wills,
- Legal
formalities to repatriate a
body.
There
is no charge to register at the
consulate, it is valid for 3
years and renewable within a 6
month period following its
expiral. On leaving the country
you have to give the card back to
the consulate.
If
you change countries, but stay
overseas, you can have your
dossier transfered to the
consulate in your new country,
who will deliver it to the local
authorities (police, labour
office etc.).
After
6 months in a country you
automatically become a
resident.
Insist
on having a work contract if you
are working for a local company,
because it will be absolutely
necessary to have it if you have
to appear before a local tribunal
in case of a dispute.
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