Hello fellow Sitters, advice please, especially those who travel within the European Schengen Agreement, for stays in France.
Any advice/ comments would be greatly appreciated of best way to stay in France for more than the 90 day restriction. We’d like to be in France longer next year, maybe 6-12 months (without divorce and then marriage to a Frenchie!). We believe there is a Visitor Visa for 6 months but you members of this Forum often have great knowledge… Many thanks!
At one point I had looked into a long-stay visitor visa for France and I went to a webinar by someone who had successfully obtained the visa. This is from the US so I don’t know if it differs by country. But basically, it’s a visa that allows you to stay in France from 3-12 months. You have to show that you have enough money to support yourself for the number of months you are requesting since you wouldn’t be able to get a job there. You have to show that you have a place to live there, and I think there was something about proof of health insurance. I never pursued it, but I’m considering applying in the future.
Hi again my fellow Aussie. 
https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/visa-wizard
Go through this link and fill this in and it is pretty self explanatory.
This is the link for the process. It sounds as though you could possibly get the Visa as from picking up on your background, you would have the means.
https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/web/france-visas/tourism-private-stay
Hi @Tasmazias
Applying for a tourist visa is easy but do be aware mentioning pet sitting may mean you are rejected and advised to apply for a work visa (which used to be much more intensive, not sure about now!).
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I’m not sure about France, but in some countries (I can’t see how France wouldn’t want your money though…) if you stay more then 183 days on the territory, you’ll become fiscally resident and have to pay taxes in France for that fiscal year. Don’t quote me on that, but know that it could be possible. It is in Spain for example and both countries tend to like doing things (financially speaking) like each other 
It is not impossible, I have met American HOs who started that way, and got a residence permit. It seems to be a trend: retired people in the US that prefer France over moving to Florida.
Rather than asking this question on the forum you need to check out the appropriate government/immigration websites. Things change all the time. Please don’t go by what people might respond here
@Smiley that’s why I added the link to the French Govt website. Information like this has to come from the source.
Thank you ‘Smiley’, yes, of course we’d go through formal channels for information and definite confirmation of restrictions (see ‘Ziggy’ response); we’ve lived in many different countries over the years, all quite different with ‘visa rules’, even interpretation of some of those, however, personal experience and wee unforseen ‘hitches’ often put up by Forum members, is invaluable and highly appreciated.
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