Student Visa (Change of Status)

Hi All,
I am about to begin my Masters studies in Paris this September and we are working on my wife's work visa situation right now. It has become clear that we are late getting on this long process. She probably won't have a job/work visa lined up before we leave and will use the 3 month Schengen visa at first. Having a hard time getting answers to two questions though and wondering if anyone has had experience with either part.

Questions:
1)Has anyone tried to switch their visa from student visa to work visa with while in France and how did that go? I am told it is possible but entirely up to the prefecture.

2)Also, the consulate states very clearly that you must get any extended visas from your country of residence. That would potentially require my wife leaving and flying back to the US and waiting a long time while it processes. Has anyone tried to get a long stay or student/work visa from a French consulate in a country outside France that they did not have residence in? I know each country is different with specific rules but in Switzerland for example you just need to leave Switzerland i.e. Germany, Spain. I know they say you can't but it seems like you may be able to sneak through that requirement.

Hi,
I guess you've read this aleady:
http://www.consulfrance-washington.org/spip.php?article401
and then there's this:
http://www.consulfrance-chicago.org/Long-stay-visa-for-studies

"You must obtain your Student Visa while in the USA. The visa cannot be issued once the applicant is in France.
3- How to apply for a long stay student visa?
All applicants for a student visa must first register with "CampusFrance". Please visit www.usa.campusfrance.org (e-mail: campusfrance@ambafrance-us.org) for more information."

The bottom line is there are definite rules and regulations in place.
It's your responsibility to conform to them.
Have you looked at the list of what is required from you? Can you meet them? And each of you will have to do so....

Did you read the section on Schengen at the start of the Western Europe forum? Your question...and other like it have been asked and answered.
There are not quick fixes when it comes to long term visas....

Some Schengen countries allow one to change their visa status under specific circumstances. I do not know if France is one of them. If you spea French, this page MAY have the answer.

http://www.immigration.interieur.gouv.fr/

otherwise, ask an embassy/consulate. Just check once, though by Sfgirl's links it seems the answer is No.

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.