Arriving in France before the start of a Student Visa. Can I go to the UK and come back to France?
I'm American and currently applying for a Student Long Stay Visa in France (>90 days; it's a 2 year Master's program). My visa appointment with the consulate is in mid-July. My school starts on September 16th, and I've stated on the application that I plan to go to France on September 1st.
Well it turns out that it would be better for me to go to France August 1st. I was wondering if it's possible that I could go to France on a tourist visit (which does not require a visa for stays <90 days) and then take a short weekend trip to the UK (at the end of August) before returning and presenting them with my student visa?
I know that I technically cannot combine a long stay visa with a tourist visit. However this isn't technically combining the two as I would be leaving the Schengen territory and re-entering, right?
I can't easily ask to make the start of my visa August 1st because my boyfriend recently got the attestation d'accueil (proof of accommodation for the first 3 months of my stay) validated by the mairie and the start date for this document is on September 1st.
Best Answer
Old question but I see no one answered so I'm going to add some information I believe is pertinent. I received the following email from the Austrian BMI regarding entering visa-fee before a Visa D is valid. Keep in mind this is a translation from the original email in german:
If the visa-free stay is short or the travel purpose for the visa-free stay is different from the one for the visa D stay (eg first tourism, then study/employment), the entry would be lawful. Whereby a visa-free entry (observing the rule: 90 days per period of 180 days) and the subsequent stay with a visa D is seamlessly possible.
Suggesting that a third-country national with visa-free privileges may enter before validity date on the D Visa and that a "Visa Run" to the UK is not technically necessary
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Can I enter France before my student visa starts?
No.Unless exempt from having a visa, you must have a visa issued before your arrival in France or within the Schengen area. As a reminder, having a visa in your passport does not necessarily guarantee that the holder will be authorised to enter the Schengen area. The border police may refuse your entry.Can I travel to the UK before the start date of my student visa?
The date you can arrive in the UK will be the 'valid from' date on your visa. This will usually be seven days before the 'intended date of travel' you put on your visa application but cannot be earlier than one month before your course starts. You should not attempt to enter the UK before your travel visa is valid.Can I enter a country before my visa begins?
You could arrive earlier and enter with a tourist visa, assuming that your nationality would let you enter as a tourist without needing a visa. If that's not the case, and your visa is in fact a tourist visa, you can always wait in the airport before "entering" the territory.How many days before we can travel to UK on student visa?
Up to one week before if your course lasts six months or fewer. Up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months. Students offered a place in a short-term course in the UK, such as an English language course or training course. Three months before your date of travel to the UK.First Things An International Student Should Do After Arriving In France
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