Traveling to France before date of the long sejour visa
I would like to travel to France before the starting date of my long sejour visa. I thought it will be no problem since I can travel to the Schengen only with my passport without asking any permission for three months as tourist, but now I was told I have to enter France exactly the date that my long sejour visa says. Is it true?
I have read this post but I am not sure I found the answer.
Note: I have been calling the French consulate in my country since last Thursday but no one is answering the phone. I suppose they are in holidays, but my flight is very soon so I have to know what to do as soon as possible.
Best Answer
Old question but I see it linked a lot 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 you enter France before your visa starts?
To apply for a short-stay visa, the application must be submitted at least two weeks prior to your planned visit; however, it can not be submitted more than 6 months prior to your planned visit.Can I enter France with a titre de Sejour?
The carte de s\xe9jour is only valid in France. To travel around the other Schengen countries you should have with you a valid passport or national identity card.Can I enter France with EU residence permit?
No, according to law 2003-1119 of 26 November 2003 concerning the stay of foreigners in France, as a national of a Member of the European Union, you are exempt from any residence permit in France even beyond the three months of residence.Can I travel to France with a long stay visa?
A long-stay visa allows foreign nationals to stay in France for longer than three months, with the aim of enabling the holder to obtain a residence permit so they can live in France for a specified period.How I got my French long stay visa! | Living abroad
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