Easy Hiding Likewise in France, Anglos of the thinner, quiet, and Caucasian persuasion can often go unnoticed. Either that or maybe we're not as obvious to the French as the numerous African and Eastern European immigrants that the Parisians think of when the words sans papiers (literally, 'without papers') come to mind. Or maybe the French simply can't catch the Anglos as easily. We can enter as tourists, and rarely are we subjected to the spot-checks in the Metro or on the streets. Keep out of trouble and you could hang out in Paris indefinitely. The three month limit (for Americans) can even be faked a bit if you go to another country for the day, but because they never seem to stamp passports anymore in Europe, you could probably slink by if they can't prove you've been in the country that long.
They Say it Can't Be Done Check out any of the discussions on the Paris-Anglophone or Think Paris web sites, and you'll see a number of current and potential aliens looking for work, housing, and hints on how to stay without getting into trouble. Americans have a particularly hard time believing that there's virtually no way that they can just turn up and start working, being neither European nor part of the Commonwealth. Just remember, one day someone might say there's no way to get a one-year work permit, the next day you'll find out about OMI's Stage Professionnel. I recommend coming with some cash reserves, try sharing a flat, and talk to as many other expats as possible to get an idea of what your options are. You may want to have a short trial-period first, just to see if you can realistically survive.
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