Can I stay in France instead of go back to the US (16 years old and on an exchange)?

[schatzfay]

I'm on a three month exchange in France - ever since I was six I've wanted to live here. I hate America and everything it stands for, and I want to stay here. Do I have the rights of every other 16 year old while I'm here, or can the American gov. force me to go back if I stay and don't return? What would I have to do in order to stay here? I know I'd need a visa and work and a place to stay (I have the place) but is there anything else? How would I let my decision be known to everyone back in the states? I really need some help and a long explination!!!

[cathfromsaron]

you need to go home and get qualifications and experience! then apply for a visa when you are older! x

[dzug2]

It's the French government who could force you back by refusing you a visa - highly likely.

[HowardKennitby]

I don't know at what age you could legally leave home in USA but I agree with Dzug; in the present economic circumstances it is very unlikely that France would grant you a resident visa.

[MarkRae]

What particular skill or talent do you possess which is rare in France?

[schatzfay]

I know English, and I can translate french to English pretty well. I'm also a good editor, and I would love to be a tutor. Besides that, I have no idea...

[MarkRae]

I'm guessing you missed the bit about having a skill or a talent *which is rare in France"...

[joko]

no-one is going to hire an inexperienced, uneducated 16 yr old translator... especially not in a school.

most of france speak english, and kids are taught it in schools, and computers can do it in an instant.

basically your 'skill' is speaking the lingo...and thats not enough ... i agree with cath - go back get some qualifications and try when youre older.

[237SJ]

I don`t agree that there is no hope for you to get a job in France in the future. You are too young at the moment. You will need to go back to the States until you are a bit older but there are opportunities. Check out the situation regarding working for US airline companies in France. I believe that is one industry where you might have a chance of a job there.

[FredPuli43]

The one industry in France which always has a shortage is IT. It follows that someone from outside the European Union ,with exceptional skills in IT,beyond those of a typical French or EU citizen , may be permitted to work there.
France is probably the hardest country in the European Union for a non-EU citizen to get a work permit. Even American employees of multi-national corporations are usually only on 18 month visas there. For them to work longer, they need to be fully employed by the French subsidiary, be of high status in the company and on a high salary, to justify their presence to the French authorities.
You will need to be 18, anyway.
Of course, if you have substantial funds, the French welcome you as a foreign resident who buys a home there, but that's another matter.

[ojread2]

Go home, get qualifications up to your armpits and apply in the right way
The French government will send you home if you outstay your welcome giving you little chance to return even for a holiday, ever again. You will always be on their lists for over staying, the same way the US wont let in people who outstay their welcome again
You may know English, but you could perhaps brush up on spellings?