I am in a similar position, looking for a programming position in france. I am probably not as experienced as you are, but I speak french fluently. Frankly, my best bet at this point is to marry a french person, fast!
The biggest problem is obtaining a visa. In order to stay in France for more than 3 months for whatever your reason, you need a visa. Some examples of visas are student visas and work visas. To get a work visa, the company in France where you plan on working has to sponsor you. You must present an offer of employment to the French consulate.
Generally speaking, The French don't hire many Americans. Why would they hire an American, when they can hire a French person? France has a very high unemployment rate, and I think the government blames foreigners for taking away jobs. This is just my opinion, based on what I observed while living there mostly with regard to Algerians. Of course there are exceptions, and it's not impossible. But, they seem particularly nationalistic.
My understanding -- from going through the same process -- is that yes, the French need skilled IT workers. But in order for you to get hired by a French company, you must somehow prove that you are INVALUABLE to them. It's just such a time consuming expense for them to go through the process of sposoring you, that very few people end up being "worth it."
How is marriage sounding at this point??!!
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I am in a similar position, looking for a programming position in france. I am probably not as experienced as you are, but I speak french fluently. Frankly, my best bet at this point is to marry a french person, fast! The biggest problem is obtaining a visa. In order to stay in France for more than 3 months for whatever your reason, you need a visa. Some examples of visas are student visas and work visas. To get a work visa, the company in France where you plan on working has to sponsor you. You must present an offer of employment to the French consulate. Generally speaking, The French don't hire many Americans. Why would they hire an American, when they can hire a French person? France has a very high unemployment rate, and I think the government blames foreigners for taking away jobs. This is just my opinion, based on what I observed while living there mostly with regard to Algerians. Of course there are exceptions, and it's not impossible. But, they seem particularly nationalistic. My understanding -- from going through the same process -- is that yes, the French need skilled IT workers. But in order for you to get hired by a French company, you must somehow prove that you are INVALUABLE to them. It's just such a time consuming expense for them to go through the process of sposoring you, that very few people end up being "worth it." How is marriage sounding at this point??!!