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France, one of the founding members of the European Union (EU), and the United States enjoy a long-standing alliance on many issues, ranging from global politics to trade and investment agreements. Bilateral trade and investment between the US and France, and the broader EU, is responsible for billions of dollars and thousands of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. Currently, there are no restrictions on American or French citizens who wish to transfer money from France to the USA.
If visiting the US for a period of less than 90 days, a visitor or business visa is currently required. These can be granted after filling out the appropriate online forms and attending an in-person interview at the local American consulate or embassy. However, citizens of some countries, including France, are eligible to travel to the US without a visa if they first register online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA).
For stays of 90 days or more, an immigrant or non-immigrant visa is required of all French citizens. French citizens who wish to live or work in the United States must apply for the appropriate visa or be granted permanent resident status. There are many different visa types, depending on your profession, your current employment status and the intended length of stay. Please refer to the US Embassy for more details.
There are few restrictions for non-citizens who are legally in the United States and wish to own or rent property. However, a foreign buyer purchasing property in America must provide an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) when closing the transaction. To obtain the ITIN, the buyer must first apply with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which may take five weeks or longer to receive. Once the ITIN is received, the buyer may then transfer money from France to the USA to complete the purchase.
As each state in the US maintains its own real estate and local taxation laws, it is advisable to obtain the services of a licensed real estate attorney or real estate agent, who can advise on regional and federal regulation throughout the entire process.
In 1994, France and the United States entered into a bilateral agreement for the avoidance of double taxation. This protects citizens of either country who live and work in the other to avoid paying taxes twice on the same income. For French citizens living and earning money in the US, a tax return must still be filed with the French government, but French citizens may be eligible to receive tax credits based on what they pay in the US. For French citizens owing taxes to the American government, please keep in mind that there are currently no restrictions on an international funds transfer.
Before French citizens can apply for a visa to study at an American institution, they must first apply for and be accepted to a US-based program. Once the school has issued its acceptance, it will supply the documents necessary to apply for a student visa. There are no restrictions on sending money from France to the US to help pay for student fees.
Currently, there are two student visas offered by the American government to foreign citizens wishing to study in the U.S. The F-1 visa, the most common type of student visa, is for academic studies at an approved school or accredited American university. Non-academic or vocational studies, or training with an American institution, require the M-1 visa.
Like all other non-US citizens, French citizens are not permitted to vote in American federal elections. Voting for federal office is restricted to American citizens only. Although states may allow non-citizens to vote, this is rare and limited to local elections in only a few places today. French citizens are permitted to vote in national elections while residing in the US. Depending on the type of election, voting can be completed online or in person in a French embassy.
Most American citizens own some form of health insurance, often supplied through their job. Health insurance is the way most people pay for their healthcare, and it is mandatory for anyone living or visiting the US to have at least the minimum levels of health insurance. Citizens of the United States must have health insurance or risk facing a yearly tax. It is advisable for French citizens who are planning to visit America to purchase travel insurance or a short-term health insurance policy.
As part of the EU, France enjoys one of the largest economic relationships in the world with the United States, with transatlantic goods and services trade flows valued at approximately US$2.7bn per day in 2012. Investments between the EU and the USA has also been estimated, as of 2010, to account for about 6.8m million jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. Currently, the EU and the United States are involved in a number of global and regional initiatives to support increased trade, investment and political cooperation throughout the world. One of the most recent initiatives is the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, a trade and investment agreement between the US and EU countries. Combined, EU countries rate as the second-largest imports supplier to the US, with a value of $387 billion in 2013, up 1.5% from the previous year. France is the third-largest EU country on this list, accounting for $45.3 billion of the total.
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FXcompared.com is an fx money comparison site for international money transfer and to compare rates from currency brokers for sending money abroad. The website and the information provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer, solicitation or advice on any financial service or transaction. None of the information presented is intended to form the basis for any investment decision, and no specific recommendations are intended. FXC Group Ltd and FX Compared Ltd does not provide any guarantees of any data from third parties listed on this website. FX compared Ltd expressly disclaims any and all responsibility for any direct or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever arising directly or indirectly from (i) any error, omission or inaccuracy in any such information or (ii) any action resulting therefrom.
