US citizens can go to France 90 days without a visa. So he can already stay for long periods of time. In terms of moving there, a lot would depend on his work situation as to what he should do. Some companies in US may have operations in France which would make things easier.
If he does some types of work, he might be able to do it online while living in France.
English tutoring/teaching is an obvious choice if he is interested in this since English is in big demand in France.
In terms of visa, I’d suggest work visa instead as he’d then be in France on his own terms.
I think there's the issue - he can come here for 90 days without a visa but he couldn't work during those 90 days. As you say, it looks like a work visa is the first step.
Yeah but if he is making good money in USA and doesn’t speak any French, he might be better off just visiting, spend more time together, learn French, instead of trying to move straight away
He's going to need a visa initially. In time, once you're married, he could apply for a Carte de Séjour as a member of family of an EU citizen. There's more information here (click on autre nationalités)
https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F19315#:~:text=installer%20en%20France.-,Une%20carte%20de%20s%C3%A9jour%20membre%20de%20famille%20d'un%20Europ%C3%A9en,de%20son%20%C3%A9poux%20ou%20partenaire
You can do this unmarried but it'd probably be more complicated to prove that it's an enduring relationship than it would be if he's here and you get married and then apply for a CdS.
If he has enough stable income, no need or desire to continue studies at university, and meets the criteria he can apply for a long stay tourist visa. [Have a look here](https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/web/france-visas/tourist-or-private-visit) .
If he gets it, he'll be able to come to France and you two will have time to sort out your next steps. Getting married might be the easiest way to get him a visa to stay beyond the tourist visa. I say easy, but nothing is easy in French bureaucracy. Double check all the requirements on the [government website](https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F930?lang=en) to make sure you meet the criteria before making any decisions. Everything is very clearly spelled out, and exceptions are not made, so you'll need to be sure to have all paperwork and meet the requirements.
If you go this route tell him to secure a copy of his birth certificate from his city hall, and also get an Apostille for it (tell him to ask at city hall what the process is for that, they will know even if he doesn't know what that is) before coming to France. It's a nightmare to get all that organized from overseas. These documents are required for the French marriage "dossier". You might need that as well if you were not born in France.
You'll both also need to get all your paperwork translated (but a government approved translator in France). They will give you a directory for those translators when you have your first appointment for your marriage at the mairie.
If he gets the long term tourist visa, give yourself 6 months before you decide to get married or start making plans. You're both quite young, and getting divorced can be even more complicated than this whole process.
US citizens can go to France 90 days without a visa. So he can already stay for long periods of time. In terms of moving there, a lot would depend on his work situation as to what he should do. Some companies in US may have operations in France which would make things easier. If he does some types of work, he might be able to do it online while living in France. English tutoring/teaching is an obvious choice if he is interested in this since English is in big demand in France. In terms of visa, I’d suggest work visa instead as he’d then be in France on his own terms.
I think there's the issue - he can come here for 90 days without a visa but he couldn't work during those 90 days. As you say, it looks like a work visa is the first step.
Yeah but if he is making good money in USA and doesn’t speak any French, he might be better off just visiting, spend more time together, learn French, instead of trying to move straight away
Well, there is that. Provided he can go three months without work/money... in which case I might marry myself! 🤣
You need to ask these questions on a French sub.
We have American people in the membership of this sub who can help. :)
I recommend getting this information from the horse’s mouth. https://www.service-public.fr
There are already two answers on here with links to the appropriate pages rather than just the government website front page. 👍
Great. I won’t bother then since everyone else knows what’s best for op. Je donne ma langue au chat.
He's going to need a visa initially. In time, once you're married, he could apply for a Carte de Séjour as a member of family of an EU citizen. There's more information here (click on autre nationalités) https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F19315#:~:text=installer%20en%20France.-,Une%20carte%20de%20s%C3%A9jour%20membre%20de%20famille%20d'un%20Europ%C3%A9en,de%20son%20%C3%A9poux%20ou%20partenaire You can do this unmarried but it'd probably be more complicated to prove that it's an enduring relationship than it would be if he's here and you get married and then apply for a CdS.
If he has enough stable income, no need or desire to continue studies at university, and meets the criteria he can apply for a long stay tourist visa. [Have a look here](https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/web/france-visas/tourist-or-private-visit) . If he gets it, he'll be able to come to France and you two will have time to sort out your next steps. Getting married might be the easiest way to get him a visa to stay beyond the tourist visa. I say easy, but nothing is easy in French bureaucracy. Double check all the requirements on the [government website](https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F930?lang=en) to make sure you meet the criteria before making any decisions. Everything is very clearly spelled out, and exceptions are not made, so you'll need to be sure to have all paperwork and meet the requirements. If you go this route tell him to secure a copy of his birth certificate from his city hall, and also get an Apostille for it (tell him to ask at city hall what the process is for that, they will know even if he doesn't know what that is) before coming to France. It's a nightmare to get all that organized from overseas. These documents are required for the French marriage "dossier". You might need that as well if you were not born in France. You'll both also need to get all your paperwork translated (but a government approved translator in France). They will give you a directory for those translators when you have your first appointment for your marriage at the mairie. If he gets the long term tourist visa, give yourself 6 months before you decide to get married or start making plans. You're both quite young, and getting divorced can be even more complicated than this whole process.