If you want a deeper dive into the process of getting French citizenship, Jess and I talked about it at length in this episode of my podcast: www.patreon.com/posts/on-getting-with-72731004 Available for Patrons now, and to everyone else in a few months!

As a long time follower it's so awesome seeing you come this far. You're killing, dude! Hope the process goes as smooth and quick as French bureaucracy will allow

WOW Jay! Excited to see this journey!

I am starting my process in March and your video has really help boost my confidence! Wishing you all thr best with your application.

Exciting! Good luck with the process

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Bienvenue dans la famille ! Ce sera un honneur de te compter parmi nous. Bonne chance, on croise les doigts !

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Merci!

This is so exciting, Jay! 🎉 I’ve been following you since when you first moved to Paris in 2017 and I know that becoming French has always been one of your goals! I too moved here in 2017 and got my French passport recently 🇫🇷 It does feel good to belong here and not have to worry about (or even deal with) the renewal of Carte de sejour. Good luck! Hope to meet you in person one day 😊

I'm so excited for you!! Hope everything goes smoothly and you get that citizenship!

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I can't wait

Everytime I hear you speaking french I want to start a class to improve my french. I was cheering you up the whole time watching this video. You got this 🥳 I admire your longterm commitment 👏

Very happy for you! Wishing you all the best (and patience 😊) with the process.

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Looking forward to seeing all those boxes get checked! You've got this Jay!!

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!🥂

Getting closer!! Good for you! 😊

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

I haven’t commented on one of your videos in like forever, but so happy for you!! I know you’ve been working towards this for a long time. Good luck with the whole process!! So excited 🎉

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Barbara! Can't wait to share the journey (and hopefully the results!)

You are smashing it mate, I am so proud of you!!!! Ive learned so much from you about perseverance, happiness, and love, especially.

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Olivia!

So exciting! Good luck!

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Good luck Jay! You got this!

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Tracy!

Congratulations! Sooooo exciting!

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!!

Wishing you the best with your process...hopefully it will go off with minimal issues!

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Me too!

I’m so excited for you Jay! You’ll smash the language test as your French always sounds really good when I hear you speak French in your vlogs. Looking forward to following you in your journey towards becoming French ! Is there going to be a champagne bottle?

As a viewer that started watching this channel only just last year this video just gives me perspective on how France works especially on life I’m really excited about this news❤🇫🇷

all the best Jay. hope you get the citizenship easy and smooth process. love you video. 😃

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

I hope so too! Thank you =D

Kudos Jay...although I haven't commented on every video...I've really gotten motivation from watching your journey in Paris...You got this ,

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Craig!

Yes, good luck Jay!!

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Jay - conrgats on moving closer to aquiring your French citizenship! France would be fortunate to have a citizen like you who promotes and chronicles this country the way you do!

Wow, you're nearly there! No more préfecture! Exciting!

best of luck on your journey :) i still have 2 more years to go before i can apply for citizenship but i'll still be along for your ride!

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Here's hoping mine can help smooth yours a bit!

So cool!! Congrats!

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!!

So happy for you!

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Congrats!🎉

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

🥂 Thanks!

How exciting ! I’m from Walla Walla, been living in Paris for 5 years and will at some point start the process !! See you around maybe ! 😊

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Walla Walla Washingtonnn - best of luck when you do! I think the inertia to getting started was the hardest part.

Well, I am here struggling through A1. Only struggling because I cant get my ears around French. Listening to your story Jay is so encouraging. Well done for getting to this stage!

@nineteenfortyeight6762

Жыл бұрын

Exposure is key!

Perfect; this is super super helpful. Thank you for making this.

@JaySwanson

Ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Yay good luck Jay! I got there in January this year 🇨🇵😊

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Congrats!

Wishing you lots of luck! 👍

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Exciting times!

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

For suuuuure

This is really exciting! I had to laugh when you noted the young man moving his lips while reading. For the past several years, almost all the books I've read have been in French. Reading aloud is a good way to improve your accent, but, you have to settle for "barely a whisper" in public places. As you can imagine, it's an uncomfortable practice in waiting rooms and such. Best of luck and thanks for sharing.

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

It was pretty funny. An extra mini-barrier to jump for the day haha. Thank you so much!

Good luck. Wish you the best.

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you =D

We are coming to Paris in two days, can’t wait!!!!

Big Good Luck To You Getting Your French Citizenship!!!!!!❤

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Good luck!

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Good luck! I am still getting my paperwork together and get to do this process here in LA. The language part scares me the most because I don't get to speak French every day 😢 hope it goes smoothly for you!

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

I'm sure you'll do great! Best of luck!

Well, the best of luck to you, you've been waiting a long time for this. The language component should be a doddle. Shayna over at The Purple Palace is going through the same process, seems to be the thing to do at the moment. Another 3 years to wait for me.

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

I know so many people who have gone through it in the last couple of years - definitely must happen in waves within circles =D

Good luck with the process Jay. I went through this last year. Toughest part was the interview at the prefecture, not so much on the questions asked but more the environment making it very difficult to hear properly: open plan office with lots of other interviews happening simultaneously, noisy, a plexiglass sheet between me and the agent (plus face masks).

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Oh interesting. I wondered what that would be like

So nice to see Monsieur Jay Swanson being Team ‘Set Multiple Alarms’ too! 👏🏽

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Glad I did - because I set one wrong 😂

Wasn't worried about you with the exam at all :)

Sending off my dossier next week!! We got this, compatriote ! 🇫🇷

@NonStopParis

Жыл бұрын

Also FYI my FR test results were meant to be back within 6 weeks too, but I had them within the fortnight. Hope you also get them back quickly!

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Here's hoping! I think the timeline of assembling everything is the remaining stressor for me

Bonne chance Jay! So excited for you and can’t wait for your celebration video l’année prochaine (évidement je ne suis pas B1 ! 😅)

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

It'll be a blast!🥳

@LoraineKiely

Жыл бұрын

I'm looking forward to dog sitting/house swapping again in the 12e next weekend - I'm hoping the decorations will be starting to come out. Happy Thanksgiving for this week, and enjoy your time back in the States for Christmas Jay! 🦃🎄

Hey Jay…YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH!!😊… …btw, I bet you BODIED that French Citizenship test🇫🇷🙌🏾❤️

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Crushed it =D

Well done , so we can expect More videos from Paris , pheee iam so glad ….👌👏👏👏

Jay! We're positive that you have passed and will be a French citizen in no time! Great and informative vlog on the bureaucracy of France.

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! 😃

Wow, good luck! When I was in France as an au pair, it took forever for my insurance card to arrive. When I decided to stay another year, I finally went to figure out why it hadn't come yet. After many trips to various buildings, I at last found out that it was because my birth certificate translation that I had done when I first came wasn't official enough (thanks Geovisions!). So I had to get it retranslated.

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

They know how to get you sometimes 😂

Good for you, Jay. from Sequim

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Great feeling when a test is breezier than you expected .

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Such a relief!

"Not getting perfect scores is a part of becoming french" haha too true. 16/20 is already really good. Good luck on this process!! It's cool to see a sneak peak. I may be starting it myself one day.

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Here's hoping my journey is of some help if and when you do!

Hey Jay. The process is so much more difficult than in the US…. The US English exam is sooo much easier…. I hope all will go well!!! 🤞🏻

It’s funny how that works… been through something similar but with the US citizenship. Bonne Chance 🍀 You got this Jay 🙌🏻

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Definitely will drop some tidbits as I go =D

C'est SUPER!

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Merci!

best of luck 🇫🇷

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Anton!

I’m so happy that I’ve successfully completed my Niveau B1 from Alliance Française. (Heaves sigh of relief)

Things are going to work out for you . I will have to renew my titre de sejour to do my internship then look for work. I want to get my French citizenship as well hope it’s easier since I’ve studied here for 2 years . I’ll be graduating with a masters degree

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

That masters should help you cut a year off the requirements at least, and it always looks good in the application. You'll crush it!

Bonne chance 🍀🚀

Bonne chance!

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Merci!

Awesome! Congrats! You have totally earned being there!!! Just wondering, what does "live there for five years" mean exactly? If you go back to the US for 3 months, does that count against that five years? Again, totally happy for you! Congrats again!

Félicitations 🎉

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Merci!

I am so happy for you. I know you will pass,. Bravo!

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Charles!

I think you'll do much better than you realize! You live there and use the language in a real world application every day. I'm surprised they only require B1 for citizenship tbh. Most of the universities I'm looking at require B2/C1 minimum! Also, if you ever plan on taking the next levels of DELF/DALF, you should check out L'Alliance Française de Paris, they're also official testing sites, and their schedules are more open. I'm going to the Chicago, Milwaukee, or Minneapolis Alliance Française to take mine. I'm also pretty sure their results come back a little quicker too... lol Can't wait for your results!!

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Danny! We'll see how the results drop here soon. Everyone I know who's gone through have gotten them sooner but we'll seeeeee 😂

You need the translations done by a "traducteur agréé". It's a pain in the ... because mostly it's forms and you could probably do it, or a friend could, but the translater has to be officially approved. My daughter, in England, does these translations because she's approved by the French embassy in the UK. The biggest challenge is duplicating the paper, layout, and font. There are plenty of traducteurs agréés in Paris and you will probably have one among your friends. Get the process started soon, so that you have it all ready to go when you get your test result. Good luck. Enjoy the simple voting we have, here. Volunteer to be a poll worker manning one of the tables or tallying the votes in the evening. It's fun.

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Ellen! Thankfully I do have some solid recommendations lined up, just need to get the appostilles done asap - hopefully it all comes together relatively quickly.

I have no intention of becoming a French citizen but I find this topic fascinating. It’s useful, of course, for many people. I saw on the French government website that you can also take the TEF (TEF IRN as of January 2023) instead of the DELF/DALF. It’s a single test that gives you a level from A1 to C2. Unlike the DELF/DALF the results are only valid for 2 years.

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, that was the other option that really interested me so I could get a rela sense of where I land. In the end this one was easiest to organize "quickly"😆

Glad to see you doing this but on a totally unrelated topic--I didn't know you had ink. If you don't mind sharing, what do you have and where/when did you get it?

They should give you citizenship after they review how you were able to jump on the metro right as the doors were closing. I think that should be part of the physical challenge . 😂

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Definitely required for Parisian status ;D

@jfrancobelge

Жыл бұрын

Paris is not France, most French people a/o residents don't live in or around Paris...

Hello Jay, I am genuinely very excited for you. I know that you've wanted this for a very long time. Congratulations !!! Quick question, which foreign language app or program would you recommend for learning French ?? (I don't know if you've visited this topic before.) Thanks

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

I've had a lot of fun with Duo Lingo for other languages in the past, but I learned French the old fashioned way in school. Babel is also a good one that I've played with, but I'll have to try it out for something new 👍 And thank you! I'm excited to get the ball rolling

7:03 What a Stud! I’d have trouble breathing and hate myself regardless of whether I did a good job or not.

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Haha, thanks Pokhraj

Good luck on your French citizenship application. I look forward to seeing you officially become Un Français.

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

J'arrive ! 🥳

Because of your videos I enjoyed my Paris trip! Is there a chance you’ll do a video completely in French with English subtitles?

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Yeah! I've done it before. Odds aren't great I'll do it again soon or often, because my audience is English-speaking, but there's always a chance one will pop up =D I'm glad my videos helped you with your trip!

I am Canadian and have been living in France for 30 years. For various reasons l was not able to start citizenship before now. It has been 3 years since l gave the file to my lawyer who says that my chances are excellent. Waiting impatiently for my appointment. Will keep dual citizenship.

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Best of luck!

The waiting period would kill me. Obviously you nailed it...👍 The papers to provide it's another story knowing how the mighty french administration works or doesn't work even for us frenchies.

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

It's the final test to prove you belong 😆

As someone who has taken tests in my French classes here in France…I am sure you passes with flying colors! If I can pass a B1 test I KNOW you can! BTW-taking notes for when my husband and I apply! ❤

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Amy! And for sure, here's hoping my journey proves helpful to yours =)

Finally 🎉

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Huzzahhhhh!

Good Vid good info ill never become french not good enought but i can dream

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Dreams aren't so bad to keep either =) Thank you!

I have my appointment to apply for jure sanguinis Italian citizenship on Wednesday. It has been two years from scheduling to actual appointment. I am more nervous than I thought I would be. It will be another two years for determination. For my wife, she will have to pass the B1 Italian (and she is not good at languages). Thanks for sharing the experience!

@RAD6150

Жыл бұрын

Apostilles required on all American documents?

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Not all - but I think I'll do it for all to be safe. And best of luck to you!

What attracted you most about moving to Paris?. I like it being popular and there are a lot to do: nice scenery, lots of restaurants and lots of fun but I find people to be a little rude....

Good luck on the entire process! As a French major, You’ll pass easily. B1 is way below your level. (As you saw) But congratulations are due nonetheless

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Jason! Yeah, it was a cakewalk. Happy to breeze through instead of over-challenging myself (a lesson learned from life in France FOR SURE)

Bakery for Breakfast? I would be inspired by my mother: Boil Rice, Add Butter, Mash Some Potatoes and then wolf down the thing while being adequately hydrated.

Well at least you’ll be the best English speaking French guy out there 🎉

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

I think I'll be really high in the running

Hello ! Best of luck for your citizenship ! My husband and I are moving to Paris next month. We are going on a long stay visitor visa and plan to switch to the passport talent visa at the end of my first year during renewal. I am a classical Indian dancer and would like to apply for artistic passport talent visa at the end of my first year in France. However I don’t make enough money through my art (I believe it needs to be atleast 1100 euros per month or something close). I know you went on a passport talent visa, because you had written sone books. I was wondering whether you met the income requirement and also whether the income requirement is very strict ? Thank you 🙏🏾

OMG I will soon next year hopefully have my major degree in French too, I wanna know more about how you move from your country to France, I’m planning to move to France from Indonesia

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Tons of videos here on my channel about it, especially back in the day. Wishing you all the luck in moving!

I’m relearning French and it’s the biggest coincidence because I just finished my first class of the Revision Course. I’ve probably forgotten all the prepositions by now lol (Also, I’m a French Tutor for A1 and A2 Levels, if anyone is interested)

@carolellamuch9571

Жыл бұрын

Where do you teach ?

At the end of this process will you get a French passport ? So excited for you!

@JaySwanson

2 ай бұрын

Yes! Just playing the waiting game now =)

I found this video concerning the B1 test. (Jay could pass it in his sleep) I thought someone might find it helpful. There is some possibility of that my wife and I will retire in France so, learning French could be important, but, there is also a wealth of French literature that is much better in the original language, so, if you're studying French, don't give up! Anyway, I hope it's okay to link to another channel. kzread.info/dash/bejne/f2eX0bF-frfaYNo.html

Of course you will get the citizenship. When I as a tourist went to Paris a few weeks ago, dressed European (maybe even Parisian), and I wandered around the city speaking with people, but people thought that I was French with the French I've learned from movies, KZread videos, Google translate and TV-series I would be surprised if you don't get the citizenship on first try. :)

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Here's hoping! Thank you =D

I’m so glad I have a French boyfriend who will one day be my husband but I still have to be married and living in France FOUR YEARS before I’m eligible to go that route

I thought you started with Compréhension de l’orale and then ended with Production Orale. Maybe it’s changed, idk.

Working on my Greek citizenship. 3 years and counting. Greek beauraucracy. 🤯 Good luck bro

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Oof - the closer you get to the med, the slower the bureaucracy (because you could always be at the beach, amirite?). Best of luck to you too!

@chrsf589

Жыл бұрын

Got my Greek citizenship! They are more efficient than I thought. I’m sure you will get French citizenship.

Did you get it?

I really debate about which way to go with this. But the part about « not having to prove your right to be here » anymore really resonated with me. As a business owner like you, I am so inundated with constant paperwork, forms, random requirements. And I was seriously starting to think that the 10-year would just be easier. Why go through this process? Is it the ego that wants this? But your perspective reminded me one of the talking points I forgot about - governments, pandemics, reg changes, or anything else, the security of knowing that you have nationality is huge.

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Yeah - the combination of security and flexibility is huge. It comes with its short-term drawbacks, but (baring catastrophe) it seems to have nothing but long-term upside for the lifestyle I lead and the US passport I already carry. There's no simplifying US tax law out of my life without dropping that, and I don't intend to, so I might as well secure my spot in France.

Do you give up your U.S. citizenship when you become a French citizen? I have dual citizenship (with Canada) but I know it’s a special circumstance for me to have both.

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Nah, the Franco-American combo is really common, so thankfully I'll be joining those ranks with both passports intact =)

Question: how did you get your 'carte de sejour'?.

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

I applied for it with my regional consulate in the States =)

Do your translations need to be certified and notarized?

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Yep! To my understanding. I'll give more details when I go through it all 😊

I may have missed this....perhaps it was explained in another video. Please tell us your reasoning for becoming a French citizen. Can you get dual citizenship or must you give up your American citizenship and only hold one?

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

Lots more to come on this for sure - I dive in a bit in the podcast linked above (in the pinned comment) but I'll do a recap here soon when I get the dossier finished up. I can keep my US citizenship - so all good on that front =)

good for you and best of luck...one question, will you then have a dual citizenship???

@JaySwanson

Жыл бұрын

I will indeed =D