Hi,

I am currently at my wit's end on how to work in France and would really appreciate any advice you could give me!

I am an Aussie who has been living in Europe for the past seven years. From 2001-06 I completed a Master's degree in France which was paid for by a scholarship from the French government. Since Jan 2007 I have been working in the UK with an Ancestry visa (which unfortunately I am not able to use in France).

In May 2007 I was offered a CDI with a top company in Paris. Unfortunately, the company was not able to prove that I was the only person that could do the job and so I was not able to get a visa.

I have been to French embassies and consulates, prefectures departementales, the prefecture de police de paris, la DDTEFP, l'OMI. Nobody seems to be able to help.

I do not want to get married and I do not think that pacs-ing entitles you to a work visa.

Therefore, I have two questions:

1. Is there any way that I can work long-term in France? A working holiday visa would only entitle me to one year which is not enough. The only two remaining things I can think of is being self-employed (but I am not sure how this works), or getting a visa as an English teacher and then working as an engineer instead when I finally get in.

2. I want to ask for naturalisation but am currently living outside France. Is this going to affect the outcome of my application?

Many many thanks for your help!