I am an Australian citizen married to a Belgium citizen. We have been living in Australia for the past 7 years and married for 8 years and now we want to move to France. He has a Belgium passport and I have an Australian passport. Do I require a visa before moving to France?
I contacted the French consulate here in Australia. When I contacted them 6months ago to start preparing for our move they said:
“ because I am married to an EU citizen I dont require a visa but when i arrive in France I need to apply for a "carte de sejour" to be able to live and work there”
Then I contacted the French consulate again last week to double check and they have said “yes i need to apply for a short stay visa before moving to france and when I have to go to the prefecture and ask for a permis de travail.”
I couldn’t believe it – the complete opposite to what I was told.
My questions are:
1. I was told to apply for a short stay via (90days), but if my plan is to live there why am I applying for a short stay visa?
2. What is required to apply for a “permis de travai”? Is it difficult to get?
3. What is the process for me to move to France? I apply for the short stay visa here in Australia, and then when we arrive in France I apply for a “carte de sejour” and “permis de travail” to be able to live and work there?
4. My aim is to get a job in France. I have spoken to a headhunter in France and they have processed my CV/resume but I have not had a response from clients. What if I don’t get a job before I leave to France will this cause problems for me to work there? I have read that in order to work in France I have to have a company to sponsor me. Is this true?

Any help on this would be much appreciated...

 

Thank you for replying! I am feeling so much more positive about this whole move.
Once I succeed through this whole process I will make sure I let you all know how it works to help those of you who wondering how the system works...