Issue 11

The Immigration Question

WHY YOU NEED BETTER GUIDANCE THAN COCKTAIL PARTY WISDOM

By Susie Hollands

If you're thinking seriously about spending extended time in Europe - or anywhere abroad, really - there's one conversation we need to have that might not be quite as romantic as discussing piazzas or market days, but it's absolutely essential: immigration and visas.

This is the practical foundation that makes everything else possible. And unfortunately, it's also where I see people make some of their most costly mistakes.

THE COCKTAIL PARTY NETWORK PROBLEM

Here's something I've noticed over my years working with expats: there's what I call the "cocktail party network" - casual advice that circulates at expat gatherings, dinner parties, casual conversations over wine. Someone mentions they did a quick side trip out of the Schengen area and came back to reset their visa clock. Another person heard that if you're in a relationship, you don't need proper documentation. Someone else insists you can buy property and that solves everything.

These conversations spread fast. They sound authoritative because they come from people who've "been through it." And they can cause genuine hardship and profound disappointment.

The truth? Immigration requirements change constantly - especially in places like the UK and France, where the regulations shift with surprising regularity. That side trip to circumvent visa limits? Not actually allowed, and if you're caught, you might face serious restrictions on how much time you can spend in your chosen country going forward.

Property purchase in France? Doesn't grant you visa rights. Being in a relationship? It can help in some countries like the UK, but you still need to navigate the process properly.

WHY THIS DESERVES PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE

When I work with clients on immigration matters, I always recommend they employ a lawyer or qualified advisor for this specific piece. The stakes are too high to get it wrong, and it's probably less expensive than you imagine - a fraction of what you'd lose if you made a mistake that restricted your ability to live where you want to live.

I know this from experience. After Brexit, I went through the process of obtaining French citizenship myself - and my daughter received hers through me as well. It took around four years, which required patience I didn't always feel I had. But I'm so glad we did it. The freedom and security it provides has been absolutely worth the investment of time and professional guidance.

I don't have a one-size-fits-all approach because immigration genuinely isn't one-size-fits-all. Your relationship status, your citizenship, your work situation, where you're moving from and where you're going - all of these factors create a unique puzzle that needs solving thoughtfully.

What I can do is look at your specific situation and connect you with advisors who are tried and tested - people who have gotten real results for many of our clients.

WHAT PROPER PROCESS ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE

Going through immigration properly means working step by step, quite carefully and methodically. It's best to have someone accompanying you through the process who knows exactly what documents you need, what timeline to expect, and what pitfalls to avoid.

The process is quite specific to each country and each situation. For example, in the UK you can potentially get visa status based on a relationship even without being married. In France, the requirements and pathways are different. These nuances matter enormously.

This is where having the right advisor becomes invaluable. They know which documents need apostilles, which translations are required, what financial documentation you'll need, and critically - they know what has changed recently.

WHEN TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY

If you're at the stage where you're genuinely considering a move, or if you're already splitting your time and want to make it official, now is when you address this properly. Not after you've fallen in love with a property. Not after you've mentally committed to a neighborhood. Now, while you can still plan intelligently.

Immigration might not be the most glamorous part of the expat life conversation, but it's foundational. It's what makes everything else - the markets, the meals, the daily rhythm of life in your chosen place - actually possible.

If you're navigating visa or immigration questions - whether for France, the UK, or elsewhere - I'm happy to discuss your specific situation and connect you with the advisors I trust. Sometimes what seems impossibly complicated just needs the right expert to make it straightforward.

With warmth,

Susie Hollands

Founder, VINGT Paris & Twenty1