Post
by EdgeHillMole » Mon Oct 29, 2007 8:22 pm
Hello,
My international employer has invited me to visit our French office on business. I've been working on a team to design, develop and implement a new computer system for the company. In order to assist with implementation, they're contemplating a business trip to France that would last up to one month in duration.
They've not yet mentioned a date, but knowing my employer as well as I do, I gather it would be as soon as possible. Our company is located in the North of England.
I'm a permanent employee of the UK office, and my HSMP visa is good until the end of 2010. I'm a US Citizen with a US passport.
Is the Schengen Visa the correct route to take for a work-related trip to France? If so, how long does it typically require to obtain one for France (Assuming I can expedite my company's handling of the flight and accommodation arrangements!)?
What is the "van der elst" (I have indeed been working for my employer well over a year now)?
I am also worried that a month of business travel to France might jeopardise my HSMP ILR. I know the Home Office is starting to crack down on absences from the UK, but this trip is solely on business and to assist my UK employer. Perhaps I should suggest to my employer a shorter time period spent away from the UK?
PROUD to be part of the 2008 European Capital of Culture