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Couples separated by the Covid-19 and a border: reunion more complicated than expected

2020-08-13T07:16:10.964Z


After the announcement of a procedure allowing binational couples to reunite despite the closure of borders, several of them were


Almost 9,000 kilometers have separated Louise * and Patrice * since the start of the pandemic. Him in São Paulo (Brazil), she in Toulouse. Six months that these two lovers do not meet face to face, while they had promised "not to separate for a long time" a few years ago.

In total, at least 2,000 binational couples like Louise and Patrice, neither married nor in civil partnership, found themselves separated for several months due to the Covid-19 crisis. Last Sunday, the Secretary of State to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, announced the launch of a special procedure to allow their reunion in the coming weeks.

France is setting up a specific system for life partners separated by the closing of borders. Starting this week, an application for a laissez-passer can be lodged with the nearest consulate 🇫🇷. This virus does not like love, we do! #LoveIsNotTourism https://t.co/MMIvzseBXa

- Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne (@JBLemoyne) August 8, 2020

On the ground, however, things turn out to be more complicated than expected. Administrative slowness, rules that differ according to the embassies, lack of information… Many couples, mobilized for many months, complain about the slow and complex start of the process.

"The rules are clear, they were the subject of a diplomatic note, a kind of instruction sent to all our posts on this derogatory entry procedure for nationals being in a sentimental relationship with the French", nevertheless defends Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, with the Parisian.

Embassies "bombarded" with requests

Concretely, since Monday, most spouses of French nationals have the possibility of requesting through the embassies a laissez-passer, sometimes in addition to a visa, which allows them to enter French soil. For this, you must provide a host of documents proving their union: rental lease, invoices, passports, proof of joint travel, as well as any other document proving the union. A formal list has been detailed in an “instruction” communicated to embassies around the world, where the rules must always be the same in principle. "As of Monday evening, all the embassies had the instructions for use", assures Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne.

But the study of these files takes time, in offices already "assailed" with requests, says the Secretary of State. “This Covid period also involves a lot of work overload, there are a lot of derogatory procedures put in place. Consulates are in great demand at the moment, not only by foreigners, but also French people stranded abroad who have a number of subjects to deal with, ”he adds.

This is the case of the Franco-Mexican couple formed by Kevin and Karen. A long-distance relationship of just a year that depended on travel between the Mexican capital and Nantes. On Tuesday, during an exchange with the Embassy in Mexico, Kevin was told that the process would be long, since each file will be studied on a case-by-case basis. "We must not wait for the pass for this month," we told the young man.

Weddings on hold

This may also explain the delay in processing cases which should however be quickly resolved. As for Martin *, who is due to marry at the end of August with his Russian partner. And who still does not know if the celebration will really be able to hold. “We were told that we met the criteria for visas and laissez-passer, but we have not yet received either of the two,” laments the future groom.

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Since direct flights from Moscow to Paris are non-existent, Martin's companion has to rely on repatriation flights organized by the embassies. Except that no information on this subject is communicated to him. And the famous pass is only valid for one day. A too limited time in view of the flight uncertainty. Result, the couple turns in circles. “Everything is done, we have the guests, the witnesses, the dress… But for administrative reasons, we are blocked,” says Martin.

For David, the urgency is even greater: he is supposed to marry in France his Burmese partner, installed in Singapore, in less than ten days. "My partner's papers were ready, she had to leave everything in Singapore to come on March 22 ... Everything was played out within five days", says the forty-something, who says relaunching the French embassy in Singapore every week, without answer.

"We accept to be patient"

On the side of the Secretary of State, we repeat: "We must leave a few days necessary for the proper implementation of the procedure. "" I hope that, within 10, 15 days, everything will be in place and that we can write articles on the reunion of these couples ", tempers Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, who promises a time of study of each record about eight to ten days.

A difficult wait for those who have been separated from their other half for months. Offely has been trying unsuccessfully for a waiver for his Sri Lankan-based companion for a long time. At first, she went to see the LREM deputy Anne Genetet, then the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and even the Ministry of the Interior. Without success, she is always far from her companion. "It would be preferable to pacser you before the visa application in order to consider issuing a long stay visitor visa for an establishment in France", we advised Offely.

Jean-Marc, a police officer in France, dreams of finding his wife, Balzhan, based in Kazakhstan. On the evening of the announcement, he prepared the file and contacted the French embassy in Nursoultan (formerly called Astana) the next day. "The embassy was not aware of this procedure, but they were very responsive, and promised to contact me when they received the information," says Jean-Marc.

On Wednesday, a call from the embassy informed him that his companion could now file a permit application file. An hour later, the file had already been sent to the embassy. “My partner and I are optimistic. Something has happened in the world with Covid-19. The world has changed. The way of living a romantic relationship has changed, and we accept to be patient, to wait for things to change, ”he reassures himself.

“Not everything can be done in a week. The government has proposed a solution, good or bad, we don't know, but we must try, ”he concludes. Obtaining this exemption is a small step in the long road to a possible reunion. After the file, it remains to apply for a visa, and see if flights to France are available, to finally allow Balzhan to join his lover.

* First names have been changed

Source: leparis

All life articles on 2020-08-13

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