Fit-in in France · Book resources
Every link in the book, in the order you'll need it.
The book works offline. This page is for when you've landed and have Wi-Fi: the official sites, the videos and the longer stories, chapter by chapter.
CheckedUpdated October 2026
02
Chapter 2
Visa and all the other papers
Official siteANEF: visa validation, residence cards, naturalisationCold, slow and entirely in French. Do the form, screenshot everything, come back to the book.administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr ↗Official siteameli.fr: Sécurité Sociale and your carte VitaleIt will ask for things you don't have yet. That's normal. Do what it lets you do.ameli.fr ↗Official siteservice-public.fr: official answers on everything administrativeEvery answer, written for people who already know the answer. Check the one rule, then come back.service-public.fr ↗
VideoFrench Work Permit ExplainedYouTube · watch when you have Wi-Fi
VideoWhy the Eiffel Tower Was Built Faster Than My Carte VitaleYouTube · watch when you have Wi-Fi
VideoFrench Work Permit ExplainedYouTube · watch when you have Wi-FiVideoWhy the Eiffel Tower Was Built Faster Than My Carte VitaleYouTube · watch when you have Wi-Fi03
Chapter 3
Plug in and find a roof
Official siteVisale: free rental guaranteeTen minutes here and landlords suddenly trust you. Free.visale.fr ↗Official siteCAF: housing aid (APL)Looks like 2009, judges you like 1960. Submit, screenshot, wait with company.caf.fr ↗AppJinka: apartment alerts from every websiteTurn on alerts the day you land. Speed wins Paris flats.jinka.fr ↗Blog postFinding an apartment in Paris in 2 weeksjoshuabalata.com ↗
VideoFinding An Apartment In Paris in 2 weeksYouTube · watch when you have Wi-Fi
VideoStop Paying Hidden Fees on International TransfersYouTube · watch when you have Wi-FiBookFrenchMesh, my handbook for learning FrenchFor when the papers are sorted and the French isn't.joshuabalata.com ↗
VideoFinding An Apartment In Paris in 2 weeksYouTube · watch when you have Wi-FiVideoStop Paying Hidden Fees on International TransfersYouTube · watch when you have Wi-FiBookFrenchMesh, my handbook for learning FrenchFor when the papers are sorted and the French isn't.joshuabalata.com ↗06
Chapter 6
Earn fast cash
07
Chapter 7
Making friends and speaking French
VideoBuilding a community in FranceYouTube · watch when you have Wi-Fi
VideoDealing with Loneliness in FranceYouTube · watch when you have Wi-Fi
VideoLearning French As An Adult: What Actually WorksYouTube · watch when you have Wi-FiBookFrenchMesh, my handbook for learning FrenchFor when the papers are sorted and the French isn't.joshuabalata.com ↗08
Chapter 8
Land a real job
09
Chapter 9
Money and other perks
10
Chapter 10
Going long
Official siteANEF: visa validation, residence cards, naturalisationCold, slow and entirely in French. Do the form, screenshot everything, come back to the book.administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr ↗
VideoThe Truth About Getting French Citizenship in Two Years After a Master'sYouTube · watch when you have Wi-Fi
VideoHow I Aced The Test CiviqueYouTube · watch when you have Wi-Fi
VideoHow to Actually Get the French NationalityYouTube · watch when you have Wi-FiBlog postMy French nationality guidejoshuabalata.com ↗
VideoThe Truth About Getting French Citizenship in Two Years After a Master'sYouTube · watch when you have Wi-FiVideoHow I Aced The Test CiviqueYouTube · watch when you have Wi-FiVideoHow to Actually Get the French NationalityYouTube · watch when you have Wi-FiBlog postMy French nationality guidejoshuabalata.com ↗Nothing matches that. Try "visa", "flat" or "salary".
Done clicking? Come back to the book.
The websites tell you the rules. The book tells you what actually happened when I followed them.