Youth Visa For France - 2A

[Lindso]

I'm wondering if any of you are in France on the 2A (young professionals) visa? (not the 2E work-holiday) Specifically, Im wondering how you got it and what is all involved?

I'm currently in France, working under the 2E, and I would like to get the 2A to stay one more year. The instructions on the French embassy's website seem simple, but the Espace d'empoi internationale here in Paris are making things very difficult for me (I need them to stamp my current work contract). Among other things, they tell me that I need to provide them with:
--my degrees--my cv in French and English--the results of a medical, also
--they (the EEI) must decide if my qualifications are good enough to do my job --and my French employer must pay a tax to keep me

I think that the EEI doesn't really understand the Canada-France youth-exchange agreement, and that what they want me to do is to go the normal route for obtaining a carte de sejour while in France. Although, it could be me who is confused?

Any thougths? Is it really this complicated?

Thanks in Advance.

[meli.c]

I don't have the answer to your question but it sounds normal since the job you get must be related to your studies in order for you to qualify for the 2A visa. I suppose it's the EEI who's responsible for checking your qualifications rather than the consulate who issues the visa. I'm trying to do the same thing as you. Just wondering if you have the same problem as me with regard to your provincial health insurance. Since I had to tell them I was leaving to get the letter for the visa, my insurance will expire at the end of August 2010. Unless I get a new job and apply for the visa right away, I won't be able to get the full 12 months on my visa, nevermind the 6 month extension, because my insurance won't cover the entire length of my stay. Any ideas for getting around this?