I'm American and currently applying for a Student Long Stay Visa in France (>90 days; it's a 2 year Master's program). My visa appointment with the consulate is in mid-July. My school starts on September 16th, and I've stated on the application that I plan to go to France on September 1st.
Well it turns out that it would be better for me to go to France August 1st. I was wondering if it's possible that I could go to France on a tourist visit (which does not require a visa for stays <90 days) and then take a short weekend trip to the UK (at the end of August) before returning and presenting them with my student visa?
I know that I technically cannot combine a long stay visa with a tourist visit. However this isn't technically combining the two as I would be leaving the Schengen territory and re-entering, right?
I can't easily ask to make the start of my visa August 1st because my boyfriend recently got the attestation d'accueil (proof of accommodation for the first 3 months of my stay) validated by the mairie and the start date for this document is on September 1st.
Thanks in advance for your responses!