Common Questions at Visa Appts.

[adudergarku]

Hi All!

I've got an appointment with the NY French consul for a student visa after completing all my procedures with Campusfrance, and had a question regarding paperwork for the appt. Both campusfrance and the consul website give you the same list of required documents as long as your arm; so far, so good...

BUT I understand the French Consul has made something of an art out of officially asking for 80% of all the documents they want, and then catching the unsuspecting visa applicant offguard by requesting 'just one or two more things'. I heard tell of things like proof of lodging, which I'm trying to get my hands on, even though it isn't on the list of documents. I know ultimately it is impossible to say exactly what they may ask for, but I'm trying to be as prepared as humanly possible.

So, for those of you who have been through the process, and maybe wailed and gnashed their teeth at having to make extra appointments, I was wondering if you could tell me in general what are some of the things they've asked you for?

Normal and bizarre requests alike, all advice is very welcome..Thanks much!

<---This.

[Bevdeforges]

It's not just for visa appointments. Nearly every act of the administration seems to require "just one more" piece of paper. Though normally, if all went well at the appointment, you can often just drop off the missing piece of paper rather than having to schedule a second appointment. Don't take it personally, they do it to French citizens, too.

Try to cover all the bases you think they may ask about. For a student visa, they need to know that your school and program are legit, that you have enough resources to cover your stay in France (and your school tuition), that you have a place to stay, and that you have the proper motivation to leave when your visa expires. Bring a few extra documents that speak to those concerns and you may avoid having to drop off or mail them that "one extra document." But don't count on it.
Cheers,
Bev

[adudergarku]

Thanks for the response, bev!

[erin85]

Hey! From sitting at the consulate listening to others, they might request things like...

* proof of travel insurance (your health insurance won't be ok unless it pays the hospital directly) - they had lots of people call a number and buy it right there to avoid coming back
* bank statements
* acceptance letter from your school in France
* proof of lodging, as discussed above
* proof of plane ticket/travel plans

You might not get asked for everything, but who knows? At the Atlanta consulate, if you were missing a document, you could either mail it back through physical mail, or bring it in person between 8:30 and 9:00 AM. No e-mail or faxing anything in.

[dixie.martin]

Hey! I was so nervous for my VISA appt in Chicago. I was missing school and work, spending money I didn't have for the travel, etc. I was terrified about missing a document. I literally brought everything I could think of, and at least 4 copies of each. And, I was slightly embarrassed when I arrived, and was quite simply asked for the documents they requested (as well as a copy of those documents). However, I feel less guilty about all the paper waste - because those copies have come in handy now that I'm in France, doing my OFII paperwork.

Just, have everything they ask for, plus copies. And anything that may seem logical to bring. And relax! My experience wasn't bad at all.

-Dixie

[adudergarku]

Thanks a lot! This is exactly what I was looking for..

Originally Posted by erin85

Hey! From sitting at the consulate listening to others, they might request things like...

* proof of travel insurance (your health insurance won't be ok unless it pays the hospital directly) - they had lots of people call a number and buy it right there to avoid coming back
* bank statements
* acceptance letter from your school in France
* proof of lodging, as discussed above
* proof of plane ticket/travel plans

You might not get asked for everything, but who knows? At the Atlanta consulate, if you were missing a document, you could either mail it back through physical mail, or bring it in person between 8:30 and 9:00 AM. No e-mail or faxing anything in.

[adudergarku]

This is good to hear Relaxing is good...yes, relaxing...I almost forgot what that was, I feel like, having to jump through all these hoops for school. lol

Originally Posted by dixie.martin

Hey! I was so nervous for my VISA appt in Chicago. I was missing school and work, spending money I didn't have for the travel, etc. I was terrified about missing a document. I literally brought everything I could think of, and at least 4 copies of each. And, I was slightly embarrassed when I arrived, and was quite simply asked for the documents they requested (as well as a copy of those documents). However, I feel less guilty about all the paper waste - because those copies have come in handy now that I'm in France, doing my OFII paperwork.

Just, have everything they ask for, plus copies. And anything that may seem logical to bring. And relax! My experience wasn't bad at all.

-Dixie

[dixie.martin]

Originally Posted by adudergarku

This is good to hear Relaxing is good...yes, relaxing...I almost forgot what that was, I feel like, having to jump through all these hoops for school. lol

Ahh, I hear ya! So far, my experience has not been the horror story I expected it to be. Just be as patient as possible with everything, allow yourself the proper amount of time and you'll be fine!

Good luck with everything.