visa appointment experience
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
visa appointment experience
Hello,
SO I have an appointment for a short stay visa in France next week at the consulate of France Chicago. I am so nervous and stressed!!! I am going to France to visit my family and friends for a month.
Did anyone in here ever went there for an appointment and willing to share their experiences. I would really appreciate it!
Thanks
SO I have an appointment for a short stay visa in France next week at the consulate of France Chicago. I am so nervous and stressed!!! I am going to France to visit my family and friends for a month.
Did anyone in here ever went there for an appointment and willing to share their experiences. I would really appreciate it!
Thanks
#3
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Short stay visas are automatically given to anyone from the USA when he arrives in the EU. If you plan on staying longer than 90 days, you will need a formal visa and the process is not simple.
If you are going to the French consulate and only planning on a 30 day visit, one can only assume that you are not a US citizen. My advice would be to make sure you have copies of anything that they may have asked you provide.
If you are going to the French consulate and only planning on a 30 day visit, one can only assume that you are not a US citizen. My advice would be to make sure you have copies of anything that they may have asked you provide.
#4
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Assuming that you are not a US citizen you need to look at the web site of your country to find out what documents and info you need in order to qualify for a visa to France and make sure you bring everything they ask for. You can also look at the web site for the French government and see what they ask you to present.
Not sure why this is posted on the europe board when the key point is really YOUR nationality.
Not sure why this is posted on the europe board when the key point is really YOUR nationality.
#5
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 17,929
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Contrary to popular belief not everyone who posts on Fodor's is a US (or Canadian) citizen. It is perfectly reasonable for someone to post on the Europe forum asking for advice from others who had asked for a visa.
Make sure you have all the documents and evidence asked for. Relax, but don't be over friendly, don't make jokes. Answer questions truthfully, lies will generally be spotted.
Make sure you have all the documents and evidence asked for. Relax, but don't be over friendly, don't make jokes. Answer questions truthfully, lies will generally be spotted.
#6
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The key points are nationality of the OP and where they are travelling to. And looking at your own country's website is totally pointless as it does not give you the entry requirements for another country.
Read the requirements here:
http://www.consulfrance-chicago.org/...r-family-visit
I doubt the OP would be given an appointment if it was not already determined that a visa was required.
Read the requirements here:
http://www.consulfrance-chicago.org/...r-family-visit
I doubt the OP would be given an appointment if it was not already determined that a visa was required.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If I am staying with a family member, do I need their bank statements for proof? I already have the invitation "attestation d accueil" from them! anybody knows? i called them, not luck and it doesn't say anything on their website!
#9
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 6,629
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In dealing with the French government, based on my experience, take anything you think you might need and of course everything they have asked for. I have not been in your exact situation but am 99% sure you will be asked to show a return ticket to the U.S. and adequate funds to support yourself while you are there. I would expect them to want details about your relatives--full names, addresses, their status in France, etc.
#10
The very first thing to reveal when asking a visa question is your nationality. There is nothing embarrassing about this, but you must understand that your nationality has enormous importance in your chance of getting a visa. North Koreans, Panamanians or Algerians are not treated the same way by the French consulate.
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I do not have a problem revealing my nationality I just thought it wouldn't be any help.
But I am from Congo and I am a refugee in the U.S.
My relatives are in Paris and I haven't seen them in over 10 years. I am not sure how they will react to my nationality, but if they reject me I will be devastated! I really miss my family.
But I am from Congo and I am a refugee in the U.S.
My relatives are in Paris and I haven't seen them in over 10 years. I am not sure how they will react to my nationality, but if they reject me I will be devastated! I really miss my family.
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have all the documents they need on the website, my round trip reservation, my passport, my bank statements (even tho my family is inviting me), my travel insurance, my employment letter,pay subs, I mean EVERYTHING! I am just so nervous!!
#15
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From a former French colony?
You also need evidence of strong ties in your country of nationality or usual residence, such as a job to go back to (letter from employer stating the expected date of return), educational course you are enrolled in (a letter from school/college/university) or business interest (letter from your accountant). You will also need evidence of private medical insurance.
You also need evidence of strong ties in your country of nationality or usual residence, such as a job to go back to (letter from employer stating the expected date of return), educational course you are enrolled in (a letter from school/college/university) or business interest (letter from your accountant). You will also need evidence of private medical insurance.
#16
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,534
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It is quite understandable you are nervous. Most of us get nervous when we have to deal with authorities who have power to either say yay or nay. It's possible someone will come and post here who has personal experience relevant to yours, but unlikely. Do you have a community of advisers or counsellors or friends whom you could talk to who deal with these issues?
I wish you all good fortune, and if you are complying with all the requirements of the system, then the system should work for you. I would urge you not to pile on top of being nervous being nervous about being nervous. Your feelings are normal, and they are helping you to double check and triple check that you are bringing all the right documents. If you have friends who understand your situation who can give you some support about the butterflies in your stomach -- a little hand holding doesn't hurt! -- don't be shy about asking for that support from the people you know.
Here's wishing you a very successful and happy reunion!
I wish you all good fortune, and if you are complying with all the requirements of the system, then the system should work for you. I would urge you not to pile on top of being nervous being nervous about being nervous. Your feelings are normal, and they are helping you to double check and triple check that you are bringing all the right documents. If you have friends who understand your situation who can give you some support about the butterflies in your stomach -- a little hand holding doesn't hurt! -- don't be shy about asking for that support from the people you know.
Here's wishing you a very successful and happy reunion!
#19
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No reason why you would have any problem in France or at the consulate. France is a country quite egalitarian and we quite like members from our former colonies (that's the least we can do...).
I wish you all the best and am pretty sure your family will welcome you with open arms. If there is one thing I am absolutely jealous of about Africa, it is the way people live in community.
Have a nice trip.
I wish you all the best and am pretty sure your family will welcome you with open arms. If there is one thing I am absolutely jealous of about Africa, it is the way people live in community.
Have a nice trip.