VFS Global French Visa Interview Appointment

[@frenchconnectionshcb]

Great video! For those interested we will be launching a series of similar free videos with the latest intelligence reports from each VFS centres across US and Canada for those applying from countries that directly use the embassy we will be doing the same. Just to add to this video VFS are not in anyway decision makers they are just there to collect and transit documents and the french embassy always give you an opportunity to add documents if required they want you to get your visa!

[@2BeLikeChrist]

Thanks so much! This is super helpful.

[@buckyetsonali]

Thank you for your videos! It fills the void of families who have moved to France. Sharing your experiences have been great as we start our journey with our 6 and 8 year old to spend a year abroad in France. Would love to know what resources you used for finding a school and private vs public.

[@BaguetteBound]

How exciting!! Good luck to your family, we're cheering for you!! A series on schools are actually the videos we're working on this week because this was probably one of the things that was most nerve wracking to us as parents. A quick note about public vs private though - there are many, many catholic private schools in the country. They are very affordable (usually less than 200 euros a month) and our understanding is many people who are not catholic attend and just opt out of religious services. Enrolling in a private school can be a little easier because you can skip the visit to the French Ministry of Education and the admin work that goes with that. We had a great experience, with our local office, but it also slowed getting her enrolled down. Most enrollment dates for private schools are in March, so if you know the area you'd like to be in, I would start investigating. On the other hand, your kids are young enough they would both attend the local neighborhood or village school, and this could be an awesome way to meet friends in your neighborhood quickly. 😊 No matter what you end up doing, it will be an adventure and your kids will learn so much about the world! Thanks for watching!

[@CliffRussell]

Hello and thanks so much for your comprehensive and calm explanation of the process. As a US citizen living in the UK, I presume, correct me if I’m mistaken, I can make application from the UK since it is internet based however can I schedule my interview at a VSF in the UK or does it have to take place at an office in one’s home country, I.e. the country that issued my passport? Thanks

[@DeanRamser]

Bonjour! Did each of you require original marriage licenses? Did you need to notarize any of the documents? Merci. Dean & Cindy

[@juliehermosillo1701]

Thanks for this important video. 2 question: 1. In your previous video , you mentioned going for your interview in Atlanta, but in this video you said you went to the LA office. How did you change your grayed out Atlanta location? 2. Did you include a cover letter/letter of intent as to why you were applying for a long stay visa? Thanks!!

[@BaguetteBound]

We did go to the LA office. The reference to Atlanta was just as an example in the video. There is no way (we know of) to change it once it's selected and the application is submitted. You would need to cancel the application and start over. Yes, we did include a cover letter. Good luck!

[@BradFluty]

Question: I am trying to make an appointment for my wife and I. We have the same Visa application #. When I try to make 2 appointments the website says the Visa application # has already been used and won’t allow me to add my wife. Any suggestions?

[@arcadiaouellette5571]

If applying as a married couple does the proof of finances needed to be in a joint account?

[@NathonBailey]

Thanks for posting this- It was extremely helpful. I’m schedule in Chicago for my appointment. When you applied for your long stay visa did you give them a time frame of how long you were wanting to stay? A year? Can you go over a year? It’s not clear to me with the resources I’ve fallen on his long and actual long stay visa can be. Any insight would be really appreciated. Merci

[@christinetucker6440]

Thank-you, very informative. When your supporting documents were returned was the visa included or did that come separately? If separately, how long after your interview was that?

[@BaguetteBound]

They will not return documents, only your passport with the visa sticker inside it (hopefully!). So don't give them any orginals! Good luck!

[@DeanRamser]

Excellent video! We live in Portland, so we are looking at Seattle. You were in Denver. Why did you choose LA instead of Seattle or SF? Merci!

[@BaguetteBound]

We had never been to LA, wanted to go to the beach, and had a friend there to visit. That was literally it. 😂 I think they may have also happen to gave more appointments available when it would work for us flight wise. Good luck!

[@DeanRamser]

@@BaguetteBound Thanks, Jasion & Raina! Also, when did you order your FBI background check? Did you order that when you had scheduled your Visa appointment, or was it before or after the Visa interview? Merci!! Dean & Cindy

[@arborealscout4252]

@@DeanRamser Where are you seeing an FBI background check is to be provided by the applicant? I haven't seen that (but I've only been focusing on the Long-stay visa as a visitor because I'm not trying to open a business in France, be employed by a French company, or have French clients. They do biometrics (aka take fingerprints) at the appointment, so maybe that is part of their process - they run your fingerprints and ID through a background check?

[@DeanRamser]

@@arborealscout4252 I think the FBI background check came from watching videos and reading many Long Stay Visa articles from a few countries. I I mixed Italy with Montenegro with Estonia with Spain and with France. Since our condo is not selling (the market dropped 45%), we will travel next spring instead of trying to buy a reasonably priced cozy cottage or townhouse. We are learning patience.

[@arborealscout4252]

@@DeanRamser Oh that makes sense - it gets very confusing. Even researching for only one country there is much contradicting info coming from various "experts"! My m.o. is triangulate, triangulate, triangulate! And keep notes. Good luck with your plan! ☘

[@Francebound2024]

For the mailing back of your documents, what documents will be sent back? Did you bring a self-addressed envelope? Can you use priority mail or FedEx (prepaid, of course). Is this envelope also for your passport or is that sent back to you separately?

[@Francebound2024]

Hey Jason and Raina, I'm just pushing this up again. Hoping that you can help me with this question. I'm hoping to put in my application today.

[@nadegenura9923]

Thanks for the information. Do you had a travel medical insurance and booking ticket on the day of interview? Please help

[@BaguetteBound]

Yes, you will need to provide proof of medical insurance and a ticket to france on the day of the interview. You will hand over copies of all of this documentation at the interview.

[@nadegenura9923]

@@BaguetteBound thanks. is your us medical insurance enough or you have to buy a travel insurance ?

[@blktauna]

@@nadegenura9923 you need specific travel insurance. no us insurance will work

[@arborealscout4252]

Regarding the handover of your passport and the anecdote about the guy who refused to - don't be like that guy, and be well-informed instead! People who truly travel internationally a lot know that it is perfectly fine to apply for and use a 2nd US passport. This is allowed for political reasons (look it up) and normal logistical reasons - exactly like this guy encountered - where you have to turn over your passport while applying for a visa for some countries but need to travel in the meantime. This is all readily available public info, which he obviously made no effort to get. This probably doesn't apply to most people but just thought I'd add this in case you need two copies of your passport, it's allowed.

[@ericolson5041]

I cancelled my appointment in july website is not letting me reschedule for a date, doesn't let me get in, do you think this is a 24 hour thing and I have to wait to try again?

[@NNfromTVM]

It is insane that in this electronic age, one has to send "real paper" documents for a visa. Also, why do they need the applicant's passport for several weeks? This is truly insane.... As long as the visa is approved, why not stamp the passport with the visa at the port of first entry in France?

[@blktauna]

every visa I've ever got the home country takes the passport to apply the visa into the passport. The are generally like pages glued into your book, not stamps, hence them needing to book itself.