Consulate General de France

tres difficile de faire un rendez vous en ligne j'avais deux autres personnes en ligne en meme temps pour m'aider,demande de papiers tres precis.les burreaux sont comfortables mais petits je m'attendais a des magazines francais et de l'art partout mais c'est plutot impersonnel.comportement professionel ,le pire de tout c'est la garde du rez de chaussez attitude epouvantable,dommage le building est agreable!

Take the negative reviews with a grain of salt. I had my student Visa appointment yesterday and it was easy and pleasant. If you have all your documentation, do as asked and are nice and polite, you should be done and approved within 15 minutes like I was. The security guard, the ladies reviewing my documents were all as nice as could be. If you don’t have your required documents as specified and come in with an attitude you’ll probably not have a great experience… but that’s your fault and not theirs.

Horrible service. Came here twice and had 2 different people help me with very simple matters. Very rude and aggressive. Simple questions got cold and short answers, almost as if it was a nuisance that I had a question in the first place.

I actually found the people who work at the consulate friendly and patient. I have to admit the interviewers’ job takes a lot of patience, because most of the applicants did not have all the documents requested on the website ready — sadly including myself:(
One of the requirements is to bring VOE AND 2 paystubs. I missed the 2 paystubs.
The interviewer (French girl with curly hair) was happy about everything else I brought and asked me to wait for her to check with her boss. Then she interviewed 2 other groups of applicants.
While waiting, I could have gone out and bring the paystubs back (I saw other applicants were asked to do so), but there’s no electronic device allowed in the waiting room, and she didn’t let me explain. She said madam if you want to apply today, please have a seat.
At the end, she called me back to the window, apologized and asked me to email the paystubs to the consulate. I did right away after I left, and got my passport back within 3 business days. They work on Christmas Eve and New Year Eve days, and the appointment was easy at the time when I booked it.

Saw the many flowers laid out in front for the victims of Paris… Condolences to the victims and their families…

Drove 11 hours to get here and the application staff berated us and wrote on all of our paperwork, our police clearence letter was 35 days old, not good enough and MUST be within the last 30 days, it mentions nothing of this in the visa section, it just says recent. Horrible experience and service, extreme rude staff, that lady needs to be fired!!! She was on a serious power trip…
We had EVERYTHING that was needed, yet our visa application was denied. Go to another European consulate and get your visa there or risk losing $ 400 (not including gas!) on the applications like we did.

People workin there are assholes. Asking a few questions rhen she told me to shut up. Visa pick up time is very shit. If u r living so far away and you don have a car, how can u manage to get there between 8.45~8.50? «you will not able to oick up ur passport.»

Ours was a very smooth experience. My wife and I went for our Schengen visa for France/​Germany. We were out in 15 mins without any problem.
The consul officer was really sweet and helpful and even explained a bunch of things to us that we need to take care of when we actually travel.
I am on H1B with and expired stamp and my wife has a valid F1 but has since switched to H4. Both of us have valid i797 for extensions. I was concerned about this but the officer was very knowledgeable and understood this situation without us having to even explain anything.
We had all our documents in order including the copies so everything else was pretty smooth.
We also were entering through Germany but spending more days in France, so she explained what we might need to tell the German officers regarding the French issued Schengen visa.
All in all as smooth as one can expect.
One caveat: A lot of people have had mixed experiences with the security guard. Luckily for us we had an 845 am appointment and he wasn’t even in by then so we escaped that and the consul officers handled our entry :) But while we were there we noticed him treating everyone fine and no issues as such.
Also, the couple in the window next to us got sent back but that was becuase they didnt have proper travel insurance. It seemed like they just got some letter from their current insurance provider stating that they would provide coverage in France. But the consulate needs this proof in a certain format which they have mentioned clearly on their website and its really very simple to get this online specific to conforming with Schengen Visa requirements. So i cant really blame the officer for asking them to come back with the proof the same day or schedule another appointment.

After reading the reviews on here made me really worried so I was expecting the worst. The process was smooth for a tourist visa. I was so stressed out that there was no appointment available before my planned trip, but I went on every few hours and sure enough, there was a slot for a Friday. I wrote a checklist and made sure every was provided and clear — hotel, transportation, bank statement, employment verification. I was surprised everyone else was wearing casual, but I think it helps to look more presentable. There were 2 ladies, I got the one that everyone said was tough so yes I was even more nervous. She examined everything, and even point out that my accommodation and flight didn’t match up for one day. Make sure your employment verification is detailed, she looked at this first and was pleased because they want to make sure you will return to the US and have financial means to travel. I have two bank accounts but they only took one, so make sure to provide the one with the highest balance. Also make sure you don’t smile in your passport because one guy got declined due to this.
In terms of reservation. I hadn’t plan everything properly and because we were backpacking, this was impossible to do and I didn’t want to book something if there is a chance my visa application gets declined. For accommodation I went to
to reserved any hotels/​hostels that had free cancellations. For flights I went to expedia, I saved the flights I wanted, there is an option for you to print in a formal format without having to buy it.
Good luck. Make sure you provide everything they asked. I know they asked for two copies but they only took 1 copy for me but always have more incase. Oh, I applied the friday, the visa was shipped on wednesday and I just got it today (thursday). It takes them 3 days to process, so if you apply the monday, you’ll probably get it by that week.

If you have an option of applying for a Schengen from other embassies– DO SO! Just spend more days in other countries or get a different port of entry– it would serve you the unnecessary drama!
Started with getting ignored by the embassy receptionist. I stood in front of her for about 7 minutes while she is on the phone-​she looked everywhere else but at me. I really thought it was universal customer service etiquette to acknowledge a human being standing in front of you at your receptionist window, non?
So I finally made it to the correct level-​the basement. THE infamous security guy was actually the most professional employee there-​imagine that!
THE UGLY:
There are 2 ladies doing interviews at the glass window. I interviewed with the Asian lady and this guy was interviewing with the curly haired woman-​no privacy whatsoever.
My interviewer asks me some typical visa interview questions and I am responding. it happens to be at the same time the other client is responding to the curly haired woman, who then proceeds to make a comment to my interviewer– the Asian girl. My interviewer says something I thought she was talking to me since she is in the middle of interviewing me.
Me: Still responding to a question…
Asian Chick: (Throwing a hissy fit, yelling at me) «I can’t take it, everyone is talking at the same time, I don’t know what is going on, I can’t take it» her arms flailing…
ME: Shocked at the craziness that is happening right in front of my eyes. I’ve travelled extensively (been to France before) but I have yet to experience such a display of pure unprofessionalism at a government office. This was my introduction to the French Consulate in Los Angeles.
After they review my paperwork, the curly haired girl calls me and her attitude was on the defensive from the get go. She starts by reprimanding me like a 5 year old for not bringing a correct bank statement (misunderstood this requirement since I had a whole vacation package paid for-​hotel, meals, return flight and everything included) and I was only going to Paris and then Amsterdam total 9 days. Then she questions my trip to Holland, she seems to be suspicious of my friendship with my host in Amsterdam, a guy I have known for 20 years, a scientist from a well regarded government agency with an invitation/​employment letter as proof. I mean the way she was talking to me, you would think I was going on a European whoring tour.
Mind you, looking at my passport, she can see 1) I have had Schengen visa before 2) I have been to France before and have always come back home to America 3) I am a US permanent resident who is eligible for citizenship in less that 10 months, why would I want to disappear in France when I have a great life here, displayed right in front of your eyes!
Anyway, there was nothing I could do to fix that situation, I was already on the suspicious list with her she had just decided she wouldn’t give me the visa. It is funny how she picks and chooses whom she lets «fix» the paperwork deficiency problem. The Chinese guy that she was interviewing «forgot» to bring proof of College enrollment in USA but was given a Visa anyway based solely on the balance on his bank account. I could hear the whole conversation of her assuring him that his visa would be approved-​not to worry. But when it was my turn, she just kept getting argumentative and rude about me not «Following the email» and list was there bla bla …
Her: Madame I told you, if you apply for the Visa, you will get denied, do you want to apply today, do you want to apply today?” (By the way, I am a mademoiselle alright!)
Me: NO, I don’t why would I want to apply when you just told me you would deny it, it just doesn’t make any sense.
THE BEAUTY OF IT: was not proceeding with the visa application at this office.
I changed my ticket to another Schengen country and spent most of the time there and visited Paris for a few days. At this consulate I was serviced by true professionals-​my visa application was swift and I was able to leave as planned.
By the way, this was my first time visiting Palace de Versailles-​WOW! It was all worth the 100 euros I spent on taxis to and from Paris.
I am obsessed with history, I am obsessed with fashion, I am obsessed with French cuisine… and the wines, I even spent years learning the French Language … Needless to say I love France, I think it is one of the most beautiful countries in the world TO VISIT (I have no interest in living there) So it is such a shame that people that should be representing the beauty of the country are these unprofessional nasty characters I enountered, I mean do they even read the reviews?.
Listen, I am not disgusted that you were going to deny me the visa, hey your call! l am just disgusted at your unprofessionalism when dealing with tourists wishing to spend money in your magnificent country-​quelle domage!
Live Love Lose Learn Laugh.

Worst people ever. At the end of the day, those people working at the visa section are the most arrogant impolite snoopy people I have ever seen in my life. Avoid this place if possible.

They are efficient, which at the end of the day is all that matters. I like the British Embassy better, because you can process it all over mail! However, it’s not as bad as the Portuguese Consulate, where you actually have to go in person.
Do:
1.Bring ALL required documents and extra copies (trust me on the extra copies!)
I recommend you have everything ready EXACTLY as the website says and hope she doesn’t find something wrong with your documents, because she’s looking, trust me.
2. Keep checking their appointment website as people cancel all the time.
3. Get a FedEx account. They have FedEX envelopes in the waiting room that you can fill out and pre-​pay using a registered FedEx account.
Don’t:
1. Expect hospitality or cheerfulness. You have to realized that being fake nice is an American thing, and people in other countries are more… efficient. If you have everything ready to go and are on time they are nice, including the guard.
2. Forget anything! If you’re missing anything the lady is very rude and will treat you like an idiot (even though their website is ambiguous (don’t buy plane tickets yet/​bring all copies of plane tickets?!). I printed my flight reservation and she said it «did not show everything,» she asked where my name was, the plane number, the destination… but it did! it was all there!!! She was just being fussy. I had to go back a second time and it was super fast and processed quickly.

I usually don’t do ratings but have to do this one! The girl at the visa wondow was so nice she made copies for what I had omitted to do (the pages were in Chinese so I thought they would not need them). Now don’t assume that they do regular copies. You still have to havee all required documents and copies ready and know what you are you doing. Bu they do accomodate for human errors and misunderstandings. Applied for the visa last Thursday and got my multiple entry visa valid through 2018 today (Tuesday). I love the French!

Schengen Visa Experience at France Consulate, Los Angeles, CA
Purpose of Visit: Schengen Visa for Tourism at France Consulate, LA
Applicants: Me and my wife, residents of San Diego.
Note: Before you proceed to read further, this info is for folks from countries who need a visa to visit Europe. More than a review, I have tried to help out the future applicants by sharing my experience.
Procedure to apply: The France consulate LA website provides the list of all documents to be carried for the in person interview. France Consulate in LA Website:
Visa appointment: This is made easy online, requests for minimal information and shows the available slots. If you do not see appointments for the dates you are looking for, keep a tab on it, as there can be cancellations.
Link to book/​change appointment:
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Things to watch out for:
1. Enter the Dragon: I know this may sound weird, but the security guard is so damn rude and his accent for me was tough to get. To avoid him, easiest way is keep the below documents in this sequence and you should be good to get through.
Photo, ID Proof, Passport, Visa Application Form
On the contrary, the visa officers were quite helpful and polite.
2. Appointments: Though we had to take two separate appointments, they let me and my wife appear together for the interview. In our case, I had my slot at 9:45am and wife at 10:45am.
One more thing, it was first come first serve. We were there at 8:45 standing in the queue outside the consulate door and we both were called in at 9am and got out by 9:30am. Voila, we finished before our scheduled interview appointments.
3. Visa interview: This part was the smoothest, Consulate Officer was polite and requested for all the documents as listed in their Schengen visa check list.
4. Timeline:
Interview Date: Nov-24−2014;
Received passports: Dec-03−2014, which was less than a week, considering thanksgiving holidays.
Please note, I used the overnight FEDEX US Airbill. We opted for a multiple entry in the application form, and got the visa with one year validity.
5. Travel insurance: We found this site was easiest to get one.
. They instantly emailed me the travel insurance letter in the specific format that consulate expects and also the ID cards. As again there are many other companies that do offer it, just google.

Let me put it right! When i wrote my last review i was so upset so i tried to express my feeling.
But today i can say they listened to my review and called me to put things right. I applied as well for my visa and it got approved as quick as they could.
Thank you for the great service.

The process is quick and painless, just make sure to follow the instruction and have all the required documents ready. The staff are friendly and informative.
The only sore is the security guard. It is a hit or miss with him, depending on if you catch him on a good day. I think the power trip is over his head since he is at the front door. He can be very rude and disrespectful. I did find him to be so rude it is funny. Very odd person. Well, I will send in a comment to the visa section.

Super cool guard and friendly staff at the processing windows! I’ll have to plan more trips to France since it’s so easy to obtain a Schengen visa! I never knew. :)
If you have your checklist and all documents ready, you shouldn’t have a sour experience at this place and no trouble at all getting your visa approved.

Very very efficient! The guard was so nice and funny. He made me feel at ease. The girls at the front were so kind, patient and very nice. I got there late, my appointment was at 9:15 and we didn’t get there until 9:30 due to traffic. They were very kind on still letting me in. As long as you follow everything on the website and bring everything on the list, your visa will more than likely get approved.
Timeline:
March 3: Appointment
March 7: received my visa (short stay)
Very very happy

Professional, prompt, courteous and painless. These girls get things done with the greatest efficiency and they are very kind. Now if only we can get them to work at the DMV or the Post Office.
All of the instructions are clearly spelled out on the consulate website. There should be no surprises when you arrive for your appointment. If you can’t follow simple instructions, you shouldn’t be leaving the country !

The appointment was on a Monday morning. I booked this appointment over a month ago and started gathering all the requirements as what it’s on the website, make sure you have copies and originals with you and the key word in here «Be organized» arrange all the requirements according to the numbering on the web, as they will be asking for. Do call the consulate if you have questions, email them which I had done for couple of questions, they respond quickly. The Guard and Lady at the counter very courteous and very professional (not Snobbish)
Make sure do your appointment separate, it was 10:15 for my husband and 10:45 for me. The guard will only let you in one person at a time. So my husband went in before 10:15 and I went in just before 10:30, the guard told me that I could have joined my husband when he came in, so the guard told me to catch up with my husband at the window and they will process it at the same time.
Again, the key in here, bring all documents what is required mentioned at the website and BE ORGANIZED. The whole process for me and my husband is only about less than 20 mins. We found ourselves driving home at 1050 which I was my appointment.
Monday morning was our appointment, FEDEX came on Thursdays morning. The whole process PAINLESS

Went here for a visa and the people were pretty friendly. Overall, had such a pleasant experience. The entire process took 10 – 15 minutes. They called me back the next day with my visa approval news and that was pretty awesome!
Remember that they let you make one appointment per person and not per family, so my hubby and I both had to make individual appointments. The guard can be a little iffy, so just ignore him.
Don’t worry about parking as there is 3 hours free parking in the Century city mall. The Consulate is just 2 blocks away from the mall.