Paris Embassy

[portorusa 431]

On NVC website it says that Paris Embassy does not allow a companion to be present at the interview unless it’s an interpreter or special needs aid. Does that mean that I (petitioner) can’t accompany my husband (beneficiary) for CR1 visa interview?

Anyone experienced please share! Thanks

[Trotskor 1]

I attended my husband's CR1 interview in Paris on July 10th, and that didn't pose any problem at all.

 

On the other hand, regarding the information on their website, I'd recommend that you follow the list published on the State Department's website for what documents are necessary. As an example, the Paris Embassy's site mentions 1 photo of the applicant, and when you arrive you find out they want 2.

 

Also, while I'm sure you know this, I thought I'd mention it: don't. bring. a laptop. They will refuse you entry, and you will spend twenty minutes running around the neighborhood looking for a place that will allow you to check a laptop with them (I speak from personal experience ...) 

 

Edited July 22, 2019 by Trotskor

[portorusa 431]

Thank you so much, Trotskor!

Your information is very helpful. 

How much time did you wait for the interview to be scheduled?

What questions did they ask and in what language?

What documents did they want to see?

Did they approve your husband’s visa right after the interview?

[K-Kwette 114]

On ‎7‎/‎22‎/‎2019 at 8:19 AM, Trotskor said:

I attended my husband's CR1 interview in Paris on July 10th, and that didn't pose any problem at all.

 

On the other hand, regarding the information on their website, I'd recommend that you follow the list published on the State Department's website for what documents are necessary. As an example, the Paris Embassy's site mentions 1 photo of the applicant, and when you arrive you find out they want 2.

 

Also, while I'm sure you know this, I thought I'd mention it: don't. bring. a laptop. They will refuse you entry, and you will spend twenty minutes running around the neighborhood looking for a place that will allow you to check a laptop with them (I speak from personal experience ...) 

 

I'm curious to hear about it too!

On ‎7‎/‎22‎/‎2019 at 5:03 PM, portorusa said:

Thank you so much, Trotskor!

Your information is very helpful. 

How much time did you wait for the interview to be scheduled?

What questions did they ask and in what language?

What documents did they want to see?

Did they approve your husband’s visa right after the interview?

 

I'm curious to hear about it too!

Edited July 25, 2019 by K-Kwette

[Trotskor 1]

We went through Direct Consular Filing (I'm relocating to the US for work) so our process was somewhat different, as we skipped the NVC stage. 

 

France is a low-(if not inexistant)-fraud country, so the questions are minimal. We did the interview in French -- although they don't care and in fact ask if you prefer French or English, I'm just stating this to say that speaking French isn't anything prejudicial since there's no language requirement -- and the girl at the window had a charming American accent. The questions were simple: oh you have a cosponsor? (I've lived in France for the past decade so my US income is considered as "0," I had to have my mother act as a cosponsor). Where are you going to live? How did you meet? It's mostly a chat. 

 

Bring all the documents they ask for, and as I mentioned earlier, defer to the State Department website. We had more than they wanted, but it's better to be leaning in that direction than in the opposite ..

 

You learn immediately if the visa is approved. There's usually little chance of a CR1/IR1 visa being denied in Paris (once again, there's very little visa fraud committed by French citizens), as long as you have all of the documents and meet the basic requirements. 

 

On the other hand, the courier service they use is frustrating -- I had to email them in order to register my interview, and it's been two weeks and we don't have his passport back yet. The visa was listed as issued/printed on the state department site two days after the interview, so the wait is getting a bit irritating. 

Edited July 25, 2019 by Trotskor

[K-Kwette 114]

1 hour ago, Trotskor said:

We went through Direct Consular Filing (I'm relocating to the US for work) so our process was somewhat different, as we skipped the NVC stage. 

 

France is a low-(if not inexistant)-fraud country, so the questions are minimal. We did the interview in French -- although they don't care and in fact ask if you prefer French or English, I'm just stating this to say that speaking French isn't anything prejudicial since there's no language requirement -- and the girl at the window had a charming American accent. The questions were simple: oh you have a cosponsor? (I've lived in France for the past decade so my US income is considered as "0," I had to have my mother act as a cosponsor). Where are you going to live? How did you meet? It's mostly a chat. 

 

Bring all the documents they ask for, and as I mentioned earlier, defer to the State Department website. We had more than they wanted, but it's better to be leaning in that direction than in the opposite ..

 

You learn immediately if the visa is approved. There's usually little chance of a CR1/IR1 visa being denied in Paris (once again, there's very little visa fraud committed by French citizens), as long as you have all of the documents and meet the basic requirements. 

 

On the other hand, the courier service they use is frustrating -- I had to email them in order to register my interview, and it's been two weeks and we don't have his passport back yet. The visa was listed as issued/printed on the state department site two days after the interview, so the wait is getting a bit irritating. 

Thank you for this great and detailed review!

[portorusa 431]

Thank you for the information, very useful !