O1 visa renewal Paris Consulate

[ChiUK 10]

Hi Everyone

Its been a while....UK citizen living in USA and I'm about to embark on 3rd approved O1 renewal and was advised against London consulate for interview (even tho thats where i did last and was easy...was told "they are problematic").

I do have business to attend to in Paris so figured i could get it done there. Anyone ever done their O1 interview there..anything to know, timelines etc...are they like the UK where you designate where to pick up passport

 

Thanks

[Boiler 43,561]

Wonder why London is deemed problematic? News to me.

 

Paris, I see very few cases on here, I doubt I have seen an O1, so what would be your plan if it ends up taking longer, chill and enjoy the sites?

 

 

[ChiUK 10]

Hence the reason im asking ...the plan would be to stay in Paris for 7-10 days hopefully that would give enough time to process.. cos alternatively i could do Belfast like my first time and like London with my 2nd renewal...interview went fine...4 questions asked  and picked up in designated courier within 5 days.

 

Not sure why London is problematic but my lawyers got me my visa 3 times now and if they say avoid London for interview i figure they know what theyre talking about.

 

And yeah ...lived in Paris before and have some biz to take care of so don't mind hanging out for a week or 2

[appleblossom 1,350]

Are you sure you’ll need a interview? Obviously you won’t know until you apply but I’d have thought you’d qualify for the interview waiver. 

 

My O-1 interview was waived earlier this year (London). 

[ChiUK 10]

19 hours ago, appleblossom said:

Are you sure you’ll need a interview? Obviously you won’t know until you apply but I’d have thought you’d qualify for the interview waiver. 

 

My O-1 interview was waived earlier this year (London). 

Ive heard of those. but i guess ill find out once i fill out the ds 160 forms ...still need to leave US to process it tho right...does that vary by consulate or visa case.....was number renewal was yours?

[appleblossom 1,350]

3 hours ago, ChiUK said:

Ive heard of those. but i guess ill find out once i fill out the ds 160 forms ...still need to leave US to process it tho right...does that vary by consulate or visa case.....was number renewal was yours?

It’s a blanket policy so doesn’t vary by consulate. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/important-announcement-on-waivers-of-the-interview-requirement-for-certain-nonimmigrant-visas.html

 

Mine was a first O-1. 

[ChiUK 10]

12 hours ago, appleblossom said:

It’s a blanket policy so doesn’t vary by consulate. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/important-announcement-on-waivers-of-the-interview-requirement-for-certain-nonimmigrant-visas.html

 

Mine was a first O-1. 

Good to know...unfortunately it doesn't take out having to leave the US to be waived  but i'll take it

[ChiUK 10]

So re-asking the question. If anyone has experience with the interview slots and set up at the Paris Consulate (preferably for O visas) as i'm looking to book an renewal interview there as i can multitask and get some work done in the city.

UK citizen here and lawyers advised against London consulate (recent spate of denials and rejections)...so not going to argue with them.

 

Been checking for a couple of days and no appointment dates listed at all...IS this normal?....for now i'm checking everyday. My B option would be to do it  in Belfast...but will keep checking for 3 weeks b4 deciding as need stamp by Oct 1

 

Thanks

 

[ACook 4]

Hey Chi,

 

Good to hear from you again. Can’t remember if I spoke to you after my 2nd O1 renewal but for me the interview was waived and I simply dropped my passport off in Munich and picked it back up with my new visa 6 days later. Can take up to 10 days. 

 

I’m pretty sure your 3rd renewal still qualifies for an interview waiver?  Don’t remember if that’s dependent on the embassy/consulate so unsure what Paris is like in that regard. You could still do it in Munich with the waiver and hop on a train to drop off/pick up passport. 

 

Fingers crossed,

 

Ann