Preparing to Move Abroad Pt. 1

So I didn't read much in June, other than some fiction, and learned no random, potentially useless information, partially because I need to actually be reviewing some other things in preparation for graduate school.

I did however, have a very frustrating visit to the VFS (Visa Facilitation Services) and figured I would document my experience in part to satisfy my frustration but also in case it is potentially helpful to someone down the line (who somehow comes across my blog and randomly wants to go to the same program as me).

Here is what they actually needed:

• a visa-size photograph, which is actually a different size than the passport photograph, which is annoying and not specified beforehand--so confirm sizes before you go to save $13
• VFS appointment letter + proof of payment for appointment
• scan of the first page of your passport--not of the entire thing, which is asked for in the checklist but my interviewer did not need it and it was a total waste of a printout
• for a France student visa, your email of approval from Campus France (not specified anywhere, and $1/page for print outs)
• French visa application form
• residence in France, or lease agreement that includes a contact phone number (my interviewer took the lease agreement and letter, but her only focus was on the letter)
• proof of financial collateral (mine was bank statements)
• program acceptance letter--not specified anywhere to bring, one would assume Campus France approval was inclusive of this
• they only accept UPS pre-paid envelopes to ship your passport back to you, otherwise you pay for them to pay for FedEx Overnight service, which is extremely extra. They provide very conflicting information on this--online UPS is not specified specially, and when I entered the person at the front desk told me no pre-paid envelopes were acceptable (I had brought a FedEx one, because I had used it for Turkey back in the bad times when Turkey-US visas were suspended)

Here is what they did not need:

• for a France student visa, the student visa checklist that you are told to bring--my interviewer just printed it out herself in front of me
• the lengthy lease agreement, or landlord ID (which is specified on the above checklist but honestly extra)
• a pre-paid return envelope for any service other than UPS.

Overall, you have to pay for:

• Campus France, which is like $240+
• VFS Appointment, $40+
• Consulate of France visa processing fee, $60+

... and I ended up also paying for:

• a couple of printouts for things that were not even specified to bring before hand, $3+
• visa photos, $13+
• shipping service for passport return, $38+... ridiculous

Hope this saves a life, or at least $50 for someone.