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yuechang
Barker


Joined: Mar 17, 2005
Posts: 159
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Posted:
Oct 10, 2005 - 02:53 PM |
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| Post subject: need help: French visa |
I am local Chinese, planning to visit Paris during Christmas for 2 weeks.
I have friends in Paris.
I am thinking to apply for the travelling visa OR the visiting friend visa.
Anyone who has any experiences, please share with me.
Thanks!!!! |
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LaPetiteMusicienne
Seeker


Joined: Oct 07, 2005
Posts: 55
Location: Rochester, NY
Status: Offline
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Posted:
Oct 11, 2005 - 04:44 AM |
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You visa application risk having a denial if you've never been to Europe before. Should try a tour with local travel agency first in order to have a good record on your passpart. |
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beckyzh
Talker


Joined: Feb 01, 2004
Posts: 77
Status: Offline
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Posted:
Oct 11, 2005 - 08:39 AM |
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im shanghainese,applied for the visa to France this summer.....it was really a pain in the A*s, although i got it in the end
i think u should call the consulate first ,because u probably need to make an phone reservation first(when my friend called in August ,the reservation was already full until end of Oct)
they are very strict now after the group of wenzhounese went to France and never came back few monthes ago,and the chance of the visa geting rejected is VERY high if u apply for visiting friend/travel visa
so i suggest you apply a business visa if possible, higher chance to b accepted |
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frenchlover1999
Shanghai Royalty


Joined: Sep 18, 2004
Posts: 8730
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Posted:
Oct 11, 2005 - 10:53 AM |
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Dont try to apply business visa if you are not going there for business. You application will probably not be credible, get rejected, and you will have a bad record at the consulate. If you friends are French, do the visiting visa, with all the proper documentation (dont hesitate to overdo it, show you are rich and have all kind of reasons not to want to stay in France, like a good job etc). Otherwise book with a tour agent. The French visa sections are a pain in the ass, they are understaffed and have to deal with strange issues like the Wenshounese, but on top of that they show typical French short-temper and lack of patience, are rude and not 100% competent. Another advice is to be overly polite and defferent when you call/meet them. Call them "sir", "madam", use "please" "thank you very much" as much as possible even (or expecially) when they are being unhelpful. It does help. |
_________________ That was no shark. That was my personal submarine. But enough of this polite conversation. What is the purpose of your visit? |
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yuechang
Barker


Joined: Mar 17, 2005
Posts: 159
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Posted:
Oct 11, 2005 - 03:58 PM |
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wuwuwu...(sadness!!!!) realizing the difficulties.
Thank you all for your kind help! Anyhow, I will give it a try. My situation, biz visa is not working, 1 reason is I dont have biz contact there; 2 is during Christmas, no one will apply biz visa right?! I doubt if they believe I am going for biz during the holiday.
I am from southern China, Guangdong province, living and working in sh, I just find out I have to fly back to guangzhou to apply the visa...painful!!!! I will have my boss's letter, i will be polite when i meet them, have everything required ready... the rest is GOOD LUCK.. what do you think?
mmm... i will try the travel agent also, any recommended agencies in Shanghai ??
Many many thanks!!!! |
_________________ Life is too Beautiful to Ignore !!!! |
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LaPetiteMusicienne
Seeker


Joined: Oct 07, 2005
Posts: 55
Location: Rochester, NY
Status: Offline
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Posted:
Oct 12, 2005 - 12:07 AM |
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Maybe "Shanghai Qing Lv" in Hengshan Rd.? You'll feel so much relieved planning your first trip to Europe with the travel agent. You don't want to get yourself into a hassel finding tourism attractions there on your own if you have never done such independant travelling in Europe. |
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frenchlover1999
Shanghai Royalty


Joined: Sep 18, 2004
Posts: 8730
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Posted:
Oct 12, 2005 - 12:09 AM |
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"You don't want to get yourself into a hassel finding tourism attractions there on your own if you have never done such independant travelling in Europe."
Truckload of crap or shameless advertising? |
_________________ That was no shark. That was my personal submarine. But enough of this polite conversation. What is the purpose of your visit? |
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michelle-min
Lurker


Joined: Oct 12, 2005
Posts: 23
Status: Offline
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Posted:
Oct 12, 2005 - 02:01 AM |
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it is hard to make a visa for travelling there if you only want to go there lonely I think... |
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GC
The Ginger Prince

Joined: Dec 01, 2003
Posts: 21531
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Posted:
Oct 12, 2005 - 03:03 AM |
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^what? |
_________________ You turned on the lights, Fuelled U boats by night, That's how you repay us, It's time to go home. |
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GC
The Ginger Prince

Joined: Dec 01, 2003
Posts: 21531
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Posted:
Oct 12, 2005 - 03:07 AM |
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Anyway, back to point.
In my experience, its maybe better to go through a recognised travel agent who will organise flight, accomodation and visa for you, otherwise it can be a pain in the neck as you have to provide evidence of financial status, accomodation in the country, maybe sponsor details, employment evidence that you are returning here, etc. |
_________________ You turned on the lights, Fuelled U boats by night, That's how you repay us, It's time to go home. |
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LaPetiteMusicienne
Seeker


Joined: Oct 07, 2005
Posts: 55
Location: Rochester, NY
Status: Offline
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Posted:
Oct 12, 2005 - 03:35 AM |
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| frenchlover1999 wrote: |
"You don't want to get yourself into a hassel finding tourism attractions there on your own if you have never done such independant travelling in Europe."
Truckload of crap or shameless advertising? |
What do you mean?! Isn't it the truth? You weird! |
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