So, I said in a previous post that I would tell you all about my experience getting a visa in a country that is not your own. Let me tell you: IT IS POSSIBLE! However, you have to be a LEGAL RESIDENT in the country in which you are applying for that visa.
For the 18 months of my life, I was a legal resident of South Korea. You know what that means? I was legally able to apply for a French visa in South Korea for TAPIF (Teaching Assistant Program In France). Yes. I did it. And this is what happened.
The first thing was I gathered the proper documents mentioned earlier in my blog here. I also made sure to have my ARC (Alien Registration Card) but that's really because I always walk around with ID. I brought a utilities bill with my name on it so that they knew I was a legal resident. I was not going to give them any excuse to deny me a visa. I looked online to double check that this was indeed possible and booked my appointment.
Now, it takes 2-3 weeks to process a visa at French embassies. I was shocked because it only took 3 days for my Korean visa. But I had to take a step back and remember that France is a popular country, way more popular than Korea in general. Of course they would need a longer time to screen out applicants. However, my appointment was set 1.5 weeks before I left Korea indefinitely. The reason I did this is because I had a hard time getting an appointment in the San Francisco French consulate, which is the regional office for my permanent US address (ironically enough, I got an appointment in SF the next day, but I now I should cancel that).
Naturally, I was worried about whether my visa will be processed in time. I had another appointment in SF, but the sooner the better, right? I wanted to get my flight ticket to France early and I didn't want the prices to go up (I found a ticket for $550). I should have booked an appointment much sooner to save myself he hassle, but I didn't know I could get my visa in Korea, so I kept hesitating.
Anyway, I went from Seoul to Gwangju the night before my July 20th appointment and stayed at a hostel with some very nice people. I made sure I had all my papers and my passport. The next morning, I went to my 9AM appointment. I was lucky enough to get a French guy who spoke perfect English (even though I speak enough French to do the whole process) and I asked him if it was possible to begin the process for a visa in Korea, but pick up my actual visa sticker in San Francisco (mom asked me to ask them that, she so smart~). You know what homeboy said?
YES.
THANK GAWD. I was so relieved I actually put my head on the counter. So I gave him my documents (the copies of my work contract rather than the original) and he got things started for me. But then he asked for for my flight ticket. I was confused and asked why. He already knew I was leaving on the second. This guy proceeded to tell me that he would try to see if he can finish my visa before I leave, so he needed a copy of my flight ticket. I SAW THE ANGELS. I was lucky enough to have a copy of my e-ticket with me. So I gave him all of my original documents and my e-ticket.
He took them and told me that he would try to get my visa done before I leave. However , if it's not done I could come by the consulate the day before my flight and pick up my visa so I could go home and then he would send my visa sticker to San Francisco where I could pick it up.
I called deal and left my beloved passport at the embassy. Homeboy also had me fill out a postage label just in case they finish early enough to mail it to me. Of course, he'd call me to ask which option I preferred. Full. Service. I left the Embassy that morning feeling quite relieved and satisfied.
I spent the next few days taking care of final things in Korea and waiting for a call from the French consulate. Then, on Friday, July 29th, I got the call. Homeboy from the French consulate called me and told me that my visa was fully process and I can pick up my passport on Monday. I was so happy I lept out of my bed and danced and I thanked him a million times. I was able to pick up my completed passport and French visa the following Monday. He managed to rush the visa for me. The consulate doesn't do rush visas.
The following Monday, since I already planned to be in Seoul, I went to the French consulate at 11:30 to pick up my visa. Of course, no matter how excited I was, I did not forget to check my visa to be sure it was the right kind because sometimes when things are rushed, there are mistakes. THERE WERE NO MISTAKES. AWESOME!
I was so excited I showed it to my friends who were with me in Seoul and the got me even more psyched. When I got back to our Hongdae hostel I booked my flight to France too.
Ain't no stoppin' us now~~~ We on the move!
Everything seemed to be falling together.
Anyway, that was my experience with the French consulate in South Korea. Word to the wise: DO NOT FOLLOW MY EXAMPLE. I was extremely lucky. If you're going to apply for a visa in a country where you have legal residency, do so WELL BEFORE you have to leave. Then you wouldn't have to go through the stress I went through.
Cheers~!
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