Hello,

May I bring to your attention two items about processing in Paris.

First, the bad news: The month of May contains 5 French or American holidays when the Embassy will be closed. In addition, the Embassy will be hosting several high-level visitors throughout the month and often Consular staff, as well as staff throughout the Embassy, are asked to help support these visits. The net effect will be delays in the timely processing of visas. We recommend that applicants apply early and allow extra time for visas to be returned to them during this month. Applicants who can make applications in April would be wise to do so. As always, double-checking the application for completeness beforehand (fees, forms, IAP-66s, I-797s, I-20s) will help avoid delays.

Now, the good news: We are again instituting our Express Processing program that worked so well last Christmas. The following applicants may use this program:

• Persons of any nationality who have a valid I-797 for an H, L, O, P or Q visa;

• French citizens who have an IAP-66 or an I-20;

• French citizens applying for an I visa.

These persons may drop off their application in person. An American officer will accept the application and commit on the spot to issuing the visa (pending name checks) or explain what documents are missing or give the applicant an appointment letter for an interview to further discuss his or her eligibility. The visa, if issued, will then be mailed back within four working days to the applicant by pre-paid courier (Chronopost, DHL, or FedEx) envelope supplied by the applicant. These persons may always, of course, use our standard mail-in procedures.

Persons wishing to use this program must gather following documents:

• a valid passport

• a completed DS-156 with attached photo

• a completed DS-157 (for males between 16 and 45)

• a mandat compte obtained at any French post office in the amount of EUR 54 deposited to account 5013E

• an original I-797, IAP-66, or I-20

• a credit card authorization form or mandat cash to pay the visa reciprocity fee, if any, and

• a prepaid, self-addressed courier (Chronopost, DHL, FedEx) envelope.

Bring this package to the Consular Section (2, rue ST. Florentin, 75001 Paris) between 9:30 and noon any working day and ask the guards for the Express Processing program. If your client is prepared, he or she should be done in a matter of minutes. This program runs through 06 September 2002. As always, please refer to our website for any changes occasioned by security considerations.

Regards,

Robert F. Hannan, Jr.
Consul & First Secretary,
Chief, Nonimmigrant Visa Unit
Embassy of the United States of America
Paris, France