My colourful March 2022 - Lolski in Paris Part 1

 Hi how are you? I hope you’re doing fine^^

Salut from Paris!

Yes I finally flew to Paris for my final exam as an Image Consulting student. I will break this topic into many..many posts because I stay here for one month, and I am travelling solo, and so far it has been one of the greatest moment in my life!

I wanted to start by preparing everything before I flew to Paris, VISA. The truth was, I hadn’t gone anywhere for the purpose of study in like..15 years? Anyway, I was applying for “Student/Entrance Examination Short Stay Visa”.

Disclaimer: this is my personal experience when applying for visa in February 2022, there will probably be adjustment in some parts, especially about the travelling policy due to the pandemic. My trip was arranged by a travel agent, since I thought I might find difficulties to adapt with current travelling situation & policies, and changes that may occurred. 

You need to register for an appointment for your visa application by online, you can ask your travel agent, or do it yourself, but it is important to at least get a date of your appointment, then in parallel you complete all the documents, because you may not get the date you expected due to the volume of travellers. I think mine was around the Paris Fashion Week 2022.

Here’s the list of documents that I have to create (and translate to English or French, I still have some documents in French for my 2005 study in Vichy):

1. Visa application form
2. Valid passport and copies of your previous visas (if it’s in your previous passport, submit it along)
3. National ID (copy)
4. Family Card (copy)
5. Photo 3,5x4,5 on white background (2 copies)
6. Official enrolment of your school/university/course - I submitted all my preliminary contact with the school as well
7. Formal invitation letter from the school
8. Airline ticket
9. Accommodation arrangement during your studies
10. Motivational letter - reason why you choose the school in Paris, etc
11. Proof of financial means - letter from the bank, and your bank statement for at least the last 3 months period
12. Latest education certificate
13. Sponsor letter - this may vary and you can consult with your travel agent, but mine advised that since I didn’t work at the time of the application process, I need a sponsor letter.
14. Travel insurance
15. Vaccine certificate 

The visa fee was IDR 2,550,000, I had the additional service of premium lounge by TLS - IDR 787,000

Et Voila!! My new journey had begun :) 

It was a long flight, and I didn't have time to cure my jetlag because as soon as I arrived, I joined my class. Yes, Paris was free from the quarantine, but make sure you bring your Vaccine certificate and your test result (negative, of course!).

I will continue my journey in the next post, but for now, stay safe, healthy, and happy!

Bisou bisou!!!