French Consulate - Chicago, Illinois, USA Review

If you come prepared and do your researchron what you need ahead of time, everything will be smooth! Easy peasy for me. Remember to bring cash for Visa stuff.

(2017-6-14) Very nice and accommodating officers.

Some tips:
1. No backpack allowed in the building. The security guard would either direct you to the fitness center for locker rental (10 dollar), or ask you put it in your car. Women's Handbag is OK.

2. If you live in Chicago, you can require to pick up in person. Then you don't need the prepaid mail. (The FAQ is a bit outdated. See the information page for 'long stay visa for researcher')

3. No need for the $23 Express mail, if you don't want to. You can use the prepaid. Priority mail. They do need a 'confirmation number sticker', not only the stamp.

4. They provide extra copies of Long Stay and Short Stay application forms in the office.

Hope these helps~

I needed to travel to France during the corona which was not possible as being an American. So I call the consulate to see what was my options, and the front desk lady explained to me the necessary step I had to take. The people at the consulate were very helpful and without them I would not have been able to see my mother. thank you so much for your patience and your devotion to our community.

Super nice and professional. Remember, they do not allow you to bring bags with you, and only those with an appointment can go up to the consulate. Everybody else has to wait down in the lobby.

If you have VFS Global VISA appointment you need different address:
142 E Ontario St #1700, Chicago, IL 60611

Received on appointment by an abject character, tattooed moreover, unpleasant, useless, without conscience that without the taxpayers who pay for it, it could be in its proper place, namely, looking for work. The opportunity to take a lesson in humility. So notice: Zero!

Wonderful, so helpful on the phone and patient with me. Really helped me to make my visa work on time.

I tried contacting them when they are open and all you get is that they are closed.

I was so disappointed about this embassy, they can't provide any adequate informations. When I called them to ask if I can apply for a visiting visa in France while I'm in visit here in Chicago, they put me on hold for more than 15 min before they finally said that I can only apply when I stay here for at least 3 months in Chicago. At the day of my appointment they said they couldn't give me the visa cause I'm in visiting here. I was so disappointed and depressed after struggling with all the requirements they needed. Mrrrrrrrd.....

I've been trying to contact them for weeks. You name it, email, phone, calling the VFS hotline (who can't answer my questions). It's getting to the point where I'm just gonna have to DRIVE the 5 hours so they can answer a quick question for me. So frustrating.

How dare any country refer me to the nightmare of the very unprofessional and hostile VFS Global to get a Schengen Visa. For the love of all that is holy please investigate that place. They make sure that the process of even a tourist visa is as complicated and frustrating as possible. I drove all the way to Chicago for biometrics and not only did they refuse my application because there were staples involved, but they won t take it before 90 days before departure. I am shocked anyone would work with this company despite its very negative reviews and unsatisfactory services. The worst part is there isn t another service I can choose. It s either suffer through working with the excruciating VFS Global or stay in the states.

The staff was courteous during my appointment, which only took few minutes. Later on when I called to check on my passport, the customer service was nice and helpful. I have to say both the appointment and my call were conducted in french, not sure if that played a part in my experience :) The one wish is that they process application via mail and do not require applicants to be there in person; for my case it would have saved me 4 hours drive and parking fees for just 10-15 minutes.

Very rude! The man at the front desk is just a rude and liar person! And when you call him to ask about your passport he hang up on you saying you will receive an email in 5 weeks. I had to recall to say it was since 8 weeks I didn't get any info! The only person nice at this facility is the woman.

Very cold employees. Unhelpful and laugh at your face for missing a document instead of telling you what to do...

Warm and friendly welcome, thank you! Our interlocutor was professional, caring and friendly. In short the opposite of the horrors that had been read in previous opinions; )))
Small flat on the situation of the consulate, in the middle of a set of offices, and without indication or flag to guide us.

I agree with all of the bad reviews. The employees are very cold and do not represent us, French people. I understand working in customer service is not always easy, you get asked a lot of questions that can be unnecessary and sometimes may be bothered by them, but at least, do not show it. The least you could do is try to be cordial with people. As grown adults, I should not have to tell that to any employees working there. There is only one short brown haired lady who truly needs to work on her attitude, need to let people finish talking when they speak and at least follow instructions when she s supposed to send an email. I m so disappointed.

Drove 10 hours to Chicago for nothing. Never experienced anything like this. Three of us went there, and he gave two of us the visa and for some reason turned me down. It was for a nine day trip with a university and I already paid for everything. Rude as hell. Told me to leave immediately and didn't bother to explain. I was in shock so I stood there for a bit and begged him and he threatened me that he would call the security on me. On an effing girl. He doesn't deserve to be the representative of a country. Shame on you.

This is the first time I've ever reviewed a business or agency, I feel it's necessary to warn people what they'll be dealing with. The employees at this consulate are shockingly unhelpful and disrespectful. If you are used to the way french bureaucrats handle things, you won't be surprised. They won't answer your questions via phone call, they'll tell you to email them and then they will never answer your emails. If you have every document required of you and tou have no special circumstances, you'll be fine. But if anything out of the ordinary occurs don't expect any help from this consulate.

Just like the Country, very unpleasant people, they are stuck in perpetual misery, and must be sure to express it in everything they say and do. Pathetic !

Difficult to get someone to assist you with courtesy. They would not even allow you to finish your question. They believe they read your mind....

You are better off trying directly with the embassy in Washington than hoping to get any help from this office.

Horrible service they are really complicated and not helpful

Hi! Be aware of the new security measures since November 2015, at the reception of the building they will not allow you to go upstairs if you have a bag, even a small one or an empty backpack. Just come with your documents. The Consulate staff is very nice and efficient.

it is very secure, file processed in time to respect, and the service is perfect!

Drove 5-1/2 hrs from Lexington, KY and had a very good experience. Lucie was extremely helpful and patient. She noticed that I needed to redo my passport photos and referred me to a CVS in the same building. Problem solved in minutes. Knowing I had driven a long way, she made sure I was able to get all my Passport and National Identity Card paperwork in order and completed. Many thanks!

Thank you for your service to French citizens in the U.S. I had a great and safe experience in these difficult times. A special thank you to Bernadette!

Would give them 0 stars if I could. This short haired lady was extremely rude and nasty. Very disgusting attitude. Wouldn't even let me finish talking or explaining without interrupting with rude remarks.

Since January 2019, I have been in contact with the deputy consul regarding the procedure for a PACS with my partner who is a US citizen. Since the beginning everything is very good. My questions were answered quickly and clearly. Once the file is complete, it was valid in about 8 days. Then, the appointment was made about 2 weeks after the validation of the file. On the day of the appointment, we were very well received by the consulate team. I thank all the team for their presence, smile and the celebration you have prepared! It was a wonderful experience!

I have been exchanging emails with the deputy consul since January 2019 about signing a PACS with my significant other. From the beginning, everything went smoothly. Fast responses to my questions, the pacs has been validated in the past 8 days (March 2019) was a couple of weeks after the file was validated. I want to thank the consulate team for your work You made this experience a wonderful one!

Following a phone call I was asked to edit this post on google maps, so instead of 3/5 I put 1/5, so we see some truth to change. It is to encourage you towards progress so everyone is happy. This is a service offered to French or not? It would be necessary to know at a given moment. Who says service says warm welcome, smile, kindness, help, support .... in general, but not here. My apologies for the photo of the only panel that I could meet on site I was not aware of the rules of your building. Best regards from your compratriote who had the great pleasure to visit you in Chicago. In any case I received my passport so my sentence was rewarded. Thank you for your service to French people abroad and for your compassion (non-existent). PS: For educational purposes, I invite you all the same to read the other reviews on google maps apparently because I'm not the only one to have had a rather surprising experience. Are you going to call everyone on the phone or e-mail as you did with me? It looks like harassment. Apparently it's a French method. Bravo! Long live France.

They did horrible job with June 28 movie in the park. Misleading address on the event invite - tons of people were lost in a confusing part of the park as sun was setting. Not cool.

Have to drive 4.5hrs from Detroit ($80 of gas total), spend a night there ($100 of hotel), pay $120 for passport + $25 to have it sent back home in Detroit. That's a total of $325 just to renew my passport! Crazy

I called the Consulate General of France in Chicago this morning. The gentleman I spoke with on the phone gave me the impression that I was bothering him with my questions. I asked about the 90 day rule to visit France as a US citizen and asked about a visa. To quote him "I told you that already at the beginning of the conversation". This rule is critical to follow and I was just confirming that I had understood what he said. He was rude and unfriendly. My husband and I love France and the French people but this representative certainly did not make a favorable impression.

The second time I visit accompanied by my two sons to sign documents with an appointment all the necessary documents even with the copy of the consul's e-mail to prove why we were there !! I was very uncomfortable in the way of hosting this consulate we were 3 adults with appointments and no kindness a smile even what a shame to represent France in this way !!
I will report this lack of professionalism to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs !!
It's a shame and I'm French my American son what a horror !!

NOVEMBER 14, 2016 HAD AN APPOINTMENT AT THE FRENCH CONSULATE TO APPLY FOR MY VISA TO LIVE AND WORK IN FRANCE, HAD MY VISA WITHIN 8 DAYS, POSTAL MAIL TO ME IN MY HOME CITY. 3YEARS ,1 MONTH, AND 2 DAYS LATER, STILL LIVING IN FRANCE. I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE FRENCH CONSULATE, CHICAGO. THANK YOU !

The standard is zero and you can not come in an emergency because you need an appointment ... It is to wonder the usefulness of this place ...

Me and my family needed a visa to go to France in March. Although we were missing documents, the two officers were very kind and patient. We were able to submit additional documents by email. We had the surprise to receive our visas in the mail less than a week later, even faster than what we had been told during our interview. Having applied for visas in the past for other countries, I have to say that it was the best experience I had in a consulate in a long time! We will again visit France for sure in the very near future! Great service, great people, amazing country!

Worst experience ever. There was this feminine looking french guy who acted super rude and unprofessional to me. He did not treat other people with respect either. I've never been to France before, but he made me not like french people. He thought he was God with his power to give people visas . If you happen to go there try and avoid that guy because there's going to be a chance he won't let you pass.

I received my student visa 11 days after dropping off my paper work. That's less than the projected 2 weeks! Well done.
It was however getting any clear answers over the phone for any questions I had. Emails are a little more helpful.

This place is a joke..you can't even walk in with yourmother

I haven't even been to the place and I've already had a bad experience! I asked for the option to change the conversation to English, as I felt more comfortable using said language, and the person who answered the phone kept using french, although she acknowledged my request. She judged me for needing to renew my passport, saying I can't just up and renew it after 11 years. After her unnecessary comment she just gave me information I already knew from the website, saying I needed to make an appointment with the French consulate.
Very rude, very bad first impression. I'm not looking forward to continuing using their services.

I would like to say Merci to the French Consulate in Chicago and especially to Mrs. Bernadette Day who is always so kind and helpful with all inquiries.
I would like to thank the French Consulate in Chicago and in particular Mrs. Bernadette Day who is always so kind and ready to help with all inquiries. I have to renew my passport and thanks to Mrs. Day I can do it in the best possible conditions. I am really very relieved to feel the support of France . Married

Don t bring any backpack to the appointment you are not allowed in the office with one, there is no place to leave them on the building.

Friendly and helpful staff! I received answers to all of my questions and additional info during a call. Very practical especially in this difficult period of Covid-19. My interviewer even offered to book my appointment directly over the phone for me, so I didn't have to do it online. During my visit to the consulate, I received the same kindness and the staff offered to renew my consular registration without my having to think about it. Thank you!

Fast appointment, friendly and knowledgeable staff. We are very happy with our experience with the French Embassy, thank you for your help

I called as a student alone, studying in France, trying to get help after the post office lost some official documents. The Consulate of Washington recommended I call them. I was talked down too, cut off, they were unwilling to listen nor More

I can't speak highly enough about my experience with the French Consulate. From the day I called to inquire about French ID cards and passports for my 5 month old twins to our appointment at the Consulate today, we received the most professional, efficient and kind attention.

First Madame Day and the team were able to find us two consecutive interviews despite their very busy schedule as they knew we lived far. Then Madame Day went through the whole process with me, detailing the needed paperwork even if it was also explained on the website, but to make sure I would not miss anything. I called several times to ask questions and talked to Madame Day without any long wait on the phone and she remembered me each time.

Also they made an exception and allowed my husband to come with me even if only one adult is normally accepted, but they said with two babies they would understand.

The two staff members who processed our paperwork were also very nice and efficient and it went smoothly. Madame Day even came to us after the interviews to greet us and meet our twins. We are very touched by the warm welcome and genuine care we received by everyone and how smoothly the process went.

Many thanks to the Consul General and his team!

Very quick and complete answer.
Thanks

Thank you to all the employees of the French Consulate in Chicago! Thank you for always being there for us and finding solutions to support us. You are wonderful, keep it up!

I had a good experience, appointment was fast! Thanks for making all my requests possible!

Planning to live in Chicago for a few months, I sought the contact details of the French consulate in Chicago to ask a few practical questions, before coming across all these negative opinions ...

So, it was with great apprehension that I dialed the phone number of the consulate, thinking that "if they behave like this in normal times, it will be worse during COVID 19 confinement .... ", but, to my surprise, I ran into a very warm lady who took the time not only to answer all my questions, but also to ask me if everything was fine on my side - alluding to the crisis sanitation - before giving me a taste of life in Chicago.

I don't know if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs went there to clean up, or if the period of confinement had a magic effect on the people who work there, or if I was lucky enough to come across the only employee who does her job with joy and consideration, but my experience has been extremely positive.

To be seen if this is confirmed over time.

Needed clear directions to get the right COVID test at the right time, and was very effectively helped by Ms D. who called me back to give me the information and advice I needed. Merci

Very good experience as usual.
Mrs Day at the reception, was very understandable and helpful as always. She found an appointment despite the very busy schedule. She took the time needed to go through all the documents required. She called me back for the confirmation. The person for the renewal was very nice too.
Welcoming Team , efficient and gentle. What can we ask more than that?