Today I went to Nice to have my official Doctor's visit to complete the visa process. After getting turned around and stuck on the same one way street not once, but twice, I finally figured out where to go. I was really stressed out because I was 16 minutes late, and I really hate being late.
As it turns out, it didn't matter that I was late, because there was a line at the reception desk, and I had to wait my turn to give them my paper saying I had an appointment. The lady checked me in and asked me to wait.
Not long after, maybe within 5 minutes, I was called. A nurse took my blood pressure, asked me a few questions, weighed me, measured my height and then sent me back to wait for the doctor. I waited in the hall again, playing with my phone. Again, after a very short wait, I was called to see the doctor. She asked me about my health, any operations I've had, if I smoke or take any medication, and if I was pregnant. Then I had to read the eye chart. Everything was fine, and I was off to wait for my x-ray.
I waited again until it was my turn for a lung x-ray. This is why they wanted to know if I was pregnant. The x-ray was interesting because I put on a paper robe, then went inside this enclosed machine and shut the door. They snapped the picture and then developed it right there.
After waiting slightly longer than the other times, I was called in to actually get the visa. The lady asked me . . . hmmmm, I can't even remember now if she asked me anything. She said my french was really good and that "most Americans don't speak that well", so I took that as a very nice compliment. She printed off this fancy visa, stuck it in my passport and sent my on my way with my complimentary x-ray. I guess I can't really call it complimentary because I had to pay 340 euros for my little visit to the Office of Immigration! That was probably the most painful (on the wallet!) doctor's appointment I've ever gone to! :)
As it turns out, it didn't matter that I was late, because there was a line at the reception desk, and I had to wait my turn to give them my paper saying I had an appointment. The lady checked me in and asked me to wait.
Not long after, maybe within 5 minutes, I was called. A nurse took my blood pressure, asked me a few questions, weighed me, measured my height and then sent me back to wait for the doctor. I waited in the hall again, playing with my phone. Again, after a very short wait, I was called to see the doctor. She asked me about my health, any operations I've had, if I smoke or take any medication, and if I was pregnant. Then I had to read the eye chart. Everything was fine, and I was off to wait for my x-ray.
I waited again until it was my turn for a lung x-ray. This is why they wanted to know if I was pregnant. The x-ray was interesting because I put on a paper robe, then went inside this enclosed machine and shut the door. They snapped the picture and then developed it right there.
After waiting slightly longer than the other times, I was called in to actually get the visa. The lady asked me . . . hmmmm, I can't even remember now if she asked me anything. She said my french was really good and that "most Americans don't speak that well", so I took that as a very nice compliment. She printed off this fancy visa, stuck it in my passport and sent my on my way with my complimentary x-ray. I guess I can't really call it complimentary because I had to pay 340 euros for my little visit to the Office of Immigration! That was probably the most painful (on the wallet!) doctor's appointment I've ever gone to! :)
3 comments:
I remember trudging to Lyon for that. Is it a long-stay VISA? Seemed fairly low-key, considering how most encounters with French bureaucracy go. And you were complimented!
I was very impressed. They were well organized, didn't waste time, and friendly. Bravo!
When we had to go get our medical exam same thing happened to us, really not much interesting. AND we had to paid the big fee as well. Now we are waiting for anything/something...please...for the Prefecture to get us our renewed carte sejour. So frustrating...it expired 3 months ago, still nothing, so normal here. BUT...wouldn't go back to the states for anything!
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