What was your experience applying for a retirement visa at the LA Consulate?

I want to share my experience with the LA consulate.

From Florida - on way to Bangkok, stopped at LA to visit family and apply in person for 1 year retirement Visa. The man in the Visa section on the 2nd floor was most helpful. He carefully checked my documentation and consulted with a colleague before taking the $200 fee.

He said there was a problem with the police report preventing a year Visa, but he could give me the 60 day for $40. Elsewhere I could have been out 200 with a denial.

As for police report there is a single 32 y/o dwi which I obviously took care of - and have been driving legally since. They see it as still on the record, and therefore needing to close it before they will accept.

I will get it expunged later, and apply again next trip with a clean report.

Applied afternoon of June 26th, and picked up afternoon of June 27th.