Recent interviewees - do you have your passport yet??

[UK-USA-K1 128]

I entered the US on the first day of the shutdown, it was no different to any of the other times i have entered.

Stop finding things to worry about.

I'm not "worried", just better to prepare for the worst scenario and get a better scenario. Besides, under the best of circumstances, every persons poe is different, that's why the reviews vary from person to person at any given poe. We've had bad entry stories just her coming on the vwp and we've had good ones. I think being prepared for a slow poe is not exactly the wrong way to go about it. Planning on a quick easy entry is the best way to set yourself up for disappointment. I'm glad it went well for you, but that doesn't mean it will for everyone.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

. I'm glad it went well for you, but that doesn't mean it will for everyone.

Oh, it didn't go at all well for nobbie, but it wasn't because the officers were grouchy or they were short staffed. He's in the US, but hasn't been admitted as a K1 yet. Still in a holding pattern for that.

[nobbie 105]

I'm not "worried", just better to prepare for the worst scenario and get a better scenario. Besides, under the best of circumstances, every persons poe is different, that's why the reviews vary from person to person at any given poe. We've had bad entry stories just her coming on the vwp and we've had good ones. I think being prepared for a slow poe is not exactly the wrong way to go about it. Planning on a quick easy entry is the best way to set yourself up for disappointment. I'm glad it went well for you, but that doesn't mean it will for everyone.

I know what you mean, but my point is the shutdown should not have any effect. You never know who you will get when you come in, some are good, some miserable.

[UK-USA-K1 128]

I know what you mean, but my point is the shutdown should not have any effect. You never know who you will get when you come in, some are good, some miserable.

In theory you are correct, but the longer it lasts, the more problems there will be. You have all these people coming to work, day in and day out, dealing with all sorts of people and they aren't getting paid. These circumstances would make the most ardent amongst us a little more difficult to deal with. On the other hand, maybe they get complacent and aren't as thorough after awhile, but I'd guess that if this lasts long we'll see a lot more incidences of people finding the customs agents less than amenable as they come through.

[MattNickless 2]

Man, I'm so so grateful. Got in touch with the Embassy today, as after Tuesdays approval my case status still stated ready, and just explained to the woman on the phone that the officer who gave me my approval said he would go out of his way to make sure my visa is issued in time for my wedding next saturday, with my departing flight on Wednesday (I know, very hopeful?!).

I was asked to call back after 30 mins while the woman located my case and found out its status, when i called she said she was going to make sure it got processed today and to call back in an hour and half again and ask for her yet again and she would update me.

Called back, and in between that call my case became in administrative processing, and on the phone she checked with a member of staff next to her that it had just been issued, but as the courier was not guaranteed to deliver in time for Tuesday, I could go back to the US Embassy and collect my passport on Tuesday!

A little inconvenient having to go back to London, but damn, I do not mind for a second, I'll happily take that!!

Looks like I'll be getting married next week after all! Aaaaaaaand relax!

[UK-USA-K1 128]

Oh, it didn't go at all well for nobbie, but it wasn't because the officers were grouchy or they were short staffed. He's in the US, but hasn't been admitted as a K1 yet. Still in a holding pattern for that.

The point I was trying to make was that they aren't getting paid. It's not something where there will be a drastic change, but as the shut down continues and these folks come to work everyday with no pay, we will start to see more and more issues. Just having the staff doesn't mean there won't be issues stemming from this. That's really all I'm trying to say here.

[Kiwinyc 62]

Man, I'm so so grateful. Got in touch with the Embassy today, as after Tuesdays approval my case status still stated ready, and just explained to the woman on the phone that the officer who gave me my approval said he would go out of his way to make sure my visa is issued in time for my wedding next saturday, with my departing flight on Wednesday (I know, very hopeful?!).

I was asked to call back after 30 mins while the woman located my case and found out its status, when i called she said she was going to make sure it got processed today and to call back in an hour and half again and ask for her yet again and she would update me.

Called back, and in between that call my case became in administrative processing, and on the phone she checked with a member of staff next to her that it had just been issued, but as the courier was not guaranteed to deliver in time for Tuesday, I could go back to the US Embassy and collect my passport on Tuesday!

A little inconvenient having to go back to London, but damn, I do not mind for a second, I'll happily take that!!

Looks like I'll be getting married next week after all! Aaaaaaaand relax!

Good luck! I'll be just up the road from you in Austin!

[jola83 19]

Wow how great for you that they are going out of your way for you,what number did you call? As no one seems to know where to phone if they need to speak with someone

Man, I'm so so grateful. Got in touch with the Embassy today, as after Tuesdays approval my case status still stated ready, and just explained to the woman on the phone that the officer who gave me my approval said he would go out of his way to make sure my visa is issued in time for my wedding next saturday, with my departing flight on Wednesday (I know, very hopeful?!).

I was asked to call back after 30 mins while the woman located my case and found out its status, when i called she said she was going to make sure it got processed today and to call back in an hour and half again and ask for her yet again and she would update me.

Called back, and in between that call my case became in administrative processing, and on the phone she checked with a member of staff next to her that it had just been issued, but as the courier was not guaranteed to deliver in time for Tuesday, I could go back to the US Embassy and collect my passport on Tuesday!

A little inconvenient having to go back to London, but damn, I do not mind for a second, I'll happily take that!!

Looks like I'll be getting married next week after all! Aaaaaaaand relax!

[nobbie 105]

Man, I'm so so grateful. Got in touch with the Embassy today, as after Tuesdays approval my case status still stated ready, and just explained to the woman on the phone that the officer who gave me my approval said he would go out of his way to make sure my visa is issued in time for my wedding next saturday, with my departing flight on Wednesday (I know, very hopeful?!).

I was asked to call back after 30 mins while the woman located my case and found out its status, when i called she said she was going to make sure it got processed today and to call back in an hour and half again and ask for her yet again and she would update me.

Called back, and in between that call my case became in administrative processing, and on the phone she checked with a member of staff next to her that it had just been issued, but as the courier was not guaranteed to deliver in time for Tuesday, I could go back to the US Embassy and collect my passport on Tuesday!

A little inconvenient having to go back to London, but damn, I do not mind for a second, I'll happily take that!!

Looks like I'll be getting married next week after all! Aaaaaaaand relax!

What number did you use to speak with them? I could really do with speaking with someone there but cannot get anyone with any sense whatsoever.

[Azsara 110]

Man, I'm so so grateful. Got in touch with the Embassy today, as after Tuesdays approval my case status still stated ready, and just explained to the woman on the phone that the officer who gave me my approval said he would go out of his way to make sure my visa is issued in time for my wedding next saturday, with my departing flight on Wednesday (I know, very hopeful?!).

I was asked to call back after 30 mins while the woman located my case and found out its status, when i called she said she was going to make sure it got processed today and to call back in an hour and half again and ask for her yet again and she would update me.

Called back, and in between that call my case became in administrative processing, and on the phone she checked with a member of staff next to her that it had just been issued, but as the courier was not guaranteed to deliver in time for Tuesday, I could go back to the US Embassy and collect my passport on Tuesday!

A little inconvenient having to go back to London, but damn, I do not mind for a second, I'll happily take that!!

Looks like I'll be getting married next week after all! Aaaaaaaand relax!

Really what number did u call? Congrats! They are letting u go to London to pick up ur passport?

[MattNickless 2]

Good luck! I'll be just up the road from you in Austin!

Wow how great for you that they are going out of your way for you,what number did you call? As no one seems to know where to phone if they need to speak with someone

What number did you use to speak with them? I could really do with speaking with someone there but cannot get anyone with any sense whatsoever.

Really what number did u call? Congrats! They are letting u go to London to pick up ur passport?

Yeah, has anyone else heard of collecting your passport back from the Embassy?

The woman I dealt with on the phone was great and really helped with my situation of flying Wednesday, explained I'll be on the list at the embassy, I just need ID and my interview letter to get in to the embassy, and not to queue up to get a ticket from the entrance, but to go directly to her window '14' inside the embassy.

I called to the switchboard, and due to glitches of receiving 4 interview letters, they transferred me to actually do something

[nobbie 105]

Yeah, has anyone else heard of collecting your passport back from the Embassy?

The woman I dealt with on the phone was great and really helped with my situation of flying Wednesday, explained I'll be on the list at the embassy, I just need ID and my interview letter to get in to the embassy, and not to queue up to get a ticket from the entrance, but to go directly to her window '14' inside the embassy.

I called to the switchboard, and due to glitches of receiving 4 interview letters, they transferred me to actually do something

I just tried to call them on the switchboard and they simply will not put me through to anyone. They just say " you must e mail them"

[criticalchris 13]

Let's keep this topic going guys!

To people that recently received their visas, what would you say the average wait time for a visa is now with the new system (pay for delivery before interview)? 7 business days?

[ChicagoSarah 127]

Let's keep this topic going guys!

To people that recently received their visas, what would you say the average wait time for a visa is now with the new system (pay for delivery before interview)? 7 business days?

My fiance had his interview on Sept 19th and had his passport on the 25th (delivered to his office). So....4 business days (6 days total).

[criticalchris 13]

My fiance had his interview on Sept 19th and had his passport on the 25th (delivered to his office). So....4 business days (6 days total).

Thanks for your feedback!

I am also curious to hear from people that had their interview after the government shutdown - I'm wondering if this would have an effect on visa issuance times?

I also bumped this thread because it is useful to people about to have their interview so I wanted to keep it going.