How long does it take to get a passport back after the interview?

[Evgeniya 3]

Hello, I wanted to ask how long does it take to get a passport back after the interview? My interview is scheduled for Oct. 14th on Tues. Do you think I can get a passport back by the end of the week if I arrandge for an office DHL pick up? Just need your advise.

[Chuckles 0]

Yes, it is possible.

I wouldn't count on it (buy tickets or something), but it is possible.

[Don E 0]

I can tell you about some recent experiences. Tania had her interview on September 3 (Wednesday). Her visa was issued on Sept. 5 and delivered to the DHL office in Tomsk the next day (Saturday, September 6). However, another woman who interviewed on the same day (who was told the same thing as Tania) had her visa issued on Sept. 8 (Monday), and DHL delivered it to her in Moscow on Sept. 10. They were both told to expect their visas in a few days or in less than a week. It's difficult to understand why there was such a difference between the two. FWIW.....good luck!

Edited September 22, 2008 by Don E

[mox 298]

Hello, I wanted to ask how long does it take to get a passport back after the interview? My interview is scheduled for Oct. 14th on Tues. Do you think I can get a passport back by the end of the week if I arrandge for an office DHL pick up? Just need your advise.

Moscow usually delivers the visa pretty quickly, as long as there are no complications. Just a warning though, if you are trying to schedule visa delivery with plane tickets, DON'T DO IT unless you can afford the cost of having to buy new tickets. There are no guarantees, and if the visa is held for "further processing," you stand a good chance of eating the cost of your ticket(s).

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

In our case, it took 8 days, but... We had a small complication with the C/O that did not, fully, understand some submitted evidence. Her visa was approved, but held pending clarification. That took 4 days. So, from actual shipment to visa in hand, 4 days past.

[Brad and Vika 129]

In our case, it took 8 days, but... We had a small complication with the C/O that did not, fully, understand some submitted evidence. Her visa was approved, but held pending clarification. That took 4 days. So, from actual shipment to visa in hand, 4 days past.

We are planning to roll the dice. I will try to get to Kiev a day or so before the interview, and stay for two weeks. If we pick up at the office in Kiev, it appears the risk is mostly that there will be a problem at the interview. The plan is to buy tickets home for us both, and hope it all works out. Vika is certainly fixated on the documents already. We'll see, I guess.

[mox 298]

We are planning to roll the dice. I will try to get to Kiev a day or so before the interview, and stay for two weeks. If we pick up at the office in Kiev, it appears the risk is mostly that there will be a problem at the interview. The plan is to buy tickets home for us both, and hope it all works out. Vika is certainly fixated on the documents already. We'll see, I guess.

Read the link in my last post Brad. I know Kyiv isn't Moscow, but anything can happen. Just be prepared with a backup plan in case you're delayed.

(and Kevin...sorry to keep dragging you as an example. )

[Neonred 3,646]

In our case, it took 8 days, but... We had a small complication with the C/O that did not, fully, understand some submitted evidence. Her visa was approved, but held pending clarification. That took 4 days. So, from actual shipment to visa in hand, 4 days past.

We are planning to roll the dice. I will try to get to Kiev a day or so before the interview, and stay for two weeks. If we pick up at the office in Kiev, it appears the risk is mostly that there will be a problem at the interview. The plan is to buy tickets home for us both, and hope it all works out. Vika is certainly fixated on the documents already. We'll see, I guess.

This is exactly what I did in Moscow. Arrived the day before the interview, waited outside during the interview (as opposed to the embassy in Kiev) and headed back to her city. We picked up her passport that was being held at the DHL office in Moscow the day before we left for the US. It CAN be a gamble, but one I was willing to take. I was glad I was there the day of the interview as I was able to straighten out a problem and answer some questions the embassy had. Saved us from a big problem later.

[Brad and Vika 129]

In our case, it took 8 days, but... We had a small complication with the C/O that did not, fully, understand some submitted evidence. Her visa was approved, but held pending clarification. That took 4 days. So, from actual shipment to visa in hand, 4 days past.

We are planning to roll the dice. I will try to get to Kiev a day or so before the interview, and stay for two weeks. If we pick up at the office in Kiev, it appears the risk is mostly that there will be a problem at the interview. The plan is to buy tickets home for us both, and hope it all works out. Vika is certainly fixated on the documents already. We'll see, I guess.

This is exactly what I did in Moscow. Arrived the day before the interview, waited outside during the interview (as opposed to the embassy in Kiev) and headed back to her city. We picked up her passport that was being held at the DHL office in Moscow the day before we left for the US. It CAN be a gamble, but one I was willing to take. I was glad I was there the day of the interview as I was able to straighten out a problem and answer some questions the embassy had. Saved us from a big problem later.

My thought exactly. Better to be safe than sorry, and Vika is already wound up enough. Worst case, I do what Kevin did and come back first. We are discussing contingencies.

[akdiver 3]

My wife got hers back in 2 days. She asked DHL to hold it at the Moscow station and she just went and picked it up.

We also had bought the plane ticket in advance, but it was for something like 2 weeks after the interview was scheduled to occur.

Edited September 22, 2008 by akdiver

[Evgeniya 3]

My wife got hers back in 2 days. She asked DHL to hold it at the Moscow station and she just went and picked it up.

We also had bought the plane ticket in advance, but it was for something like 2 weeks after the interview was scheduled to occur.

Thank you everybody for valuable information, I just booked a ticket for Oct. 25th (my interview is Oct. 14th). If I get my passport earlier I would be able to move it closer or for a further date at no cost.

[mox 298]

My wife got hers back in 2 days. She asked DHL to hold it at the Moscow station and she just went and picked it up.

We also had bought the plane ticket in advance, but it was for something like 2 weeks after the interview was scheduled to occur.

Thank you everybody for valuable information, I just booked a ticket for Oct. 25th (my interview is Oct. 14th). If I get my passport earlier I would be able to move it closer or for a further date at no cost.

Best of luck to you both...let us know how it goes please!

[slim 1,530]

My wife got hers back in 2 days. She asked DHL to hold it at the Moscow station and she just went and picked it up.

We also had bought the plane ticket in advance, but it was for something like 2 weeks after the interview was scheduled to occur.

Thank you everybody for valuable information, I just booked a ticket for Oct. 25th (my interview is Oct. 14th). If I get my passport earlier I would be able to move it closer or for a further date at no cost.

That's the way to do it!

It is possible that it'll be there in two days and it could be two weeks. You have the right idea. Make your plane ticket for a comfortable time period afterwards (a week or two is good) and then reserve tickets that can be changed at little or no cost if necessary.

The main thing to consider when planning on travel dates is the availability and price of lodging in Moscow. If you live close or it's cheap (family, friends, etc.) then staying a few days extra won't matter. But, if you have to stay in a hotel..... go home and wait!

Personally, I would recommend to everyone to go home and wait a month or two before traveling. Make sure you really want to go through with it. (Not directed at you, Evgeniya, just everyone in general.) This is a VERY BIG step in your life. Make sure it's something you really want to do before you go through with it. Often we get so caught up in the visa process we forget about the long haul that follows. Think it over, consider everything, and then if you still want to do it, go for it!

[Brad and Vika 129]

My wife got hers back in 2 days. She asked DHL to hold it at the Moscow station and she just went and picked it up.

We also had bought the plane ticket in advance, but it was for something like 2 weeks after the interview was scheduled to occur.

Thank you everybody for valuable information, I just booked a ticket for Oct. 25th (my interview is Oct. 14th). If I get my passport earlier I would be able to move it closer or for a further date at no cost.

Best of luck to you both...let us know how it goes please!

No doubt. We have the same two week margin planned. Good luck

[Ana&D 0]

We are planning to roll the dice. I will try to get to Kiev a day or so before the interview, and stay for two weeks. If we pick up at the office in Kiev, it appears the risk is mostly that there will be a problem at the interview. The plan is to buy tickets home for us both, and hope it all works out. Vika is certainly fixated on the documents already. We'll see, I guess.

Just thought I'll offer some reassurance . Kiev is pretty quick, especially if you arrange to pick it up at the courrier Kiev office. My sis got her J1 in like two days. However, they did have a lil issue of broken visa printing machine and one of her friends had to wait for a week. Thus, two weeks should be plenty of time even if there is an emergency at the consulate