Picking up Visa at "FedEx" in Kiev

[A and S 0]

Hello all,

Our interview is on June 9th (a Wednesday) in Kiev. We would like to pick up the visa at the "FedEx" office in Kiev after the interview. That is, God willing, we are approved. Assuming that we are approved, I was wondering if anyone could share their experience about picking the Visa/passport up at the FedEx office instead of having it mailed to them. We were hoping to pick the visa up in time to catch a flight out of Odessa on Saturday afternoon. So we would need to have the visa no later than Friday.

Is this even possible? How quick is the Visa at the FedEx office after the interview?

Thanks,

S

[cranehand 0]

i have read here somewhere, i think. That it takes about 48 hours once you are approved for visa, to actually pick it in Kiev. WE are also hoping to pick ours up an forego the waiting fedex to cross half of Ukraine for delivery something around 10 days. I am sure someone else with experience will chime in shortly. I would like to know for sure also.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hello all,

Our interview is on June 9th (a Wednesday) in Kiev. We would like to pick up the visa at the "FedEx" office in Kiev after the interview. That is, God willing, we are approved. Assuming that we are approved, I was wondering if anyone could share their experience about picking the Visa/passport up at the FedEx office instead of having it mailed to them. We were hoping to pick the visa up in time to catch a flight out of Odessa on Saturday afternoon. So we would need to have the visa no later than Friday.

Is this even possible? How quick is the Visa at the FedEx office after the interview?

Thanks,

S

It is one of the delivery options offered. It is generally the fastest way to get the visa. Usually two business days.

I strongly advise against buying any plane tickets before the visa is in hand.

[Brad and Vika 129]

It is one of the delivery options offered. It is generally the fastest way to get the visa. Usually two business days.

I strongly advise against buying any plane tickets before the visa is in hand.

I will (as usual) disagree on this point. Just allow enough time to get the visa before you fly. I went to the interview with my wife, we picked up the visa, then flew back immediately. Well, in a week or so. Bought the tickets as soon as the interview was scheduled, and never a regret.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I will (as usual) disagree on this point. Just allow enough time to get the visa before you fly. I went to the interview with my wife, we picked up the visa, then flew back immediately. Well, in a week or so. Bought the tickets as soon as the interview was scheduled, and never a regret.

On Brad's disagreement, I will modify my suggestion.

Make plane reservations at your own risk and do not whine when you lose money because something unexpected happened. Check the fees for changing plans and be fully aware of what you are doing when you make the reservations.

[Tanya and Barry 59]

On Brad's disagreement, I will modify my suggestion.

Make plane reservations at your own risk and do not whine when you lose money because something unexpected happened. Check the fees for changing plans and be fully aware of what you are doing when you make the reservations.

I had to change our return reservation because my travel plans were clusterf****d because of the volcano. I had to pay 125.00 to change her reservation for the return flight. They changed mine for free. I'm not whining :-)

[1HappyGuy 45]

Before leaving the embassy, find out which FedEx office will be receiving the visa. I believe there are at least two offices in Kiev. My wife was able to go pick it up when it was ready. Then it took about five days from interview to delivery. Bureaucracy is not known for speed.

As to preparing for flights to leave, you probably should consider some leeway regarding final packing, saying goodbye, etc. Depending upon all circumstances, it could be a long time before your fiancee can return.

Regarding the possibility of not getting the visa, that is not a high probability unless you have left out some major items or disclosures. Most consider that a slam dunk.

[A and S 0]

Thanks for the info gents, but I was wondering how soon you picked up your visa at the FedEx office. The next day? 2 days? 3 days? Am I crazy to think we can have it with an interview on Wednesday before a flight on Saturday?

Thanks again,

Steve

[Brad and Vika 129]

Thanks for the info gents, but I was wondering how soon you picked up your visa at the FedEx office. The next day? 2 days? 3 days? Am I crazy to think we can have it with an interview on Wednesday before a flight on Saturday?

Thanks again,

Steve

I just checked with my wife, and the word is three days. I thought two, but she was sure it was the afternoon of the third day. We checked at 1:00 or 2:00, and were called back later.

[Brad and Vika 129]

On Brad's disagreement, I will modify my suggestion.

Make plane reservations at your own risk and do not whine when you lose money because something unexpected happened. Check the fees for changing plans and be fully aware of what you are doing when you make the reservations.

That is good advice. It really comes down to math. If a $1,000 ticket will cost $200 to change, but a last minute ticket costs $1500 - the choice seems easy to me. Maybe a compromise where you buy yours now, and pick SOs up after approval or something. We just decided to leave extra time, and take the risk.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Thanks for the info gents, but I was wondering how soon you picked up your visa at the FedEx office. The next day? 2 days? 3 days? Am I crazy to think we can have it with an interview on Wednesday before a flight on Saturday?

Thanks again,

Steve

Sorry to multi post here, but I forgot to say that your time frame seems to be too tight to me. Interview + 3 days = too late to catch the plane. If you are delayed even one day, it is Sunday, and Fedex may be closed. We built in a week or so.

[Tanya and Barry 59]

Sorry to multi post here, but I forgot to say that your time frame seems to be too tight to me. Interview + 3 days = too late to catch the plane. If you are delayed even one day, it is Sunday, and Fedex may be closed. We built in a week or so.

No Saturday delivery or pickup, I believe, either. Our interview was on Tuesday April 20 and wasn't released to Fedex until the following Monday. We picked it up in the Kherson Fedex office (interesting place) on Wed. the 28th and flew to the US on May 1st. You may get lucky and it may be released in two days or there may be a slight delay of a week.

Edited May 14, 2010 by bjstults

[Brad and Vika 129]

No Saturday delivery or pickup, I believe, either. Our interview was on Tuesday April 20 and wasn't released to Fedex until the following Monday. We picked it up in the Kherson Fedex office (interesting place) on Wed. the 28th and flew to the US on May 1st. You may get lucky and it may be released in two days or there may be a slight delay of a week.

Several of those days were probably due to transport from Kiev to Kherson, right? Any way, you are spot on about not knowing for sure, and building in time. To the OP, definitely do not try to turn it around in a week. I have talked with a couple of guys that are early in the process, and they suggested that they had a tight turn around. I think you are running a big risk trying to do the medical exam, interview, visa pickup, goodbys, and flight home together in less than two weeks. I understand that the medical facility is only open certain days now too. Most of us have schedule issues and limits on our vacation time, but this part of the process is too important imo to have a time related problem.