Getting your passport back after the interview

[jennie ann 15]

My husband's interview is on May 31st, and his flight to the US is on June 9th (I know, we weren't supposed to book a flight yet, but our hands were tied by other situations, and what's done is done). It seems like the time it takes to get your passport back can vary from three days to over two weeks.

Are we required to use the courier service? Or is he allowed to go back to the embassy to pick up his passport? It doesn't seem like that's an option, but I'm really worried that the passport will not be returned in time via the courier service.

I'll have my husband tell them his travel date at the interview in hopes that they can speed things up, but I'm getting worried now, seeing how long some others have had to wait.

[Mal and Meg 12]

I had my interview on a wednesday and got the passport the following thursday!

[jennie ann 15]

I had my interview on a wednesday and got the passport the following thursday!

Thanks for the info. If it takes that amount of time for us, that would be cutting it to the very last day... scary.

[JoannaV 174]

The courier service is pretty good about delivering the passport as soon as they receive it from the Embassy. The dates you mentioned are such that even the weekend won't be a big deal. It's all down to how quickly the Embassy process it all.

I have this vague feeling that they do the CR1 visas quicker than the K1s, but I might just be imagining that.

[jennie ann 15]

The courier service is pretty good about delivering the passport as soon as they receive it from the Embassy. The dates you mentioned are such that even the weekend won't be a big deal. It's all down to how quickly the Embassy process it all.

I have this vague feeling that they do the CR1 visas quicker than the K1s, but I might just be imagining that.

Thanks, Joanna. I'll just make sure that my husband tells the interviewer his flight date, and hopefully they'll be able to process it quickly. I also have a suspicion that they process CR-1 visas faster than K-1 visas based on some timelines I've seen.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

To answer your question, there is no option for picking up your visa/passport at the embassy. I remember this question coming up a couple of years ago and one of the VJ members quizzed the officer about it at the interview and he confirmed it wasn't possible.

[jennie ann 15]

To answer your question, there is no option for picking up your visa/passport at the embassy. I remember this question coming up a couple of years ago and one of the VJ members quizzed the officer about it at the interview and he confirmed it wasn't possible.

Thanks for the confirmation!

[tea4two 0]

There is an option when you pay for courier service to have pre-noon, pre-10 am and saturday delivery (just is a bit more £). That might cut out an extra weekend of waiting if you're cutting it close, just depends on the embassy to get the visa printed and passport back to the courier in time.

DX Secure clicky linky - though it doesn't show Sat delivery option, it does exist according to their phone representative!

Edited May 11, 2011 by tea4two

[jennie ann 15]

There is an option when you pay for courier service to have pre-noon, pre-10 am and saturday delivery (just is a bit more £). That might cut out an extra weekend of waiting if you're cutting it close, just depends on the embassy to get the visa printed and passport back to the courier in time.

DX Secure clicky linky - though it doesn't show Sat delivery option, it does exist according to their phone representative!

Thanks, that's helpful!

[jennie ann 15]

Just an update if it helps anyone: my husband's passport with visa was delivered two days after the interview. Amazing! We may even try to move his flight up.

Edited June 2, 2011 by jennie ann

[Mrs O. 29]

Just an update if it helps anyone: my husband's passport with visa was delivered two days after the interview. Amazing! We may even try to move his flight up.

Truly amazing! Congratulations!

[txant 0]

Just an update if it helps anyone: my husband's passport with visa was delivered two days after the interview. Amazing! We may even try to move his flight up.

Thanks Jennie Ann, my husband will be going through the London embassy as well, so this is good news!

[jennie ann 15]

Truly amazing! Congratulations!

Thanks! I'd seen this kind of turnaround time searching through timelines before, but I didn't think we would be so lucky. I actually just moved his flight up a couple of days to get him home sooner!

Thanks Jennie Ann, my husband will be going through the London embassy as well, so this is good news!

Yeah, they seem pretty on top of things. Keep in mind though that his passport was just being delivered to London, so it will probably take longer if it has to go farther, obviously.

And just to let you know about the quoted times it would take – the interview was on Tuesday, May 31st and the flight on the following Thursday, June 9th. When my husband asked the CO if he thought he would get his visa in time for his flight, he said it takes 7-10 days, touch wood it would be there in time, but he can't guarantee it. Then when he asked the courier how long it would take, they said 3-5 days total (including embassy processing time), and that it should be there by Thursday of that week (which is only actually 2 days).

I would still be very careful in planning and not book a ticket unless you can change it, because you never know when there could be unforeseen delays.