Not sure what to do.. advice please RE: Leave passport at Embassy or not?

[UK_K1 0]

So, to cut a long story short, we applied back in March and (perhaps foolishly) booked a wedding for Dec 29th.

We now have an interview date for next Tuesday (18th Dec) at 9am.

My problem is whether I should leave my passport at the embassy (assuming I'm approved) or ask them if I can send it to them for the visa in early January.

We have a lot of friends flying in from the UK and Australia for the wedding and, if I won't get my visa back in time, I'd rather fly on VWP, have a party with my friends, return to the UK to get the visa, then fly back and sign the marriage paperwork with my fiancee.

Of course, if I do leave it with the embassy I may not get it back in time (or I may.. who knows), meaning that if I don't, I'll be stuck in the UK while all of my friends and family are in the USA without me.

If I don't leave it, I could get turned away at the border using the VWP (although I've not had a problem previously) and will have to spend extra to fly back to the UK, then back to the USA again (when I might have actually gotten the visa in time);

What would you guys/girls do?

Thanks!

UK_K1

Edited December 16, 2012 by UK_K1

[Ryan H 3,829]

If your visa application is approved at the interview, your passport will be held for visa issuance, you don't have a choice in that matter.

[Cathi 5,784]

If your visa is approved you have to leave the passport.

[UK_K1 0]

So, even if I explain that I need to travel shortly after, they won't give me my passport back, even if I ask to take it and send it in later (as happens with people put in AP or who don't provide the correct paperwork)?

[LeftCoastLady 441]

So, even if I explain that I need to travel shortly after, they won't give me my passport back, even if I ask to take it and send it in later (as happens with people put in AP or who don't provide the correct paperwork)?

Just responded to your post in the pinned interview thread as well. Besides having to turn in your passport, you wouldn't be able to travel on VWP to the US given your approved K-1 visa status.

[N-o-l-a 7,168]

You can try your best and play the sympathy card with them to get it back ASAP or you could try and push out the wedding a little.

[UK_K1 0]

Just responded to your post in the pinned interview thread as well. Besides having to turn in your passport, you wouldn't be able to travel on VWP to the US given your approved K-1 visa status.

I hadn't thought about the implications of being approved.. I guess that would mean I am no longer eligible for VWP? eek

You can try your best and play the sympathy card with them to get it back ASAP or you could try and push out the wedding a little.

Unfortunately, the latter isn't an option. I guess it's the former.. or try to rearrange the interview..

Edited December 17, 2012 by UK_K1

[Holly2234 66]

Chances are you will get it back in time. It usually takes about a week. With Christmas in there im not so sure but it looks like it is your only option.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I hadn't thought about the implications of being approved.. I guess that would mean I am no longer eligible for VWP? eek

Just an opinion and nothing I can quote a law book on but---

I think you have not been issued a visa until they print it and put it in your passport. They still run a final database check . Some AP people are told approved, but they fail the final database check and don't have a visa for months. Without your passport, I don't think the guy saying approved means you have a visa from that moment. ...well because there is no visa printed yet. I think the interviewer may just be recommending your approval. I' m sure others may see it differently.

Edited December 17, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[mindthegap 2,601]

So, even if I explain that I need to travel shortly after, they won't give me my passport back, even if I ask to take it and send it in later (as happens with people put in AP or who don't provide the correct paperwork)?

Call and make an appointment at a passport office and get a second passport- you have a perfectly valid and the most common reason for having one.

Leave second passport at embassy for the visa. If it is not back in time (and given the time of year/holidays coupled with my experiences this yr with DX secure, i wouldn't count on it being back), travel on your original passport under ESTA/VWP - or alternatively flip that and leave original passport with embassy and register your second for ESTA and travel on that- either will work.

Hassle yes, but at least you can travel.

Edited December 17, 2012 by mindthegap

[UK_K1 0]

Just an opinion and nothing I can quote a law book on but---

I think you have not been issued a visa until they print it and put it in your passport. They still run a final database check . Some AP people are told approved, but they fail the final database check and don't have a visa for months. Without your passport, I don't think the guy saying approved means you have a visa from that moment. ...well because there is no visa printed yet. I think the interviewer may just be recommending your approval. I' m sure others may see it differently.

I hope that is the case..

Call and make an appointment at a passport office and get a second passport- you have a perfectly valid and the most common reason for having one.

Leave second passport at embassy for the visa. If it is not back in time (and given the time of year/holidays coupled with my experiences this yr with DX secure, i wouldn't count on it being back), travel on your original passport under ESTA/VWP - or alternatively flip that and leave original passport with embassy and register your second for ESTA and travel on that- either will work.

Hassle yes, but at least you can travel.

I already tried that - they said that they will only issue a second passport for an ongoing business need for frequent travel

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Just an opinion and nothing I can quote a law book on but---

I think you have not been issued a visa until they print it and put it in your passport. They still run a final database check . Some AP people are told approved, but they fail the final database check and don't have a visa for months. Without your passport, I don't think the guy saying approved means you have a visa from that moment. ...well because there is no visa printed yet. I think the interviewer may just be recommending your approval. I' m sure others may see it differently.

Pretty sure this has happened before in the UK forum, maybe in 2008 or 2009? I seem to recall that the K1 applicant had to go on a business trip to the US between the interview and the move. This may require some heavy-duty searching in the back pages.

I agree with Nich on this -- the visa is issued when the last database checks are done and it is affixed to your passport.