Waiting for K-1 Visa after Consulate Interview - how long is normal during the holidays?

[mirrortraveler 1]

Hey you guys,

So I had my medical on December 16th here in Frankfurt, went to the consulate on the 18th for my interview. Everything was in order, they said. They were just waiting for the results from my medical, which, I think, arrived about 1 or 2 days later since that's what the doctor's office in charge told me.

I know we've just had Christmas, but today is the 29th and my passport with the visa hasn't arrived yet. It's probably a bit early to get worried. I just read all of the documentation on here about how fast K-1 visas are usually processed and I hope everything is alright. Does anyone know how much longer the processing times can be during the holidays?

Thanks a lot!

[HK12 273]

Mine took 11 days to be sent to me back in 2012, and that was without any holidays or the wait for any medical documents in between. Relax - you will get it soon, of that I am sure.

[Marco&Bettina 502]

Hey you guys,

So I had my medical on December 16th here in Frankfurt, went to the consulate on the 18th for my interview. Everything was in order, they said. They were just waiting for the results from my medical, which, I think, arrived about 1 or 2 days later since that's what the doctor's office in charge told me.

I know we've just had Christmas, but today is the 29th and my passport with the visa hasn't arrived yet. It's probably a bit early to get worried. I just read all of the documentation on here about how fast K-1 visas are usually processed and I hope everything is alright. Does anyone know how much longer the processing times can be during the holidays?

Thanks a lot!

USCIS did not work on Dec 25th or 26th. The Consulate though, I'm not sure about. Assuming they had the same off days, it would've only slowed your process by 2 days. The weather in Germany right now might be to blame for some delay as well though.

[mirrortraveler 1]

Sorry guys, it's just been so easy to get worried over this. I'm not really concerned about the consulate anymore - but rather the Deutsche Post mail system since by now, my visa and passport have been "Out for Delivery" for 3 days. I don't know if it's a glitch in the system or something but I received my confirmation email that the documents are on their way twice: On December 29th and on January 1st.

But yeah, suffice to say I'm a bit concerned. It never takes that long to send anything within Germany. Especially not since I live a hop, skip, and a jump (less than 30 minutes by car) away from the consulate.

I already checked and I (once again) can't call the consulate about this and all I can do in terms of email is send my passport number (and only my passport number - what if I had to explain something?) to passportstatus@ustraveldocs.com. Has this happened to anyone here? Is there a way to figure this out with Deutsche Post. Our mail delivery guy is new so that doesn't make things any less worrisome.

[mirrortraveler 1]

Mine took 11 days to be sent to me back in 2012, and that was without any holidays or the wait for any medical documents in between. Relax - you will get it soon, of that I am sure.

HK12, just curious: Was that 11 days after the interview or 11 days after they announced it was out for delivery?

I'm still waiting for mine and I checked the tracking number I was given with the German post office today. No results.

[HK12 273]

It was 11 days after the interview, but if I remember correctly, it did take a couple of days to get delivered by DHL, too. If yours got sent out on the 29th, you had a weekend and a holiday in between, which I am sure has slowed things down.

I am sure everything will work out just fine.

[mirrortraveler 1]

I don't know...I just called the Deutsche Post today with the tracking number that I was given.

According to them, it doesn't exist. I'm completely in shock. I don't even know what to believe anymore.

I was sent the same email twice with the same tracking number. But it doesn't exist and now it can't be tracked AND is at least 4 days late.

Tried to call the consulate but they are all out for the day. What the hell is going on here?

[HK12 273]

Don't panick! Did you check Deutsche Post tracking or DHL tracking? There is a difference. My K1 visa package was delivered by DHL, not Deutsche Post. Deutsche Post tracking is very unreliable and does not get updated regularly, DHL tracking is a lot better.

PS: Did you try to send the consulate an e-mail to FrankfurtIV@state.gov? I always got replies very quickly from that e-mail address, once within 30 minutes.

Edited January 5, 2015 by HK12

[mirrortraveler 1]

DHL and Deutsche Post are now connected. I searched separately using both forms of tracking with the tracking number but it's just not there.

[HK12 273]

Ok, that isn't the problem then. Did you get the tracking number from the consulate? Did they say they actually sent it off? Sometimes a tracking number is created before the shipment is actually mailed (at the time that the sender creates the shipment online). I would definitely send the consulate an e-mail and ask what is going on.

Edit: Thinking about it, if the shipment had been created, it would be in the system, either way. So my guess is that somehow the consulate misstyped something.

Edited January 5, 2015 by HK12

[mirrortraveler 1]

The email(s) came from ustraveldocs.com. I tried to call them but their phone menu actually doesn't allow me to get through to a real person on this topic.

In their live chat, no one responds to my message.

The email read:

Dear (My Name),

Your document(s) have been collected from the US Embassy/Consulate

The passport number being returned is (my passport number) and the airway bill for tracking is (tracking number)

You have chosen to have your documents delivered to the following location:

(my address, all correct)

If you have any issues or concerns, please contact us at www.ustraveldocs.com/de.

And then the same thing again in German.

[HK12 273]

I see. I fear I don't know what else could be the problem. E-mail the Frankfurt IV unit and ask for clarification. E-mails seem the best way to get a hold of them. (btw, I just checked the new K1 checklist, and it seems like their new e-mail address is FrankfurtVisaInquiries@state.gov. So ignore the other e-mail address I had mentioned earlier)

Good luck!

[mirrortraveler 1]

Thank you, HK12! I sent the same email to both the address you just mentioned and the support email address at ustraveldocs.com.

Somebody better have some answers for me.

My fiance's dad used to work for the US postal service for 20 years. He says that whether or not a letter has a tracking number on it at least doesn't affect it's arrival at the right address. So hopefully it's just delayed. I'm just not comfortable with the fact that the delay and the wrong tracking number are both an issue.

[HK12 273]

It is totally understandable that you want some certainty, especially when it comes to such important documents. I hope you'll hear back from them soon!!

[Frewchen 8]

Any updates on that topic?

I am waiting for my passport to arrive as well.

How did you get the tracking number?