S.M.S visa collection from the embassy

[Gtsnapper 0]

I had my interview last week, and everything went well except they hadn't received my medical yet, and they asked me to get a new passport. As soon as those were done they would approve my visa. So I did the premium service at the passport office last week, and the embassy will have received my new passport yesterday. With many many phone calls, my medical was approved and was sent to the embassy yesterday as well.

So, normally at interview you go to the S.M.S courier desk and pay them to bring the visa to you once approved, but the I was given a form from the embassy telling me not to do this, but once I had all the required documentation sent to the embassy, to call S.M.S courier service and book the collection.

Yesterday I called S.M.S and booked the collection, and was told they'd phone me back to finalise the order and take payment. They never called back.

I called them this evening to find out what is happening with my order, and I spoke to somebody else, who told me they dont take bookings inadvance, and he says the embassy will phone me once the visa is approved and I should then call the courier.

I have a form from the embassy, and no where does it say they will call me, and it says I must book it with S.M.S inadvance? Has anyone else been been in this situation? I dont understand why I cant book it, just like everyone else.

[Gtsnapper 0]

I called back S.M.S courier service's call centre and got the real run around again, telling me I should phone S.M.S everyday until they've got my passport, and then pay Although it wasn't the Guy's fault who I was speaking to, S.M.S has no procedure for their staff to book a visa collection from the embassy (except at their desk in the embassy) Which is contary to form I was given by the embassy telling me to ring their call centre and book, and as well on their web-site.

The Guy told me he will email the S.M.S desk at the embassy, and they will (allegedly) call me from there tommorow, so I can book the collection.

I've never heard of this company before, they appear to be a very small business, and I wish I could DHL, UPS, ect, it would all be much easier!

[Fandango 1,439]

Sorry you're going thru this bs!

[Gtsnapper 0]

Sorry you're going thru this bs!

Thank you. I think I'll try calling the switch board at the embassy tommorow, and see if they can put me through to the courier desk.

[Fandango 1,439]

I have no advice for you, but I just wanted to wish you well in clearing things up & please keep us posted!!!

[britty 1]

Don't despair !! SMS are actually very very good at what they do. Im sorry your experience wasnt so great but they are right that they cannot schedule delivery without the passport in hand. I had to deal with them on a couple of occasions (i stupidly opened the brown envelope you ARE NOT supposed to open when my passport/visa was couriered to my home in London). SMS were great with pick up and delivery, and arrived on time every time. Once they have your passport in hand I am sure they will provide an excellent service. Good luck!

[Gtsnapper 0]

Thanks for the support Guys!

Im sorry your experience wasnt so great but they are right that they cannot schedule delivery without the passport in hand

This can be arranged at their desk at the embassy before they have the visa, but unfortuntly the embassy are telling applicants they can arrange it via the courier's call centre, which is not S.M.S's fault.

[sarahandbrian 0]

Thanks for the support Guys!

Im sorry your experience wasnt so great but they are right that they cannot schedule delivery without the passport in hand

This can be arranged at their desk at the embassy before they have the visa, but unfortuntly the embassy are telling applicants they can arrange it via the courier's call centre, which is not S.M.S's fault.

Hi there

I hope you won't mind my askign, but as I am currently in the same position, I wondered what the outcome of your situation was?

When you had the courier come and collect your documents, did you include the pink form that was given to be filled out whilst you were in the embassy? and did the embassy or the couriers call you to arrange delivery once your visa had been processed?

Thankyou

Sarah and Brian