Where's my passport London??!!!

[rascalflatt 6]

So here we are...7 days on from my interview, hearing reports of people getting their visas back within 3 days...and mine still won't track at DX??

Any advice? I'm absolutely at my wits end with this nightmare of a process...

Tried calling the courier, they can't do anything. DOS just has the same info I do - ie that it's been issued...

Frustrating is an understatement!!

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks

[lost_at_sea 995]

The US embassy was on public holiday for 2 days last week for 4th July, so they're probably a bit backlogged this week.

I assume it's somewhere between the embassy and DX? Do you know what day it got issued?

[rascalflatt 6]

The US embassy was on public holiday for 2 days last week for 4th July, so they're probably a bit backlogged this week.

I assume it's somewhere between the embassy and DX? Do you know what day it got issued?

For 2 days??? Why?? The 4th of July is just one day isn't it??

It was issued on Friday, so they sat on it for 2 working days after my interview. Thursday was a holiday - which other day were they on holiday then?

The US embassy was on public holiday for 2 days last week for 4th July, so they're probably a bit backlogged this week.

I assume it's somewhere between the embassy and DX? Do you know what day it got issued?

PS - shouldn't the fact that they were closed for a day mean that they have one day's worth of passports LESS to process now??

[lost_at_sea 995]

For 2 days??? Why?? The 4th of July is just one day isn't it??

It was issued on Friday, so they sat on it for 2 working days after my interview. Thursday was a holiday - which other day were they on holiday then?

PS - shouldn't the fact that they were closed for a day mean that they have one day's worth of passports LESS to process now??

A lot of places give the Friday off too if it's by a weekend, I figured they may have done at the embassy (or, people would likely take that day off as annual leave to make a long weekend - I would!). I think they were only officially closed for the Thursday, you're right.

I guess that makes sense. I don't know. I was trying to be sympathetic. Do they give you the code for tracking on the day of the interview, or did you get that after? If you've had it since interview, it's probably sat on the "to pick up" desk at the embassy.

[rascalflatt 6]

A lot of places give the Friday off too if it's by a weekend, I figured they may have done at the embassy (or, people would likely take that day off as annual leave to make a long weekend - I would!). I think they were only officially closed for the Thursday, you're right.

I guess that makes sense. I don't know. I was trying to be sympathetic. Do they give you the code for tracking on the day of the interview, or did you get that after? If you've had it since interview, it's probably sat on the "to pick up" desk at the embassy.

Thanks and sorry if it came across a bit short! I'm really really frustrated at this that's all...at the last hurdle and they drag it on and out as long as possible...so be warned - approved and all clear at interview and issued does NOT necessarily mean visa in hand a few days later!!

I don't think they took the Friday off as they issued my visa on Friday. Therefore my theory stands - ie that they should have less to do from last week then usual!!

Will keep you posted....apparently DX scans them in from their various pick-ups until 4pm each working day for next day delivery, so there's hope each day until 4pm...

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

PS - shouldn't the fact that they were closed for a day mean that they have one day's worth of passports LESS to process now??

I don't think so. Does being closed every weekend mean they are two days ahead when they come back each Monday?

[rascalflatt 6]

I don't think so. Does being closed every weekend mean they are two days ahead when they come back each Monday?

Actually, that's precisely where my theory comes from! Those who had their interviews Monday last week got their visa on Thursday...and that visa was issued Monday right after their interview. That tells me that because the day prior to their interview was not a working day, there was comparatively little processing backlog, so they breezed through the system. Same should happen for me after a holiday....

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Actually, that's precisely where my theory comes from! Those who had their interviews Monday last week got their visa on Thursday...and that visa was issued Monday right after their interview. That tells me that because the day prior to their interview was not a working day, there was comparatively little processing backlog, so they breezed through the system. Same should happen for me after a holiday....

Only if elves came in over the weekend and did their Thurday/Friday interview follow-up work would they have a clean desk on Monday. Sorry, I guess I'm dense and don't follow the logic. Anyway, I would guess many scheduled vacation on Friday so they probably didn't have full staff. At least you know the visa is issued and you aren't held up by final security check.

[Owen_London 65]

I have to admit I'm as confused by your theory as Nich-Nick. Your theory only makes sense if there were people working to process the applications over the weekend, which there aren't.

I also don't understand why you're so frustrated. When I had my interview, last September, 7 days for passport return was about average, and it's easily within the range that the embassy tells you at the interview. In addition, it's summer - more people want to travel, and more of the embassy staff will be taking vacation, particularly when I'm sure several will be travelling back to the US to see family over the 4th July long weekend.

[rascalflatt 6]

Visa being delivered tomorrow!!

So maybe my theory is off, maybe it's not..it doesn't matter now...I'm happy :-)))

Anyone going through this the wait is currently 2 days for approval then another 2 days for it be handed to DX....

Thanks VJers for all your help so far!

[Owen_London 65]

Great news! Good luck.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Visa being delivered tomorrow!!

So maybe my theory is off, maybe it's not..it doesn't matter now...I'm happy :-)))

Anyone going through this the wait is currently 2 days for approval then another 2 days for it be handed to DX....

Thanks VJers for all your help so far!

Yay! Do you know when you're leaving?

[rascalflatt 6]

Yay! Do you know when you're leaving?

Thanks!

Passport being delivered tomorrow pre-8am...I fly tomorrow afternoon.....!!

I don't hang around....!

[lost_at_sea 995]

Thanks!

Passport being delivered tomorrow pre-8am...I fly tomorrow afternoon.....!!

I don't hang around....!

Bloody hell! Well, bon voyage!

[Owen_London 65]

Thanks!

Passport being delivered tomorrow pre-8am...I fly tomorrow afternoon.....!!

I don't hang around....!

Impressive! I really hope your delivery doesn't get lost or break down.