Did we give ourselves enough time to get Visa in hand?

[kjcamara 6]

My wife's embassy interview is Friday September 2nd. I booked tickets for us to go back to the US on Saturday September 10th. Did I give ourselves enough time to get the visa issued and delivered by the courier? My wife lives in Lipa City, Batangas if that helps.

[aaron2020 11,651]

The US Embassy advises not to make any travel arrangement until the visa is in her hands.

4 business days may not be enough to get the visa to her. The US Embassy will be closed on Monday, September 5, for Labor Day.

Edited July 13, 2016 by aaron2020

[Framework 4]

I'm getting ready to file soon and the timeline I have seen in my research is 7 to 10 days by courier. You can ask the CO for an expedited visa but I think they rarely give them. You can also ask them about picking the visa up yourself at the Mall of Asia 2Go office, this may save 2 or 3 days.

[aaron2020 11,651]

The US Embasy will not expedite for failing to heed the advice not to make travel arrangements before the visa is in hand. If they did, it would only encourage others.

[bowens44 214]

Booking the flight before visa is hand is not a good idea. IMO it's unlikely that she will be able to leave on the 10th.

Good luck.I hope I'm wrong.

[kjcamara 6]

Ok thanks,. I'm going to try and keep trying to reschedule the interview then for the 29, 30, or 31st if an opening becomes available. I only know how to call the embassy for an interview appointment. Have not figured out how to do it on-line yet. Worse is to change the flight date.

[kjcamara 6]

I was able to figure out how to do it on-line. I was able to reschedule for August 30th. I also changed pick up to Mall of Asia in Passay. Hopefully that will give us time before Sept 10th

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

I was able to figure out how to do it on-line. I was able to reschedule for August 30th. I also changed pick up to Mall of Asia in Passay. Hopefully that will give us time before Sept 10th

Also have your fiance try and do CFO before the embassy interview if at all possible. This will help as well.

[kjcamara 6]

Also have your fiance try and do CFO before the embassy interview if at all possible. This will help as well.

She has done the CFO already, thanks.

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

She has done the CFO already, thanks.

Good y'all are already ahead of the curve.

[Hank_ 9,174]

My wife's embassy interview is Friday September 2nd. I booked tickets for us to go back to the US on Saturday September 10th. Did I give ourselves enough time to get the visa issued and delivered by the courier? My wife lives in Lipa City, Batangas if that helps.

NOPE!! (As everyone has said )

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/manila/1178798/Instructions%20Packets/iv-interview-preparation-instructions-english-feb-2016.pdf

Bottom of last page of the instructions:

NO ASSURANCE THAT VISA WILL BE ISSUED: Do not finalize arrangements for travel to the United States, dispose of properties, or resign from your job until a visa has been issued and delivered to you.

She has done the CFO already, thanks.

You still have to go back and get the sticker in the passport after you have the visa.

[milimelo 4,477]

There's also Labor Day in September 9/5.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Oh ya, and maybe another Philippine holiday ... never know.

[Motley 38]

I gave it 18 days for her to be able to pickup her visa. She flies out on the 29th and her visa was approved on the 11th. I figured that should be enough time to have it issued.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

OP I hope the error that you have made in buying airline tickets before you have your visa in hand, does not come back and bite you in the south end. We have seen many here that have gotten their visa on either same day or 3, 4, 5 weeks and some as long as 6 months later from approval. There is no one here that can tell you when you will get your visa with any certainty. Your just going to have to keep your fingers crossed and hope the alligators are not biting.