Interview coming at a tricky time

[Catalyst2020 4]

I am traveling to see family for Christmas and my interview is scheduled for the 2nd week of December. I know they keep the passport when the visa is approved, but can I take the passport and return it when I am back? Or will this create some sort of issue? Or would there be any paperwork that I would have to re-submit because of this? 

Edited October 21, 2019 by Catalyst2020

[Sarge2155 4,590]

1 hour ago, Catalyst2020 said:

I am traveling to see family for Christmas and my interview is scheduled for the 2nd week of December. I know they keep the passport when the visa is approved, but can I take the passport and return it when I am back? Or will this create some sort of issue? Or would there be any paperwork that I would have to re-submit because of this? 

You'll have to decide what's  more important the visa or the trip. Unlikely they would let you keep the passport if they need it to process your visa. Also I would think it would cause you a great deal of hassle if you did hold on to your passport if they wanted to keep it for processing.

[Maria002 54]

I don't think they will wait for you to process it for when you want it. Most probably they will let you choose as Sarge said.

Edited October 21, 2019 by Maria002

[flfreddy 92]

K-1 visa is like life and death my friend... treat it that way, everything else can wait

[payxibka 10,045]

12 hours ago, Catalyst2020 said:

I am traveling to see family for Christmas and my interview is scheduled for the 2nd week of December. I know they keep the passport when the visa is approved, but can I take the passport and return it when I am back? Or will this create some sort of issue? Or would there be any paperwork that I would have to re-submit because of this? 

Reschedule the interview until after your return 

[Pitaya 2,577]

1 hour ago, payxibka said:

Reschedule the interview until after your return 

The USCIS/DOS bureaucrats don't give a rip about your schedule. You have to realize that they are in charge of this process, not you. You could try to reschedule the interview, hopefully there will be an opening in the near future. At this time, there are several interviewing embassies/consulates that have no available interview slots for the foreseeable future, i.e., Russia and Mexico, come to mind....You could be given more thorough advice, but unfortunately, your timeline is blank, so no one can tell your interviewing embassy/consulate.

Good luck on your immigration journey. 

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,093]

11 minutes ago, Pitaya said:

At this time, there are several interviewing embassies/consulates that have no available interview slots for the foreseeable future, i.e., Russia and Mexico, come to mind....

Actually, Moscow isn't bad right now. Which doesn't mean they won't randomly decide to have a month without giving any K-1 interviews again (fortunately the only time they've done that this year is March).

[Pitaya 2,577]

2 minutes ago, DaveAndAnastasia said:

Actually, Moscow isn't bad right now. Which doesn't mean they won't randomly decide to have a month without giving any K-1 interviews again (fortunately the only time they've done that this year is March).

What I meant was by use of the "id est," for example. Those two embassy/consulates came to mind, but as we all know, the lack of interview slots can occur at any time at any embassy/consulate. It is likely best to go to the interview at the appointment slot given to you, and be done with your business.

[Blake&Melek 6]

No, you can’t take the passport and bring it back after your trip, if you are approved they will keep it.  If you have a tourist visa currently that will be voided when you are approved for the K1.  My fiancee had a 10 day window between two jobs that involved travel and I told her to let he employer know that if the passport wasn’t returned she wouldn’t be able to travel to the country for work.  Luckily she had her passport in hand 4 days later.

 

Good luck to you.

[Eva_AJ 80]

It would be useful if you fill in your timeline and we know which embassy you are talking about. For example I went through my interview in Prague, Czech. I was approved on Thursday and my visa and passport was ready to pick up on Friday.

[JoannaV 174]

I know people have done this in the UK before. (Kept passport then given it to the Embassy when they've returned from their trip.) Not sure how recently.

[Catalyst2020 4]

Thank you all for your feedback.

 

After reading all the comments, I have decided that its best if I travel to see my family before the interview. I will be traveling a week prior to the interview date and I will come back just 2 days before. This means I will have to get my medical done 2 weeks before the interview date. 

 

Does that all sound ok? I would travel in November but it is a Christmas trip and my job won't allow me to take additional days off before the holiday season starts since I am a school teacher.

 

Just wanna make sure I have all my ducks in a row before booking this trip. Thanks. 

[Soon To Be Mrs. T 150]

1 hour ago, Catalyst2020 said:

Thank you all for your feedback.

 

After reading all the comments, I have decided that its best if I travel to see my family before the interview. I will be traveling a week prior to the interview date and I will come back just 2 days before. This means I will have to get my medical done 2 weeks before the interview date. 

 

Does that all sound ok? I would travel in November but it is a Christmas trip and my job won't allow me to take additional days off before the holiday season starts since I am a school teacher.

 

Just wanna make sure I have all my ducks in a row before booking this trip. Thanks. 

 

"An immigrant visa is usually valid for up to six months from the date of issuance unless your medical examination expires sooner, which may make your visa valid for less than six months."

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/interview/after-the-interview.html