Courier Service - UK embassy

[Laud 40]

How long does is typically take to recieve passports back after interview? It says to allow 7-10 working days the embassy website but I've heard anecdotally it's more like 3-5. How long did you all leave it to book flights?

[MrsB2212 123]

58 minutes ago, Laud said:

How long does is typically take to recieve passports back after interview? It says to allow 7-10 working days the embassy website but I've heard anecdotally it's more like 3-5. How long did you all leave it to book flights?

Hi!

I had my interview in London in March 2019.

 

It took about 5 days to get notice that my passport was ready.

I actually went to pick my passport up, somewhere in the city, I can’t remember the address, but I walked from City Thames link rail station. 
 I flew out in April 2019, as I was finishing up at work. 

I hope this helps!

 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

4 hours ago, Laud said:

How long does is typically take to recieve passports back after interview? It says to allow 7-10 working days the embassy website but I've heard anecdotally it's more like 3-5. How long did you all leave it to book flights?

Book your flight after you get the visa in hand. Strange things happen, even if you are told you were approved.  It’s not over until the passport is put in your hand. 
 

Quirky  and normal things that have happened in London—

The servers were hacked and all visa issuance was immediately halted for many weeks. 

The visa printer broke and took several days to repair

The truck broke down and didn’t bring your visa as stated in the email

You (or your parents) were born in another country so your security clearance delayed things. 
You took the wrong birth certificate, a damaged passport, a police certificate that said “no live trace”, etc and had to get replacement.

For  no obvious reason it took 3 weeks to issue the visa, or even seven months, and was never revealed why. 

[Laud 40]

On 8/5/2022 at 4:22 AM, Wuozopo said:

Book your flight after you get the visa in hand. Strange things happen, even if you are told you were approved.  It’s not over until the passport is put in your hand. 
 

Quirky  and normal things that have happened in London—

The servers were hacked and all visa issuance was immediately halted for many weeks. 

The visa printer broke and took several days to repair

The truck broke down and didn’t bring your visa as stated in the email

You (or your parents) were born in another country so your security clearance delayed things. 
You took the wrong birth certificate, a damaged passport, a police certificate that said “no live trace”, etc and had to get replacement.

For  no obvious reason it took 3 weeks to issue the visa, or even seven months, and was never revealed why. 

Unfortunately, though is the advice I didn't want to see, I know you're right.

 

After waiting 18 months I want to get there as soon as possible but really what's 1 or 2 more weeks?

[trudi 1,317]

On 8/4/2022 at 5:13 PM, Laud said:

How long does is typically take to recieve passports back after interview? It says to allow 7-10 working days the embassy website but I've heard anecdotally it's more like 3-5. How long did you all leave it to book flights?

The courier lost my visa packet and I'd booked my flight based on the email with the delivery date, only took 24hrs to find it but I think that was the longest 24hrs of my life!

Wait until you have your passport with the visa in your hands and then book the flight