About passport return timeline

[RandomNameUK 1]

Hi all,

 

I will need my passport back before early October for travel and was wondering how long it usually takes the consulate to return it once a request is made. Ideally, I would prefer that they hold on to it for a while in case they are able to issue my visa before I ask for it back.

 

Additionally, does anyone know if there is a faster way to get in touch with the consulate, such as by phone?

 

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

[appleblossom 4,871]

43 minutes ago, RandomNameUK said:

Hi all,

 

I will need my passport back before early October for travel and was wondering how long it usually takes the consulate to return it once a request is made. Ideally, I would prefer that they hold on to it for a while in case they are able to issue my visa before I ask for it back.

 

Additionally, does anyone know if there is a faster way to get in touch with the consulate, such as by phone?

 

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

 

What kind of visa and what stage of the process are you at? It would be really helpful if you could fill your timeline in. 

 

It's usually a couple of weeks for it to be returned, but if you've already had your interview and been approved, you should have it back well before October anyway unless you're put in to AP.

[RandomNameUK 1]

19 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

What kind of visa and what stage of the process are you at? It would be really helpful if you could fill your timeline in. 

 

It's usually a couple of weeks for it to be returned, but if you've already had your interview and been approved, you should have it back well before October anyway unless you're put in to AP.

Thank you for your quick reply. I’ll fill in my timeline later. It is an E1 visa, and I was placed in AP, which has recently been completed. Is there a phone line available for use in case passport is urgently needed? The standard email inquiry may take some time to receive a reply.

[appleblossom 4,871]

12 minutes ago, RandomNameUK said:

Thank you for your quick reply. I’ll fill in my timeline later. It is an E1 visa, and I was placed in AP, which has recently been completed. Is there a phone line available for use in case passport is urgently needed? The standard email inquiry may take some time to receive a reply.

 

OK, so EB-1 means no visa until early October as the quota has been met. 

 

When exactly do you need it back for? It shouldn't take longer than about a week, last year I think most EB applicants had the visas issued and passports back within 10 days max (but you can check the EB threads just to double check). 

 

I don't know of any phone line I'm afraid. 

Edited 12 hours ago by appleblossom

[RandomNameUK 1]

8 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

OK, so EB-1 means no visa until early October as the quota has been met. 

 

When exactly do you need it back for? It shouldn't take longer than about a week, last year I think most EB applicants had the visas issued and passports back within 10 days max (but you can check the EB threads just to double check). 

 

I don't know of any phone line I'm afraid. 

I will need my passport to travel on 8 October, so the timing is quite tight. I recall that the quota was also reached in September last year. Did you mean that most applicants received their passports before 10 October last year? I will also double check the EB threads.

[appleblossom 4,871]

4 minutes ago, RandomNameUK said:

I will need my passport to travel on 8 October, so the timing is quite tight. I recall that the quota was also reached in September last year. Did you mean that most applicants received their passports before 10 October last year? I will also double check the EB threads.

 

Ah. Yes, that's going to be very tight then.

 

No visa can be issued until 1st October but it could be 2nd or 3rd before yours is printed, as they will have a fair amount to get through. But yes, I think most had them by about 10th October last year (it was reached in August), do double check the threads though.

 

I would contact them asap and explain the situation, maybe you could pick it up instead to save time?

[RandomNameUK 1]

5 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

Ah. Yes, that's going to be very tight then.

 

No visa can be issued until 1st October but it could be 2nd or 3rd before yours is printed, as they will have a fair amount to get through. But yes, I think most had them by about 10th October last year (it was reached in August), do double check the threads though.

 

I would contact them asap and explain the situation, maybe you could pick it up instead to save time?

Thanks for the information and advice. Do you happen to know if the online status changes from Refused to something else (AP or Issued) before Oct. 1 if approved, or does it only update after Oct. 1? Also, is the fastest way to get the passport back to pick it up from the service point?