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 5,112]

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 5,112]

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 September 13 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 5,112]

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?

[Retrostatic 0]

On 9/13/2025 at 11:38 PM, RandomNameUK said:

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?

Curiousity, have you had any updates post-1st October? I had to send our passports back in on the 1st October (after being refused pending AP on the 30th Sept; i know, 1 day!) which I assume is for issuance, still showing as Refused on CEAC at the mo, wondering if you've had any changes/updates?

[RandomNameUK 1]

8 minutes ago, Retrostatic said:

Curiousity, have you had any updates post-1st October? I had to send our passports back in on the 1st October (after being refused pending AP on the 30th Sept; i know, 1 day!) which I assume is for issuance, still showing as Refused on CEAC at the mo, wondering if you've had any changes/updates?

My status has been updated twice post-1st Oct, still showing 'refused'. I submitted an enquiry regarding the expected timeline, but they did not share any information.

[Retrostatic 0]

2 hours ago, RandomNameUK said:

My status has been updated twice post-1st Oct, still showing 'refused'. I submitted an enquiry regarding the expected timeline, but they did not share any information.

Ah ok, not the only one then! I notice above you said your visa is an E1, did you mean EB1 or E1 as in the treaty investor visa? When was your interview and when you got the Refused on AP, what colour was the slip they gave you?

[appleblossom 5,112]

43 minutes ago, Retrostatic said:

I notice above you said your visa is an E1, did you mean EB1 or E1 as in the treaty investor visa?

 

I think the OP just missed a digit. Mine for example, was E11 (EB1-A).

[RandomNameUK 1]

On 10/7/2025 at 5:54 PM, appleblossom said:

 

I think the OP just missed a digit. Mine for example, was E11 (EB1-A).

Yes. Thanks for correcting the typo.

On 10/7/2025 at 5:06 PM, Retrostatic said:

Ah ok, not the only one then! I notice above you said your visa is an E1, did you mean EB1 or E1 as in the treaty investor visa? When was your interview and when you got the Refused on AP, what colour was the slip they gave you?

My visa has just been issued. 

[Retrostatic 0]

10 hours ago, RandomNameUK said:

Yes. Thanks for correcting the typo.

My visa has just been issued. 

Congratulations, mine too, switched to Issued earlier today!