Before reading more....
Pls understand this post applies only to people who applied in person and is waiting to hear back.
For people who sent mailed applications, you have to wait 30 days before coming to the consulate... no 29days, no 28.. has to be >=30 days. Why? because the current processing time is 30 days.
My case:
I applied in person at the NY consulate on Tuesday morning here in New york city "The big Apple"
I didn't hear back from them even after friday evening.
So I went to the visa office in person on monday at 11am.
As in other posts, the security staff gave me a tough time as I didn't hold a receipt. I didn't loose my cool, Finally, I was able to convince another staff as I had come in person to apply and not sent my application by mail.
He gave me a Immediate processing form (Remember if u mailed it sometime within the previous 30 days, you wont get this form, even if you have concrete flight tickets).
I filled it. You have to provide reason for immediate processing.
I gave my reason and attached the proof. (Unless it is personal, immediate, urgent.. even with this form you might not get a visa stamping done immediately.
Additionally you have to write if u wish to withdraw the application if u didnt get the visa. I took a gamble because I badly needed my passport back.
The security staff gave me a receipt and I left the visa office.
At 12 noon, one of the staff at the CIS office, gave me a call askng me to pick my passport. (They don't give out staff names, so don't ask me who it is or what their number is) I didn't bother to ask her about the visa. I went there and got my passport back within 30min.
Visa Approved\Single entry\stamped .. so I am all set.
I will be in the forum for a few days...
Summary: If you mailed in your application even if it says visa office received it doesn't mean the Visa officer saw your documents. It only means it reach the consulate and not North Pole. Wait 30 days and then appear in person. If you plan to get a visa, send in your mail atleast 2-2.5 months from the date of departure... Don't mail it on 13th dec with a flight ticket on 20th.. expecting a quick reponse.
If you want the passport back immediately.. "Listen carefully" come to the office in person....
Why the difference between coming in person to mailing in..
By appearing in person you face the Visa officer and finish your interview... By mail, if you miss any documents.. you are put in a queue for some one else has to email you the required next step. like your application is missing this document that document etc etc.
Be truthful to all the staff in the consulate. They are human beings like you and me.. When you appear in person find out when you should come back for the passport.
Be patient... Plan your holidays with enough buffer (2 to 2.5 months) NYC is reeling back post sandy, so The staff is inundated with a lot of applications...
"Happy holidays folks" hopefully you will have a good time like I do.
I have posted 3 questions so far with no responses. I am expecting a few for this atleast
Pls understand this post applies only to people who applied in person and is waiting to hear back.
For people who sent mailed applications, you have to wait 30 days before coming to the consulate... no 29days, no 28.. has to be >=30 days. Why? because the current processing time is 30 days.
My case:
I applied in person at the NY consulate on Tuesday morning here in New york city "The big Apple"
I didn't hear back from them even after friday evening.
So I went to the visa office in person on monday at 11am.
As in other posts, the security staff gave me a tough time as I didn't hold a receipt. I didn't loose my cool, Finally, I was able to convince another staff as I had come in person to apply and not sent my application by mail.
He gave me a Immediate processing form (Remember if u mailed it sometime within the previous 30 days, you wont get this form, even if you have concrete flight tickets).
I filled it. You have to provide reason for immediate processing.
I gave my reason and attached the proof. (Unless it is personal, immediate, urgent.. even with this form you might not get a visa stamping done immediately.
Additionally you have to write if u wish to withdraw the application if u didnt get the visa. I took a gamble because I badly needed my passport back.
The security staff gave me a receipt and I left the visa office.
At 12 noon, one of the staff at the CIS office, gave me a call askng me to pick my passport. (They don't give out staff names, so don't ask me who it is or what their number is) I didn't bother to ask her about the visa. I went there and got my passport back within 30min.
Visa Approved\Single entry\stamped .. so I am all set.
I will be in the forum for a few days...
Summary: If you mailed in your application even if it says visa office received it doesn't mean the Visa officer saw your documents. It only means it reach the consulate and not North Pole. Wait 30 days and then appear in person. If you plan to get a visa, send in your mail atleast 2-2.5 months from the date of departure... Don't mail it on 13th dec with a flight ticket on 20th.. expecting a quick reponse.
If you want the passport back immediately.. "Listen carefully" come to the office in person....
Why the difference between coming in person to mailing in..
By appearing in person you face the Visa officer and finish your interview... By mail, if you miss any documents.. you are put in a queue for some one else has to email you the required next step. like your application is missing this document that document etc etc.
Be truthful to all the staff in the consulate. They are human beings like you and me.. When you appear in person find out when you should come back for the passport.
Be patient... Plan your holidays with enough buffer (2 to 2.5 months) NYC is reeling back post sandy, so The staff is inundated with a lot of applications...
"Happy holidays folks" hopefully you will have a good time like I do.
I have posted 3 questions so far with no responses. I am expecting a few for this atleast