petepete99

Hi all,

I know this is probably a "how long is a piece of string" question, but could anybody give a rough estimate as to when I could expect to receive my passport back, if my consulate interview is on 21st December? Bearing in mind this is holiday season, I envisage a delay.

I am really hoping to receive it by latest the first week of January, as both myself and my employer are aiming for a start date of 10th January.

Clearly I haven't booked travel yet. Is it worth booking the flight after the visa is approved, or should I wait to receive my passport? Are we cutting it fine?

MidAtlantic

You are cutting it fine! Even without the holidays on Dec 25 & 26 and Jan 1 it would be tight. With those holidays, plus the fact that staff will likely take other breaks during that period, the workflow will drop considerably.

There is no way that I would book a flight before having my passport in hand. Even if the embassy works magic the couriers have to play their part.

Jack8602

If approved, it's usually returned within a week. (Normal week, not at Christmas)

If it's your own cash - don't book flight until after visa's approved - there are many posts on this board of people booking flights ahead of getting their passport back, and cutting it super fine.

Unless you book a flexi fare and allows you to move flight around in case you need to. I'd avoid booking until you have your visa in hand.

hmvsdog

I had my L-1A (non-blanket) visa interview on New Years Eve in 2015. Had my passport back and in hand on January 8 (just 5 working days later).

Ecto17

As already said, unless it is a flexible fare then you really should wait until you have your passport back. In the Spring we got ours back in about 3 days or something crazy but l imagine it will take a while over xmas.
Not what you are asking but remember to give yourself some time if you hadn't already planned that in when you first arrive so that you settle in. It is a big adjustment and my husband wanted to start work asap but l persuaded him to take a week when we first arrived and he was happy he did. There are lots of practicalities to sort out ss number, driving license, bank etc and it is nice to find your feet. Just a thought. Hope your appointment goes well.

petepete99

Thanks all. I will see if my company uses flexi fares as I struggle to find the ticket terms in the online portal that we use. The main reason I want to book quickly is per Ecto17's last comment: I'd like to have at least a week buffer time before starting work. The 15th is kind of a non-negotiable as it's when my "new-hire" training starts (even though I've been with the company 3+ years).

deadshoppingmalls

Anecdotal, but I had my L1B visa in my hand 6 hours after the interview - hadn't even got home from work when my wife called me and said it had arrived

Moral of the story? You really can't tell.

petepete99

Wow. When was that?

deadshoppingmalls

2012 - Madrid Embassy

robtuck

Having run the gauntlet of booking flights ahead of time and then needing to get my wife to drive to Heathrow and collect the passports a mere 21 hours before our flights, from Heathrow, I'd suggest book the flights after and save on the stress, as there will be plenty once you arrive anyway.

petepete99

Good shout. I think I can get away with booking a refundable fare through the company, so I might do that.

Blair2.0

Was your L1B visa approved? Are you able to tell us what questions you were asked?