Just a quick report of my recent experiences with the Consulate in New York. Everything was incredibly efficient.

I dropped off my passport on Wednesday, November 14 at about 1:45pm. (The office is open from 9am - 2:30pm.) When I arrived, I was asked to show my completed visa application to the security guard before he would let me pass through the metal detector to get into the building. He did just a quick glance. Before getting your "number" you first must show your paperwork to a person who verifies that you have the application completed, that you have your flight and hotel reservation, and that you have your photo. There was just a short line of people and my documents were checked in just a few minutes. I was given a number and told to have a seat. When I checked the board, the number previous to mine was already being served. So my number was called in just a couple of minutes. I dropped off my papers and the agent confirmed that I wanted regular service. She told me to return on Monday, November 19. I was pleasantly surprised. When I returned on Monday (again at about 1:30pm) the lines were a bit longer (both for drop off and pick up), but I was still out of the place in maybe 15 or 20 minutes. Quick turnaround, no unpleasant surprises.

Now a few details...

I had a spare (US) passport photo so I decided to use this, even though the size is not what the Consulate prescribes. I cut off a little bit on either side, to at least make it rectangular, but it was not the specific dimensions requested, and it was accepted without comment.

I had all sorts of papers - copies of my current passport, copies of my previous passport, copies of my driver's license, copies of a Chinese visa that I had 20 years ago, copies of THAT passport... The agent asked for a copy of my current passport data page. No mention of my driver's license.

Most surprising to me... I had a brand new passport - not a single stamp - and it did not cause a question. Of course, I had brought my previous passport (that was quite full - I had added pages three times), but nobody wanted to see it. I had a Turkish stamp in that passport from 2012, but it was never seen.

So even with regular service, a Wednesday afternoon drop resulted in a Monday availability. Ten-year, multi-entry, all is fine. So I am pleasantly surprised with the current workings of the NYC consulate.