Ever have a visa not arrive in time?
Mar 16, 2008 | 11:03 am
#16
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: Delta GM, US Silver, Hyatt Diamond, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 412
I would recommend using a passport service in DC next time you need a visa done. For a fee they will go personally to the embassy to get your visa and overnight it back. There was one I used to use all the time for my Chinese Visas, always had it back from them in under a week.
Mar 16, 2008 | 12:57 pm
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Portland
Programs: Onepass Platinum
Posts: 236
I would recommend using a passport service in DC next time you need a visa done. For a fee they will go personally to the embassy to get your visa and overnight it back. There was one I used to use all the time for my Chinese Visas, always had it back from them in under a week.
Mar 17, 2008 | 5:12 am
#18
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SZG, Austria
Programs: LH(OS) HON, IC RA
Posts: 33,193
Yes, my Travel Agency lost my passport with the Chinese Visa one day before departure and I couldnt fly to PVG.
My Travel Agent always managed to get a Visa and therefore he had to pay all the costs (new passport, new visa, new flights, ....)
My Travel Agent always managed to get a Visa and therefore he had to pay all the costs (new passport, new visa, new flights, ....)
Mar 17, 2008 | 6:04 am
#19
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Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: back to my roots in Scotland!
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I've come close - an emergency trip to London to collect it with my passport from the Ugandan High Commission the day before I flew to Uganda. The predicitability of being able to get a visa on arrival was considered low (in the event, of course I could have done!). My company mail room had messed up the postage on the return envelope, and so the HC had refused to post it back to me. At least I knew I wouldn't be getting it back, and was able to speak to someone at the HC to arrange to collect it...
Mar 17, 2008 | 12:59 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: On the road, 24/7/365
Posts: 3,589
I had the embassy of a certain African country sit on my visa request for five months, gathering more and more information in support of that request (but never hinting at possible denial), before finally denying the request once it was too late. My passport was mailed (deliberately?) the day my flight was to leave (initially to a third country for which I had a valid visa), rendering the entire trip "kaput". US$5,500 in airfares, prepaid hotels, et cetera.
Mar 18, 2008 | 7:45 pm
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Portland
Programs: Onepass Platinum
Posts: 236
Well, I'm sitting here in my hotel in Moscow right now, so it worked out okay. As I said, I know the local postmaster, so I ran down to the PO yesterday morning before my flight left and way before the place opened. He had just dug it out of the bag and handed it to me as I came to the back door. I got lucky this time. I don't need that kind of stress in the future. I think the answer for future last minute trips like this is to do as others suggested; i.e. use a visa service to help out.
Mar 18, 2008 | 8:15 pm
#22
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 237
http://www.traveldocs.com/
and have for about 9 years. I recommended them to a friend who used them for:
- Extra Passport Pages (there were none left)
- A Kenyan Business Visa
She sent her passport in on a Monday (overnight) and had it back before her departure the following Friday. 7 business days.