Does the embassy keep your passport at the Interview?

[conor052001]

Just wondering if the embassy keeps your passport on the day of the interview, and if so, how long usually before you get it back (presumably in the mail?). Trying to plan a trip for the week after my scheduled interview, thanks.

 

[Crawf33]

Yes the embassy does, to apply the temporary visa to it.

You didn't provide much information so I can't speak in specifics for how long it takes to return, but from what I can tell it takes the Sydney (Australia) embassy about four business days to return it.

They *do* tell you not to book flights until you receive your passport back though.

 

[conor052001]

Apologies, my interview is in Dublin, Ireland if anyone has any information specifically related to there, although I'm sure there not much difference between them.

 

[Tazmania]

Doesn't take long, ours was back 4 days later (Frankfurt, Germany).

 

[SusieQQQ]

That's also assuming all your documents are in order and acceptable at the time of interview. If you have to submit anything additional they could either give your passport back or keep it for longer.

 

[irishregers]

Hey, is this for definite, we have booked flights home from Spain on the 20th of December and just got our interview date for the 17th in Madrid.
Realistically we need to be home for Christmas, has anyone got their passports back the same day?, also, do they post the passport out or does it need to be collected?

 

[SusieQQQ]

You need someone from Madrid to answer how they get it back to you - different embassies have different procedures. However I believe none of them give it back the same day. It's not just a case of sticking a visa in your passport - they need to get the immigrant packet together and various admin things as well. Some embassies take a day or two, others a week or more. I'd suggest you contact the Madrid embassy to see what their normal methods/timeframe are and if necessary reschedule your flight.