How long to get passport after oath

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kumar2009

Registered Users (C)
Hi-how long does it take to get the US passport after oath. My oath is scheduled for November 20 and I would like to travel to India around mid-December (children's winter break).

Since its the first time getting the passport can I have the process expedited ?
 
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Routine processing takes 4-6 weeks, expedited takes 2-3 weeks. If you need is sooner and have confirmed tickets, you can request an appointment at the nearest passport agency and apply there personally. In such case you can get your passport the next day. Both expedited and personal applications require adidtional $60 fees per passport.

Also keep in mind the time it takes to get a visa to India - if you apply for Indian visa personally you can get it the same day. By mail it takes up to 7 days.
 
Around 3 weeks is normal for routine processing. Given your travel plans it might be better to apply expedited. I think expedited is a week or a week and a half. When you apply at the post office let them know you want to do expedited process. There is an ongoing thread about passport timelines in the Life After Citizenship forum.

On the other hand if you have tickets in hand and you don't mind going to a regional passport office you can get the passport in a day or a couple of days, as others have pointed out.
 
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I have the same situation. My Oath ceremony is scheduled for Nov 19 at San Jose, and we have confirmed tix to go to India on Dec 26. What are our options?

1) Passport: Is it better to apply for expedite service on Nov 20 at post office or wait until we in the 2 week window and go in person to passport agency?

2) India visa: Do we have any choice other than applying for tourist visa (cost of about $100 per person for 1 year visa), or is there any hope of getting more desirable PIO card or OCI within 1-2 week timeframe?

3) If I have valid recent Indian visa, do we get any discount towards PIO or OCI fee?
 
gc-despo said:
I have the same situation. My Oath ceremony is scheduled for Nov 19 at San Jose, and we have confirmed tix to go to India on Dec 26. What are our options?

1) Passport: Is it better to apply for expedite service on Nov 20 at post office or wait until we in the 2 week window and go in person to passport agency?

2) India visa: Do we have any choice other than applying for tourist visa (cost of about $100 per person for 1 year visa), or is there any hope of getting more desirable PIO card or OCI within 1-2 week timeframe?

3) If I have valid recent Indian visa, do we get any discount towards PIO or OCI fee?
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Passport - 3 weeks for expedited. 1-2 days for agency. You can apply Nov 19, and hope for the best. Or de-risk and go to passport agency. The fees are the same, except the hassle/time required to go there.

India Visa - PIO/OCI is not guaranteed in this much time. If you do not get it, you have the option of taking a visa anyway ... do not send passports till OCI/PIO is approved, and at the last minute - say Dec 22 or so you can switch to visa.

No discounts. Only discounts I think are when you converting from PIO to OCI.
 
gc-despo said:
I have the same situation. My Oath ceremony is scheduled for Nov 19 at San Jose, and we have confirmed tix to go to India on Dec 26. What are our options?

1) Passport: Is it better to apply for expedite service on Nov 20 at post office or wait until we in the 2 week window and go in person to passport agency?

2) India visa: Do we have any choice other than applying for tourist visa (cost of about $100 per person for 1 year visa), or is there any hope of getting more desirable PIO card or OCI within 1-2 week timeframe?

3) If I have valid recent Indian visa, do we get any discount towards PIO or OCI fee?
Click to expand...

I applied for my passport on 9/25/09 and got it on 10/17 (exact 22 days door to door) using regular processing. With regular processing most people are currently getting in approx. 3 to 3.5 weeks.

If you want to take a chance you can apply using regular processing and if you do not get it by say Dec 15, you can call Dept. of state and upgrade to expedited processing over the phone itself. My friend had done it and paid the $60 difference and got it within 3 or 4 days after that.

Apparently you can get the Indian VISA the same day if you go in person or within 7 days by mail but make sure to confirm the VISA time frames with your local consulate or someone who has taken it.
 
Thanks a lot for your replies.

So, can I apply for passport with normal processing, and later pay extra to upgrade to expedite? Any risk to this line of action?

Does passport service slow down because it is holiday season? In other words, do I absolutely require expedited service because I will be applying in the Thanksgiving - to- Christmas window?

Unless I get passport within 1 week, PIO/OCI seem hard to get....
 
gc-despo said:
Thanks a lot for your replies.

So, can I apply for passport with normal processing, and later pay extra to upgrade to expedite? Any risk to this line of action?

Does passport service slow down because it is holiday season? In other words, do I absolutely require expedited service because I will be applying in the Thanksgiving - to- Christmas window?

Unless I get passport within 1 week, PIO/OCI seem hard to get....
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No. Just pay for expedited service the moment you apply for the passport. This is not a situation where you call the passport agency 3 weeks into the process and ask to pay additional money for them to issue is the following day. Just pay high fees upfront and have your passport within 2 weeks.

Actually, passport agency continues to be very busy as most people realize their passports have expired and plan to go overseas during the holidays. Which is a more reason for you to do an expedited service.

If you need a passport within a week, regional passport agency is your best bet. call their 1800 number, make an appointment and carry your e-ticket, need for an indian visa and you will get help there...
 
gc-despo said:
Thanks a lot for your replies.

So, can I apply for passport with normal processing, and later pay extra to upgrade to expedite? Any risk to this line of action?

Does passport service slow down because it is holiday season? In other words, do I absolutely require expedited service because I will be applying in the Thanksgiving - to- Christmas window?

Unless I get passport within 1 week, PIO/OCI seem hard to get....
Click to expand...

Yes! You are definitely allowed to upgrade in between. I can vouch for that.

There is not much risk provided you give them at least 8 to 10 days notice and call them to upgrade. I have heard they are quite supportive for genuine cases when people are traveling. Why are you applying on Nov 20th? Why not on 19th itself? Take an evening appointment at local PO now. Of course a lot depends on your nature. If you are the type that gets high blood pressure easily then you should definitely choose Expedited service to start with :D. If you the adventurous or miser type you can try to save a few bucks ($60 per applicant) :D. Its your call really.

Peak season in my opinion should be May through August but I am not sure about the impact during holiday season due to staff off etc (better to give them a couple of days extra and call on say Dec 13th if the online status has not changed by then). Apparently PIO/OCI is not an option at all. So don't even waste your time in considering that.
 
Thanks for your inputs.

I think I will apply for expedited passport service right off the bat so that we get our passports in 2 weeks and have enough time for visa. After all, 3 air tickets to India cost $4000, and any changes cost $300 per ticket, so spending $60 extra for passports and $90 for visas is a no-brainer really.
 
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