[Questor]

How long does it take betwee sending in your ITA and getting your passport back?

I ask because we're getting married on March 18th, and go on honeymoon to Malaysia the day after (should make the hop to NZ while we're there!) and obviously I'll need my passport - in theory we should be sending our ITA in the first couple of weeks in Feb, should I enclose a note asking for it back ASAP?

I really don't want to have to get a notarized copy if I can help it, but if I have to then I will

Cheers
Jon

[gil]

Hi Questor,
I'm sure you can explain you need the passports back; in fact, I have a feeling Aydon needed his for work travel, and had to take it up to NZ House to have it stamped after the interview as he was travelling within a few days......
Gil

[Aydon]

That's right Gil.

I am working in Munich so couldn;t afford to get the passport return held up or lost in the post. I took our ITA in to NZ House in London in person. They photocopied both passports there and then - as I had already photocopied the rest of the documents it took us about 10 minutes!

Once we had our interview and were granted PR, we visited NZ House in London. Dropped both our passports off and had them back, stamped and with a welcome pack, within the hour.

I would DEFINITELY recommend this route rather than sending them away if you are going to be using them - ANYTHING could happen to them en route!

[Smiler]

Yes we did the same thing, took them up with our ITA. Waited 20 mins while they checked everything and copied what they wanted. All originals were given back to us.


When we got PR we did the same again on the friday ( we were going on the next weds) Waited for about 30 mins or so and got them back.

Excellent customer service. :clap :clap




D

[Questor]

We were looking for an excuse to have a weekend in London so this could be it! :)

Thanks a lot folks!

[Charlosparky]

We were looking for an excuse to have a weekend in London so this could be it! :)

Me too. I spoke to my visa officer as we had a holiday booked in April and she said just let us know and we'll post em staight back to you, but i will probably pop in with em then i know my holiday doesnt rely on the post office! :laugh

[katandbob]

MMm wish we'd done that....posted ITA 28th Oct, still not received any reply other than that its PENDING! and boy do I need a HOLIDAY!!!! ;)

That's right Gil.

I am working in Munich so couldn;t afford to get the passport return held up or lost in the post. I took our ITA in to NZ House in London in person. They photocopied both passports there and then - as I had already photocopied the rest of the documents it took us about 10 minutes!

Once we had our interview and were granted PR, we visited NZ House in London. Dropped both our passports off and had them back, stamped and with a welcome pack, within the hour.

I would DEFINITELY recommend this route rather than sending them away if you are going to be using them - ANYTHING could happen to them en route!

[CricketLover]

This is along the same line.
Anyone know how long it would take to get the passports and visas back to the US from London WITHOUT sending it by courier.
My hubby wants to save the £34.

I want my passport back the sooner the better.
I don't want to make airline reservations until I know I will have the passport in hand.

Any ideas on how long it takes mail to travel from London to the US (Arizona) would be appreciated.

Thanks-- Tons of dancing bananas today!! :raebanana :raebanana

[Questor]

Spend the £34 and get it sent by courier - just imagine the cost if anything should happen to it en route, or the hassle of if it takes a long time to get back to you otherwise!

[Smiler]

Cricketlover

I'm with Questor. Imagine the cost of replacing passports, certificates etc apart from the hassle, if they got lost. :no



With the postal service you can't guess how long at would be realsitically. You are relying on the US and UK postal service :eek: Courier at least should provide track and trace, so you can keep your eye on it.


£34 is a drop in the ocean in the cost of this emigrating lark. Go for it.



D