Visa Merry go round

[ScottinCrimea]

I'm wondering when it was that Fed Ex became the authority on visas.  My wife passed her interview in Kyiv on August 16th.  She arranged with the Fed Ex office on the first floor of the consulate building to expedite delivery of her visa.  One week later, my wife called the Fed Ex office and was told that they had not yet received her passport from the consulate.  I e-mailed the consulate and was told only that her visa had been issued the day following her interview, on August 17th.  That meant that in 6 days the passport had not managed to be sent a couple of floors down for delivery.  By the 24th, 8 days after the interview, still no news and the necessity to change flight arrangements.  So I sent an e-mail to the consulate asking politely what the heck had happened to my wife's passport/visa.  Now today I called the consulate to learn what the heck was going on.  I had to pay $12 by credit card for 8 minutes of time.  What I got was a Ukrainian man with limited English skills answering my call.  In response to my query, he offered to give me the number of the Fed Ex office.  I explained that I already had this, had spoken with them and that they still didn't have the passport.  What I wanted was someone in the consulate who could tell me where the passport was. He replied that he didn't have that information and was unable to give me the name or phone number of someone who might know, but he could give me an e-mail address to write to.  So that was a waste of $8.  But lo and behold, tonight I got a reply to my e-mail inquiry as to the delay in delivery of my wife's visa.  Here is their reply: "Thank you for contacting us via e-mail.  Please contact the central FedEx  office (044-495-20-32)  We hope this information will help you"

So it appears that Fed Ex is the real power behind the issuing of visas.  All this time I thought that the Department of Homeland Security was processing visas but it appears that they have subcontracted this out to Federal Express.

[DKMM]

Scott,

Everybody says don't get the plane tickets until you get the visa for a reason.  Thanks for this lesson I'm definitely arranging it to be picked up in person.

[Kuna]

Scott,

It sounds bizarre!!!  Apparently we don't NEED an Oz visa stamp in My Girls passport because the visa number is enough for entry. My Girl feels more secure getting the stamp in her passport but this makes me think the number sounds best.

I hope they sort out their shite and you guys are reunited soon.

Kuna

[I/O]

Scott,

It sounds bizarre!!!  Apparently we don't NEED an Oz visa stamp in My Girls passport because the visa number is enough for entry. My Girl feels more secure getting the stamp in her passport but this makes me think the number sounds best.Kuna

She needs the visa sticker affixed to her passport or she ain't commin' in. No ambiguity.  Visa sticker MUST be affixed.

I/O

[Kuna]

She needs the visa sticker affixed to her passport or she ain't commin' in. No ambiguity.  Visa sticker MUST be affixed.

I/O

Hmmmm...  thanks I/O...

I thought I read a while ago they would just give a visa number (in the approval letter) and if she wanted a sticker she needed to send her passport back to them...

I guess we've got some waiting to do before that becomes an issue...

[I/O]

Yes, she has to send the passport back once the visa is approved for affixing.  No visa sticker when she arrives in Aus, next stop Villawood.

I/O

[Kuna]

I/O,

Bizarre thought of the day... I wish she was in Villawood at the moment...  MUCH closer than Dnepr but maybe not as comfortable...

[I/O]

Bizarre thought of the day... I wish she was in Villawood at the moment

That is not bizarre.  That is seriously problematic. You should seek professional help immediately.

I/O

[catzenmouse]

That is not bizarre.  That is seriously problematic. You should seek professional help immediately.

IIRC he did and they were so impressed they named a new mental illness after him. Advanced PsychoKunaosis I believe it was. No known cure but they can control it to a point with frequent trips to the pub and a strong willed wife to kick his butt now and then. 

[ScottinCrimea]

Here's the update:  After daily calls to Fed Ex asking them if they had received my wife's visa for shipping with negative responses, I drafted another e-mail to the consulate asking them specifically WHERE was her visa and WHEN they would get around to giving it to Fed Ex.  I finally got a reply today.  They said there had been a "clerical error" and that it had been sitting on someone's desk all this time.  They assured me that it would be sent to Fed Ex that same afternoon.  As of 4:30 pm it still hadn't happened.  Assuming that they do it and assuming that Fed Ex will actually do next day delivery, my wife should have it in hand sometime Friday.  They told her they don't normally deliver on Saturdays but will do this for an extra charge.  Now she has to have this by Saturday because her flight leaves early Monday morning.  What this means is that what is normally done in less than a week will take 16 days and we're still left hanging because we won't know for sure if she is coming Monday or if we have to delay her trip again until the last minute.

It just goes to show once again that in this process even the best research and preparation you can do can be gummed up by incompetency at any stage.

[Turboguy]

That is probably why the Embassy keeps stressing to not buy your tickets until you have the visa in your hands but of course some do.

[Bruce]

Scott, what you are going through is par for the course ie. expect the worst at any level of dealing with the BCINS.  Feel lucky that your wife is from Ukraine and they are not especially making things difficult for her like they are more predisposed to do to girls from Russia.

[ScottinCrimea]

I got a call from my wife this morning and she has the visa in hand so she will be arriving here Monday evening.

Couldn't have asked for a better way to star the hoiday weekend!   

[Gator]

Scott,

Fantastic!  Congratulations.  Now a new life begins for the two of you.

What you did (living there) is very admirable.

[I/O]

I got a call from my wife this morning and she has the visa in hand so she will be arriving here Monday evening.

 

I/O

[Kuna]

Congrats Scott...  You must be jumping out of your skin!

hmmm... I guess we won't be seeing you around for a few days huh...   

Have fun.  You guys deserve every happiness life can bring.

Kuna