UK student visa -- New York wait time

So, I just discovered this forum today, but I wish I had found it earlier, as I now know I waited far too long to apply for my student visa. I am going to be attending LSE this year (hopefully) but I am waiting for my visa, and I am starting to panic. As I said, I didn't know you needed to apply particularly early, as several other Web sites seemed to suggest that it would only take a week from when I mailed my application to when I received my visa. I am an American citizen for what it's worth...

So, to cut to the chase, my paperwork is in order, and I've mailed off the stuff to the consulate in NY. USPS tells me it was received on Sep 5 at noon. My flight is scheduled to depart Sep 22, but I have not received any word that they are processing my application. Is there any way I can pay for rush service or at least check the status of my application? Does it look like I can make my flight? (and yes, I also know it was a mistake to book that flight, but I can change it, worst comes to worst...

Thanks for any help you all can offer!

Best wishes,
Alex

20 days is the current lead time.



Vicky

Thanks for the discouraging, but helpful, answer. Is there any way I can possible expedite it? If I had been thinking, I would have called an expeditor, but since I didn't know about the waits until I submitted it, I don't know what can be done now. Can expeditors help at this point in the game?

I would very much doubt it, I'm afraid.  They are bogged down with student visa applications at the moment.

Vicky

20 days is the current lead time.



Vicky

Whoa.

We were told that they take 5 business days. My husband will be mailing his paperwork, overnight, on Monday the 15th and his first day of school is on the 29th.
I guess we should be freaking out now?

So apparently I am not the only one having a heart attack! Of course, maybe it will work out and we will all get our visas on time. fingers crossed -- good luck, Mary!

Can I ask who told you 5 business days?

Vicky

By the way, Vicky, by days, I assume you mean business days, right?

20 days is the current lead time.



Vicky

When you say that 20 days is the current time. Does that start from the time that they recieve it or from when they send you the email to tell you that they have recieved it? I am in a similar situation. The consulate in NY should have recieved my application on the 5th, but I have yet to hear from them. I'm supposed to leave the 30th. Is there any hope for me?  

I would have applied earlier, but I had issues with the first online application i did. I didn't realize that i needed to print out my appointment booking reference within 7 days. I didn't because i changed the date while i was travelling and didn't have a printer and figured i would wait until a few days before the appointment. I couldn't log in, so i had to apply all over again, and had to wait for a later biometrics appointment. I am freaking out about this. Glad I'm not the only one in this situation.

i found a courier called A.Briggs who is located across the street from the consulate...they are pulling my application and resubmitting it for expedited processing and so a decision will be made on it by 4pm tmrw!!!! i will update when i find out if i am approved and everything goes as planned and maybe this posting will help someone else in my position...keep your fingers crossed   thanks for all your help!

Would it be possible for us to do something like this for the NYC consulate?

Fcarey,

Maybe you'll have more luck than I, but when I called A Briggs, they told me that they could send a letter asking to withdraw my application but they hadn't been successful doing that yet  so I shouldn't get my hopes up. I'm curious to see the other poster's follow up. Perhaps you could give them a call and try?

justmary, I would be freaking out if I were you. Is there no way to get the paperwork in before Monday?

Depending on the program, LSE might have some flexibility here. I'd suggest calling the international student office and seeing if they have any experience here, maybe they could say something something to set your mind at ease.

retrobolted.

The 20 day wait time includes the time before they e-mail you a confirmation stating that they receive it. I just got mine approved today and they received it Aug 15, but I didnt get an e-mail from them till August 27. In total it took them 17 business days to process it.

You may be able to have your application pulled from the office by a courier service and have them resubmit it for you to speed things up considerably. Just be prepared to pay about $100 for the service.

Thanks Repeatclicks,

That is somewhat reassuring.

Let me know if they are able to pull your application Zanderman. How long would it take them to process the ap after they pulled it?

I'm not sure if trying to get a courier to pull and then resubmit my ap would hurt or help me.

Sigh, this is so stressful. I've contacted my university to see if it would be possible for me to show up a week or so late, but they haven't responded.

Sigh, this is so stressful. I've contacted my university to see if it would be possible for me to show up a week or so late, but they haven't responded.

Depending on who you emailed - they may not be back in the office until closer to your start date!

Apparently, most departments take their summer holidays very seriously!   

I stopped by mine in mid-August and there was NObody around.  The business and finance office was open for business though.  Perhaps you can speak with the registrar about the policies for starting late.  For example, at my last uni, you had one or two weeks after the start date to register. 

My classes don't start until week 2 (Oct 7).  Week one (September 29) is registration and introductions.