Business Visitor Appliation Delays

[eniss]

Hi guys,

I am currently residing in France with a valid work permit (I'm not a French citizen) and had to travel to the UK for an interview. I made my visa application in Paris on June 18th and as of today my tracking status is still showing "Arrived at the Visa Section". The interview is 2 days later. I opted to pick up my documents when they are ready to prevent additional courier times.

It seems that unless my documents are ready to be picked up tomorrow I am missing the interview and the documents I provided them (the invitation letter, hotel booking, plane tickets...) will become invalid due to the date. My first question is, will it result in my application getting rejected and therefore me receiving a stamp on my passport which would negatively effect any further applications.

My second question is, I was also planning to take my summer leave, attend to my girlfriend's graduation in my home country after the interview. I have already booked my flight and everything but without my passport I can't fly back home and I will miss the graduation and everything. Is there a way that I can get my passport back right away? I called them up but they said if I withdraw my application it could take up to 3 working days until I get my passport back. Which will make me miss my second trip (the one after the UK interview) as well. Is there a way that I can at least get my passport back in 2 days?

My last question is, if I withdraw my application because they are taking too long, will my passport get stamped/labeled in a way which will negatively affect further applications? Is it a risky move to withdraw an application?

It is very frustrating to have a busy schedule which requires a fast pace but being "prisoned" to where you are without your passport due to the clumsiness of the application process.

I would apprecaite any help or advice.
Cheers!

[pennylessinindia]

Moral apply early for a visa and not leave it till the last minute. The web site clearly says do not book tickets etc prior to getting a visa so that was your own risk.
If you withdraw your application there will be a mark in your passport but will not cause you a problem. You just explain that the application was not assessed on time and you needed to travel - if you apply again.
If your application is assessed after the date of your proposed visit they may call your sponsor and if they say you are still able to attend the Interview and you meet the other criteria they may issue.

[asim72]

It is not likely that anyone on this forum will know exactly how things work at British embassy in Paris.

But I must say, it wasn't a good decision to apply for UK visa when you hardly had any time left for interview. I just hope that you do get your passport and visa back in time.

On the embassy website, they indicate 3 weeks processing time.

[eniss]

I had to apply in that time frame because I waited for my sponsor to send me the invitation letter and had already had the date on the letter. I booked the appointment but I could book it only just before 2 weeks.

Anyways the due date is past and I didn't receive back my passport. Thanks for the replies though.