Am I the only one who gets nervous sending my passport off…in the mail…across the country??? It’s both a thrill and a concern at the same time.
With your help, I’d like to keep an updated tally of visa processing times. Consulate websites are often outdated and incorrect. It’s my goal, with your help, to keep an updated roster of real-life visa turnaround times.
Use the comment box below to submit your info, and I’ll pull each entry up to this article and list the countries’ embassies and visa turnaround times in alphabetical order. I’m starting with just my last two visa applications, but with everyone’s help, hopefully we’ll have a comprehensive little list going here soon.
Don’t forget to include answers to ALL fields below.
Afghanistan
33 days
Date and time sent: Thu Oct 10th 2019 at 2:18PM
Sent to: Travisa – Los Angeles
Processing time (normal or expedited): Normal
Sent from: San Diego
Passport nationality: USA
Via: USPS Priority Mail
Received back: Tue Nov 12th at 10:02AM
Via: UPS Next Day Air
Additional notes: Originally, I sent my documents to Travisa in Los Angeles, to be processed at the Afghanistan Embassy in L.A. When Travisa received my documents, they called me to inform me I’d need prior approval from Afghanistan for the visa, unless they sent my documents to the Afghanistan Embassy in Washington D.C; The D.C. embassy did not carry that requirement. I said yes to D.C; they sent my docs there to be processed for no additional fee.
Info provided by: Randy W.
Algeria
8 days
Date and time sent: Mon Sept 20th 2021
Sent to: Passport Visas Express Washington, D.C.
Processing time (normal or expedited): Expedited
Sent from: Charleston, SC
Passport nationality: USA
Via: Fedex Overnight
Received back: Tue Sept 28th 2021 11:00 AM
Via: Fedex Overnight
Notes: The Algerian Embassy called me Wednesday 09/29/2021 to tell me I forgot to include proof of onward travel. I emailed it to the service right away. The Embassy called me back on Friday, 09/24/2021 to tell me the visa was ready for pick up.
Democratic Republic of Congo
12 days
Date and time sent: Fri Jun 7th 2019 at 3:35PM
Sent to: Travisa – DC
Processing time (normal or expedited): Normal
Sent from: San Diego, CA
Passport nationality: USA
Via: USPS Priority Mail
Received back: Wed Jun 19th 10:03AM
Via: UPS Next Day
Info provided by: Randy W.
The Gambia
6 days
Date and time sent: Mon Nov 2nd, 2020 10:17AM
Sent to: Embassy (direct) in DC
Processing time (normal or expedited): Normal
Sent from: San Diego
Via: USPS Priority
Passport nationality: USA
Received back: Nov 6th 2020 3:31 pm
Via: USPS Priority
Additional notes: I sent the wrong amount (not enough money). Luckily, they called me, instead of sending my stuff back. I sent them the missing amount via USPS Next Day Air.
Info provided by: Randy W.
Ghana
8 days
Date and time sent: Thu Nov 12th, 2020 4:12PM
Processing time (normal or expedited): Expedited
Sent to: Embassy (direct) in DC
Passport nationality: USA
Via: UPS Next Day Air
Received back: Fri Nov 20th, 2:52PM
Info provided by: Randy W.
Ghana
8 minutes
Date and time sent: Thu Jan 23rd 2020 9:00AM (in person)
Processing time (normal or expedited): Expedited
Sent to: Embassy (direct) in DC
Passport nationality: USA
Via: in person
Received back: Thu Jan 23, 2020 at 9:08 (in person)
Additional notes: Normal single-entry visa fee $60, an extra $40 for expedited service. I had a layover in Houston for 4 hours and decided to put that time to good use. Their website says expedited visas can be processed in 15 minutes. Didn’t believe that so I emailed them for confirmation and they said it often takes less! Challenge accepted. Sure enough, mine was done in 8 minutes. About a 45 minute Uber drive from IAH, I got there right when they opened, got the visa immediately, and was back at the airport in plenty of time for my next flight.
Info provided by: David F.
Laos
1.5 hours
Date and time sent: Thu Oct 24th 2019 7:38PM
Sent to: eVisa portal – https://laoevisa.gov.la/index
Processing time (normal or expedited): Normal
Sent from: San Diego
Passport nationality: USA
Via: eVisa portal – https://laoevisa.gov.la/index
Received back: Thu Oct 24th 8:59PM
Via: email
Info provided by: Randy W.
Liberia
6 days
Date and time sent: Fri Nov 6th 3:41PM
Sent to: Embassy (direct) in DC
Processing time (normal or expedited): Next day
Sent from: San Diego
Via: USPS Priority
Passport nationality: USA
Received back: Thu Nov 12th 3:56PM
Via: USPS Priority
Info provided by: Randy W.
Myanmar
1.5 hours
Date and time sent: Thu Oct 24th 2019 7:47PM
Sent to: eVisa portal – https://evisa.moip.gov.mm
Processing time (normal or expedited): Normal
Sent from: San Diego
Passport nationality: USA
Via: eVisa portal – https://evisa.moip.gov.mm
Received back: Fri Oct 25th 2:16AM
Via: email
Info provided by: Randy W.
Nigeria
13 days
Date and time sent: Fri Feb 7 2020 at 12:00N
Sent to: OIS Los Angeles office (In person, for required biometrics/fingerprinting/photographing).
Processing time (normal or expedited): Normal (Expedite is not an option)
Passport nationality: USA
Via: In Person office visit and then USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope to Nigeria embassy sent by OIS on my behalf
Received back: Thu Feb 20 at 2:30pm
Via: USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope.
Additional notes: Actual visa application must be filled out ahead of time on the Nigerian immigration services website and proof of payment and other required documents must be printed out ahead of time and brought with you to the OIS office. OIS is simply a vendor/middleman that screens application packets and only will forward completed ones to visa authorities after adding your photographs and fingerprints to what you’ve brought with you.OIS website is out of date in several areas: It says 4 copies of visa application are needed. In reality, only 1 is required so save the paper. Also, it says there is a $90 fee for their biometrics services. I was told that this hasn’t been enforced since late 2019 and I was not charged. Lastly — and maybe because there is no longer an OIS fee — you must provide your own prepaid traceable envelopes, one to send your packet to the OIS office in Washington, DC (they will walk it over to the Nigerian embassy from there) and a second envelope for the embassy to send your passport back to you after the visa is issued. It’s best to leave the address blank on the first envelope and let the OIS staff write where it goes to next since it is not sent directly to the embassy. I wrote my own name & address as the sender and recipient on the second envelope. Used USPS standard flat rate priority mail envelopes in both directions. Shipping time was 3 days each way.
Info provided by: David F.
Oman
4 hours
Date and time sent: Mon Nov 4th 2019 at 5:16PM
Sent to: eVisa portal – https://evisa.rop.gov.om
Processing time (normal or expedited): Normal
Sent from: San Diego
Passport nationality: USA
Via: eVisa portal – https://evisa.rop.gov.om
Received back: Mon Nov 4th at 9:15PM
Via: email
Additional notes: One of the easiest. Did not require flight and hotel itinerary, addresses or even dates; only passport scan, photo and basic personal info. CAUTION: Normal tourist visas must be used within 30 days after approval. I applied (and paid) for this one too early and had to get a second.
Info provided by: Randy W.
Oman
8 hours
Date and time sent: Thu Dec 5th 2019 at 1:44PM
Sent to: eVisa portal – https://evisa.rop.gov.om
Processing time (normal or expedited): Normal
Sent from: San Diego
Passport nationality: USA
Via: eVisa portal – https://evisa.rop.gov.om
Received back: Thu Dec 5th at 9:25PM
Via: email
Additional notes: One of the easiest. Did not require flight and hotel itinerary, addresses or even dates; only passport scan, photo and basic personal info. CAUTION: Normal tourist visas must be used within 30 days after approval. I applied (and paid) for this one too early and had to get a second.
Info provided by: Randy W.
Pakistan
4 days
Date and time sent: Sun Oct 20th 2019 at 11:51AM
Sent to: eVisa portal – https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/e-visa
Processing time (normal or expedited): Normal
Sent from: San Diego
Passport nationality: USA
Via: eVisa portal – https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/e-visa
Received response: Tue Oct 22nd at 2:58PM
Their response: Additional documents required – “Please upload the following documents 1. Copy of local ID (Drivers License or State ID) of the applicant. 2. Photocopy of host’s Pakistan ID, address & telephone number. 3. Employment Verification Letter or a letter of introduction from employer. 4. Attach a copy of recent bank statement for proof of funds.”
Sent my response: Wed Oct 23rd at 10:18AM
My response: Uploaded all requested documents.
Received back: Fri Oct 22th at 4:08PM
Via: email
Additional notes: Their eVisa website is very particular on uploads. Their is a max upload for each attachment and website does not accept PDFs.
Info provided by: Randy W.
Republic of Congo
10 days
Date and time sent: Wed May 28th 2019 at 10:43AM
Sent to: Embassy (direct) in DC
Processing time (normal or expedited): Normal
Sent from: San Diego, CA
Passport nationality: USA
Via: USPS Priority Mail
Received back: Fri June 7th at 2:58PM
Via: USPS Priority
Info provided by: Randy W.
Russia
31 days
Date and time sent: Fri Aug 27th 2021 12:10PM
Sent to: Union Visa LLC (service) in Largo Florida
Processing time (normal or expedited): “15-18 business days” option
Sent from: San Diego
Via: UPS Express
Passport nationality: USA
Received back: Mon Sep 2th 1:01PM
Via: FedEx Express
Info provided by: Randy W.
Additional notes: Great service from Union Visa, especially their communication.
Sierra Leone
6 days
Date and time sent: Fri Nov 6th 2020 3:41PM
Sent to: Embassy (direct) in DC
Processing time (normal or expedited): Next day
Sent from: San Diego
Via: USPS Priority
Passport nationality: USA
Received back: Thu Nov 12th 3:56PM
Via: USPS Priority
Info provided by: Randy W.
Tajikistan
28 days
Date and time sent: Fri Sep 17th 11:01PM
Sent to: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan (eVisa)
Processing time (normal or expedited): Normal
Sent from: n/a (eVisa)
Via: Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: www.evisa.tj
Passport nationality: USA
Received back: Fri Oct 15th 11:51PM
Via: email
Info provided by: Randy W.
Uzbekistan
15 days
Date and time sent: Wed Sep 1st 2021 at 10:37AM
Sent to: Embassy (direct) in DC
Processing time (normal or expedited): Normal
Sent from: San Diego, CA
Passport nationality: USA
Via: USPS Priority Mail
Received back: Thu Sep 16th at 3:38PM
Via: USPS Priority
Info provided by: Randy W.
Additional notes: My outgoing package was delayed by USPS and arrived two days late (plus the holiday and weekend made the transit time longer).
Pingback: Laos Party – Ramblin' Randy
Nigeria
13 days
Date and time sent: Fri Feb 7, 2020 at 12:00pm
Visited in Person – OIS Los Angeles office (for required biometrics/fingerprinting/photographing). Actual visa application must be filled out ahead of time on the Nigerian immigration services website and proof of payment and other required documents must be printed out ahead of time and brought with you to the OIS office. OIS is simply a vendor/middleman that screens application packets and only will forward completed ones to visa authorities after adding your photographs and fingerprints to what you’ve brought with you.
Processing time (normal or expedited): Normal (Expedite is not an option)
Passport nationality: USA
Via: In Person office visit and then USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope to Nigeria embassy sent by OIS on my behalf
Received back: Thu Feb 20 at 2:30pm
Via: USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope direct from the embassy to my home.
Additional notes: OIS website is out of date in several areas: It says 4 copies of visa application are needed. In reality, only 1 is required so save the paper. Also, it says there is a $90 fee for their biometrics services. I was told that this hasn’t been enforced since late 2019 and I was not charged. Lastly — and maybe because there is no longer an OIS fee — you must provide your own prepaid traceable envelopes, one to send your packet to the OIS office in Washington, DC (they will walk it over to the Nigerian embassy from there) and a second envelope for the embassy to send your passport back to you after the visa is issued. It’s best to leave the address blank on the first envelope and let the OIS staff write where it goes to next since it is not sent directly to the embassy. I wrote my own name & address as the sender and recipient on the second envelope. Used USPS standard flat rate priority mail envelopes in both directions. Shipping time was 3 days each way.
Info provided by: David F.
Thanks so much for this!!!
Ghana / Houston Consulate
8 minutes (!)
Date and time: January 23, 2020 at 9:00 (right when consulate opened)
Processing time (normal or expedited): Expedited
Passport nationality: USA
Via: In Person Visit to the Houston Consulate
Received back: 8 minutes later after handing over my paperwork!
Additional notes: Normal single-entry visa fee $60, an extra $40 for expedited service. I had a layover in Houston for 4 hours and decided to put that time to good use. Their website says expedited visas can be processed in 15 minutes. Didn’t believe that so I emailed them for confirmation and they said it often takes less! Challenge accepted. Sure enough, mine was done in 8 minutes. About a 45 minute Uber drive from IAH, I got there right when they opened, got the visa immediately, and was back at the airport in plenty of time for my next flight.
Info provided by: David F.
Thanks David, I have added your info to the page! Very helpful!!!
Algeria
4 days
Date and time sent: Monday 09/20/2021
Sent to: Passport Visas Express Washington, D.C.
Processing time (normal or expedited): Expedited
Sent from: Charleston, SC
Passport nationality: USA
Via: Fedex Overnight
Received back: Tuesday 09/28/2021 11:00 AM
Via: Fedex Overnight
Notes: The Algerian Embassy called me Wednesday 09/29/2021
to tell me I forgot to include proof of onward travel. I emailed it to
the service right away. The Embassy called me back on Friday
09/24/2021 to tell me the visa was ready for pick up.
Thank you Ginger, I posted above!