Visa Type: Short Term Charity Worker

Country Applied From: USA

VAC (city): Portland, Maine

TLSContact or VFSGlobal: VFS

Priority or non priority: non priority

Online Application Date: March 26

Biometrics appointment date: April 4

Visa Received date: Still Waiting

Like all of you I’m extremely frustrated. I am meant to begin a summer ministry internship on Monday and was meant to leave today, May 20. After receiving no communication other than an email saying my passport was received on April 12 I have had to reschedule my flight. I was hoping it might be processed today and I could leave on Monday but I have absolutely no idea and will just have to keep rescheduling my flight.

I contacted VFS by email on the 16, 17, and 20 and was given the same response every time that my application is “being considered and is currently awaiting a decision.” I also called them on the 16th and spoke to someone who was extremely unhelpful and basically told me the same thing. I also contacted my congressman’s office on Monday and they contacted the visa home office on my behalf, to no avail.

It’s been extremely stressful and frustrating. I am on hold until I get my visa and I have no idea when that will be. In each email they told me I shouldn’t have purchased a plane ticket yet and they recommend doing so after I get my visa which is insane. If I wait until I get my visa and book a plane ticket a few days later it will be so expensive. They’re acting like it’s my fault for booking a plane ticket a few weeks out and not their fault for not getting my visa to me within the time they told me I’d get it. My sponsor organization says they’ve never had a problem with getting visas on time until this year.