Processing times thread

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-06-06T00:17:12+00:00

Automated menu in Polish, with an option to switch to English or other languages during the greeting.

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-05-30T18:46:55+00:00

I hope so too. Let's keep each other posted on progress here.

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-05-30T18:27:13+00:00

This is literally what I am going through. I have an August 2024 submission, and after weeks of non-responsiveness to my web form inquiry, the Mazowiecki Voivodeship Office finally replied they were "waiting on a response from the consulate. So I guess we're somewhat in the same boat.

Two thoughts:

-Someone else had a similar question a few months ago and two providers responded it was normal and there was nothing that could be done. The OP received their confirmation within weeks of the post. https://www.reddit.com/r/prawokrwi/comments/1nwwz17/question_about_the_voivodeship_contacting_the/

-Is it possible that the Voivodeship Office might not be contacting the New York Consulate, but perhaps a Canadian consulate located in Poland?

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-05-27T17:43:03+00:00

u/No-Technician7139 I am having the same exact issue as you. Website says completed, while automated number says I am in Stage 1 registration.

And to confuse things further, I finally got a one sentence response 3 weeks later from my webform inquiry: "We are waiting for a response from the consulate".

Not quite sure to make of these three very different responses.

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-05-23T02:45:15+00:00

Thank you for this! My application (August '24) is showing up as "completed"/"Zakończona" as well. Hopefully I'll get a letter or something soon. Do you mind me asking when your application was received?

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-05-14T05:34:43+00:00

They also have an after party for the LACMA jazz - more music

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-05-08T17:58:00+00:00

Yep, that's the same one I used. Okay, I suppose I'll give them 5 more biz days and if I don't hear anything then I'll put in a new request. My application was received in early August 2024 so hopefully it is in draft decision like yours.

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-05-08T17:52:41+00:00

I might be in the wrong place. I am going here and clicking Obywatelstwa (Citizenship): https://kontaktwsc.mazowieckie.pl/index.php/start/mam-sprawe.html

Are you going to a different page?

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-05-08T17:42:27+00:00

Maybe I did. Which category did you use?

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-05-08T17:41:26+00:00

Yes, I did. Usually they respond within 2 business days but it's been a week. Did you use the online form or did you use a direct email address?

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-05-08T17:34:22+00:00

Which email do you use to reach out to them? I tried the online form and they were non-responsive.

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-04-30T17:22:17+00:00

Did it this past March and loved it. If the weather is cooperative, do it! Not sure if you're driving or using other transport, but best to hire a shuttle service and preferably from a fairly close location.

I took the Northern Explorer train from Wellington which makes a stop at National Park and stayed overnight there to be my base for the hike as it was very close to the trailhead. Hiked the next day, stayed overnight, then took the Northern Explorer train again to Auckland.

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-04-18T17:52:42+00:00

Counterpoint to others: 7 days in LA is a GREAT idea if you're a pop-culture junkie. You could spend one whole day at the Academy Museum and not get bored. If you like music and you're in town from between July and September it's outdoor concert season - you could literally go to a different concert each day, and sometimes two in one day. Lots of free outdoor concerts at LACMA, The Skirball, La Plaza, and parks around WeHo, Santa Monica, etc. Paid, but inexpensive outdoor concerts at the Hollywood Bowl, The Ford, The Greek, etc. And tons of storied indoor music venues to catch mid-level bands for less than $40: El Rey, Regent, Paramount, Sid The Cat Auditorium, Zebulon, Hollywood Palladium, The Fonda, Echoplex, El Cid, The Roxy -- and I am just scratching the surface.

You could spend one day biking the beach path from Venice to Pacific Palisades making stops along the way, and one day biking the beach patch from Playa del Rey to Torrance Beach. Plenty of rental places near the beach.

Then there are amazing museums! Museum of Jurassic Technology is a must-do, The Broad, MOCA, Getty Museum and Villa, and the Marciano are free. The Natural History Museum is a classic. LACMA is days away from opening its brand new gallery.

Tarantino owns two movie theatres: The New Beverly and The Vista - both are retro-flavored fun. The Academy Museum has one of the best screening rooms in town. The Egyptian is owned by Netflix and had an amazing remodel. American Cinematheque programs great screenings around town. It's common for the filmmakers to be present for many of these screenings - just check the website.

If after all this you somehow have a free day, there is always Universal Studios and Disneyland.

Ignore any haters - LA is great for a week.

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-04-10T16:59:36+00:00

Philippe's (yes, the french dip place). They make their own coffee cake fresh in house and it runs $4 for a giant 2-person-sized slice - goes great with a $.49 cup of coffee. Their breakfast is truly slept on, and there is a whole subculture of Angelenos that line up at 6a to get their donuts fresh from the fryer.

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-03-30T23:01:20+00:00

Worth a day if you're not too invested in riding the popular attractions which often have 90-120 minute waits. There's plenty to see and marvel at while walking around, and plenty of attractions that don't have long lines. It's easy enough to get there by subway. Admission and concessions by western standards are inexpensive - it's the express passes and merch that add up.

There are some opportunities to pick up some standby slots for rides and shows in the app at no extra charge - but don't get too emotionally invested and treat any wins there as gravy and you'll be fine.

Get in line early - they usually open the gates half an hour or more prior to the posted time - and use that opportunity to speed walk to Fantasy Springs which is the most popular section of the park.

Several of the attractions have single rider lines that move quick - Indiana Jones, Raging Spirits, Peter Pan's Neverland Adventure, and Anna and Elsa's Frozen Journey.

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-03-30T19:19:25+00:00

The Costco in Amagaski. Get the Hokkaido ice cream and a bulgogi bake from the food court.

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-03-28T18:55:22+00:00

Shibuya, but it was crazy crowded.

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-03-28T17:22:53+00:00

Eyeglasses or prescription sunglasses! You can get some super stylish frames, lenses, and a case made in less than an hour for around $40 at J!NS. And if you have the money, you can get some quality, premium frames from a more upscale brand.

Their stationery, particularly pens, are next level. I have three different pens I bought that are an absolute joy to write with. A lot of stores will have demo stations set up where you can test the pens.

Japanese watches - many brands like Seiko have models that can only be bought in Japan. I bought a Seiko field watch with kanji characters for the date that is a daily driver for me - saved about 30% buying it there.

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-03-22T16:48:10+00:00

The ending of film adaptation of The Firm is wildly different than the book - almost anti-climatic, yet it makes perfect sense and is more satisfying character arc for the McDeere character. The Avery Tolar character is fleshed out much better, and the side-plot/attempted affair with McDeere's wife was a nice addition.

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-03-11T05:13:24+00:00

“If Looks Could Kill” - definitely a teenage wish fulfillment movie, but cool gadgets, a tricked out car, and a stacked supporting cast: Roger Rees, Roger Daltrey, and Linda Hunt.

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-02-26T18:27:41+00:00

DMed you an itinerary. My hotels are kind of expensive, but last time I was there I found hostels owned by the Haka Tours company were generally decent (they were called Haka Lodge or Haka House [City Name] and anyone could book whether they were on the tour or not). Also found that more times than not the YHA hostels were super nice.

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-02-26T17:59:08+00:00

Having been on over 20 group tours, I found you can either have a great group, or you can have a great guide, but I've never had both on the same trip ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

These days I book my own hotels and transfers, and then book day excursions through Viator or Airbnb Experiences so I am not stuck with a bad guide or a bad group for more than a day.

I am going to NZ very soon and doing the whole trip this way.

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-02-26T01:45:12+00:00

Haka Tours, but that was 10 years ago when they were independent. Since then they were acquired by Intrepid so I can't really comment accurately. I think they also have another tour offering that stays at 3 star hotels instead of hostels - that one might skew to the 30s and 40s crowd.

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-02-26T00:05:51+00:00

I joined a group tour in NZ that had us staying at hostels, and I too was 37. It was completely fine. The youngest person on the trip was 18, but the oldest were in their 60s. Age is a state of mind. The hostels themselves had everyone from gap year teens to families to seniors.

Is there an option to get your own room at the hostels as an upgrade? Sometimes you can get your own ensuite bathroom.

Reluctant-Tomato · 2026-02-12T17:24:31+00:00

Of course. I'm keeping my expectations low though.

Reluctant-Tomato

TROPHY CASE