(edit title) Giving fingerprints and photo at Swedish consulate In case you ever do it yourself... Options

[rtharper]

Just wanted to share my experience with the Swedish consulate in London for anyone who needs to interact with them. And to share a positive experience for a change, as they are less talked about than the negatives.

I went down to London from Oxford this morning to give my fingerprints and have my picture taken for my UT-kort. The website is a bit unclear about whether you need an appointment or not, but the answer is that you don't =) If you go down during open times (9-11 M-F, except W), you arrive and take a number. My partner and I were delayed and didn't arrive until 10:30. Nevertheless, we were seen in <5 minutes. We didn't have decision letters, but we did have our dossier numbers, and this sufficed. The woman was extremely friendly, and helpful. In the end, she said we would either have to pick up cards, or send a self-addressed Royal Mail Special Delivery envelope (yes, this is weird, but it's how the US embassy works, too, I think it's a consulate Thing), and she would send it onward when they arrived (which she said would probably be this Thursday!) She gave us her NAME and a PHONE NUMBER to reach her at, if we had any issues (these are two things I find are kept locked away as much as possible at consulates).

Overall, I'm super impressed. It was the most pleasant exchange with a bureaucracy, and an immigration related one at that, that I have ever had.

[Fishtank]

Well when I went to swedish consulate in chennai, India to apply for Student Visa , temp outside was 42 degrees and they offered me chilled water to drink and then a hot cup of madras coffee(Kopi). The whole document submission/interview was done in swift 35 minutes and I was out.

[axiom]

welcome to Sweden !

[rtharper]

Haha thanks! The lovely woman said that as well. Very different from the UK's "Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out" sort of treatment =p

[axiom]

haha I grew up in the UK, moved to Sweden a few years ago, no intention to move back (well that and being bounded here by the mrs)

when do you move?

[Kgurl]

I had the same experience in Ottawa..I had to fly there first..a 4 hr flight to submit the photo and fingerprints in person. I got there in the morning, there wasn't anyone else in the room, it wasn't less the 5 mins that I waited..more like 15 before the lady was off the phone. Just felt like a big waste of money and time off work to go for 30 mins of processing. The waiting time was another 3 months, but I did get my visa.
Welcome and good luck in Sweden!

[rtharper]

haha I grew up in the UK, moved to Sweden a few years ago, no intention to move back (well that and being bounded here by the mrs) . when do you move?

September, start work in October

[rtharper]

Welcome and good luck in Sweden!

Thanks! =)

[BillyB]

Getting to Sweden is easy, the problems will start when you get here as the thousands of threads on here will attest to!

[rtharper]

Indeed, I've prepared myself as best I can! =)

[axiom]

aah true, but pretty much everyone on here has managed to do it, and lives to tell the tale

you will be fine !