<p>They do not have an on-line service to make appointments, they do not accept visa agents, and they take only a fraction of the people who come each day. I was wondering about people who live in Western PA or somewhere far away like that, who were turned away and told to come back tomorrow, and who didn't plan on staying overnight in NYC. Why should people have to go through all of this aggravation in order to study abroad for a semester?</p>
<p>This brought back memories- as my kid went to the Italian consulate a day or two before Thanksgiving last year.
Italy does not make on-line appointments either.
We got there by 7:00AM and there was already a line. Some kids brought folding chairs and just sat it out for a few hours. At least the weather was ok in NY last year.
My kid got through the process that day and did not haVE to make any return trips
we're on Long Island, so it would not have been critical if she did go back the next day. But they were not processing any applications on the Friday after Thanksgiving- so it doesn't seem that Italy was making any effort to accomodate study abroad kids during their Thanksgiving recess!!
GOOD LUCK TO ALL. But yeah- there was a bit more aggravation re: study abroad than I expected
I'll probably have to go through this again next year for d # 2 who is planning to go to Australia.</p>
<p>The Spanish consulate is closed this Friday too.
Also, my nephew lives in the Philly suburbs, so they left the house at 3:45 am this morning to get a train about an hour away to go to NY.
It is a real pain for them.
Hopefully, Australia has an easier process.</p>
<p>I am sorry your nephew is having so much trouble; I am just glad I went with an expediter instead of my daughter going alone. I thought the company I used said they could go to NYC also; I think the consulates tell people you can not send someone to apply for you, but you really can. I know that is what happened to us in Miami. I emailed the consulate and they said I could not send an expediter, yet I knew someone that used an expediter in Miami, so I used the same company. While we do not have my daughter's visa back, the expediter has a pick up date. When we have the actual visa I will be happy!!</p>
<p>I don't understand why the other consulates don't have the on-line service. It seems like that would help make the process go smoother.</p>
<p>Snowball - The websites for expediters that my sister and I looked at while trying to figure out how my nephew would get his visa for Spain said that they cannot help get visas for Spain in New York. Also, the instructions from the Spanish consulate in New York were very specific that you had to bring a certain type of express mail envelope for them to mail the visa back to you - no pickups.</p>
<p>I think the expediter could give them the envelope to mail the visa back directly to us. Was your nephew able to get through today? I hope they were successful!</p>
<p>My daughter's friend is using the consulate in Chicago. Her mother is able to go for her, so no need for the student to miss a day of class to go. I guess Thanksgiving week when the kids are off of school is a busy time for the consulates.</p>
<p>My nephew did get to apply for his visa today. He thinks that they did not take anyone new today, only people who were given cards yesterday to come back today, and there were a tremendous number of people who came today. He was told it could take up to seven weeks to get his visa in the mail. The consulate is closed on Friday. I am glad he was able to get seen today.</p>
<p>Eek, I really hope I don't have to go through all this process if I have to get a visa (it's still up in the air right now, apparently). Although at least it seems the French consulate is a little easier to get through, I will still have to go to Atlanta which is 2 hours away (not as much as some, but an expensive trip nonetheless). I really hope, now, that I don't have to get a visa. (I was told I might not since my program is only 4 weeks)</p>
<p>For Spain, I believe you only need a visa for 90 days or more. My son studies in Spain for seven weeks and didn't need a visa.</p>