Studying abroad and applying for a student visa?

Question

Is it true that when you go to apply for a student visa at the embassy, they temporarily take your passport from you?

I was just wondering, cause I WAS planning on taking some vacations abroad before beginning my study abroad program, which will be impossible if they do take my passport from me.

Thanks

Answer 1

Yes that is true, at the time of your interview they will ask for your passport. If your visa application is successful, then they will retain your passport at the end of the interview and it is usually returned to you with 7-14 days. However many people get theirs in 3 or 4, it really depends on which Embassy, the backlog they have and their turnaround time.

Just postpone your planning for at least 14 days, it very rarely takes that long anyway.

Answer 2

Contact your nation's embassy office where you'll be studying.

I'm an American.  Getting a student visa in Germany did not require me to surrender my passport.