OK, so I knew about the holiday coming, but hopefully they should get something this week to send back to me. The EMS satchels take about 6 days to get between us, so that leaves a week. I believe I can pay the rush fee, and I happily will if it makes the visa appear.
This letter of invitation, is this something the school writes? If so, and I can get a visa based on this letter, I would be set. I might go and harass the poor guy for such a letter...