After my appointment, the officer didn’t explain next steps and just kept my passport. Is this how it usually goes?
This silence at the end of an interview is actually the standard experience for most applicants. Yes, this is exactly how it usually goes. The officer’s primary job is to collect your biometric data and documents, not to provide a detailed consultation on the next steps. The embassy keeps your passport because the visa must be physically printed and attached to one of the pages if the application is approved. Keeping the document means your file has officially entered the administrative processing phase.
Yes, this is completely normal. It depends on where you submitted your application. In most cases, applications are submitted through a third-party visa center, which only collects your documents and passport and forwards them to the embassy. They usually do not explain the next steps, because the final review and decision are made only by the embassy or consulate.