Just passed the two week mark

[Darnell 8,478]

when yer calling into DoS Hotline, ask specifically for the date on 'visa packet sent' as that's the date the IV Unit actually dropped it in the mail or the courier service picked it up.

[jaycali 415]

when yer calling into DoS Hotline, ask specifically for the date on 'visa packet sent' as that's the date the IV Unit actually dropped it in the mail or the courier service picked it up.

Will do. The problem again is that the IV unit says the visa has not yet been sent. And that they will "contact me in the near future." And to contact them if I have not heard from them in "a weeks time." The DOS on the other hand says "Everything is ok. The visa has been issued. We cannot tell if or when it has/will be sent."

Edited November 21, 2012 by Jay Jay

[jaycali 415]

Hi Jay Jay!!Rarely on a CR/IR you would get a denial after the fact, because at this point the only reason for them to reconsider your approval is something short of you being in the 10-most wanted list. All the same, the wait is never fun.... Hang in there buddy!!!On another subject... so you will miss this Thanksgiving dinner with the in-laws but Thanksgiving is more than just a one-day holiday. There are no rules or laws that would consider you a criminal if you were to prepare a full Thanksgiving meal once you're stateside. In fact, I think it would bode rather well if you had a holiday on a regular day and surprised your in-laws for a holiday dinner on a otherwise mundane day. So, make Thanksgiving wait for you, instead of you missing it altogether. Hang in there and be patient. The wait is almost over.Happy Thanksgiving to you and family!!!

Thanks for the uplifting words Gegel. Your input never fails to calm my nerves. I can assure you that I am certainly not on any 10 most wanted lists. I do have an unpaid parking ticket.

Any idea what the hold-up at the embassy could possibly be? Or better yet, what the cryptic messages they send me could mean?

Edited November 21, 2012 by Jay Jay

[JohnR! 5,495]

Thanks for the uplifting words Gegel. Your input never fails to calm my nerves. I can assure you that I am certainly not on any 10 most wanted lists. I do have an unpaid parking ticket.

Any idea what the hold-up at the embassy could possibly be? Or better yet, what the cryptic messages they send me could mean?

The cryptic messages are just badly worded. They try so hard so sound generic and positive yet non committal that one really doesnt know what to think.

The reason they are so generic is there isn't a specific message for each case - you're OK/you should be OK/you're most likely not OK - so they created this 'one size fits all' that really serves no one, for the chosen wording leaves room for interpretation.

Mind you too, that as the holiday season approaches, chances are many are stateside on vacation so the consulate may be working with reduced staff.

The only thing you can do it be patient - which in your shoes is not exactly a short order, is it?

[bsd058 296]

Just received a reply from the embassy:

"It has yet to be sent. We will contact you in a near future."

Wow! Do they even speak English? It sounds like they are planning on altering reality. Pick a future any future.

[jaycali 415]

Wow! Do they even speak English? It sounds like they are planning on altering reality. Pick a future any future.

They do take predictability to another dimension, that's for sure.

[bsd058 296]

They do take predictability to another dimension, that's for sure.

[jaycali 415]

The cryptic messages are just badly worded. They try so hard so sound generic and positive yet non committal that one really doesnt know what to think.The reason they are so generic is there isn't a specific message for each case - you're OK/you should be OK/you're most likely not OK - so they created this 'one size fits all' that really serves no one, for the chosen wording leaves room for interpretation.Mind you too, that as the holiday season approaches, chances are many are stateside on vacation so the consulate may be working with reduced staff.The only thing you can do it be patient - which in your shoes is not exactly a short order, is it?

I've been fairly patient up until this point. I can handle a "Sorry, we are very backlogged, your passport and visa will be mailed to you within xx days." or even a "We miss-spelled your name, please allow 30 days to re-print." - Something of that nature. But being completely out of the loop this close to the finish line with no idea whether this is a simple printing error, delay due to short staffing, or if something is seriously wrong is just excruciating. Especially after getting the "your visa is approved! It will be mailed to you in 2 weeks." news served 15 days ago.

All I know is that the visa is not in the mail, that the embassy "will contact" me "in a near future.", and that DOS says "everything is ok."

My patience is intact, if waiting 3 weeks was normal, I'd wait another week, no problem. It's the not knowing that's the killer. Can I rest assured that if DOS tells me "everything is ok, they will mail it" this is just some administrative delay of sorts?

Edited November 21, 2012 by Jay Jay

[Ryan H 3,812]

I know this may be a silly question..if they approved your visa during the interview...can they deny it after the fact?

Yes, a visa can be revoked. It's not a common occurrence but it can and has happened.

The reason I am asking because I read some posts where people had to wait months for their visa to be issued....and I wonder if they can deny it through AP?

Yes, a visa can be refused at the end of AP.

[jaycali 415]

So I inquired with an immigration attorney as to what could be the reason for this delay..

She asked if I had ever spent time in the US before - which I have, years on student visas and plenty of VWP visits. She said "because of all your long term time in the US they are doing an admin proc on you through the FBI to make sure there were no files on you., and that "it should have been completed before your interview but sometimes delays happen and the consul may not have known it was not back until the final processing after your interview."

She went on to say this is a very common reason for delay. I always thought an FBI background check was conducted at the petition level by the USCIS, but apparently, according to the attorney it's not done until the immigrant visa processing. I asked why the state dept. would tell me the visa has been issued, and she said because they have issued the visa number, but not the actual visa stamp yet.

One thing that puzzles me still is the fact that the CO told me right after approval that they hadn't ran a name check on me, but that they'd do it "right now" and asked me to sit and wait. I was called up again after a few minutes and told it was "All clear!" I asked the attorney about this, and her answer was "there are two different things going on here. One is getting the actual visa number from the Visa Office in Washington DC. That is probably what was done then. But the supervisor of the immigrant visa section has to approve the issuance of the visa stamp and at that point they may have found that the FBI clearance was not in. That is generally what causes the delay."

Does this sound logical/reasonable folks? I know all I can really do is wait, but any input is greatly appreciated!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Jay-Jay, I think the delay is just due to federal holidays (Veteran's day) and the like. There is nothing to be worried about.

[jaycali 415]

Jay-Jay, I think the delay is just due to federal holidays (Veteran's day) and the like. There is nothing to be worried about.

Thanks Harpa!

Somehow, venting on VJ soothes the soul. Been spending the day trying to explain to my wife why it's a bad idea to go to the police station, apply for an emergency passport and head over on the VWP.

[The Mean Lady 604]

Thanks Harpa!

Somehow, venting on VJ soothes the soul. Been spending the day trying to explain to my wife why it's a bad idea to go to the police station, apply for an emergency passport and head over on the VWP.

O_O wow.

[OgaMum 4]

I was wondering why it took so long for some people to get their visa stamp. Do they have a machine where they can run the fingerprint card and see if there is a hit?

Do they send the fingerprint card to DC or locally? Jay Jay....were you denied the first time or approved the first time? I am asking because my husband was denied the first time and we are waiting for our second interview in December...however I am curious if they will expect another fingerprint because we are using the old one.

It is the same fingerprints so why spend more money for the same fingerprints??? My in-law told me when she went to visa collection center to get her tourist visa....several people were screaming at the workers because apparently CO gave them a date to pick up their visas and it wasn't ready.

It doesn't make sense to me...how they would give a date and it is not ready.

[jaycali 415]

I was wondering why it took so long for some people to get their visa stamp. Do they have a machine where they can run the fingerprint card and see if there is a hit? Do they send the fingerprint card to DC or locally? Jay Jay....were you denied the first time or approved the first time? I am asking because my husband was denied the first time and we are waiting for our second interview in December...however I am curious if they will expect another fingerprint because we are using the old one. It is the same fingerprints so why spend more money for the same fingerprints??? My in-law told me when she went to visa collection center to get her tourist visa....several people were screaming at the workers because apparently CO gave them a date to pick up their visas and it wasn't ready. It doesn't make sense to me...how they would give a date and it is not ready.

I was approved at the interview, and the DOS has my visa listed as "issued." The embassy tells me it has yet to be sent, and that they will contact me within a week. That's all I really know.

The embassy takes fingerprints of every applicant, regardless. The same happens at the airport, the CBP takes any foreigner's fingerprints.

As for visas not being ready.. Well, the COs are human too. Some times things get botched, some times things get delayed. It's not like you can call them and say "Screw you, I'm switching to Verizon!" so their customer service doesn't need to be great.