Waiting for our passports from Montreal

[NikLR 13,227]

There is no phone number. Just the online form and I think an email for K1.

Montreal is being quite slow... /kicks them in the pants.

[picasso 2]

Thank you. They finally replied to my email, but basically not giving any useful information. For those with overseas passports, I also found the following information on the Consulate Website:

Possible Visa Services Interruption

The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs is currently experiencing technical problems with overseas passport and visa systems. This issue is not specific to any particular country, citizenship document, or visa category. We apologize for the inconvenience and are working urgently to correct the problem and restore full operability.

[NikLR 13,227]

http://www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/english/news/technological-systems-issue.html

That doesn't explain the people waiting from May...

[Trenz 52]

http://www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/english/news/technological-systems-issue.html

That doesn't explain the people waiting from May...

I have to agree. I have seen some fellow Canadians who have interviewed after me and have already received their passports while I am stuck in AP. I have this funny feeling I am going to be in AP for quite some time.

[Mshp 0]

Thank you. They finally replied to my email, but basically not giving any useful information. For those with overseas passports, I also found the following information on the Consulate Website:

Possible Visa Services Interruption

The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs is currently experiencing technical problems with overseas passport and visa systems. This issue is not specific to any particular country, citizenship document, or visa category. We apologize for the inconvenience and are working urgently to correct the problem and restore full operability.

What overseas passport means?!

[Trenz 52]

What overseas passport means?!

My apologies if this does not answer your question, but, everyone, I think there is a major problem going on right now. Go check out https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/iv

Possible Visa Services Interruption

The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs is currently experiencing technical problems with overseas passport and visa systems. This issue is not specific to any particular country, citizenship document, or visa category. We apologize for the inconvenience and are working urgently to correct the problem and restore full operability.

Applications for a U.S. visa made after June 8, 2015, are also affected by this delay. Nonimmigrant visa applicants who did not submit their DS-160 online application prior to June 9, 2015, should reschedule their interview appointments. Individuals with urgent travel should follow the instructions for expedited emergency appointment found under the “Answers to Common Questions” on this website.

[NikLR 13,227]

What overseas passport means?!

It means any passport or visas services NOT in the USA.

[Mshp 0]

It means any passport or visas services NOT in the USA.

I read the whole thing and found my answer out. The overseas passports has nothing to do with us waiting for our spouses' visas, I am not even sure the whole system issue has anything to do with us who had the interview before June 9. AP process itself seems a long lasting problem in visa process.

[Trenz 52]

I read the whole thing and found my answer out. The overseas passports has nothing to do with us waiting for our spouses' visas, I am not even sure the whole system issue has anything to do with us who had the interview before June 9. AP process itself seems a long lasting problem in visa process.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but was there not a recent hack which affected all federal services in the US? I would assume this might also impact visa processing? As for the arbitrary date of June 8/9, people are wondering if that was due to them doing a system reset on pending applications for interviews or if another security issue was discovered.

[Mshp 0]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but was there not a recent hack which affected all federal services in the US? I would assume this might also impact visa processing? As for the arbitrary date of June 8/9, people are wondering if that was due to them doing a system reset on pending applications for interviews or if another security issue was discovered.

After I heard about this system problem I became suspicious of the relationship between this system crash and the cyber attack too, but as far as my concern is, I don't care what the cause is/was, it is my life which is being wasting while we have to wait for this visa. But I repeat I don't think my spouse's visa was delayed for this recent system problem since his interview was a month before of this occurrence.

Hope next week be a happier one full of good news for all.

Edited June 13, 2015 by Mshp

[Trenz 52]

After I heard about this system problem I became suspicious of the relationship between this system crash and the cyber attack too, but as far as my concern is, I don't care what the cause is/was, it is my life which is being wasting while we have to wait for this visa. But I repeat I don't think my spouse's visa was delayed for this resent system problem since his interview was a month before of this occurrence.

Hope next week be a happier one.

I would have to agree too, at least at face value. Why? If you look back a few pages in this thread you'll see that people who had interviews as late as May 22nd or so had their visas approved already.

Now, my thinking could be, that if you got in under the wire before June 8 in terms of interviews, etc. then you will at least be in the system; as to whether or not this system breach is going to slow down those who are in the "Ready" or "AP" positions is another matter. This doesn't mean we may necessarily have to go back and redo anything, but potentially we could be held up because of this and are victims of double unfortunate timing (a longer wait in the first place for whatever reason and now an extra long wait because of this breach).

Whatever the case is, I agree, we have been waiting far too long. Just out of curiosity, at what status is your visa in? Ready? AP?

[YVRDualCouple 5]

We are now into WEEK 9 since our interview. PAINFUL

Our member of congress' office is investigating, and thus far they have learned that we are in "administrative processing." That's more than the consulate has told us. Our online status has never changed from "ready" to "AP," and shows the last update on May 15.

Our congressperson's office has requested more information about the AP--we'll see what happens next.

[Trenz 52]

We are now into WEEK 9 since our interview. PAINFUL

Our member of congress' office is investigating, and thus far they have learned that we are in "administrative processing." That's more than the consulate has told us. Our online status has never changed from "ready" to "AP," and shows the last update on May 15.

Our congressperson's office has requested more information about the AP--we'll see what happens next.

That is a load of absolute...you know what...that you've been waiting 9 weeks now. Good lord. I am having a tough time dealing with 4, let alone 9.

Correct me if I am wrong, but if you entered AP, you should have that completed by no more than 60 days from the day you first entered it. If you have gone over that time limit, you should contact the consulate with that information as that is past the point in which they are allowed to be in AP, technically speaking.

Suffice to say...."Ready"..."Administrative Processing"...it really does not matter until that status says "Issued" to me.

Just a final question if you don't mind me asking. Did your congresswoman's office contact you with this information or did you call and make an inquiry from which they told you?

[NikLR 13,227]

AP can last for years. Just ask people from Pakistan.

[Trenz 52]

AP can last for years. Just ask people from Pakistan.

Of course it can! I just know it is recommended that one makes an inquiry after 60 days has passed within AP (Source).

It is a sad fact of immigration, but I do know some countries are given greater scrutiny than others. However, with my situation as well as YVRDualCouple's, we both are coming from perhaps the most friendly/linked to country the US has.

AP lasting years could of course be the norm for some, but with people in our situation, the vast majority of the time it is not. Heck, we have now both had people who interviewed later than us now receive their visas already. Obviously there is something unique going on with our applications or by sheer bad lack we are being singled out for some reason.