Post Approval Processing

[kittylondon 47]

Some scary news from me - i just called the embassy on their crazy expensive line to find out whats happening with my visa since its been 8 days. The guys said it was being processed, and he couldn't actually tell if it had been approved or denied... he asked me what i was told on the day of my interview and then held the line for a few minutes... he then gave me a code to email the embassy and ask for an update. I did so, and received a reply immediately.. saying:

Your message has been received by the Consular Information Unit. We arecurrently averaging three to four days to answer routine email correspondence and seven to ten days for all other email correspondence. There is no mechanism for "status checks" while a visa application is being processed. Inquiries concerning cases which require administrative processing or background checks, and which have been pending less than 90 days, will not be answered.

I'm freaking out! Am i in some form of AP? Do they really take that long to get back to you? The woman was so confident in my approval at the interview, i'm totally shocked and terrified

[sara80 17]

Some scary news from me - i just called the embassy on their crazy expensive line to find out whats happening with my visa since its been 8 days. The guys said it was being processed, and he couldn't actually tell if it had been approved or denied... he asked me what i was told on the day of my interview and then held the line for a few minutes... he then gave me a code to email the embassy and ask for an update. I did so, and received a reply immediately.. saying:

Your message has been received by the Consular Information Unit. We arecurrently averaging three to four days to answer routine email correspondence and seven to ten days for all other email correspondence. There is no mechanism for "status checks" while a visa application is being processed. Inquiries concerning cases which require administrative processing or background checks, and which have been pending less than 90 days, will not be answered.

I'm freaking out! Am i in some form of AP? Do they really take that long to get back to you? The woman was so confident in my approval at the interview, i'm totally shocked and terrified

oh no! I think its just extra time they are taking probably due to lack of staff! Stay calm and u'll get it soon!! Fingers super crossed for you!!!

[Keeto 12]

Hi Kitty,

I really hope that is NOT the case for you ...fingers and toes crossed!

[kittylondon 47]

Thanks guys... i was just expecting them to say 'it's okay, we're backlogged, it's being processed' but to say that it didn't say approved on 'the information available to him' and give me a special code to email what basically seems to be the AP email addresss... not a good sign.

I can't believe this is happening (if it is!). But I was approved, i have nothing to hide, no criminal record, british family, they have my passport... all good signs, which just makes it more baffling

[Elora & Rob 15]

I think you are putting 2 and 2 together and getting 16. I would probably be doing the same though.

The email just says there is a delay in getting things back to you. As long as you havent booked any fligths or a wedding you should be ok.

[kittylondon 47]

Booked a flight for 28th august but if i have to cancel it i cancel it, i really don't care about losing 350 quid in the scheme of things... it will be the least of my worries!

I know i'm probably panicking, hope they email me back soooooooon. Ignorance is bliss - wish i'd never called!

[photomile 101]

It should be okay K, She said approval at interview. They're low on staff and the olympics are probably screwing things up. I'm sure you'll be okay!

[Texas22 50]

Everything will be okay Kitty... after the long wait it is understandable at this point. If she said approved at the interview I am sure you have nothing to worry about... and yes the Olympics probably have them short staffed... everyone taking time off to attend an event... My thoughts are with you!!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Call DOS and see if they can give you a little more specific info. Ask if it is just paper shuffling Administrative Processing or the longer security checking Administrative Processing. Sometimes they just say Administrative Processing as a generic term meaning the time between interview and issue of visa, so if they do, try to dig out if it's going to be the longer version. I have known people who were told approved, but still were in security AP. It's still a little early to conclude the worst, but see what kind of info DOS may have. Nobody can tell you how long it will take, but maybe they can tell you if additional security checks are involved.

[Darnell 8,478]

Please to call DoS Hotline (# in my profile, left panel) , get a Human , and inquire for status.

some basic questions, to ask, at the DoS Hotline :

1. What is the status of my case?

2. Is my case in administrative processing ?

3. Is my case in administrative review ?

DoS Hotline knows all, albeit 24 hours off, from the IV Unit at the Embassy.

[photomile 101]

Be specific when you ask. Very specific. They won't volunteer information.

[kittylondon 47]

Thanks guys, will do this when I get home. Have calmed down a little. But the fact that guy on the embassy line didn't seem to have a record of my approval is majorly worrying. Will call DOS tonight, try remember all the right things to ask, and update you.

[Sunshine25 17]

Hey, CALM DOWN!!!

It has only been 5 working days and they told me it would be 10-14 days for delivery. If you go past that, then start worrying!

Plus they have your passport, if they were going to put you in AP they would have given you a different form and your passport back (I think!). They can't just hang onto that for as long as they like!

Give it some more time

Oh, and by the way, the guy on the embassy phone had no record of my appointment when I called 2 days before it AND DOS had no record of my appointment either. They just read off a screen, which doesn't always get updated very regularly.

Edited August 7, 2012 by Sunshine25

[kittylondon 47]

love you emma did you get my message about flights?

[kittylondon 47]

Okay guys...

I just called DOS and they said my visa was issued today???!!!!!!!! I asked if i was good to go, and the women said (exact quote) 'good to go, it just needs to be printed'. I don't really understand how it can be issued but not printed, but whatever, i think it's all gonna be okay! I told her what the guy said to me earlier, and she said it was probably just normal processing post approval and there was no need for me to really be given a code to email the embassy, i should just wait to hear from the courier.

Lesson learned: do not waste your money calling the embassy, they are way less helpful than the state department and cost £1 a minute more.

I'll confirm when i actually receive the visa - hopefully by friday.

I'm sorry for the panic and feel kinda silly, the guy was just so weird when i called this morning, and seemed worried that i'd been told i was approved and just bandied abou the words extra processing... not helpful.

Also, andrew, if you're reading this, sorry i woke you up at 5 am this morning for (hopefully) nothing