Conflicting news from DOS

[D~J 0]

Hi guys! I need help! My husband had an interview on 11/14 and afterwards the counselor mentioned that all was well and took his passport and said he will be contacted within a week to pick up his visa. A week passed and no news from the embassy. Yes, I know it's turkey day but I called DOS anyways and they congradulated me by saying the embassy issued a visa on 11/18. They had no news about when it will be ready to pick up. So I emailed the embassy to inquire but they said, visa is not yet ready to be issued, we will contact you when it is or if we need addiional documents. I called DOS TWICE more to confirm it was yes indeed issued. Chris at DOS said he wasn't sure why the embassy is giving me false info. I sent another email, a little more direct, asking about the conflicting news but no response yet. What steps should I take? What can I say/do for them to tell why exactly they're holding to hubbys visa? This is so frustrating!!!

[jaycali 415]

I have the exact same situation. I had my interview 2 and a half weeks ago, was approved and told by the CO I'd have my passport in the mail in 2 weeks.

DOS says my visa was issued "earlier this month. you'll get it in the mail soon."

Embassy says "We haven't sent it yet. Contact us in a week if you have not heard from us."

Unless the embassy in Kabul has a phone number to call, there's nothing really you can do. Embassies aren't known for their long, detailed email responses.

Edited November 23, 2012 by Jay Jay

[D~J 0]

Err. What would I ask on the phone? What is their answer when you tell them that DOS has already issued visa? Do they even care?

[milimelo 4,477]

Beneficiary from Afghanistan and you're not considering he is under AP for additional background/name checks? I'd give it a month at least before asking for passport with visa.

[D~J 0]

No, no AP. They gave him a passport pickup slip. Plus why would DOS lie? That is the only reason I am confused. One says it's been issued while the other says it's not. It annoys the heck out of me.

[jaycali 415]

No, no AP. They gave him a passport pickup slip. Plus why would DOS lie? That is the only reason I am confused. One says it's been issued while the other says it's not. It annoys the heck out of me.

It would almost be the exception to the rule for an Afghan male not to be in AP. But you're right, it's very strange that DOS says one thing, and the embassy says another.

[Pinkrlion 2,719]

Hi guys! I need help! My husband had an interview on 11/14 and afterwards the counselor mentioned that all was well and took his passport and said he will be contacted within a week to pick up his visa. A week passed and no news from the embassy. Yes, I know it's turkey day but I called DOS anyways and they congradulated me by saying the embassy issued a visa on 11/18. They had no news about when it will be ready to pick up. So I emailed the embassy to inquire but they said, visa is not yet ready to be issued, we will contact you when it is or if we need addiional documents. I called DOS TWICE more to confirm it was yes indeed issued. Chris at DOS said he wasn't sure why the embassy is giving me false info. I sent another email, a little more direct, asking about the conflicting news but no response yet. What steps should I take? What can I say/do for them to tell why exactly they're holding to hubbys visa? This is so frustrating!!!

DOS is correct, your embassy is being lazy and has not mailed it yet. DOS can tell you what date the visa was printed and issued. I called DOS as well, they told me the same info. Three days later got e-mail to pick up visa at DHL.

[D~J 0]

Oh I hope you're right!!!

DOS said the visa is printed there, not here in the US.

[jaycali 415]

Oh I hope you're right!!! DOS said the visa is printed there, not here in the US.

That's correct. The embassy prints the visa.

[Darnell 8,478]

Err. What would I ask on the phone? What is their answer when you tell them that DOS has already issued visa? Do they even care?

This is general , not specifically for Kabul:

1. What date was the visa packet sent out?

2. Is the casefile in Administrative Processing, or no ?

General Timeticks for the IV unit:

--Interview Day

--Visa Approved

--Visa Packet Sent

----------------

then Visa Packet Received (by you)

Edited November 25, 2012 by Darnell

[jaycali 415]

This is general , not specifically for Kabul: 1. What date was the visa packet sent out? 2. Is the casefile in Administrative Processing, or no ?General Timeticks for the IV unit: --Interview Day--Visa Approved--Visa Packet Sent----------------then Visa Packet Received (by you)

Darnell, what to say when the DOS operator says they can't tell whether or not the visa is sent?

[Darnell 8,478]

Darnell, what to say when the DOS operator says they can't tell whether or not the visa is sent?

Dear Operator - please give me the last 3 status things on my casefile, along with the date that each thing was logged.

[jaycali 415]

Dear Operator - please give me the last 3 status things on my casefile, along with the date that each thing was logged.

Thanks. And what on earth does "visa issued 2 weeks ago, visa packet not sent." Mean?

[Darnell 8,478]

I think it means the mailroom crew at the IV unit is on vacation.

[jaycali 415]

I think it means the mailroom crew at the IV unit is on vacation.

I don't know if that's a relief or a reason for frustration. Thanks for your input!