Getting frustrated with differences between embassies

[Jeanna 21]

Salaam and peace, ya'll. I'm getting annoyed with the differences between embassies. Some K-1 visa holders can go the next day and pick their visa up at the embassy and others (like my fiance in Kingston, Jamaica) have to wait 2-3 weeks to get it delivered via DHL. There is no other option.

Is there something I'm missing here? I don't understand why the services offered aren't equal between embassies. They are all US government installations and USER funded entities so it's not like it's dependent upon the host country to determine the level of service.

I'm so happy we are approved but lack of info from Kingston coupled with their history of lagging behind makes me very uneasy. I just want an assurance from them that they are indeed processing it and not on "island" time, either.

It's been 5 business days and there have been no updates on my fiance's status. Nothing entered since Nov. 7th even though he dropped off his passport Nov. 12th. Just want to know they are doing SOMETHING.

[anishka98 0]

I understand your frustration. I submitted requested documents on Oct. 8 and my status was updated on Oct. 15 showing AP. it was again updated on Nov. 14 showing READY and on Nov. 15 the visa was issued.

I am of the opinion that they sometimes work on the cases but the status is not being updated. I could be wrong.

Base on my experience and also that of my relatives, it can take anymore from a month or more for the visa to be issued after submitted the requested documents.

Once the visa is issued, it is available for pick up at DHL within 3 working days.

[clairegie 265]

as far as I know, they do 1 more background check on beneficiaries before they issue visas so maybe that's a reason why it takes a little longer for us since we are listed as high fraud countries and they are being thorough. in my country, it takes about 2 weeks to get the visa after the interview, same as yours.

Edited November 20, 2013 by iammrsregi

[Spice1473 10]

My fiancé had his interview at the embassy in Barbados. It was Nov 12th. He had to return the passport, which he did on the 13th. Status has been on ready since Aug 29th. They say he will receive the visa within 7 days....... Let's see........

[Avery Cates 1,141]

All embassies are US, but not all countries are created equal.

Some are high fraud and require more checks and AP. Some have different sufficient delivery options available. Some are just backlogged with approved visas and take longer to get to.

[Jeanna 21]

Thanks so much to all of you who responded! After two years, a few weeks isn't unbearable but it's the NOT knowing or understanding the reasoning behind things which gets frustrating.

We have a saying in the southern US, "Don't count your chickens before they hatch". It definitely applies to this journey!!

Thanks again for the input, it has put my mind at ease.

[Jawaree 717]

as far as I know, they do 1 more background check on beneficiaries before they issue visas so maybe that's a reason why it takes a little longer for us since we are listed as high fraud countries and they are being thorough. in my country, it takes about 2 weeks to get the visa after the interview, same as yours.

Jamaica is not listed as a high fraud country,

they are known to upgrade their wages and bank

balances when applying for tourists visas (some)...but

HIGH fraud no....The visas R not printed in Jamaica

and like every country , they do a quick last minute AP

check to see if you been keeping your nose clean.

They advise it can take days to 10 wks

[Jeanna 21]

Thanks Jawaree! I'm glad we didn't go ahead and buy tickets, make plans, etc. assuming a quick turn around. We just don't have the money to waste.

[taherkoki 0]

Hi, 3 weeks is not bad, at the American embassy in Cairo, it can take many months, by the way, anybody out there who can provide any additional infor as to how long it is tking to get an immigration visa for my husband from the embassy in cairo, please drop me a message, I am trying to learn allI can so we are not in total darkness with this process.

[JSC n GOM 5]

Ours took 7 weeks... be patient

[Sharkano 13]

My $.02, and I know they would consider it not even worth that, is that they should not have the interview at all until they have done all the AP they need, and then they should stamp the passport with the visa at the interview (if approved), so there is no more of this AP limbo #######, making you a courier for your immigration file, and the rest of the nonsense which flows from their not issuing the visa that day.

Edited November 20, 2013 by Sharkano

[AmyWrites 593]

Those differences also work out in your favor. CO's know that some things are okay in some countries and others not, so, if your relationship is a bit "off" by US standards but okay by local ones, you're good.

[dwheels76 5,468]

Salaam and peace, ya'll. I'm getting annoyed with the differences between embassies. Some K-1 visa holders can go the next day and pick their visa up at the embassy and others (like my fiance in Kingston, Jamaica) have to wait 2-3 weeks to get it delivered via DHL. There is no other option.

Is there something I'm missing here? I don't understand why the services offered aren't equal between embassies. They are all US government installations and USER funded entities so it's not like it's dependent upon the host country to determine the level of service.

I'm so happy we are approved but lack of info from Kingston coupled with their history of lagging behind makes me very uneasy. I just want an assurance from them that they are indeed processing it and not on "island" time, either.

It's been 5 business days and there have been no updates on my fiance's status. Nothing entered since Nov. 7th even though he dropped off his passport Nov. 12th. Just want to know they are doing SOMETHING.

I think alot has to do with how busy a embassy is.

Like Italy is same day you get Visa its done right there at the window, But remember they are ESTA or VWP (I don't know which sorry) so no Visa processing 100's of millions of folk a day. So less busy.

My Nigeria is 5 business days which isn' t bad. Ghana use to be like 6 to 8 weeks but they are like a week now. But hey you got approved. Happy dance. Congratulations., You have to take the bitter with the sweet.

[David & Diana R 1,005]

Salaam and peace, ya'll. I'm getting annoyed with the differences between embassies. Some K-1 visa holders can go the next day and pick their visa up at the embassy and others (like my fiance in Kingston, Jamaica) have to wait 2-3 weeks to get it delivered via DHL. There is no other option.

Is there something I'm missing here? I don't understand why the services offered aren't equal between embassies. They are all US government installations and USER funded entities so it's not like it's dependent upon the host country to determine the level of service.

I'm so happy we are approved but lack of info from Kingston coupled with their history of lagging behind makes me very uneasy. I just want an assurance from them that they are indeed processing it and not on "island" time, either.

It's been 5 business days and there have been no updates on my fiance's status. Nothing entered since Nov. 7th even though he dropped off his passport Nov. 12th. Just want to know they are doing SOMETHING.

Yeah you would think if they are all US Embassies they would all have the same procedures.....but then again that would make too much sense! Our took 12 working days to be delivered 1/4 mile away from the embassy in Philippines. Don't make sense.