"Approved" visa now stuck in Administrative Processing with no explanation of why - what do I do now?

[mattflamm 0]

I'm really stuck just trying to find out the status of my wife's visa.

I applied by direct consular filing at the Manila, Philippines embassy and was very pleased with how quickly things were moving. it's no longer moving.

here is my most recent email to the support people. I've bolded some of the important details to try and make it easier to read.

She was interviewed on December 18, 2015 and was told she would be recommended for issuance but at the time our two children's CRBA had not been completed and was scheduled. On the advise of the interviewer we chose to hold the processing of her application in case there were problems with the CRBA as the children could then be more easily added to the application.

He then advised that after the CRBA interviews we should return to window 38 in the Immigrant Visa area or the embassy, advise them that the CRBA was now OK and ask them to proceed with with the processing of her application.

The CRBA interviews were completed with a positive result January 15, 2016 after which we immediately went downstairs to go to window 38. We were told we could not go to the window, but the woman at the reception counter said she would relay the information. After she collected the details of the case she went into the back, and returned a few minutes later to tell us that it was done and the application would now be processed.

Since that time I have been trying to confirm that it is, in fact, being processed. During my first call I was advised that the case had been updated on January 15, so it seemed that the information about the CRBA had been received, but they were not specifically able to confirm that the visa would now be processed. During the second call on Feb 1, 2016 to try and specifically confirm, the woman I spoke with "escalated" my concern and I received an email promising a response within 1 -2 days and showing a status of "Escalated To Post". We have received no reply in the 2 weeks since. In a third call more than a week after the second I was told that there had been no reply from the post, and nothing more.

In an effort to finally confirm that the visa is being processed and no longer on hold for the CRBA result, I visited the Embassy on February 11, 2016. There I was told by a helpful woman at the ticket office "As per the agent, we need to wait 7-10 days." When I asked what the wait was for (to be issued, to receive an answer to my question, etc) She said she was unsure and then a moment later said "for issuing". I find the answer difficult to trust as she just seemed to guess.

At no time have we been asked for additional documentation. We have also already received the passports and documents for our children related to the CRBA. we have received no other communication relating to the visa application. No papers were given to us at the interview. we were simply told it would be processed immediately after we advised them of the result of the CRBA.

The case status shown online is "Administrative Processing" and does not give any details as to what that means and says to refer to the letter we were given at the interview. There was no letter given.

At the interview we were told it typically takes 7-10 days for a visa to be issued after it has been approved, and as it is now a month since the hold should have been removed and very nearly 2 months since the interview, we are concerned. Because there seems to have been some miscommunication along the way, I am hoping you can provide answers to the following questions. Details related to the questions and process so far also follow.

• Is the case currently on hold waiting for the CRBA results or for any other reason?
• Was the hold removed on January 15, 2016 as it should have been?
• Is the case currently being processed?
• Is the statement from the embassy employee accurate that "we need to wait 7-10 days...for issuance" from last February 11? (details of her statement can be found above.)
• If it is being processed when is the approximate date we should know more?

We are more concerned with confirming that the case is progressing and being processed than trying to rush to get the passport and other documents.

In addition to what is stated in the email I had sent, there were multiple other emails that have not been responded to (not even a confirmation it was received), and many calls. My most recent attempt to call them was only minutes ago, and i was told flatly "there is no other option than just to wait".

I'm just trying to find out if it is even being processed. How can I find this out? what might have gotten things stuck?

[TBoneTX 46,195]

*** Thread moved from CR-1 Process forum to the CR-1 Case Progress subforum. ***

[mallafri76 1,012]

Oh I feel for you, my husband and I know all too well how tough it is to be stuck and feel like you're hitting a brickwall. Sounds like you've really tried to get through to them. I would wait another week and see if you get a response to your last email. If not, involve your Senator. That's what got our case moving from NVC.