Almost done with IR1 Visa. Just a weird question regarding the ustravel site.

[turbocomppro 3]

So my wife had the interview on June 21st. She got a GREEN paper stating she has been preliminary approved pending additional paperwork. I did not make enough to be a sponsor so I have to get myself a sponsor.

They took most of the certificates and medical exam she brought but did not take her passport or photos. However, on the website (ustraveldocs.com) it says "Your passport is still with the US Embassy/Consulate." Is this normal?

We went to submitted the additional paperwork with her passport and photos as instructed on the GREEN paper on the 7th at the nearby CITIC bank next to the embassy. Does anyone know if that last box will update saying they are processing the VISA or VISA is approved before mailing out her passport? Or if that box will simply say they mailed the passport it out? What other messages does that box usually display?

I've attached a screenshot of the webpage I'm sure most of you have seen.

[Shauneg 762]

Ours never changed from that.....even now...

[turbocomppro 3]

Ours never changed from that.....even now...

So how did you get notify when the visa has been issued and it's ready for pickup? By email?

[nathanp 6]

my wife got her visa and the website still said its at US embassy..so it seems it doesnt change or update.we couldnt even track it but got a text stating it will be delivered..it could be different but when my wife got hers approved (i also needed a joint sponsor) it said ISSUED on the CEAC website.and about a week later she got her passport with the visa in it..my wife has now been here in the states for 3 days..you can keep checking..but it may not update or could change at any second as it did with me.just keep checking or even call and check on it.thats the best way to find out

[turbocomppro 3]

Thanks for the reply nathanp. I didn't know about the CEAC site. I do recall going there at the very beginning but I have not used it since. In any case, I will check this site regularly. They said it can take up to 3 business days for the passport and I-864 documents to reach the Embassy. Then I guess it's just a waiting game...

I basically want to know when the package reaches the embassy, and when the visa is issued and sent out. But from what you said, it looks like all I will get is an ISSUED once they finish processing the paperwork.

[nathanp 6]

Thanks for the reply nathanp. I didn't know about the CEAC site. I do recall going there at the very beginning but I have not used it since. In any case, I will check this site regularly. They said it can take up to 3 business days for the passport and I-864 documents to reach the Embassy. Then I guess it's just a waiting game...

I basically want to know when the package reaches the embassy, and when the visa is issued and sent out. But from what you said, it looks like all I will get is an ISSUED once they finish processing the paperwork.

not a problem..from what i can remember.there is something on the CEAC website that says at use embassy..mine was under administrative review because of financial documents.i make enough to support her now but last year i did not make enough..so just added joint sponsor just to show there is someone else willing to help us if needed..this happened when she was at her interview and that was june 6th of this year. it changed to "Administrative Processing" and the finally it said "ISSUED" i have a picture i took to show my wife.when her and i are back from shopping ill try to find it and upload to show you what it looks like..but this was for the Philippines..but the CEAC website is for any US citizen filing so should show the same one the less..

if you need the link to the website to check the status let me know.and one thing i do know..dont worry..it takes time..looking back its really not that bad..just a few hickups (mostly on my part)

[turbocomppro 3]

not a problem..from what i can remember.there is something on the CEAC website that says at use embassy..mine was under administrative review because of financial documents.i make enough to support her now but last year i did not make enough..so just added joint sponsor just to show there is someone else willing to help us if needed..this happened when she was at her interview and that was june 6th of this year. it changed to "Administrative Processing" and the finally it said "ISSUED" i have a picture i took to show my wife.when her and i are back from shopping ill try to find it and upload to show you what it looks like..but this was for the Philippines..but the CEAC website is for any US citizen filing so should show the same one the less..

if you need the link to the website to check the status let me know.and one thing i do know..dont worry..it takes time..looking back its really not that bad..just a few hickups (mostly on my part)

I found the website (again) and mine says "Administrative Review." I submitted the I-130 just right before Chinese New Year. We also had some hiccups because of expired notarized certificates. They wanted notarized paperwork no more then 3 months old. We had to travel back to her home town in ChongQing to get them and that took awhile. Got an email on May 13th to proceed to the next step (complete the DS260 online, copy of passport, 2 photos) and submit all those via a drop off location. Then received an email on May 26 for final processing notice, made interview appointment, med exam, registered at CGI Stanley, etc.

All in all, I think it was pretty quick. Would of been quicker if I had known about the 3 month thing. I'm just curious now how long did it take your case to go from "Administrative Processing" to "ISSUED." I guess I'm not going to get any other updates if everything goes well. But as long as it's reasonably quick, I'm OK with that.

[nathanp 6]

I found the website (again) and mine says "Administrative Review." I submitted the I-130 just right before Chinese New Year. We also had some hiccups because of expired notarized certificates. They wanted notarized paperwork no more then 3 months old. We had to travel back to her home town in ChongQing to get them and that took awhile. Got an email on May 13th to proceed to the next step (complete the DS260 online, copy of passport, 2 photos) and submit all those via a drop off location. Then received an email on May 26 for final processing notice, made interview appointment, med exam, registered at CGI Stanley, etc.

All in all, I think it was pretty quick. Would of been quicker if I had known about the 3 month thing. I'm just curious now how long did it take your case to go from "Administrative Processing" to "ISSUED." I guess I'm not going to get any other updates if everything goes well. But as long as it's reasonably quick, I'm OK with that.

took about a week for a change..i say that but really maybe 2 and a half weeks as there was a week i had to mail joint sponsor paper work via Fedex..but it was like a week after i mailed ir and the US embassy got the package that there was a change.this is in the Philippines though but i assume China wouldnt be as busy as the Philippines (not sure i just know the Philippines after researching for a long time) but it would really depend on the case and how backed up they are if any..im sure someone has said this already but check timelines for your visa and China to get an idea.

in short after all paper work was received.it took a week.you wont know anything until it says issued or you get a notice in the mail asking for more info(oh i hope it doesnt happen)you can try calling them as well.i dont like talking on the phone so i just waited.

[nathanp 6]

I found the website (again) and mine says "Administrative Review." I submitted the I-130 just right before Chinese New Year. We also had some hiccups because of expired notarized certificates. They wanted notarized paperwork no more then 3 months old. We had to travel back to her home town in ChongQing to get them and that took awhile. Got an email on May 13th to proceed to the next step (complete the DS260 online, copy of passport, 2 photos) and submit all those via a drop off location. Then received an email on May 26 for final processing notice, made interview appointment, med exam, registered at CGI Stanley, etc.

All in all, I think it was pretty quick. Would of been quicker if I had known about the 3 month thing. I'm just curious now how long did it take your case to go from "Administrative Processing" to "ISSUED." I guess I'm not going to get any other updates if everything goes well. But as long as it's reasonably quick, I'm OK with that.

here is what it will say and you will know its just a matter of waiting for the visa/passport to be picked up.took just a few days after this change for my wife to get hers..

[turbocomppro 3]

here is what it will say and you will know its just a matter of waiting for the visa/passport to be picked up.took just a few days after this change for my wife to get hers..

Thanks again for the info. I'm just a little anxious to get everything done. I submitted the additional paper work just this Thursday and it's the weekend so they probably haven't even delivered it to the embassy yet. I actually went to the embassy first to submit them but they won't accept it. Told me to go across the street to the drop off place. Thanks again. Really appreciated.

[turbocomppro 3]

Just a small update. So I brought the additional paperwork they requested (I-864) to the bank on the 7th. The CEAC website updated on the 11th, then 13th, then 14th. This is the date next to "Status Updated Date:" The big light blue title remains at "Administrative Processing." Just the date changed. Am I close to getting a visa issued?