Administrative Processing B1/B2 Visa

[drsura90 0]

Hi everyone,

I have an European passport and an Iraqi one.I was under the VWP with my European passport, I travelled to the US many times before. Recently they revoked my VWP because I am a dual national (Iraq) and have been to Iraq once to visit my parents (new law introduced). I had recently the need to travel to the US for a business meeting to represent my company and visit a conference so I applied for a B1 visa and provided the necessary documents, I had the interview in the embassy and the counselor asked few questions about the business trip, my CV and what I studied, my past trips to US, then handed me a white paper saying that my application is undergoing administrative processing (221g), they took the passport (EU) but they said I can also keep it because this may take sometime and I may need to travel elsewhere but I said no it is ok you can keep it. It has been 4 weeks now and I did not hear back anything, even when I have checked on CEAC online there was no update. I missed my business trip and the conference, the company tried to call them but they said it is under AP, I also called twice and I got the same answer. I know this may be because of my second nationality/my common name/trip to Iraq but I have seen people from Middle Eastern countries getting visas within few days, they do not even have an European nationality. How long will it still take? I am feeling very worried and do not know what to do.

Thank you for the reply.

[Boiler 45,649]

Impossible to know how long AP will take.

You have T connections that need investigating.

[Anitafeliz 1,133]

If the meeting passed the need to travel has as well....can't your company send someone else in your place??why are you their only option?

Edited October 16, 2016 by Anitafeliz

[drsura90 0]

Well, even if it passed, I have frequent travel there and it can pop up very quickly according to business needs. I heard the B1/B2 is valid for some years so I will still need it in the future.

@Boiler, I understand that, but I have seen cases even of friends who never been to US, have no VWP or EU passport and applied, they got it in 1 week or so.

@Anitafeliz the conference invited me specifically as I have published a paper there.

[Boiler 45,649]

AP is individual, so comparisons are not possible, some are longer than others.

[drsura90 0]

thanks

Edited October 17, 2016 by drsura90

[Boiler 45,649]

You could, but it would still be in AP so I do not see the point.

[drsura90 0]

Is it possible to apply for a different visa (e.g. B2) or I have t withdraw the first application?

[Boiler 45,649]

A B is usually issued as a combined B1/2

[drsura90 0]

So am I allowed to submit another B1/B2 application?

[Boiler 45,649]

Why, you have an approved application, subject to AP.

[JFH 12,190]

So am I allowed to submit another B1/B2 application?

No need. You have an ongoing application. Why would you want to start all over again when you are in the final stage of the current application? For all you know, it could be approved tomorrow.

Even a new application will go into AP - everyone with travel to that new list of places will go through AP. That's why they can no longer use the VWP, because the embassies want to run further checks on them.

[drsura90 0]

I totally understand, but there are two reasons:

1- I read for people with background checks, the AP can go for years! (knightmare).

2- For all I know it could be that the reason for the AP is the technical nature of the conference that made the counselor think it is on the TAL list (which is not), and not because of my background and second nationality ...

Any advice please?

[Boiler 45,649]

Wait

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Yeah, unfortunately there is nothing to do but wait. It may be you have a common name or a similar name to someone on a list. Best of luck.