Islamabad US Embassy Delaying Interview for SB-1 Visa (Returned Resident Visa)

[zohaibzap 0]

Hello Everyone,

 

My mom applied for SB-1 visa and has been approved. After approval Islamabad us embassy requested us to fill out the DS-260 and send all the supporting document. Which we have already done it. Right now our status is showing READY on CEAC NVC website and It also show that my mother case file is now in Islamabad embassy. The case transfer from NVC to Islamabad on July 10, 2017. Today is August 20th 2017 and we have not receive interview letter or email.

 

I contacted embassy several time asking why they are delaying the interview? their response was full of nonsense to me. see response below.

 

 "

Dear Madam,

 

Thank you for your email. We are waiting for your medical report. As soon as we receive the medical report, we will schedule you for interview.

 

Immigrant Visa Unit

Consular Section, American Embassy

Islamabad, Pakistan

SN"

 

They are waiting for medial report to schedule the interview? According to ustravel.gov the medical report is required at the time of interview. Everyone knows that. I truly feel that agent who are replying to immigrant visa inquiries are either not trained or they are hiding something from us. 

 

I am also attaching the PDF document that I downloaded from us.travel.gov  This PDF explain what to do before your interview date. It clearly says in the report that the physician will give the medical report to applicant in a sealed envelope and we can not open that seal only the agent at the interview will open the seal.  

 

After their first reply I asked the physician whether they send medical report to embassy before they schedule the interview or not. He said that we give report to applicant and then applicant take this report with them to their interview appointment. The physician also suggested me to tell the embassy that I have possession of  medical report, so they can schedule your interview.  I inquire the embassy that I have the medical report, so please schedule my interview so I can bring the report or let me know how to send you the report, so you can schedule the interview.

 

Again this time I got a similar reply. 

 

"Dear Sir/ Madam,

 

Thank you for your email. We have not received the medical so far from our panel hospital. Once we receive, we will have this review and schedule for interview.

 

We hope this information is helpful.

 

Immigrant Visa Unit,

Consular Section, American Embassy,

Islamabad, Pakistan

SN"

 

Now I very anxious and frustrated that what the hell I need to do??? If anyone one of you can help please do let me know.

ISL - Islamabad.pdf

[Boiler 46,073]

Why would you need a medical for a SB1? Seems odd.

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

Your mom's timeline sounds odd; how can she be approved for the visa, but not have had the interview yet?

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

3 hours ago, Penguin_ie said:

Your mom's timeline sounds odd; how can she be approved for the visa, but not have had the interview yet?

 

Agreed. The interview is where the decision takes place. And if she needs a medical because it's an immigrant visa (which as I understand is the case) she definitely can't be approved without the medical.

 

Edit to add:

Looking at the embassy website I think what may have happened is the mother has been determined eligible to apply for the SB1 but has yet to complete the second part of the process which is the actual visa approval stage - https://pk.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/returning-resident-visa/

"A Consular Officer will interview you and review your application and supporting documents. If it is determined that you meet the criteria for returning resident (SB-1) status, the second step of the process is to complete the entire immigrant visa process including paying the immigrant visa fees, obtaining a medical exam, submitting all necessary police clearances, affidavits of support and civil documents, and appearing in-person for a second appointment at the Embassy for the immigrant visa interview."

 

 

Edited August 20, 2017 by SusieQQQ

[zohaibzap 0]

4 hours ago, Boiler said:

Why would you need a medical for a SB1? Seems odd.

If applicant get approved in first part of the SB1 visa then they need to go through the entire immigrant visa process and in this process medical exam is necessary.

 

I hope that reply to your question.

[zohaibzap 0]

4 hours ago, Penguin_ie said:

Your mom's timeline sounds odd; how can she be approved for the visa, but not have had the interview yet?

she had her first interview where couslor officer approved that she is eligible for SB-1 visa. Now in the second part she needs to go through the entire process of immigrant which she already done it. She also got her medical exam done but now waiting for interview appointment.

[zohaibzap 0]

58 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

 

Agreed. The interview is where the decision takes place. And if she needs a medical because it's an immigrant visa (which as I understand is the case) she definitely can't be approved without the medical.

 

Edit to add:

Looking at the embassy website I think what may have happened is the mother has been determined eligible to apply for the SB1 but has yet to complete the second part of the process which is the actual visa approval stage - https://pk.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/returning-resident-visa/

"A Consular Officer will interview you and review your application and supporting documents. If it is determined that you meet the criteria for returning resident (SB-1) status, the second step of the process is to complete the entire immigrant visa process including paying the immigrant visa fees, obtaining a medical exam, submitting all necessary police clearances, affidavits of support and civil documents, and appearing in-person for a second appointment at the Embassy for the immigrant visa interview."

 

 

I hope got your answer here. My mom already got her medical done and she is waiting for interview letter. The problem is that embassy need to schdule her interview appointment so we can take that medical report to them which is normal procedure. They are saying that they are waiting for medical report from approved panel of hospital or physician which is clearly odd. I think you better know about this stuff. What you think what could be the issue? let me know whatever your thaughts.

[Boiler 46,073]

SB 1 is a returning residents visa not an immigrant visa.

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

1 hour ago, zohaibzap said:

I hope got your answer here. My mom already got her medical done and she is waiting for interview letter. The problem is that embassy need to schdule her interview appointment so we can take that medical report to them which is normal procedure. They are saying that they are waiting for medical report from approved panel of hospital or physician which is clearly odd. I think you better know about this stuff. What you think what could be the issue? let me know whatever your thaughts.

I really dont know details about Islamabad. Can you ask them if you can bring the medical envelope into them first if they really want it before they schedule the interview?

 

 

1 hour ago, Boiler said:

SB 1 is a returning residents visa not an immigrant visa.

It is classed as an IV:

Overview - About Returning Resident Visas

A permanent resident (called lawful permanent resident or LPR) or conditional resident (CR) who has remained outside the United States for longer than one year, or beyond the validity period of a Re-entry Permit, will require a new immigrant visa to enter the United States and resume permanent residence. A provision exists under U.S. visa law for the issuance of a returning resident special immigrant visa to an LPR who remained outside the United States due to circumstances beyond his/her control. This webpage is about Returning Resident Visas. If you are an LPR unable to return to the United States within the travel validity period of the green card (1 year) or the validity of the Re-entry Permit (2 years), you may be eligible and can apply at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a Returning Resident (SB-1) immigrant visa.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/returning-residents.html

 

Edited August 20, 2017 by SusieQQQ

[Boiler 46,073]

It does require a medical and for the life of me can not think why, but who said immigration is logical, does not require a sponsor as far as I can tell.

 

Seems more sensible in these circumstances to hop on a plane and if you have an issue at the PoE work it out in front of an IJ id they want to take it that far.

 

Of course there might be something I am missing.

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

Ah, thanks for clarifying.

Since she has already done the medical, call the place where she did her medical and ask them to hurry up sending it to the embassy? I am not familiar with your embassy, but there are some that want the medical sent directly to them from the doctor, whereas others send it to the beneficiary who then brings it to the interview.

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

1 hour ago, Boiler said:

It does require a medical and for the life of me can not think why, but who said immigration is logical, does not require a sponsor as far as I can tell.

 

Seems more sensible in these circumstances to hop on a plane and if you have an issue at the PoE work it out in front of an IJ id they want to take it that far.

 

Of course there might be something I am missing.

Not all immigrant visas have sponsors. DV don't. 

 

As for just just hopping on a plane, it is clear that once you have exceeded the allowed time out on a green card or re-entry permit you need a new visa. From the same link as before:

 

A permanent resident (called lawful permanent resident or LPR) or conditional resident (CR) who has remained outside the United States for longer than one year, or beyond the validity period of a Re-entry Permit, will require a new immigrant visa to enter the United States and resume permanent residence.

Edited August 20, 2017 by SusieQQQ

[Boiler 46,073]

2 hours ago, SusieQQQ said:

Not all immigrant visas have sponsors. DV don't. 

 

As for just just hopping on a plane, it is clear that once you have exceeded the allowed time out on a green card or re-entry permit you need a new visa. From the same link as before:

 

A permanent resident (called lawful permanent resident or LPR) or conditional resident (CR) who has remained outside the United States for longer than one year, or beyond the validity period of a Re-entry Permit, will require a new immigrant visa to enter the United States and resume permanent residence.

I appreciate there might be some going through Islamabad that do qualify for the DV but I sort of assumed that was not her situation,  self petitioned of EB1 or an E5 etc, could of course be one of those or a few others. But most likely not.

 

Basically if you are a PR you stay that way until you relinquish, die or an IJ takes it away.

 

So lets assume she has a GC, documentation to get her on the plane, then next step is the PoE, they could try and persuade her to file an I 407, assuming she say no then they either admit her or refer to an IJ. They could hold her in custody pending the IJ but seems extremely rare.

 

Then it is up to the IJ to decide. 

 

If as I am sort of assuming maybe wrongly that she acquired her GC through children then the IJ is going to know that she can be re petitioned immediately and wonder why his time is being wasted and likely be a less than happy bunny.

Edited August 20, 2017 by Boiler

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

3 hours ago, Boiler said:

I appreciate there might be some going through Islamabad that do qualify for the DV but I sort of assumed that was not her situation,  self petitioned of EB1 or an E5 etc, could of course be one of those or a few others. But most likely not.

 

Basically if you are a PR you stay that way until you relinquish, die or an IJ takes it away.

 

So lets assume she has a GC, documentation to get her on the plane, then next step is the PoE, they could try and persuade her to file an I 407, assuming she say no then they either admit her or refer to an IJ. They could hold her in custody pending the IJ but seems extremely rare.

 

Then it is up to the IJ to decide. 

 

If as I am sort of assuming maybe wrongly that she acquired her GC through children then the IJ is going to know that she can be re petitioned immediately and wonder why his time is being wasted and likely be a less than happy bunny.

But if you are a PR you are also expected to know the residency requirements. Your statement seems rather more blithe than actual experiences of people suggest.

 

And quite frankly if you are actually looking to return to the US permanently it may well involve things like selling assets etc, certainly you're planning to leave your life behind; especially if you're not a 21year old with nothing, you don't necessarily want to do all that to risk being deported. It would actually be nice to know in advance that you can arrive with a peaceful immediate start rather than step off the plane to be met by CBP trying to send you back and then spend who knows how long in limbo waiting for an IJ?

[Boiler 46,073]

My post is about actual experiences well as much as you can when dealing with the interweb.

 

I would say practical rather than blithe.

 

Obviously each case varies but for the cost of a Ticket seems much more practical, Any IJ process will not be quick. CBP can not send you back without your agreement, not their call.