Passports not given back after interview

[Babybjorn 0]

Hi everyone! I just want to ask, we had our interview last week in US Embassy Manila. The last words of the consul were "We're going to process your papers, you can go home now." He didn't mention if we're approved or not. He didn't return back our passports and other documents. I hate myself for not asking it to the consul upfront if we're approved or not. The only thing I remember is that I was relieved interview was done.

 

Is it a good sign that he didn't return our passports? Right now, the ceac status still says "Ready". I know I have to be patient, but I still have sleepless nights until the status changes to "Issued".

[Dashinka 24,364]

Generally it is a good sign as they need to keep someone's passport in order to apply the visa to it.  That being said, I am sure there are some stories out there where the passport was retained, and then a denial was issued.  I prefer to be cautiously optimistic and take it as a good sign.

 

Good Luck!

[Greenbaum 12,259]

56 minutes ago, Babybjorn said:

Hi everyone! I just want to ask, we had our interview last week in US Embassy Manila. The last words of the consul were "We're going to process your papers, you can go home now." He didn't mention if we're approved or not. He didn't return back our passports and other documents. I hate myself for not asking it to the consul upfront if we're approved or not. The only thing I remember is that I was relieved interview was done.

 

Is it a good sign that he didn't return our passports? Right now, the ceac status still says "Ready". I know I have to be patient, but I still have sleepless nights until the status changes to "Issued".

You pretty much have answered your own questions. Yes when keeping the passport that's usually a good sign that you passed. Yes you should have asked if you were approved or had a doubt. Yes your should be waiting for your status to change to "issued". Yes you need to be patient. Yes you should be packing for your trip. NO you should not buy a airline ticket till visa is in your hands. Yes you should complete CFO.

 

good luck.

[Hank_ 9,174]

2 hours ago, Babybjorn said:

Hi everyone! I just want to ask, we had our interview last week in US Embassy Manila. The last words of the consul were "We're going to process your papers, you can go home now." He didn't mention if we're approved or not. He didn't return back our passports and other documents. I hate myself for not asking it to the consul upfront if we're approved or not. The only thing I remember is that I was relieved interview was done.

 

Is it a good sign that he didn't return our passports? Right now, the ceac status still says "Ready". I know I have to be patient, but I still have sleepless nights until the status changes to "Issued".

Hard reality approved doesn't happen until later, you most likely did fine with the interview being no additional documents were requested from you.   Watch the CEAC website for updates, you should see some like; READY, AP, READY.. and if all is good.. ISSUED!   After that it can be another 5-10 business days before your visa is delivered.

 

Here is some tracking info, including 2GO:

 

Tracking & Visa Delivery Preference
 
To update your delivery preference follow this link: 
http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-iv-documentdelivery.asp
 
To track your visa status on the CEAC use the link below:
https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?eQs=WwjqOlbeRYzCYubaSQI+RA== 
 
To track your visa status on USTRAVELDOCS this link is an option:
http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-passportretrieve.asp#trackingoptions

Here is a list for 2GO locations:
http://supplychain.2go.com.ph/CustomerSupport/tools/outlets.asp
 
Tracking your visa through 2GO:
http://supplychain.2go.com.ph/CustomerSupport/tools/tracking.asp
 
*Dashboard is blank on USTRAVELDOC*

After the interview, finding you dashboard on USTRAVELDOCS blank is very common.  You have 24 hrs after the interview to update your registered DELIVERY ADDRESS for your visa, if you want to change it.  After the 24 hours everything will go blank, then once the visa is issued all your data will appear again.
 

Edited September 11, 2017 by Hank_