Possible actions while in B1/B2 Administrative Processing?

[momemon 0]

Folks,

 

I need some advice here. My B1/B2 visa has been in AP for over five months now. I have already missed out on a couple of conferences/work-related meetings. Note that my previous [F-1] visa had gone to AP for about 6 weeks before approval. This time, I was told by the VO that similar to your previous visa, we have to send it to AP which would take about a month or so. The date of my visa status hasn't been updated since the day of the interview. One reason (that I know of) for the AP is my field of expertise i.e. Aerospace and Aeronautics. 

 

I do understand that the AP time varies and all that, what actions do people take? Is withdrawal and re-applying an option? Maybe applying for a different category? Or is it possible for a lawyer [if hired] to check/push/expedite the case? I have already done everything within my own capacity.

 

Thanks much.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Reapplying wouldn’t help, it doesn’t sound like you really qualify for any other visa, and no a lawyer can’t expedite it. When was the last time you queried the case with the embassy?

 

what country are you from? And how long ago did you get your F1?

Edited March 7, 2018 by SusieQQQ

[momemon 0]

Country is Pakistan. Applied this time from Canada. My last F-1 was in 2012 (expired in 2016). Last time I queried with the embassy was last week.

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

Withdrawal and reapplying puts new application under AP as well, and also under a scanner. Applying from a third country is tricky, and certain nationals go through more extensive background checks. Applying as a tourist, then changing category, ie visa shopping, could come across as desperation to get a US visa. But your choice in the end. 

 

Did you post under a different handle in the past?  Username looks familiar.. or was it another forum? 

[Boiler 45,520]

AP is not something that anybody can expedite, applying again or for another visa just puts you back in the same queue.

 

Pakistan, well impossible to say how long.

[momemon 0]

Thanks, all your points are valid and I agree to each one of them. I am not too desperate, just have a few things lined up in near future, but o well..

 

I had posted something related to AP a while ago in a different forum.

[momemon 0]

Just now, Boiler said:

AP is not something that anybody can expedite, applying again or for another visa just puts you back in the same queue.

 

Pakistan, well impossible to say how long.

True, with the current conditions especially. I wonder if it is usual for the case status to not update at all. Hope the case is not just sitting unnoticed at someone's desk.

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

AP doesn't sit at someone's desk. Someone somewhere is doing something. 

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

7 minutes ago, momemon said:

I am not too desperate, just have a few things lined up in near future, but o well..

 

 

Lined up where, in pakistan/canada? 

Edited March 7, 2018 by WeGuyGal

[Boiler 45,520]

1 minute ago, WeGuyGal said:

AP doesn't sit at someone's desk. Someone somewhere is doing something. 

But not something that case an update.

[momemon 0]

5 minutes ago, WeGuyGal said:

Lined up where, in pakistan/canada? 

Lol no, in the U.S.

3 minutes ago, Boiler said:

But not something that case an update.

Got it. Thanks! 

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

3 minutes ago, momemon said:

Lol no, in the U.S.

 

Visa is never guaranteed

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

3 hours ago, momemon said:

Country is Pakistan. Applied this time from Canada. My last F-1 was in 2012 (expired in 2016). Last time I queried with the embassy was last week.

You’re currently resident in Canada obviously?

 

pakistan does seem to be an issue. We’ve had reports of people on AP for well over a year. I don’t think that’s the norm, but it’s tricky.

 

agree that it’s difficult to say you have things “lined up” in the US when you have to face uncertainty about a visa, if you mean you have a potential employment sponsored visa as far as I know that would be subject to AP too.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

3 hours ago, momemon said:

True, with the current conditions especially. I wonder if it is usual for the case status to not update at all. Hope the case is not just sitting unnoticed at someone's desk.

Case status also requires someone at the embassy to physically do it. There are some embassies that never update anything until it’s either issued or refused, especially for B visas.

[momemon 0]

17 hours ago, WeGuyGal said:

Visa is never guaranteed

True. Well life is not guaranteed either, but we still plan and hope.