Waiting for Visa

[NineDev 5]

Hey everyone,

 

Thanks for all the help I've received over the course of my "visa journey". I went through the interview process at the end of November, and it went very well.

Given my two year marriage anniversary was on January 28th, 2024, the consular offered to have the visa sent after, so I would be able to receive a 10 years green card. Seeing as I was planning to leave around February/March in the first place, this coincided perfectly and I accepted. The consular kept my documents and passport and confirmed several times I had been accepted, and even gave me an email that I could contact just in case I was waiting too long.

Fast-forward to today, a few days after my marriage anniversary, and (as I expected), I still haven't received any updates from the embassy. I called them up today for another reason (I received what I assume to be a text scam about a courier service unable to deliver a document to me today, and wanted to make sure it was not related to my visa). During the call, I was advised to check the status of my visa on the CEAC website. When I did, I had a mini-heart attack, as it said REFUSED.

 

I've sent an email to the address I was given, but I'm not sure when (or if) I'll receive a reply. I've read (and it does say on the "REFUSED" notice) that this could be due to administrative processing, but it has three months by now. My rational side wants to believe they were waiting til the 28th to do any work on my visa to be clearly after my second anniversary, but I can't deny an anxious part of myself that is thinking the worst.

 

Has anyone else gone through (or witnessed) such a case? I still haven't received my passport back either, and haven't gotten any letters or email of refusal, which I take as a good sign. Still, being denied so close to the goal, while doing preparations for the final trip, would be pretty devastating. I guess I'm looking for reassurance too, haha.
 

 

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

10 minutes ago, NineDev said:

the consular offered to have the visa sent after, so I would be able to receive a 10 years green card.

That doesn't make any sense.  The 2 year Green Card vs a 10 year Green card determination depends on time between marriage and the day you enter the US......date of visa issuance is irrelevant.  Must be an inexperienced officer....

Edited January 30 by Crazy Cat

[NineDev 5]

5 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

That doesn't make any sense.  The 2 year Green Card vs a 10 year Green card determination depends on time between marriage and the day you enter the US......date of visa issuance is irrelevant.  

The way the consular explained it, it's because they didn't want me to have any trouble in having a difference between the visa being issued before the two years, and entering the US after. They said it was unlikely to cause any issues, but they've had exceptions in the past. Since it coincided with my dates of (planned) departure, they offered me to wait til the 28th. Sorry for the shorthand, it's how I've been explaining it to my family to facilitate it and I guess it's almost automatic now lol

 

Edited January 30 by NineDev

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

5 minutes ago, NineDev said:

The way the consular explained it, it's because they didn't want me to have any trouble in having a difference between the visa being issued before the two years, and entering the US after. They said it was unlikely to cause any issues, but they've had exceptions in the past. Since it coincided with my dates of (planned) departure, they offered me to wait til the 28th. Sorry for the shorthand, it's how I've been explaining it to my family to facilitate it and I guess it's almost automatic now lol

 

I guess he thought he was helping.....but the issue date is irrelevant.   The card length determination is made by USCIS after you enter the US.  

Edited January 30 by Crazy Cat

[Rocio0010 5,579]

2 minutes ago, NineDev said:

it's because they didn't want me to have any trouble in having a difference between the visa being issued before the two years, and entering the US after.

It's strange that they mentioned you'd have any trouble due to the visa being issued before the two years, and entering the US after. The visa is just a "ticket" to the US. What matters is the date you enter the US because that's the day you become a PR by means of a stamp placed on your passport. 

 

Also, the validity of CR1 visas is usually six months. IE it is a standard procedure whereby CR1 visa holders can delay their entrance to the US for up to six months.

 

I have to side with @Crazy Cat and think it was an inexperienced officer.

[NineDev 5]

6 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

I guess he thought he was helping.....but the issue date is irrelevant.  

 

4 minutes ago, Rocio0010 said:

It's strange that they mentioned you'd have any trouble due to the visa being issued before the two years, and entering the US after. The visa is just a "ticket" to the US. What matters is the date you enter the US because that's the day you become a PR by means of a stamp placed on your passport. 

 

Also, the validity of CR1 visas is usually six months. IE it is a standard procedure whereby CR1 visa holders can delay their entrance to the US for up to six months.

 

I have to side with @Crazy Cat and think it was an inexperienced officer.

Funny enough, that was actually two different consular who gave me that offer. The first one I met that took my documents and checked if everything was in order, and then the second that gave me the interview.

I was a bit too star-struck to be approved to really think through all the details, but it definitely went through several people, so it wasn't just one inexperienced consular making random statements.

They told me that as long as it's within the six months of my medical exams, I would be clear to go. They expire in April, so I'm hoping to receive the visa soon, hence why the "refused" almost killed me right now lol

 

Though,  now I hope this won't backfire on me, reading through you guys' messages...

Edited January 30 by NineDev

[Rocio0010 5,579]

37 minutes ago, NineDev said:

 

Funny enough, that was actually two different consular who gave me that offer. The first one I met that took my documents and checked if everything was in order, and then the second that gave me the interview.

I was a bit too star-struck to be approved to really think through all the details, but it definitely went through several people, so it wasn't just one inexperienced consular making random statements.

They told me that as long as it's within the six months of my medical exams, I would be clear to go. They expire in April, so I'm hoping to receive the visa soon, hence why the "refused" almost killed me right now lol

 

Though,  now I hope this won't backfire on me, reading through you guys' messages...

What  Embassy is this?

[NineDev 5]

7 minutes ago, Rocio0010 said:

What  Embassy is this?

The embassy in Paris.

[PGA 240]

2 minutes ago, NineDev said:

The embassy in Paris.

Was he born in France?

[NineDev 5]

2 minutes ago, PGA said:

Was he born in France?

Yeah I'm the one going through the visa process and I'm a French citizen. Everything went really well up til now. My guess is its delayed administrative processing but it's pretty stressful.

 

I'm sure the consulars meant well but it's hard to reach anyone at the embassy.

[Rocio0010 5,579]

5 minutes ago, NineDev said:

Yeah I'm the one going through the visa process and I'm a French citizen. Everything went really well up til now. My guess is its delayed administrative processing but it's pretty stressful.

 

I'm sure the consulars meant well but it's hard to reach anyone at the embassy.

1. So were you born in France?
2. Has  he ever petitioned for someone else before?
3. Is he a USC by birth?

[PGA 240]

2 minutes ago, NineDev said:

Yeah I'm the one going through the visa process and I'm a French citizen.

Oh, my apologies....I read so many of the posts on here sometimes I forget which is which or who is who....

 

Unfortunately, "REFUSED" seems to be the only option they have in their antiquated system aside from "READY." In our process we had a minor 221g and though they kept the passport, it said REFUSED for the next couple of months until finally changing to READY...hopefully they'll respond to your email and give you an update. 

[NineDev 5]

7 minutes ago, Rocio0010 said:

1. So were you born in France?
2. Has  he ever petitioned for someone else before?
3. Is he a USC by birth?

1. Born near Paris, so yes.

2. No, I'm the first person he ever petitioned for.

3. He is a USC by birth.

 

5 minutes ago, PGA said:

Oh, my apologies....I read so many of the posts on here sometimes I forget which is which or who is who....

 

Unfortunately, "REFUSED" seems to be the only option they have in their antiquated system aside from "READY." In our process we had a minor 221g and though they kept the passport, it said REFUSED for the next couple of months until finally changing to READY...hopefully they'll respond to your email and give you an update. 

No problem, I appreciate it either way. It seems to be their system, yeah. It's basically just "in progress", but they don't have "in progress" for some reason.

I hope I'll receive an update soon. According to the consular at the time of the interview, I should be receiving it soon now, I just hope they didn't forget about me x)

 

They also haven't asked for any documents or anything. Both people I talked to said everything was in order and present, so it should be good on that front.

Edited January 30 by NineDev

[Rocio0010 5,579]

Just now, NineDev said:

1. Born near Paris, so yes.

2. No, I'm the first person he ever petitioned for.

3. He is a USC by birth.

 

No problem, I appreciate it either way. It seems to be their system, yeah. It's basically just "in progress", but they don't have "in progress" for some reason.

I hope I'll receive an update soon. According to the consular at the time of the interview, I should be receiving it soon now, I just hope they didn't forget about me x)

Based on your replies, I think you are fine, you're just waiting!

Tré bien, tré bien, 

Au révoire

[NineDev 5]

Just now, Rocio0010 said:

Based on your replies, I think you are fine, you're just waiting!

Tré bien, tré bien, 

Au révoire

Thank you, it's very reassuring to hear! I appreciate it a lot!