Visa in Admin processing, about to apply for ESTA

[samach 0]

I am a Pakistani national and in Sep 2023, I applied for a visit visa for USA in Dublin. At that time, I started a new job with a US based company and they wanted me to travel to US for company onboarding purposes. At the embassy, I was not asked a lot of questions and in the end, the rep told me my application will be going to admin processing and I need to provide some further docs. Up till today, I have not heard anything from the embassy and my US visa application remains in admin processing.

 

Now I am an Irish citizen too and was thinking to go for a vacation to US with my wife and two kids, but I am not sure if my ESTA would be approved. I do not understand why my application went in admin processing and why it has not been processed yet.

Is it worth applying for ESTA folks? anyone who has gone through or know someone whos been through similar situation?

TIA

Edited February 23 by samach

[OldUser 8,124]

On 2/23/2025 at 11:13 AM, samach said:

Now I am an Irish citizen too and was thinking to go for a vacation to US with my wife and two kids, but I am not sure if my ESTA would be approved. 

ESTA won't be approved 99.9%.

You need to list all citizenships when applying for ESTA. The moment they see you're the same guy in admin processing, ESTA will be denied.

 

On 2/23/2025 at 11:13 AM, samach said:

I do not understand why my application went in admin processing and why it has not been processed yet.

The country of origin and security risks associated with it.

 

On 2/23/2025 at 11:13 AM, samach said:

Is it worth applying for ESTA folks? anyone who has gone through or know someone whos been through similar situation?

TIA

Don't waste your time on ESTA.

[samach 0]

thanks @OldUser. Is there a way to prompt them for a decision e.g reach out directly to USCIS (I assume they handle to visa applications) OR hiring a solicitor to urge them to process the application soon, as it already has been 1.5 years since admin processing. I have contacted the embassy 3 times and all they come back with is .. "keep waiting".
 

I feel like I may be stuck for years. On top of that, I cannot make a new application until this one is concluded. There is no rush/need for me to get a visa now, but working for a US company, I feel there may come a time when I really have to visit US.

Edited February 25 by samach

[appleblossom 3,441]

Just now, samach said:

thanks @OldUser. Is there a way to prompt them for a decision e.g reach out directly to USCIS (I assume they handle to visa applications) OR hiring a solicitor to urge them to process the application soon, as it already has been 1.5 years since admin processing. I have contacted the embassy 3 times and all they come back with is .. "keep waiting".
 

I feel like I may be stuck for years. On top of that, I cannot make a new application until this one is concluded. There is no rush/need for me to get a visa now, but working for a US company, I feel there may come a time when I really have to visit US.

 

You can file a Writ of Mandamus to force them to make a decision - have a hunt in the forum as there is a guide somewhere for doing it yourself.

[OldUser 8,124]

55 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

You can file a Writ of Mandamus to force them to make a decision - have a hunt in the forum as there is a guide somewhere for doing it yourself.

I heard WoM is pretty ineffective for visitor visas.

[samach 0]

5 hours ago, OldUser said:

ESTA won't be approved 99.9%.

You need to list all citizenships when applying for ESTA. The moment they see you're the same guy in admin processing, ESTA will be denied.

 

Just a nitpick. In the ESTA application, they do ask if you have ever been refused a visa. "Admin processing" is considered a refusal, so I am doomed right there. They do not have to check if I have made another application via my other nationality I guess

[OldUser 8,124]

11 minutes ago, samach said:

They do not have to check if I have made another application via my other nationality I guess

But they most likely will, regardless of answer to question about denials.

 

DOS is pretty aware of people with multiple citizenships. They'd not allow such loophole. If you were placed under admin processing, there's a reason why you're being checked more thoroughly. It's not like you're a different person if you use different passport. You're still you.

Edited February 25 by OldUser

[Boiler 46,404]

Pretty cheap and easy to apply

[samach 0]

3 hours ago, Boiler said:

Pretty cheap and easy to apply

sorry what is cheap & easy to apply?

[Boiler 46,404]

Esta

[EagerVisa 2]

I have been in A.P. for 17 months for a Tourist Visa myself, so I understand your concerns. Good news is that I finally got it.
ESTA is indeed not possible if you've been 'denied' a Visa already. I assume you got a paper with checkboxes, informing you being in A.P. and they did not check any box for you to send in more documentation or information, correct?

 

I believe it takes 60-90 days to get a decision (on average). After that period, I would start sending very polite reminders every 4-6 weeks to the Embassy, asking for an update in your case. Keep it short, and understand the Embassy is often relying on other departments as well. 

 

In case you feel your visa process or Esta is delayed or impacted for the wrong reasons, consider filing a case at DHS TRIP.
In my case this cleared a potential misidentification issue at their end, that probably led to my case being stuck for 17 months.

The Writ of Mandamus act is perhaps your very last resort. In my case, I mentioned filing for one if my case was not updated in xx days.
Although I feel my case started moving after that, it was also stalled again for another 7 months. I would first talk to a lawyer before doing so. 

 

 

 

[Boiler 46,404]

ESTA is possible if you have been denied a visa.

 

A Writ of Mandamus for a B? That would be an easy resolution. And not in your favour.

 

I think your problem was misrepresentation and the need for a waiver. They take about 6 months plus or minus.

[samach 0]

 

@EagerVisa Thanks for the explanation. Did you apply for a visa or an ESTA?
 

1 hour ago, EagerVisa said:

In case you feel your visa process or Esta is delayed or impacted for the wrong reasons, consider filing a case at DHS TRIP.

Just read the instructions on the DHS TRIP website and seems like my case (visit visa in A.P) is not what they deal with. Should I do it anyways?

 

1 hour ago, EagerVisa said:

I believe it takes 60-90 days to get a decision (on average). After that period, I would start sending very polite reminders every 4-6 weeks to the Embassy, asking for an update in your case. Keep it short, and understand the Embassy is often relying on other departments as well. 

Have been doing that without success. 17 months waiting as of today

 

1 hour ago, EagerVisa said:

I have been in A.P. for 17 months for a Tourist Visa myself, so I understand your concerns. Good news is that I finally got it.
ESTA is indeed not possible if you've been 'denied' a Visa already. I assume you got a paper with checkboxes, informing you being in A.P. and they did not check any box for you to send in more documentation or information, correct?

They did ask for further docs (my CV, employer letter etc) which were provided the same day

Edited 6 hours ago by samach

[samach 0]

34 minutes ago, Boiler said:

ESTA is possible if you have been denied a visa.

Like fully denied visa (denied after A.P completes) or currently in A.P (which is also denial). Are you suggesting it's worth a shot?

 

35 minutes ago, Boiler said:

I think your problem was misrepresentation and the need for a waiver. They take about 6 months plus or minus.

Think that was for @EagerVisa? 

[Boiler 46,404]

Yours is obviously a more complicated case and yes I was referring to @EagerVisa

 

Seems less common now but when ESTA first came in a lot of people who were otherwise seemingly eligible applied for a B and were refused and subsequently obtained ESTA approval. Sometimes soon after sometimes after a wait.