Visa Application Approved but put in administrative processing

[User2025 3]

Hello everyone,

 

my spouse had attended the interview(Abudhabi embassy) last week and after asking all the questions the consular officer said “ your visa application is approved and you will get your passport in 5 days”.

 

As he said, we received a passport but he included 221g and tick on administrative processing.

 

it was a CR1 interview and the consular said we are changing the status of CR1 to IR1 because our marriage duration is more than 3 years. But why they issue 221g administrative processing and how long it takes and what will happen next?

 

what should we do please help us.

[Dashinka 25,340]

AP is fairly common, but you mentioned they returned his passport which does not seem to indicate it will be quick.  Is your spouse from the UAE, or are they from another country?  AP, can take some time if the consulate has requested background checks.  There is not a whole lot you can do at this point other than wait and be patient.

 

Good Luck!

[User2025 3]

He is from Pakistan and living in the uae and thanks for your help 

[Dashinka 25,340]

OK, be prepared for a lengthy AP.

[User2025 3]

What normally happened will they asked us for another interview or what will be the process?

[Dashinka 25,340]

Don't know for certain.  Generally they are requesting background information from the countries he has lived, and since Pakistan is on the list, and the government there is less than cooperative, it may take some time until the consulate is ready.  I requested a moderator move this thread to the appropriate regional forum as there may be better responses to your questions.

 

Good Luck!

 

https://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/91-asia-south/

Edited April 9 by Dashinka

[User2025 3]

This is terrible because the consular approved the application, keep the passport and then put in administrative processing. Anyways thanks for the guidance. 

[OldUser 8,808]

22 minutes ago, User2025 said:

This is terrible because the consular approved the application, keep the passport and then put in administrative processing. Anyways thanks for the guidance. 

Approval is only approval when you have passport back with visa in it.

 

Good luck and please post when you do get visa!

[User2025 3]

Sure and thanks 

Edited April 9 by User2025

[appleblossom 3,779]

39 minutes ago, User2025 said:

This is terrible because the consular approved the application, keep the passport and then put in administrative processing. Anyways thanks for the guidance. 

 

Unfortunately, it’s to be expected with Pakistani applicants. But are you now saying they kept the passport? If so, that's usually a good sign - they send it back to you if they expect it to be a lengthy AP process. 

[User2025 3]

After interview they told to my husband that your visa application is approved and keep the passport and said you will get your passport in 5 days but today he received his passport with 221g mentioning administrative processing and we don’t know the reason why they put us on administrative processing. 

[Dashinka 25,340]

2 hours ago, User2025 said:

This is terrible because the consular approved the application, keep the passport and then put in administrative processing. Anyways thanks for the guidance. 

You can at least take that as a good sign that there were no issues that came up at the interview.  But as @OldUser stated, verbal approval at the interview does not in fact mean final approval.  Prepare for a wait, and pray it is not too long.

 

Good Luck!

[SalishSea 18,408]

9 hours ago, User2025 said:

He is from Pakistan and living in the uae and thanks for your help 

This is the reason.  Extra vetting for Pakistanis due to a variety of issues.

[Boiler 46,770]

I agree quite normal

[nastra30 2,491]

13 hours ago, User2025 said:

but today he received his passport with 221g mentioning administrative processing and we don’t know the reason why they put us on administrative processing. 

Be prepared for a long AP; quiet common for Pakistanis. Hopefully, it resolves soon.