I am Australian (currently on L1B, thought same employer) applied for a new H1B stamping at London as it is near to US and cheaper than flying to Sydney with family. Interviewed on Nov 22nd and was told that, visa is approved and will get back the passports in 10 working days. Being Australian, need to pay 1500$+ for reciprocal fee which i was told will be collected only after visa approval. So paid for the whole family.
ds160 status shows "Approved" and the "Case last updated" as still Nov 22nd for all of us except my daughter. Her ds160 status shows "Approved" and the "Case last updated" as Dec 5th. Its been more than 13 business days/3 weeks and still no updates.
Called them and they asked to send a "contact us" form. They replied same day but just generic message of it is in final processing and no specific ETA/cant be expediated and not to do travel plans. Its a nightmare everyday to stuck in london without passports for these many days !
Is it possible to ask the passports back and go back to USA, come again when the embassy is ready for actual stamping (alone and carrying family member passports) or should i need to forfeit the payments and schedule a new interview (and goes through same waiting again) ?
