"Approved" at Interview but pending blue 221(g) slip

[Nellie&Milan 0]

Hello all,

I had my IV interview at the London Embassy on 15 August. The first lady I was called up to see to check through my package was an English woman and seemed to be in a bad mood even that early in the morning so I tried not to upset her in any way at all. She seemed to be taking quite a long time sorting through and reorganising pages so I waited quietly. The second time I was called up for the actual interview I was met by a much more friendly American lady. After swearing some kind of short oath and answering a couple of very basic questions, she said to me that she is happy to approve my application...but first I need to get a long form of birth certificate (can't believe I made such a rookie error of only submitting the short one originally - although I thought this was my entire birth cert lol) and I also need a new passport because I have run out of pages in my existing one. The existing passport had 3 blank pages but not contiguously.

I was issued a blue 221(g) slip with the first two boxes checked (refusal under 221(g)...submit additional stuff etc etc...). I had DX courier pick-up the birth cert and new passport yesterday but have today been reading scary posts about how long it takes to get out of this situation aka Administrative Processing! My wife and I have been getting our hopes massively high about me finally going over some time mid September but now I am worried that this seemingly simple hurdle may take a while. This is going to irritate my current employer who probably expected me to have given my notice already, make flights more expensive since I can't confidently book in advance, and irritate the US office of my employer who I hope to interview with and who are awaiting my arrival date.

I wonder if anyone here has been in a similar situation where they have been told at interview that their application is all but approved and how long it has taken after the courier collected passport from you?? Im hoping for some happy endings to allay my fears

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Your situationis not the dreaded AP (additional processing) where they are getting additional security checks on you maybe from a foreign birth country for example. You are basically approved pending some very specific documents which you have now submitted. Think of it more like an RFE. That can be called administrative processing meaning paperwork left to be done. Don't count on them opening your package today and issuing the visa. They have been known to let it sit around until they have time to get back to you. And other times they have been fairly speedy too. So maybe next week or maybe in 3 weeks depending on when they catch up on your case. Hopefully sooner for your sake.

[jingo 38]

Im sorry to hear that happened to you.

I have heard that this kind of situation can take as little as 2 weeks to sort itself out, and I hope it goes very quickly for you since its only one document they need.

As for your current employer, you shouldnt worry about irritating them because this isn't about them, its about your journey. Your new employer should certainly understand that this visa process is long and often complicated. I dont see why they'd get angry at you for not knowing a date of arrival - moving abroad is very difficult and full of uncertainty. Despite this little mishap just remember that you're so close to the end, and you'll be with your wife so soon. Think of when you first filed your package, now you've already been interviewed and only have to wait for one more little document to be processed.

Flights may get more expensive, but then again they might die down as we reach the end of the summer rush, so stay optimistic.

I wish you the best of luck in getting this sorted out asap!

[Robert&Karen 264]

Thank you for posting this. I am going to make sure we have every sort of birth certificate available!

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Thank you for posting this. I am going to make sure we have every sort of birth certificate available!

You're supposed to review the list of documents before sending in the DS2001 and they remind you to review the list in the appointment letter. So look it over carefully. It tells exactly what the birth certificate should have on it.

http://london.usembassy.gov/interview_documents.html

Edited September 1, 2011 by Nich-Nick

[Robert&Karen 264]

Turns out we do indeed have the long forms. Always good to double check!

[Nellie&Milan 0]

I GOT IT I GOT IT!!!!!

I can't believe it, it only took 4 working days to come back from the Embassy. After 54 weeks of waiting I have finally got my Visa!!

BTW for anyone flying from London to USA, Iceland Express is a godsend for flights.

They are the only carrier that offer a one-way flight for about half the price of a normal return (albeit with a one hour stop in Reykjavic - but its one of the most beautiful countried so I forgive them). If you opt for the flex fare you have the right to cancel/amend/name change your flight unlimited times without charge, and also get the second piece of checked luggage thrown in for free!

Thanks guys for all your reassuring comments

[JadedKiwi 8]

Congratulations on getting your visa~!

[Robert&Karen 264]

I GOT IT I GOT IT!!!!!

I can't believe it, it only took 4 working days to come back from the Embassy. After 54 weeks of waiting I have finally got my Visa!!

BTW for anyone flying from London to USA, Iceland Express is a godsend for flights.

They are the only carrier that offer a one-way flight for about half the price of a normal return (albeit with a one hour stop in Reykjavic - but its one of the most beautiful countried so I forgive them). If you opt for the flex fare you have the right to cancel/amend/name change your flight unlimited times without charge, and also get the second piece of checked luggage thrown in for free!

Thanks guys for all your reassuring comments

We are looking at Air Berlin, but thanks for another carrier just in case! Congratulations!!!