Approved F-1 Visa later subjected to Administrative Processing

[SAUHQ 1]

Hope the Visa Journey community is doing well.

On 15th July 2016, I had my F-1 visa interview at the US Embassy here in Islamabad (Pakistan). After a few questions by the VO, she said my visa has been approved and passed me a smile. I left the embassy and after a few hours, a received an email by the Embassy stating that my visa case was now under ''Administrative Processing''. I was totally shocked. My visa status has been changed twice since 15th July till present. I have to reach the US on 15th August since my BS Engineering classes are beginning. Any comments?

Regards.

[Kastrs 723]

Thee are 2 different types of AP, one when they are working on printing your visa (which is very short) or normal AP that can be relatively short or quite long. It is possible you are in the first type of AP, although there is a remote possibility you are in the second. There is really no way to be sure until more time elapsed. There are times people are told at the embassy that their vis is approved only to end up in lengthy AP.

[SAUHQ 1]

Thank you Kastrs! Do pray for me. I hope I'm not in the second one though this is an extract of the email I received post-interview and approval:

Dear Sir/Madam:

Upon further review of your visa application, it was determined that your application must undergo further required administrative processing, an integral part of the visa adjudication and issuance process that can be neither waived nor expedited. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 to 90 days of the visa interview; however it is difficult to predict the amount of time it will take. The timing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case.

Please be assured that we are aware of your concerns and will process the application to completion as quickly as possible in accordance with U.S. law. We recognize that this process can be frustrating for applicants and regret any inconvenience. Once the administrative processing is complete, we will contact you.

Edited July 21, 2016 by SAUHQ

[Penguin_ie 5,984]

That sounds like the second type of AP.

Will you be attending a well known university, and were easily able to show the funds for the course?

Did you apply for any US visas before?

What sort of questions did they ask you at the visa interview?

[SAUHQ 1]

No supplemental or additional documents have been demanded by the local visa authorities either. The status has been updated twice after 15th July 2016 (on 19th and 21st of July 2016 respectively) to the same ''Administrative processing''. Do the authorities consider the fact that I have my classes starting on the 16th August (indicated on my I-20 and intended date of arrival present in my DS-160 also)?. Are these positive signs? Your views?

[SAUHQ 1]

Thank you Penguin_ie!

1) Yes the university is well known for International students (Indians, PaKistanis, Chinese etc).

2) I did show a satisfactory amount of funding via my bank statement.

3) Have not applied before for a US visa ever.

4) I was asked simple and generic questions like: Which univ?Why this univ?( Gave my reasons) Sponsor?(my father) Relatives or friends in USA (No) Bank statement? (Given)...Ok your visa is approved (with a wide smile) . A 40 second interview and that's all.

Regards and fingers crossed.

[SAUHQ 1]

That sounds like the second type of AP.

Will you be attending a well known university, and were easily able to show the funds for the course?

Did you apply for any US visas before?

What sort of questions did they ask you at the visa interview?

Thank you Penguin_ie!

1) Yes the university is well known for International students (Indians, PaKistanis, Chinese etc).

2) I did show a satisfactory amount of funding via my bank statement.

3) Have not applied before for a US visa ever.

4) I was asked simple and generic questions like: Which univ?Why this univ?( Gave my reasons) Sponsor?(my father) Relatives or friends in USA (No) Bank statement? (Given)...Ok your visa is approved (with a wide smile) . A 40 second interview and that's all.

Regards and fingers crossed.

Thee are 2 different types of AP, one when they are working on printing your visa (which is very short) or normal AP that can be relatively short or quite long. It is possible you are in the first type of AP, although there is a remote possibility you are in the second. There is really no way to be sure until more time elapsed. There are times people are told at the embassy that their vis is approved only to end up in lengthy AP.

Thank you Kastrs! Do pray for me. I hope I'm not in the second one though this is an extract of the email I received post-interview and approval:

Dear Sir/Madam:

Upon further review of your visa application, it was determined that your application must undergo further required administrative processing, an integral part of the visa adjudication and issuance process that can be neither waived nor expedited. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 to 90 days of the visa interview; however it is difficult to predict the amount of time it will take. The timing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case.

Please be assured that we are aware of your concerns and will process the application to completion as quickly as possible in accordance with U.S. law. We recognize that this process can be frustrating for applicants and regret any inconvenience. Once the administrative processing is complete, we will contact you.

[Boiler 43,426]

It is very common for Pakistan for obvious reasons. No way to know how long it will take, 60 to 90 days is just a standard response so do not get too focused on that.

[SAUHQ 1]

It is very common for Pakistan for obvious reasons. No way to know how long it will take, 60 to 90 days is just a standard response so do not get too focused on that.

Thanks Boiler. I have my fingers crossed

A question: Will the visa authorities consider the fact that I have my classes starting from the 16th of August (as stated on my DS-160 and I-20) or will they be cruel enough to let that date pass? I cannot defer cauz there is only one intake available i.e Fall 2016

[Boiler 43,426]

It takes as long as it takes, the time you want it by has no impact. Unusual but not impossible for it to be that quick.

Edited July 21, 2016 by Boiler

[SAUHQ 1]

Visa status has been updated to the same ''Admin Processing'' for the third time since my interview (15th July) on the CEAC tracking tool i.e on the 19th, 21st and 22nd respectively.

A silver lining prolly!

Do pray for me y'all.

[SAUHQ 1]

My status changed to ''Issued'' today and a few hours later I got an email to collected my passport from the designated location.