F-1 student visa timeline

[Tarvos 0]

Good day, all.

I've applied for an F-1 visa (after being admitted to a university in Florida) since my interview in July, 2011. I've been instructed to hold on to my passport until administrative processing was complete. I was told at the time it should only take 2 weeks. It's been 2 and a half months now, and I was forced to defer my I-20 to next semester (originally I applied for Fall, 2011, and now I had to reapply, and was accepted, for Spring 2012).

What gives? Why is this happening? Is anyone else facing this issue with the US Embassy in Cairo?

Edited September 27, 2011 by Tarvos

[canadian_wife 1,791]

It is common for people from certain countries to go through administrative processing. You just simply have to wait

I am sorry

good luck

[Tarvos 0]

It's been 75 days now... is it really that common? Is there truly nothing holding up the VISA process for Egyptians in general?

[Boiler 43,463]

Does sound like AP.

[Tarvos 0]

Also, I've heard despite having to wait a long time, lots of people were instructed to leave their passports until they mail them back. In my case, I was given my passport and told to wait with no real guarantee of anything, to be honest. And yes, my name may sound like the controversial type; would it really add up to 75+ days, in the end?

[Harsh_77 716]

There is not another option for you, at this time you will just have to wait until the administrative process is completed.

People from certain countries have to go thru the background check and until the check is not complete no visa would be granted.

[Tarvos 0]

What's the longest time AP took for someone, if they weren't rejected?

[Boiler 43,463]

Longest I have seen is 2 years.

Never seen a rejected one, guess they are not likely to post?

[Tarvos 0]

Longest I have seen is 2 years.

Never seen a rejected one, guess they are not likely to post?

Could it possibly take that long for a Student Visa?!

[canadian_wife 1,791]

Yes - you just have to wait. I am sorry.

Good luck

[Tarvos 0]

Looking around, I find that almost all other VISA cases posted here involve some deeper details than just 'waiting'.

I've emailed fmjvisas before several times about my case, and at one time, they offered to look at it, only to tell me the same thing I kept hearing all along.

Why are student VISAs such a forsaken case? Why can't I be told more about what goes on for it? I know there's a name-search performed, but must it take so long aside from that?

Edited October 3, 2011 by Tarvos

[Tarvos 0]

"You are kindly requested to send us an email on consularcaironiv@state.gov with the following format: [My case number ---- --- -- was submitted over 90 days ago and I have not received a response on it. Please, advise whether there is any additional information required of me.]"

^I got this recently on the visa status page, but considering they gave me the exact same response as with all the previous emails I sent them, I'm assuming this is just an automated message, and nothing different is being done.

Is it really that hopeless?

[Bsze 50]

Still no news huh? Sorry man, I hope your AP is done real soon.

[Tarvos 0]

It's been three months so far, and in a month I'll be forced to defer my Masters degree to summer or even fall. Again.

[Tarvos 0]

Question: if they have absolutely no reason to reject my Visa, where does it go from here? Seriously now...