F1 Visa Administrative processing

[Sam R 0]

I am a student applying from Kenya.. I managed to get into the university of utah and also had an interview with the US consulate in Nairobi. I was not denied the visa but instead was told that I was going to be subjected to administrative processing.. I just wanted to find out the normal duration of this process and also if i will require another interview.

P/S: I was given a blue slip giving some details about the processing.

[engineer21 51]

Is anything noted on the blue slip? Does it ask for more documents? Or simply states that you are put in AP?

What is the degree you plan to pursue? Certain academic fields may require visas mantis clearance and additional security/background checks.

There is not really any way of knowing the duration. Could be anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

Best of luck to you.

[Sam R 0]

Hey thanks for the best wishes.. I had applied for an F1 visa but did not declare my undergrad major.. So the I20 does not specify what degree I wanted to pursue.. Well, that's common in US.. I mean people always change majors without any problems.. So this blue slip simply states that the office is unable to conclude my NIV application at this time as they require additional information or screening..additional documents may be asked for once the embassy contacts me i.e the I20 form and passport..I am just slightly worried that it will delay more than usual, because I don't hold Kenyan citizenship and my name is quite common. Anyways, let's wait and see.. It's been about 2 weeks so far.. You know what's really frustrating? It's the fact that I don't know what's going to happen.. Will it go through or not? That makes it hard to make any future plans..

[Sam R 0]

And yeah one more thing.. Do you think they'll require another interview?

[Boiler 43,593]

What is your nationality?

[Sam R 0]

I hold a Pakistani passport.. But I was born and brought up in Kenya.. Haven't been to pakistan in past six years..

[Boiler 43,593]

I thought that might be the case.

Assume months, how many is anybody's guess, you see years sometimes but that is unusual.

[Sam R 0]

Thank you very much for the info.. Lets just hope and pray it comes before fall semester this year..

[DC85 113]

nowadays, the administrative processing takes anytime from 1 day to 90 days period. some nationals has to be cleared from the FBI. I remember mine took 41 days. after 90 days, if the embassy didn't receive anything from the FBI, they will consider that as " no record", and they will issue u the visa. that's why they will tell you don't' contact the embassy before 90 days.

Since you hold a Pakistani Passport, definitely you have to go through the administrative processing. you have nothing to worry about, just relax and keep checking your case number on the embassy website.

GoodLuck

Edited May 21, 2012 by myafi1985

[Sam R 0]

Thank you for the info..,it's actually just been about 20days since the interview.. Yeah, on the blue form, it says that I should refrain from contacting the embassy until 60days have passed.. Well right now, time seems to be moving really slowly. Oh yeah, about the case number, I wasn't given any and neither was I told to check the status online.. And they did not retain my passport.. The consular officer simply said that they'll give me a call..I don't know how the system works in other countries.. Yeah, Pakistani nationals often have alot of security issues... Well, I can't blame other governments for their stern background checks on Pakistani passport holders..Anyways, the more the information I'm getting about administrative processing, the more I'm feeling relaxed because I have nothing to worry about. Let the US government do its job:)

[LindaC1990 23]

I got the blue paper too, and it didn't ask for any more documents.

Just simply told me to wait, I have waited for 2 weeks and they finally called my home phone to tell me I was approved.

No need for another interview, I went back to the consulate, did everything just like first interview, turned in your paperwork and wait for them to call your name. When they called my name, I went to the window and they gave me the little card says I am approved. Very easy, didn't need to talk to any of the interview officer.

Good Luck to you!!

[LindaC1990 23]

Do you know why they are holding on your visa?

I asked them before I left at the first interview, they said something about my age(being too young to graduated from high school) and about my parents work.

I didn't quite understand, but turned out they did call my parents work and asked if my parents really work there.

And the called my high school principal office to asked if I was really graduating.

After they verifying everything, they approved my visa.

[Sam R 0]

Hey guys.. Guess what??? I just got an email from the embassy stating that my admin processing has been completed and that I need to mail my passport as soon as I can!! Yay!!! I'm so happy today!! The best day of my life..,well, I just wanted to ask, I couldn't make it in time for summer semester, but I have the I-20 for the summer which states that I should've been in school on 15/05/12. But I couldn't possibly have travelled because I didn't have the visa. So, do I need to reapply for fall and have a new I20 before sending the passport or should I send the passport with the old I20 now?

[Penguin_ie 5,986]

Was your I-20 ONLY for the summer semester, or for the whole year/ course of several year's length?

[Sam R 0]

Hey, it really doesn't specify.. But it simply states that the student is expected to report to the school not later than 05/14/12 and complete studies not later than 08/15/17..that's pretty much it..no specifics on the semester