ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING 221(G) EXPLAINED

[NikLR 13,220]

It can take 6-12 weeks after you submit a document.

[Idy Fdez 34]

My husband has been under AP since Feb/5 which was the date Montreal Consulate received my husband required document per 221g requested. After est almost 3 months, I emailed the Consulate if they need any other additional doc. they said no, not at this time. I waited until May, then I've to contact my local Congressman to send the inquiry to them. After est. 2 weeks later, a letter came from Visa Unit from Montreal requested additional doc. from my husband in regarding his employer's info. that when he used to work in US for the past 7 years. Every request, it takes a long time to process, I'm not sure if Montreal Visa Unit will be faster or if they're different dept. from Montreal Consulate? Does anyone go through this experience please help

Hi Kle.

Have you get any response from MTL? Your husband's visa was issued already? My husband's case has been on AP for almost 7 months. they has never updated the case unless i send an email inquiring and their response is always an automatic email saying that we need to wait. Please share any news.

Thank you!!

[sanketvictor007 0]

Hello,

I started working on H1b visa after completing my msater's in USA and returned to China for visa stamping. I had visa stamping interview on December 15, 2015. After interview, visa officer first gave me "visa approved" paper in pink color but said she cannot approve my visa right now since she needs some document from USCIS. She kept my passport and returned everything else. Later when I asked if I have to do anything, then visa officer gave me "221g blue paper" and said that I don't need to do anything but I can check status on the link mentioned on 221g form. She also said that this is very common and should be quick.

Now I am very confused and unclear about what has happened and what to expect next. Does my employer needs to submit further documents? I would really appreciate if you can help me understand what is my situation as the status online says "administrative processing"?

[Idy Fdez 34]

Hello,

I started working on H1b visa after completing my msater's in USA and returned to China for visa stamping. I had visa stamping interview on December 15, 2015. After interview, visa officer first gave me "visa approved" paper in pink color but said she cannot approve my visa right now since she needs some document from USCIS. She kept my passport and returned everything else. Later when I asked if I have to do anything, then visa officer gave me "221g blue paper" and said that I don't need to do anything but I can check status on the link mentioned on 221g form. She also said that this is very common and should be quick.

Now I am very confused and unclear about what has happened and what to expect next. Does my employer needs to submit further documents? I would really appreciate if you can help me understand what is my situation as the status online says "administrative processing"?

Hi!

There's nothing to do on your side unless they requested.

here is some info about AP

https://www.quora.com/What-happens-behind-the-scenes-when-you-apply-for-a-U-S-visa-such-as-B1-B2-J1-or-H1B-stamp-in-a-U-S-consulate

[Hello100 50]

On 12/21/2013 at 1:23 PM, Faizan89 said:

Hello Everyone,

I just finished my immigration process and I wanted to post this topic for people who have been placed in Administrative processing 221(g) and don't know what to expect. Back in 2012 when I was placed in Administrative Processing, I had no clue what to expect and found various posts with no clear guideline as to what should be done and what to expect. Whatever I post here is totally based on my experience and I am hoping it will help people that are going through the similar situation.

We got married in June 2011 and I had applied for CR1 visa in fall of 2011. It took about 8 month from the day we filed our case until the interview date which took place at the consulate in Montreal. I would say the procedure was really smooth and we got the interview date within the expected time frame.

My interview was very easy and lasted only 5 minutes. The officer barely asked any questions and did not ask for any proof what so ever. Once my interview concluded I was handed a welcome letter and the officer told me I should receive my visa within a few days.

I was so excited, booked my ticket, quit my job and started packing. I didn't hear anything from the consulate for a week and I started getting a bit worried. Then about 10 days later, I received a letter in mail that gave me the shock of my life. The letter stated that my visa is refused due to a clause called 221(g) because my case needed further administrative processing. Me and my wife started freaking out and didn't know what to do. We contacted our lawyer and he had no idea what AP was and started emailing the US consulate which did not help at all.

I started doing some research on it and didn't find any clear guideline. People had different opinion on this. Some people advised to involve congressman and others advised to wait. So here is my suggestion based on my experience. Even if one person benefits from this I'll be happy. I will use the abbreviation 'AP' for Administrative Processing which is also known as Administrative Review or 221(G).

1) If you're born in MENA country/Muslim country such as Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan or have a Muslim name such as Khan, Muhamad or have visit any of these countries previously or have parents who immigrated from there, chances are you will be placed in AP. The name does Not have to be a common muslim name. Also if you're from India and your last name is Singh, Patel or any other common name you may also be place in AP. Women usually don't go through AP as much as men do.

2) You may be approved at the interview initially and the officer might hand you a welcome letter stating that your visa is approved you'll be receiving it soon but you may still be placed in AP.

3) Once in AP, the consulate will NOT give any details or reasoning as to why you were placed in AP and how long it may take (Unless its document related). You can email them 10 million times and will receive the same response. "Your case is currently undergoing mandatory AP, we will let you know once the process is completed".

4) You can involve a congressman, Senator, President or a Prime minister. It will NOT speed up the process or help you in any way. Trust me on this one. We involved a Congressman because people posted online that it speeds up the process but it doesn't help much. The ONLY way it helps is that instead of waiting 2-3 weeks to get a response from the Consulate, you only have to wait one week because they're obligated to respond to congressman within that time frame. The response would still be the same.

5) Please DO NOT contact the consulate for inquiry for at least 2 months from the date you're placed in AP. It does frustrate them.

6) If you're a Canadian Citizen i.e, have a Canadian Passport, AP will take 12 months. Yes there are cases that are resolved sooner but 12 months is the maximum time consulate can take and usually it does take that long. So be prepared. My interview was on September 17, 2012 and my AP was completed on September 17, 2013. They cannot take longer than 1 year for Canadian citizens. If you have a Pakistani Passport, AP could take any where form 2 to 5 years, so be prepared to wait.

7) Now lets get to what really goes on in AP. Well, it could be anything we don't know. But from what my lawyer told me, they run security checks and various other checks on you. My lawyer told me they run checks from up to nine different agencies and it takes time to get the checks completed.

😎 Calling DOS won't help much either. I used to call them once a week but they didn't help. They will tell you the same thing as consulate so don't waste your time calling them.

9) Once AP is completed, you will either receive an email or a letter in mail stating that your visa is ready for further processing. They might request some updated documents such as Medical and Police report. Depending on what got expired.

10) DOS will not update their system until the visa is issued so don't freak out if they still say you're case is still in AP.

12) Once you submit your paperwork, you can submit an online inquiry to the consulate to make sure they received it. Usually it takes about 20 days for an officer to have your documents in hand for processing. Then hopefully if everything goes well, you should receive your visa package within 45 days of submitting everything. You can check your visa status on CAEC website to see whether its issued or not.

Hope this post helps. People might have different experiences but whatever I posted is totally based on my experience.

Let me know if you have any questions with regards to this and I will try to answer to the best of my ability. Thank you and I hope and Pray that you can be with your spouse soon

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Fayyaz (Fez) Khan.

Where did you read that they are required to make a decision within 1 year for Canadian citizens? Is this an explicit law, or just anecdotal evidence?

[Ontarkie 13,938]

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