J1 visa long processing

[matepas 0]

Hi,

 

I had my interview for J1 visa in US consulate in Hong Kong on 27th March (Monday). After a quick interview, I was told that my visa is approved. I am a Polish passport holder and I needed my passport back on that day, so the Officer informed me that I can take it and to come back to the Consulate on Thursday (30 March) to get the visa printed in my passport.
So, on Thursday I went to the Consulate again and I was told that unfortunately my visa is not ready yet and that they can't give me any information when the visa will be ready to pick up...

 

1 day later (Friday 31 March), I received an email from the Consulate saying "NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION: Your visa application s undergoing necessary administrative processing. Processing time varies from case to case, and it is unfortunately impossible for us to predict the exact date when the processing will be complete." 

 

Also on the same day (31.03) the CEAC webside was updated: LAST CASE UPDATED: 31.03 (CASE CREATED: 24.03)

 

It is 5th of April now and the CEAC webside still says "Administrative Processing". I called the Consulate today, also send them emails, but they still say that they have no updates for me. 

 

My J1 program starts in just 12 days and I am totally freaking out now... Anyone can give me some information regarding this kind of cases?

 

Matt

[geowrian 22,337]

Every case goes through some sort of AP. It can take days (usually), weeks (sometimes), months (rarely), or years (very rarely). It's been 2 business days since your last update...there's no reason for concern. Since you called and there's nothing the need from you, you just need to wait it out. Since the interview sounds like it went fine, I'm assuming it will likely be ready in days.

Edited April 5, 2017 by geowrian

[matepas 0]

1 minute ago, geowrian said:

Every case goes through some sort of AP. It can take days (usually), weeks (sometimes), months (rarely), or years (very rarely). It's been 2 business days since your last update...there's no reason for concern. Since you called and there's nothing the need form you, you just need to wait it out. Since the interview sounds like it went fine, I'm assuming it will likely be ready in days.

Thanks Geowrian.... But what I don't get is why would they tell me it is approved and ready in 3 days, then in actually in 4 days they send me some formal email and now after 1,5 weeks it is still under "AP"

It is really stressing me out...

[geowrian 22,337]

Just now, matepas said:

Thanks Geowrian.... But what I don't get is why would they tell me it is approved and ready in 3 days, then in actually in 4 days they send me some formal email and now after 1,5 weeks it is still under "AP"

It is really stressing me out...

Well, the CO isn't the person who actually finalizes the approval or deals with the printing of the visa. Sometimes there are delays there...backlog, people out, or even something "silly" like needing more of the special ink use to print the visas. There's also more background checks needed prior to issuing a visa, which can cause a delay sometimes. But Poland is normally not an issue with background checks AFAIK.

[matepas 0]

1 minute ago, geowrian said:

Well, the CO isn't the person who actually finalizes the approval or deals with the printing of the visa. Sometimes there are delays there...backlog, people out, or even something "silly" like needing more of the special ink use to print the visas. There's also more background checks needed prior to issuing a visa, which can cause a delay sometimes. But Poland is normally not an issue with background checks AFAIK.

Poland is not an issue but maybe a person from Poland applying in Hong Kong taking his passport back might be an issue? I dont know.... I guess i just need to wait more

[geowrian 22,337]

22 minutes ago, matepas said:

Poland is not an issue but maybe a person from Poland applying in Hong Kong taking his passport back might be an issue? I dont know.... I guess i just need to wait more

Ah, true. Yeah, they may need to do a security check with them as well. Again, I wouldn't worry too much at this time...you're in normal processing still. If they're updating your case then that's a good sign. Good luck!

[matepas 0]

So I wrote an email to the consulate asking about my visa application progress and here is what I received today:

 

"Dear Mr. Xxx,

Thank you for writing to the US Visa Service Desk. We understand that you wish to know your visa application status. We would like to inform you that your application requires additional administrative processing. It can take up to 60 days for the process of administrative clearance. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days of your visa interview, but the length of processing time will vary based on the circumstances of each case."

 

I should be in the US in a week time and I honestly start doubting that I will ever participate in my J1 program...

[matepas 0]

On ‎5‎/‎04‎/‎2017 at 3:32 PM, geowrian said:

Ah, true. Yeah, they may need to do a security check with them as well. Again, I wouldn't worry too much at this time...you're in normal processing still. If they're updating your case then that's a good sign. Good luck!

Still nothing.

I was supposed to start my J1 program yesterday. Good I didn't quit my job and I didn't buy flight tickets...

How long can this take?

[geowrian 22,337]

13 minutes ago, matepas said:

Still nothing.

I was supposed to start my J1 program yesterday. Good I didn't quit my job and I didn't buy flight tickets...

How long can this take?

That sucks....

 

As I noted, it can take days (usually), weeks (sometimes), months (rarely), or years (very rarely). It sounds like they strive for 60 days, but nothing is guaranteed.