B1/B2 Tourist Visa- additonal info required south africa

[Mammy 1]

Hi everyone. 

I applied for a b1/b2 visa. I went for an interview about a week ago. My visa was approved by the VO.The consulate called me later that day for a hanis report which i submitted the next day via email. However my status is still on application recieved.  I am not sure what this means. I am panicking as we had already booked our flights. We are  even contemplating asking for my passport back and applying for a schengen visa for europe travel.  My partner applied for his on the same week and he has got his already.   We have until mid June 2018 to make flight changes

[geowrian 22,339]

Hopefully they complete processing soon.

You can request your passport back. They cannot issue the visa until they have your passport, though (since it is affixed to the passport).

Never book flights before the visa is in hand.

Good luck.

[Jojo92122 1,925]

All you can do is wait.

Situations like yours is why the US Consulate advises not to book flights without a visa in hand.  They have no sympathy when people book flights without a visa in hand, so they will not help make things faster.

[Mammy 1]

Thank you guys...but i also dont want to sound impatient or anything. Thanks Jojo a friend of mine advised me incorrectly because she said i must book my return flights its partly my ignorance. My travel dates are end July. So i was advised that 2-3 months earlier usually works. My partner keeps reassuring me but i feel like the world is big and i hate uncertainity.  How do i ask for my passport back? I have asked for feedback via email with no luck

[Mammy 1]

I paid a little extra for airtickets so that i can change destination should anything happen.. its just that i have till a month from now to change. I am anxious😂😣

[evapaula 230]

In romania they send passports back with a visa in up to a week, except when they have issues with their systems (at one point applicants had to wait abut a month but that's an exception). I wouldn't worry just yet, and I would call the embassy to inquire on their usual waiting time. 

Edited May 21, 2018 by evapaula

[Mammy 1]

Oh is it evapaula? In south africa it takes about 2-3days for your passport with the visa to be sent back. I dont know if its because of the additonal documents that were required from me that is making it take so long. Non of the guys in my circle had to wait this long. But then again its a small circle. 

[Mammy 1]

They dont discuss visa queries over the phone. I must send an email of which they dont respond to.

[SusieQQQ 11,588]

Mammy which consulate did you interview at? At JNB it took about a week for an extra document I submitted to be acted on. 

May I ask what kind of documents you were asked for?if it’s security related issues (like a DS5535 form, though those are unusual for SA) it could take a while, but anything else you should know the outcome in plenty of time to make any possible changes to your flights.

[Mammy 1]

Hi Susie. Yes its in Jhb. I was asked for a 1pager Hanis report. Which is the verification report from home affairs. It isnt security related. I think its just a verification of id number and identity.  Thank you and i hope so too. I cannot even be fully excited until i have my visa. Worse when you had told the whole office you are going to USA..😂😂😂😂

[SusieQQQ 11,588]

1 hour ago, Mammy said:

Hi Susie. Yes its in Jhb. I was asked for a 1pager Hanis report. Which is the verification report from home affairs. It isnt security related. I think its just a verification of id number and identity.  Thank you and i hope so too. I cannot even be fully excited until i have my visa. Worse when you had told the whole office you are going to USA..😂😂😂😂

Ok I’ve never heard of this report before..l hope it gets sorted out quickly, good luck. Please update the thread when you have a response?

 

edit: I just looked it up. Did they give you a reason they wanted it? Do you maybe have a fairly common name or something that they need to verify your identity?

Edited May 22, 2018 by SusieQQQ

[Mammy 1]

They didnt they just called me to say i needed to submit it. Maybe its a name thing because i do have one name which is very common. I will definately update once i have feedback. 

[Mammy 1]

Hi everyone. 

My status changed to administrative processing on the 24 May 2018. Will keep you posted next week on any changes. 

I hope they recieved my document

[Mammy 1]

Hi everyone. 

My status has changed today 25 May 2018 to Issued.  Says my visa is in final processing.

[SusieQQQ 11,588]

5 hours ago, Mammy said:

Hi everyone. 

My status has changed today 25 May 2018 to Issued.  Says my visa is in final processing.

Great! Enjoy your trip!