Those with a visa, please step forward

[TimsDaisy 0]

So, just to keep adding to the info trust that is VJ, thought I'd provide an update.

Yeah, they told Tim he was sorted, but when I called DOS today, hoping to hear "visa issued" or just "visa approved" as I'd expected (trying to guess delivery dates, didn't want to buy a ticket too soon if the visa/passport was going to be slow in turning up).

Instead, I was told that the embassy had requested additional security checks (something to that effect, though I do know she didn't say "administrative review."). I said, okay, so how long does that normally take. She said she didn't know but the latest update she had was that it takes between 2 and 4 months.

I didn't panic. I'm not panicked yet. I'm just going to try to get more information.

We always braced ourselves from semi-unforeseen speed bumps due to his past problems ("visa overstay," though he never overstayed a visa, just the I-94. They don't have different names for it though, which is cute for a government agency so damn specific about terms normally, but I digress).

Anyway, we were aware that they might take an extra step after the interview, but frankly, when no real indication of concerns was given at the interview we thought things would be okay.

So I guess we'll see.

If it's really 2 to 4 months, however, I may rellocate temporarily. Not really worth staying here anymore if it's another open-ended wait. We'll come back when he can come back. I don't have anymore vacation time and he can't come here, so we'll do what we have to do. Who knows.

We've hypothesized on possible reasons: the prior overstay (they did ask many questions about that, which he answered, and they implied to him they had copies of all relevant forms stemming from that incident); the change in interview date meant that things normally completed before the interview just weren't done yet; that this thing just happens sometimes, but other VJers got past it in about a month . . . .

I've contacted the congressional staffer that helped us with the interview date to ask if he's heard of similar delays and what we might be looking at, delay-wise. We'll see what he says.

So I'm not panicked. I'm certainly not happy. But right now, there's not much to do but be a bit concerned, start trying to get more information, and plan steps from here.

I suppose we're most glad that we had the interview date moved sooner than August 21. Had this delay happened on top of that delay, then I'd have been really super miffed.

[kitkat1 5]

TD I haven't followed your story and I imagine you aware of the rules but just in case you aren't -- What are the details of the overstay? The date on the I-94 is the one that matters, not the visa expiration date, but if it was under 180 days of overstay there is no penalty.

http://www.greencardlawyers.com/answers_for/VisaProcessing/NIVvisasandstay.html

The expiration date on your visa should not be confused with the date of your authorized stay in the United States. The visa expiration date has nothing to do with the authorized length of your stay in the United States for any given visit. You are generally authorized to stay in the United States until the date on your Form I-94, given to you by a U.S. immigration officer when you entered the United States. If you wish to stay longer than this date, you may be eligible to file to extend your stay by filing a petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

[psho 0]

Arrrgh! How frustrating! I hope it's settled with days, not weeks!

[TimsDaisy 0]

Yup, we know all the ins-and-outs of the overstay. But we had heard that even if there's no ban, there could be some extra checks at the Embassy stage. Who knows, maybe the overstay has nothing to do with it.

I also know that the date on the visa has less to do with things than the I-94 date. But lawyers, Embassy staff, everyone calls it a "visa overstay" if you blow the date on the I-94. Frustrates the hell out of me, too. He overstayed the date on his I-94, innocently (not that it matters to them), in 2005. He left BEFORE the expiration of his actual visa. It was less than 180 days - there was no ban, just a loss of VWP privileges. Major bummer.

Our questions are much less about the overstay itself than what effect, if any, it has on checks after the interview, or what else could cause the delay.

Actually, bottom line, we don't care why or how, only when. As in, when will he have his passport back. Right now, even if we wanted to meet up in Canada, we can't. He can't really leave his country.

Hopefully it won't be too long.

[Mags 112]

It could be something as "harmless" as name checks. ICE2005 had to wait an extra month after interview for hers to come through.

I was told at the interview that I was all fine and ready to go...got a letter through a week later telling me they needed something else. That took a month too.

Perhaps, as Tim had his date pushed forward, the name checks were not back yet and that's what they are waiting on. Just throwing you some ideas, really. If he is in security checks you won't be able to get any more info out of them, as they only give information out when you have passed their waiting time limit.

[NealandCari 0]

Bummer, Daisy! I'm so sorry to hear that. I don't know anything about security checks I'm afraid, but here's hoping it will prove to be only a minor delay. Fingers crossed!

[TimsDaisy 0]

It could be something as "harmless" as name checks. ICE2005 had to wait an extra month after interview for hers to come through.

I was told at the interview that I was all fine and ready to go...got a letter through a week later telling me they needed something else. That took a month too.

Perhaps, as Tim had his date pushed forward, the name checks were not back yet and that's what they are waiting on. Just throwing you some ideas, really. If he is in security checks you won't be able to get any more info out of them, as they only give information out when you have passed their waiting time limit.

Thanks mags. I had seen the ICE2005 posts and discussion about that. It makes sense if the reason is that things sped up before all the other parts of the process could catch up. So if that's what it is, then that's what it is. A month we can deal with (well, we don't have much choice, I suppose). But if it isn't that, I'm still especially glad we got things moved from the end of August to the start of July so there's still hope for a fall wedding. Nothing's ever certain until he's on actual American soil though, I know.

Do you recall what their "waiting limit" is? I saw you mentioned that in the other thread as well.

[featherB 1]

I hope they're just waiting for some name check/fingerprint check/whatever check that's been 'a bit delayed' TD, and that this will (like psho says) be something that only holds you back a matter of days, rather than anything longer than that. How annoying.

[Mags 112]

Do you recall what their "waiting limit" is? I saw you mentioned that in the other thread as well.

I've just answered in the other thread incase anyone thinks I am going insane by repeating myself. 6 months comes to mind, but I'm not sure a.) where that comes from or b.) if it is correct.

I do know it is over 2 months though, but I think it is more to cover their own backsides if a check takes longer than anticipated.

Edited July 10, 2007 by mags

[TimsDaisy 0]

Do you recall what their "waiting limit" is? I saw you mentioned that in the other thread as well.

I've just answered in the other thread incase anyone thinks I am going insane by repeating myself. 6 months comes to mind, but I'm not sure a.) where that comes from or b.) if it is correct.

I do know it is over 2 months though, but I think it is more to cover their own backsides if a check takes longer than anticipated.

Well, let's just hope you're either wrong or we don't have to wait long enough to find out! Eek. Not much to do at this point but keep . . . oh right, what we've been doing - waiting.

Sigh.

[Mags 112]

we don't have to wait long enough to find out!

I'm sure it won't, Daisy! This was a nightmare time for me, I can understand how bloody awful you feel. I wasn't in name check, but still had to wait over a month for my visa with virtually no information to tell me what the hell was going on. Once the visa arrived though, everything bad was forgotten.

[TimsDaisy 0]

we don't have to wait long enough to find out!

I'm sure it won't, Daisy! This was a nightmare time for me, I can understand how bloody awful you feel. I wasn't in name check, but still had to wait over a month for my visa with virtually no information to tell me what the hell was going on. Once the visa arrived though, everything bad was forgotten.

Since we'd already planned on Tim not coming the moment he got the visa (we were waiting for the 90 day window to open to avoid having to do a pre-wedding marriage), it doesn't feel awful yet. But I can foresee the awful feeling coming in not too much time. For now, we'll see if we can find anything out and if not, well, not too many options other than changing the location of where the waiting occurs.

[msu17 0]

OH NO!!! That's a definite bummer! TD I want good news soon from you!

[Kym 0]

Just wanted to say how sorry I was to read this post from you. I was so happy to read the other day of Tim's approval and thought...great, you so deserve that!!!!

I can't offer any advice because I just don't know enough about what you are going through. So when someone is held for add'l security checks, they take your passport? (I may not have answers...but always questions )

I also want to say how well I think you are handling this....staying calm certainly gets you further with issues as this. But after waiting so long, it's easy to just freak out (as you are aware I know all about..lol).

Sending you the best of wishes that you are able to get to the bottom of this and through it quickly.

[Tinker 0]

Daisy, wishing you two the best of luck!