Passport Return Call = Visa accepted?

[liveralittle 0]

Hello! I know I've made quite a pile of posts lately these past few weeks, I just havent been able to rest.
The timeline goes like this :

March 31st 2024 - first day of medical, told to do a psych eval, come back for 2nd day on April 21, 2024

April 4, 2024 - biometrics

April 14, 2024 - interview at the embassy. issued a 221g pink slip, no medical result.

April 21, 2024 - second day of medical, did psych eval, vaccines etc., hospital said results would be sent to embassy soon.

April 28, 2024 - passport dropped off. waiting game

 

Today, May 13, 2024, we received a call saying that the passport would be returned to us and double-checked if we wanted to pick it up or get it delivered. We said delivered, confirmed location, and were told that it would be 3-7 business days (as we are outside of Manila). I didn't catch what the lady said clearly–– Does the fact that they're returning my passport mean that the visa will come with it too? Is there a chance it could be rejected or is it guaranteed to be the final step?? I thought the anxiety would be over by the time we received the call, but the uncertainty of not knowing what's next is still a bother. Thank you to those who answer!

[JeanneAdil 7,052]

Check following site to know status/

If visa issued it should say so

If still in AP, it should say so

If denied ,  it should say that

 

https://ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx

[liveralittle 0]

7 hours ago, JeanneAdil said:

Check following site to know status/

If visa issued it should say so

If still in AP, it should say so

If denied ,  it should say that

 

https://ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx

It's still refused and the case last updated status date was a week ago. What does this mean? Will it change once the courier sends the passport on the way to us?

[Edward and Jaycel 1,850]

2 hours ago, liveralittle said:

It's still refused and the case last updated status date was a week ago. What does this mean? Will it change once the courier sends the passport on the way to us?

 

The CEAC status will change to "Issued" when the visa has been printed and placed in the passport. You should receive an email from LBC with the tracking number once they ship the passport

Edited May 13 by Edward and Jaycel

[Edward and Jaycel 1,850]

And FYI for some reason the Manila Embassy does not use the status code of AP very often and with a 221g they will usually just leave it in "Refused" status until they approve and issue it

[liveralittle 0]

1 hour ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

And FYI for some reason the Manila Embassy does not use the status code of AP very often and with a 221g they will usually just leave it in "Refused" status until they approve and issue it

Yes I've noticed that I never really heard of "AP" status when it came to my case, I always thought it was just an interchangeable term for "refused" 

I think I understand now. I've received the email with the tracking number, but the status has stayed the same. Is this a sign to worry as there is no explicit confirmation whether the visa will come with the passport or not? Or maybe I am just overthinking it. Hehe.

[Edward and Jaycel 1,850]

5 minutes ago, liveralittle said:

Yes I've noticed that I never really heard of "AP" status when it came to my case, I always thought it was just an interchangeable term for "refused" 

I think I understand now. I've received the email with the tracking number, but the status has stayed the same. Is this a sign to worry as there is no explicit confirmation whether the visa will come with the passport or not? Or maybe I am just overthinking it. Hehe.

 

I wish I had some insight to share, sometimes the CEAC status can lag behind actual events.... Please let us know what you get back when the passport is returned

[J.M. 310]

On 5/13/2025 at 11:33 AM, Edward and Jaycel said:

sometimes the CEAC status can lag behind actual events

Just to second this- a friend already has the passport/visa in hand, but CEAC still says "ready."