IR1 Visa stuck after verbal approval at interview - not getting any responses

[bogie08 1]

Hello, 

 

My wife attended her IR1 visa interview on April 16th at the Paris embassy. She was given a verbal approval at the end of the interview and her passport was collected, no 221(g), and was told it would be be returned with the visa within two weeks by mail. 

 

We began emailing and calling the embassy at the 3 week point with no responses, and in mid May she wrote to them asking for the return of her passport for a work trip but never heard anything back. Since, we have been emailing the visa unit every few weeks for an update, but we have just received one generic response a month ago that her case will be “looked into”, but nothing more and her passport has not been returned. 

 

I have reached out to both of my senators, one a month and a half ago, and the other two weeks ago, also with no responses beyond the basic “we have received your inquiry” email. 

 

It has now been 11 weeks since the interview, are there any suggestions for what to do next? Should I reach out to my House representative as well and see if they will submit an inquiry? Given there was no DS-5535 or 221(g) or request for any other documents, does this delay seem usually long?

 

Thanks 

[OldUser 9,699]

Sadly, verbal approvals mean nothing. They're not legally binding. Is your wife a French citizen? Was she born in France? 

Edited Thursday at 05:01 AM by OldUser

[Boiler 47,366]

Op is showing Portugal?

[bogie08 1]

Yes, the embassy in Lisbon does not process immigrant visas so they send everyone to Paris. She’s a Portuguese citizen born in Portugal.

Edited Thursday at 05:59 AM by bogie08

[appleblossom 4,312]

What does her status say on CEAC? 

[PGA 325]

7 hours ago, bogie08 said:

I have reached out to both of my senators, one a month and a half ago, and the other two weeks ago, also with no responses beyond the basic “we have received your inquiry” email. 

Just out of curiosity here because it wasn't mentioned, but did you fill out and submit the "Privacy Act Consent Form" for the senator's office?  

[JeanneAdil 7,052]

Senator and Representative can not help

they can only get same response u get 

 

Do, u, the USC have any background the CO may be concerned with ?

[bogie08 1]

2 hours ago, appleblossom said:

What does her status say on CEAC? 

“Refused” since the interview. 

 

2 hours ago, PGA said:

Just out of curiosity here because it wasn't mentioned, but did you fill out and submit the "Privacy Act Consent Form" for the senator's office?  

Yes, filled out both when I submitted the inquiries. 

 

1 hour ago, JeanneAdil said:

Senator and Representative can not help

they can only get same response u get 

 

Do, u, the USC have any background the CO may be concerned with ?

No, I don’t think so, shouldn’t be any red flags. 

[KMG 219]

2 hours ago, JeanneAdil said:

Senator and Representative can not help

they can only get same response u get 

 

Do, u, the USC have any background the CO may be concerned with ?

Yes Senators and Representatives can help.  I had a friend that was in the same situation and she started getting answers after she contacted their offices. it all depends on how much they actually want to help.

Edited Thursday at 02:59 PM by KMG

[S2N 246]

19 minutes ago, KMG said:

Yes Senators and Representatives can help.  I had a friend that was in the same situation and she started getting answers after she contacted their offices. it all depends on how much they actually want to help.

Not to mention that when questions get asked, things get looked at, even if all they officially get is the same response you do.

[bogie08 1]

22 minutes ago, KMG said:

Yes Senators and Representatives can help.  I had a friend that was in the same situation and she started getting answers after she contacted their offices. it all depends on how much they actually want to help.

We would take any information at this point, there has been no update about the status from the consulate. It’s just getting frustrating that we are getting no replies at all from the embassy, the NVC, and even the Senators.