Chaudhary231

Sounds like the form DS5535 questions, some people are getting increased scrutiny on applications. Doesn’t matter why we think it happens, only option is to answer the questions and wait...
 
(keeping passports is usually a good sign, that they think they will issue once they have the info.)

Issued means issued...the visa has been printed. Congrats!

I will share the updates if any. Visa to attend academic conference.

Her parents live in the United States? Well that would be a thing against her, they would assume she would overstay and adjust then. You have family in the states and so does she - it looks to immigration like the plan is to get all the families over here.

Administrative Processing is normal, but no one here can tell how long it will last.  Unfortunately, additional background checks are not unusual for visa applicants at Islamabad.  Nothing you can do but wait.
 

Hi @Chaudhary231
 
The word sponsorship can be interpreted differently. “Paying for the trip” is different than how true sponsorship is interpreted by people dealing with immigration. This is because, when a US citizen  or permanent resident sponsors a family member for an immigrant, they sign a document (Affidavit of Support), that is legally binding, that states they have the financial capability to provide for the family member. If the family member becomes a public charge, like welfare, after they arrive in the US, then the government can use the legally binding affidavit of support to sue the Petitioner who applied for the member. The AOS is a legal requirement by the US government in order for a person to bring over family. Your wife’s family had to sign a AOS.
 
For visitor visas, however, AOS is not a requirement. There is no legal support document require by the US government for a foreigner to get a visitor visa. So even if someone is paying for a trip, in immigration terminology, it is not a true sponsorship.
 
Furthermore, there is no mention  or process of “sponsorship” when a person applies for a B2 for tourism. In fact, there is a section on the US visa website that states that a affidavit of support is not needed....
 
“Note: Visa applicants must qualify on the basis of the applicant's residence and ties abroad, rather than assurances from U.S. family and friends. A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed to apply for a visitor visa. If you choose to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your interview, please remember it is not one of the factors used in determining whether to issue or deny the visa.”
 
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html#apply
 
 
Here is the US immigration explanation of sponsor.
https://www.uscis.gov/tools/glossary/sponsor

I would give them some time to look into things.   Once a questionnaire is requested visas are typically issued (except for Diversity visas) after an extended period.  If they weren't serious about the visa they would just deny on the spot and not go through the leg work of background checks.  Its hard to say why the questionnaire was given or how long it will take sorry you can't get more help than that.   
 
Hopefully you'll hear good new once the AP is completed.

I think it’s “normal” (current era) heightened scrutiny. The DS5535 type questions are security related, not immigrant intent related. If they suspected immigrant intent it would have been an outright denial, imo. Yes I get that maybe it’s suspicious the whole family wants visas. But it’s also totally logical and reasonable that the family wants to vacation together, too.  Again, I’d generally view it as a favorable indicator for both outcome and timing that the embassy kept the passports, though of course nothing is guaranteed. 

They would be seen as being at risk of trying to adjust status while in the United States, on a visitor visa.  And yes, the embassy will be aware of any previously filed petitions or visa applications.

High levels of scrutiny and background checks are normal for Pakistan.  Pakistan does not cooperate with security data sharing with the United States, so the process often is much longer than for countries that share data.
 
There is no way to anticipate or predict the length of AP though.  It is what it is.

Many people go through it these days.

Just wait for it its normal , give them a least a month