Marmalve

3 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

You were born in Spain?  Were your parents born in Spain?

Both are correct 

1 minute ago, Jorgedig said:

No way of knowing.  Maybe security checks?  What is your country of origin?

 

My point was, if your case is mired in security checks, submitting another visa application will not solve the problem.

Spain 😔

11 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

 

What's the reason anyway? Because nobody said to me I would be in AP, they just decided after my interview without even telling me, no slip, no nothing. 

Hello everyone. 

I am trying to finally be able to go to the US filling another J1 with start date past the actual J1 I have now. 

Is it possible that they put me in AP again considering they didn't clear my last one? How likely? Can you avoid AP by stating to the interviewer at the embassy that you are in a rush to leave? 

Thank you. 

14 minutes ago, tiyyo said:

Not sure what to tell you. My husband had his first interview in February 2018 and had to request his passport back in June 2018 for work. We ended up having a second interview in February 2019 that led to me getting in touch with my congressman and several other email to the embassy. He finally got the notice to send his passport back in to the embassy in May 2019. He was given a photo copy of the DS-5535 on the day of his first interview. We submitted it back in that same day.

 

It's ridiculous, I'm in a J1 that starts the 27th and ends on May, idk how they dare to make me wait further than the start of my J1, it doesn't make any sense, it's like they are trying so hard not to let you study there! 

10 minutes ago, tiyyo said:

Did you request to have your passport returned? It delayed my husband getting his visa for over a year. Sorry to say...

No I didn't! In fact I asked them to keep it and they answered they had to return it 

Hello all, is someone still waiting, its my 35th day waiting and they are returning my passport unstamped or so they said 😥

2 hours ago, fakeeh said:

same happend to me. now 1 year already passed with no single update.

They have literally discarded my will to study and whatever comes after it for this, I don't know why they do this kind of things to people that, like me, only come for studying a certain amount of months and then leave, doesn't make any sense

I have been told they would send my passport back without the visa and the process will continue since there's not a clear end date, I guess this is not a good sign? 

3 minutes ago, fakeeh said:

change ur fligh date to be safe. no body know even the embassy when it will be issued

Hello, luckily enough I could request a voucher I can spend later when they decide to issue my visa. 

I hope before the 60 days mark. 

Luckily my plane price was refunded in a voucher! 

I will keep waiting until classes start at my home university, I can't lose many classes since I'm graduating this year...

9 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Generally holding on to the passport is a good sign. Most likely it will be issued...it's just a matter of "when".

And they don't mind the beginning of the program? It's set to start on january the 27th... 

1 minute ago, geowrian said:

The DS-5535 applies for any visa. I've seen it on tourist visas, F-1 visas, etc.

And the thingy of having my passport with them and not returning it? Is it a good sign? 

14 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Current megathread on the DS-5535...you'll get a better idea of the timeline there.

There is no time limit for AP.

 

The visa was never granted. It was likely approved by the CO, but it cannot be issued until final checks are completed.

What exactly triggers as DS-5535 is unknown. There are common themes among most people who get one - travel history, residencies, field of work, name is the same or similar to certain individuals, etc.

I haven't see anyone getting these on J1 visas and I wonder if that's a good sign meaning they take few time processing

Hello, I'm a J-1 petitioner for a semester in a Maryland University. 

I got the DS-5535 on a email the day after my interview (December the 19th)

As others I read, I was granted the visa and given a white slip that said I'd get it in 4 to 6 days. 

However, 28 days have passed and I don't have anything yet, I called, made sure they receive the documents and emailed them with the same usual responses. 

My flight was going to take departure next Friday (January the 17th), unless I get the "Issued" status by this evening I won't be able to take it. 

They kept my passport with them, and I wonder how long can they keep it without making the firm decision of stamping it? Also, what made they think I'm a threat to make me send them the DS-5535?

I even know the name of the Vice-consul who is doing my visa process since he signed and stamped his name on my DS-2019.

What do you think are the estimate time I'll have to wait more for getting my passport with the visa? 

Hello, I'm a J-1 petitioner for a semester in a Maryland University. 

I got the DS-5535 on a email the day after my interview (December the 19th)

As others I read, I was granted the visa and given a white slip that said I'd get it in 4 to 6 days. 

However, 28 days have passed and I don't have anything yet, I called, made sure they receive the documents and emailed them with the same usual responses. 

My flight was going to take departure next Friday (January the 17th), unless I get the "Issued" status by this evening I won't be able to take it. 

They kept my passport with them, and I wonder how long can they keep it without making the firm decision of stamping it? Also, what made they think I'm a threat to make me send them the DS-5535?

I even know the name of the Vice-consul who is doing my visa process since he signed and stamped his name on my DS-2019.

What do you think are the estimate time I'll have to wait more for getting my passport with the visa?