Sunshine22

Hello! Our case has been resolved. In AP for 6 months but was told my husband needed an approved I-212 or wait out the ban. We filed the I-212.

My spouse's I-212 waiver was approved at the beginning of December, 2023. From my understanding this approval was sent to the embassy and now we just need to wait. Does anyone know what to expect after an I-212 approval and how long it takes for the embassy to contact you regarding the next steps? We have been checking the CEAC website for updates but none so far. Thanks in advance!

Hi @barby28! How long did it take after your I-212 approval for the embassy to contact you with further instructions? Was a second interview required?

Hello, how long did it take you to hear back from the Consulate after the I-212 approval?

Update: our I-212 was approved, 5 weeks after they accepted the form! We originally hired a lawyer for the whole process but with the long wait I had a lot of time to research and felt confident I could prepare the application so we decided to save some money and file it ourselves. Some cases may benefit from having a lawyer, but it is possible to file and get approved without one. Good luck to everyone on their journey!

That's amazing, congratulations!! Did you file with a USCIS field office?

Hello! Did you ever find out what the status meant or where it was processing? My husband filed his I-212 at a field office and we received the same status a day after they accepted the I-212.

I think things have changed. Currently it depends on the situation (if the application is in the US or not, visa type, other waivers needed, etc). In our case USCIS will adjudicate the waiver. https://www.uscis.gov/forms/all-forms/direct-filing-addresses-for-form-i-212-application-for-permission-to-reapply-for-admission-into-the

That's what I thought as well. We filed with a USCIS field office. When we received the receipt notice it stated the form was accepted at the field office then transferred to NBC.

Hi everyone! Would anyone be kind enough to share their timeline when filing an I-212? How long did you wait for a decision? I know every case is different but it is nice to have other cases to reference 🙂 USCIS website shows 24 months but I saw on another site someone that received a recent approval that only took 7 days!! I-212 ONLY

UPDATE: in case this helps anyone in the future With the help of a senator, the embassy responded and it looks there is a ban in place. I-601 Waiver is not needed. CAEC Status is still refused with long text (administrative processing). The wording on the form is misleading.. they checked the box "no waiver available. Please contact USCIS for permission to reapply". The I-212 is the form one uses to request permission to reapply. Is the I-212 not technically called a "waiver"?

If there is a 5 year ban, it will be up Dec 2024. His employer (Cruise company) paid for the airline ticket.

Lawyer thinks the I-601 will NOT be needed but wasn't 100% sure hence their recommendation to wait until interview.

There was a lot of miscommunication about the end date of his cruise contract and he didn't board the original flight home with the intent that he will be rejoining the ship to continue work. He made the mistake of leaving the airport while waiting to hear from HR on how to reboard the ship which lead to the interaction with CBP and the cancelled visa. The cruise company paid for the flight. We understand there is no waiver for the DS-5535.

Not sure about the I-601, that's why we waited until the interview.

I guessed the same about the DS-5535. It is frustrating trying to figure out how to get answers about the waivers. The Embassy doesn't respond to our emails.

His C1/D visa was cancelled. FOIA Request returned no records except a one page I-213 form but no mention of an inadmissible code or ban, just a short narrative that said he was removed via airline. We assumed it was an expedited removal. Our lawyer thought the same and expected we would be asked to fill out waiver(s) at the interview.

Has anyone experienced being in AP for extra background checks (DS-5535) then was asked to submit a waiver? My husband's interview was in March 2023. We were expecting the CO to state if my husband needed to fill out a waiver or not. Not even sure if he even has a ban. We thought we would receive answers at the interview but the CO just stated he didn't know and needed more time to look into it. A month after the interview the DS-5535 was requested. My thought process is why waste time doing background checks if someone is otherwise inadmissible, so does that mean he doesn't have a ban or need a waiver? We understand the AP process for the DS-5535 but the waiver process is a little confusing. We tried reaching out to the embassy but no response. FOIA requests didn't help either. We are worried that if he does need a waiver we wasted time and could have submitted it 6 months ago. Just wondering if anyone has experienced something similar. Thank you in advance!

Like Boiler mentioned, timelines vary, but I recently saw someone have their waivers approved in 18 months.

Some receive and some don't. In our case, Ankara responded same day with a confirmation it was received by email. If you want peace of mind try emailing the embassy and ask if they can confirm receipt of your DS-5535.

Hello! AP processing of missing documents is usually completed in 60 days but you also had to fill out a DS-5535 (extra background checks) which can take weeks, months, or sometimes years. It is different for every case. Once AP is complete the embassy will send an email and request passport back.

Hi David. I know this post is old and you have received your visa. Congratulations! I was wondering, were you asked to fill out the form DS-5535 while you were waiting for your ban to expire?

Thank you for the update and Congratulations on getting through AP so quickly! The CEAC status is accurate. It is kind of confusing but when it shows as "administrative processing" it is the final checks and printing of the visa. It is not the same as the administration processing when it shows as "refused." Once they send his passport back it will change to "issued." Usually takes a day.

We can't know for sure why but we are guessing that it is because of his extensive travel history (due to his career), his military service (which is mandatory for Turkish males), or because he lives in a Province bordering Syria.

Hi, my husband is a Turkish citizen and he was also requested to fill out the DS-5535. We have been waiting 3 months so far since submitting the form (It took them a month after the interview to send us the form). I wish you the best and hope you get through AP quickly!