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 221(g) administrative processing for F1

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221g administrative processing F1 visa
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Posted on 05-21-13 11:07 PM     Reply [Subscribe]
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 Hi all,

I have been victimised by the blackbox 'administrative processing' while renewing my F1 visa in Ktm. I am doing my PhD in molecular biology (4 years into the program) in one of the best universities in the USA, and came to Nepal for a short visit. But my visa application was put into hold giving 221(g) form with the third option (administrative processing) checked after the interview on the 14th of May. 
What's frustrating is that I have no idea what the processing is for and how long it will take to get cleared. They also didn't ask for any supplemental infomation (like resume, research details, publication list etc) that is usually asked in cases under the TAL. So, I am very confused about what is going on.They kept only my passport and I20 and returned other documents to me. The consular said that everything is fine but that they would have to do some processing at the end of my interview.

Has anybody from Nepal ever been in a similar situation? How long should I expect to be in this limbo? I know a lot of cases from India and other countries being in similar situations, but have not heard anything about Nepalese being in such situation for F1 renewal (although it appears to be fairly common for H1b applications even in Nepal). 

Please let me know if anybody has anything to say about this issue! The wait and uncertainty is VERY frustrating.
Last edited: 21-May-13 11:10 PM

 
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Posted on 05-22-13 12:23 PM     [Snapshot: 227]     Reply [Subscribe]
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here's my take on it ... based on real events - one of my friends re kyaa ;)

2007 - came to the US on F-1 for MS
2009- H-1B filed and denied
2009 - enrolled in another MS program, but visa had expired
2009 - bad luck kharab -DUI followed by DWI - Parole Oficer and AA Classes
2010 - To Nepal to get visa stamped
2010- Administrative Processing started - lasted 3 months-medical check - psychological check - alcohal abuse tests etc Pain ful
2011- Embassy denied visa
2011 - Got a new I-20 from the school- paid a semester fee upfront - reappeared for visa
2011- again administrative proces
2011- had the university directly contact embassy
2011 - reinterviewed, course details asked, DUI and DWI issues asked in details and then told to wait
2011 - finally issued visa after 1 month
2012- came to USA again

moral of the story - always have a designate driver

 
Posted on 05-22-13 1:07 PM     [Snapshot: 267]     Reply [Subscribe]
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FROM MURTHY.COM

What Are Security Checks?

An important aspect of Nonimmigrant Visa processing at U.S. Embassies and Consulates is the security check procedure. A security check is performed by immigration officials as a necessary part of each visa application. The individual annoyance of waiting for a delayed security check pales in comparison to the national security concern of carefully screening individuals who want to enter the U.S.
The uncertainty of the security check process and the often time-consuming delays can cause a potential visa applicant to wait an unspecified amount of time. Meanwhile, business plans, employment opportunities, major life events and holidays can pass without the issuance of a visa. The most common types of checks required are discussed below.

What are the Types of Security Checks?
Visa Condor Checks, are required for specified individuals. The exact criteria for which applicants this Check applies to are confidential. However, anecdotal evidence indicates that any one of a number of factors may trigger the need for Visa Condor Clearance:

[/left]
  • Travel to predominantly Muslim countries
  • Prior foreign military service in certain countries
  • Prior employment in sensitive sectors
  • Specialized training that may have military, intelligence or security implications
  • Birth or residency in certain countries, not limited to Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen., Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North, Korea, Sudan, Syria.

The U.S. Department of State reports that approximately 80% of Visas Condor clearances are completed within 30 days.

[/left]


Visa Donkey Checks are based on a “name hit”, meaning a name is similar to an individual of interest to U.S. authorities. In theory, the name hit is non nationality-specific. However, male applicants from Middle Eastern countries are most often subject to this type of check. Processing estimates for most Visa Donkey clearances take between 2 to 4 months, although long delays are no unheard of for a select few.

Visa Mantis Checks are required for individuals who are involved in any of the technologies included on a list of 15 areas. The Critical Fields List (CFL) of the Department of States Technology Alert List is very comprehensive and includes almost any field relating to military, weapons technology or intelligence. This includes biochemistry, chemical engineering, and certain medical research specialty fields. For example, a high school chemistry teacher from France intending to visit the U.S. could be subject to a Mantis Check. Most Mantis checks are completed within 10 weeks from the date of request by the consular officer.

Routine Criminal Checks are performed by immigration officials by using the Consular Lookout and Support System (also known as “CLASS”). This system contains information on criminal convictions, FBI records, and terrorist watch lists. The system is updated very regularly, and is a valuable tool of national security to immigration officials.



 
Posted on 05-22-13 7:55 PM     [Snapshot: 370]     Reply [Subscribe]
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 i think this kind of precessing is being more frequent these days. a friend of mine who is doing PhD in biophysics (also in ranked school) recently went through the same situation. THough he is back in US already, he went to nepal for a usual vacation and was put on hold while applying for the visa. I know him well as a smart kid and has a good undergrad gpa from a good school. He himself does not know why they put him on hold rather than told that was just for processing and checking. really frustrating.

 
Posted on 05-22-13 8:58 PM     [Snapshot: 406]     Reply [Subscribe]
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 Thanks guys for sharing your experiences.

@bbmb: Do you know how long you friend had to wait and if he had to submit additional documents?

From what i know, people from India and Taiwan in similar situations were asked to submit resume, publication list, research summary etc, which were then sent to DC for clearance by the consulate. 

For me, my passport is still with them (9 days today) and haven't asked for anything other than what I submitted during interview (very general stuff).  I have return ticket for 29th. I guess I would have to cancel that in a few days if I still haven't heard from them. What a mess!

Note: Don't have any arrest or illegal history. The guy (a Nepali guy) who handed me the 221g slip asked me questions about my travel history (none other than US)  and employment hostory (none). 
Last edited: 22-May-13 09:10 PM

 
Posted on 05-23-13 11:38 AM     [Snapshot: 488]     Reply [Subscribe]
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Last edited: 15-Jul-13 09:25 AM

 
Posted on 05-23-13 12:03 PM     [Snapshot: 510]     Reply [Subscribe]
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consktm@us.gov I guess ...Check the later part (after @) from the web.  I hope they have not chanced the consktm yet.....You could email and ask as a reminder if you are in a rush....


 
Posted on 05-23-13 8:07 PM     [Snapshot: 588]     Reply [Subscribe]
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it took him almost a month to get a visa. i don't recall him saying about the additional documents needed.


 
Posted on 05-23-13 9:00 PM     [Snapshot: 612]     Reply [Subscribe]
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 I have already emailed them once at 1 week mark asking if I need to send them anything and what the processing is for. It's been 3 days with no replies. I also called DOS, only to be told that they don't get any visa cases, which only confused me even more. My status in the website hasn't been updated since my interview. Does that been they haven't even started looking into my case?
 
Posted on 05-24-13 4:37 PM     [Snapshot: 731]     Reply [Subscribe]
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It takes time because all the communications are done by mail not emails. So you can imagine the time (sending mail from nepal to us and viceversa).
 
Posted on 05-31-13 3:54 AM     [Snapshot: 917]     Reply [Subscribe]
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 17 days and waiting. no progress at all. They haven't even replied to my email that I sent 10 days ago.
 
Posted on 05-31-13 9:16 AM     [Snapshot: 987]     Reply [Subscribe]
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Last edited: 11-Jul-13 09:05 AM

 
Posted on 06-05-13 11:18 PM     [Snapshot: 1143]     Reply [Subscribe]
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 My university says that they can't do anything unless its 60 days past the interview. They feel that if they contact the visa office at this point, it might further delay my case. Anyways, I have waited for more than 3 weeks already, so hopefully they will call me within a week!
 
Posted on 06-15-13 1:47 AM     [Snapshot: 1408]     Reply [Subscribe]
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 Am I the only one waiting for 221g clearance in Nepal? If anyone else is in a similar situation or knows somebody else, then please respond. I have now been waiting for a little over a month, feeling a little lonely here.
 
Posted on 06-24-13 9:09 AM     [Snapshot: 1625]     Reply [Subscribe]
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Last edited: 11-Jul-13 10:40 AM

 
Posted on 06-24-13 11:52 AM     [Snapshot: 1700]     Reply [Subscribe]
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 Unfortunately, my case is still in administrative processing. It is now 6 weeks of wait and no update. Really frustrated at this point!
 
Posted on 06-24-13 3:35 PM     [Snapshot: 1775]     Reply [Subscribe]
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Last edited: 15-Jul-13 09:26 AM

 
Posted on 06-25-13 1:17 AM     [Snapshot: 1924]     Reply [Subscribe]
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 Thanks Neerman for the suggestion. I have contacted my advisor, and he is doing everything he can to try to help. based on his (and my own)  research on similar cases, he says that administrative processing cases are out of the hands of the consulate and thus, contacting the embassy is not helpful at all. He has now contacted the senator of my state and is having her contact the DOS to at least find out where the case is stuck!
I understand that it might take longer if it is for a petition-based visa like H1, L1 etc as the cases can be referred to USCIS, but I don't understand any reason why a student visa can take this long if everybody was doing their job as they should. I just fear that my case is lying somewhere unnoticed or completely neglected!

@Raj Chaulagain : which visa is your family waiting for and how long has it been?

 
Posted on 07-10-13 1:05 AM     [Snapshot: 2182]     Reply [Subscribe]
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 Update:
Senator contacted DOS but DOS said AP cases are sealed off from outside contacts and hence didn't provide any information. My advisor emailed the consulate and the reply was "we've forwarded it to the appropriate department for processing." That's all. I don't even know what they mean by that!
Waiting for more than 8 weeks now and I am getting more and more depressed everyday. How can the consulars smile at you, look into your eyes, say everything looks good, and then put you through this hell?? I thought students didn't have to wait this long to be cleared. guess my luck is down :( 
 
Posted on 07-12-13 1:49 AM     [Snapshot: 2390]     Reply [Subscribe]
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 Finally my visa has been approved today. Status got updated on the CEAC website for the first time after interview on 11th July after 58 days (still said administrative processing). Same day, I got a call from the embassy asking me to go there on the 12th. They didn't reveal if my visa was approved on the phone but I called the DOS and they said that they could see "ready to issue" status on their side. I went to the embassy on the 12th morning and the consular told me that my visa is approved. I paid the fees and got out happy! I am collecting my passport the same day in the afternoon!

The consular revealed to me that my case was kind of lost and he apologized to me for the delay. I guess my advisor's email woke them up and had them looking for my case! So, if anybody in similar situation, have your advisor/supervisor contact the consulate. It might  or might nor work, but i think it's worth trying just in case your case is lost or stuck like mine.

Thanks to everyone for your input and for sharing your cases. It was one of the most stressful times in my life, and I hope people will at least learn from my experience and take precaution if they are coming to Nepal for visa renewal.

 
Posted on 07-12-13 8:22 AM     [Snapshot: 2453]     Reply [Subscribe]
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Congratulations Lowkey. Good to hear that finally your visa has been approved.
 



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