221g-urgent-passport retained-please help

N

NIW03

Registered Users (C)
Hello

We went for interview at chennai consulate for a H1B and H4. Were refused visas citing 221G, and requested to send an email response for a bunch of queries about my research (biochemistry field) and future plans (mostly simple queries). But the officer retained the visa issuance demand draft as well as our passports.
How long does it typically take to get a response after my email clarification? I have less than three weeks left for my retutrn flight.
I have an AP back up but cant use it as my passport is stuck at the consulate. Is there a way I can cancel the application and get our passports back?
Please help.. URGENT.

Thanks
Siva
 
This looks like a VISAS MANTIS check initiation.. Unfortunately, it can take about 10 weeks for processing. Recently the goverment sites are claiming that the checks are becoming faster, but at this point of time, it is about 2.5 to 3 month time frame. I am stuck with VISAS CONDOR check.. and that too is taking similar time frame. It is has been 8 weeks already for me..

Once the check is completed (successfully), they will send you back the passport with the visa stamped. I dont know about the application cancellation option.. maybe the embassy can give you that info..

There are few US numbers to the dept of state and the fbi (if you were fingerprinted) listed in this fprum that you can call to check the status of your case.

Take care
Anis
 
221(g) response

Hi Siva,

Can you please let me know how many days did your visa processing take and what was the outcome. I am having the same issue and its been just 2 weeks.



thanks
naroo
 
221 g bitten

221 g

Hi,
My name is Pavan Right now I am in India and have a query on my H1B.

My case:

I went to delhi for H1B stamping on september 13 and the consulate asked me to get some papers which i happen to take on sept 30 2004 and the consulate has placed a query of Administrative processing on H1B and it has been already 6 months and i havent recieved any mail from us consulate from delhi regarding my case. I have done my masters from usa and came for a h1b stamping to india.( change of status from f1 to h1)

My questions are:

1. What is administrative processing and it takes how many days ?

2. Is it possible for me to go to chennai when my administraive processing is going on?


Type of Visa: H1B
Consulate attended: Delhi
Dates attended: Sept 13, 2004 and Sept 30, 2004
Type of Query: US employee check
Documents with the consulate:
1. LCA
2. I129 Petition
3. W2 of all the employees
4.Experience letters
5.Company contracts

waiting for the reply from consulate from past 6 months

Contact no : ( local) 9848803358 ( Hyderabad No:) Email : kandarpa_99@yahoo.com

Can anybody advice me on this.

All The best
Pavan
 
Shiva..Did you get your visa

Hi NIW,
did you get your visa? what was the response from consulate to your email. How many days it took for them to process your visa. reply is very much appreciated
 
Hi radha_r78

The email info that was requested from me was a farce and does not have to do anything with the case. The passport was actually held for admin processing, probably under TAL (technology alert list). I had been following vigrously with the department of state. I got to know that it is an inter-agency security clearance and the last I heard, I was told it may take near to 6 weeks. I am almost there and hoping that it will be through soon.
There is no point in calling the consulate. They have a sterotype response that they are still waiting for clearance.

Hope we all get it over with soon!

Thanks
NIW03
 
Thanks How to contact dept of state

Hi NIW,
Thank you very much for your response. My parents are also hit by TAL and same way asked you EMail them. However they said it might take indefinite time. I was wondering how you would be able to contact dept of state. is there any email/ph where we can get the status of our application? If so what do we need to have. just the appointment confirmation number or do we get any acknowledgement for our email from consulate. Its already been 10 days since we sent the email and haven't received any confirmation. we are just worried and anxious. Any help in this regard is greatly appreciated.
Thank you very much
Radha
 
Hello

Here are some numbers you can try. When you call dept of state, first press 1, and then 0. You should be able to talk to a visa specialist. The applicant's passport number is used as the reference. You have to be a little patient as the process may take time. I am also still waiting, 6th week running!

Best of luck!
NIW03

FBI Name Check Unit Chief Unit Chief : Rene Morton
Tel : 1-202-324-1492
Fax : 1-202-324-9890

State Dept Number : 1-202-663-1225
Fax (202) 663-3899

FBI Fingerprint:ph: 304-625-2000
 
Thanks

Thank you NIW, That was very helpful. I guess its all about waiting game.
Good luck with case. Do update us your results.
Thanks again
Radha
 
The Curse of the 221(g) !!!

hey all
Interview date: Jan 03, 2005
Not many questions asked..suddenly the consular is ready to issue me a visa until he finds out that my case needs additional administrative processing. Didnt take my passport though. Said they will contact me once completed.
Its more than 3 months now no reply..and yeah the same standard reply from the embassy all the time.
I guess like someone said earlier on this forum...its just a waiting game...

keep updating guys..
thanks
:confused: jay
 
DOS information

hi all
I spoke to the visa specialist of the Department of State. The lady said that they got my case from the embassy and inturn forwarded it to the various agencies and are awaiting their reply. She didnt say how many agencies are involved. but said that it takes from 2 to 18 months differing from case to case. and said that they try to do it as soon as possible.

keep updating..
:confused: jay
 
Mantis Check

I guess my case has also been sent for Visa Mantis check. It has been 7 weeks by today and there is nothing I have heard from the consulate yet. My passport is still stuck at the embassy.

NIW thanks for providing those numbers. I shall try calling them tonite.

Keep us posted if you get your visa. This waiting game is really getting onto my nerves.

-Naveen
9880890309/ 080-23601096
 
Additional Administrative Processing

Hi,
Even I am also struck up with Addditional administrative processing and it had been 3.5 months. And always getting the same response "Yet to get clearance from the US". Beacause of this I am losing lot of oppurtunities. At the time of processing, I was requested to give my passport for speedy process, so I have given it.
Now is there anyway of getting my passport back(let the additional administrative processing go on in its way as per the process).
Please do respond.
Thanks in Advance
Naveen
 
Mantis Cleared

Hi Guys,

After waiting for 2 full months. Today I received my passport with the visa stamped. It took about 7 weeks for getting my case cleared from D.C and Chennai office took another 1 week for procesing.

Good luck to all you guys

-Naveen
9880890309
 
Congrats

Hey sangnav,
Congrats, calls for the celebrations :) .
So did you get your passport directly in mail or you had to go for an interview again (2nd time). Once again congrats
good luck
Radha
 
got visa

Yahooooooooooo.. parents got VISA for 1 year. Last week when called DOS they said some agencies cleared and some are pending and it would take another 2 weeks. However my parents received passport today (05/07/05) with 1 year visa stamped. Finally long wait completed . No other details known yet.
Radha
 
passport retained.

I went for H1B Visa for Delhi consulate, I belong to Chennai area.
They verified my documents and took my passport and Visa application
and original I797 and Visa fees.
It is two weeks now, I did't receive my Visa yet, I called TT Services
They are saying that they have't received anything from consulate.
Any idea?
 
Hang in there, you wil get it soon

Hi Raju,
here are some numbers you can call and findout your status. Most of the time they say its under processing and will let you know once its cleared. Since that they kept your passport and DD, there are good chances that you will get the visa. Did the person interviewed you say how many days it would take. Normally DOS says it would be around 4 - 6 weeks However I heard cases which took 4 - 6 months. I would say just wait for the time, If at all you want to call someone call DOS, they need your passport#, DOB etc (when you call).
Here are the numbers, copied from the posts in this forum

FBI Name Check Unit Chief Unit Chief : Rene Morton
Tel : 1-202-324-1492
Fax : 1-202-324-9890

State Dept Number : 1-202-663-1225
Fax (202) 663-3899

FBI Fingerprint:ph: 304-625-2000

Good luck
 
Tel #s helped a lot

Guys,

My wife had similar issue with her H4. She was been waiting for her visa from last three weeks. I called State Dept today and they said visa has been issued yesterday. Thanks you all for useful guidence. Tel #s helped a lot.
 
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