Interview on Jan 10, 2007 and administrative processing required
a101 said:
Yes, lets hope for the best. Do share your first & last name is you feel appropriate. Also, what is the latest on delays in getting the interview date? When did you submit your application to American Express and when did they assign you the jan 10 date?
Since you have an EAD so you would always have an option to give up on this process and go back to US using your EAD. We'll wait to see what happens in your interview?
I have applied for H1 visa stamping for 7th year H1 extension, first H1 stamping done from Islamabad in 2001 and second revalidation was done from within US.
Docs submitted to American Express: Dec 12, 2006
Call received from American Express to come pick up the passport, appointment date: Jan 16, 2006, 9:30 AM. I went in person to AmEx another day to request an earlier date, was given Jan 10, 2006, 9:30 AM
I took the Daewoo bus service from Lahore to Rawalpindi, took shuttle service from Rwp to G7, Islamabad. From there took cab to convention center for Pak. Rs. 60. It takes about 15 minutes to get there from G7 Daewoo dropoff location. On reaching Convention center, I saw long lines of people. You have to deposit your cell phone, get a ticket for the cell phone, get another ticket to board the Embassy shuttle service and then board the bus which will drop you to you embassy of choice in this case US. There are two lines outside the embassy, one for non-immigrants and the other for immigrant visa applicants. After going through the personal security check, the guard will let you in. Once in, you will get fingerprinted and submit the passport, and DS-156, DS-157, DS-158 and Parents information form. The fingerprinting is done within few minutes. Then you will be asked to wait untill yor name is called.
Here's my interview details:
Me: How you doing?
VO(Visa Officer): good thanks
Me: You are welcome
VO: Why are you going to US?
Me: I am on vacation and going there to resume my employment with XYZ, Inc.
VO: Oh so you have been working in US?
Me: Yes
Vo: Can I see you I-797?
Me: Handed over the original I797
VO: Looked at it , did something on his computer and returned it to me.
VO: What do you do for the company?
Me: I am Programmer Analyst and develop software
VO: (facial expressions told me as if he wanted to know more), what sort of software?
Me: Commercial software for our client in various industries. Currently I am working with one oif our client in ABC,MA,. Have you ever heard of them?
VO: Yes, where's you business located?
Me: My company is located in NJ but the client is in MA
VO: Where do you live?
Me: I live in XYZ,MA
VO: There're two former US presidents from that place? (with a smile), if you name one of them you get the visa?
Me: (Knew the names but couldn't recall)..thinking.
VO: Tells me one of them and I instantly tell him the other
VO: I am just giving you hard time sir, don't worry. Looks at the computer and I could see a frown on his face. Sir, I have approved you visa but we have to do administrative processing. Unless you are a known ter****** or fugitive from a country, you should be fine. Our standard line that we have been telling people. It's lowset level of check and if you still don't hear from us after a month, call us.
I think he mentioned SSO or DSO or something like that and said that it's been happneing quite a lot lately.Hands me a printed letter, writes my passport # and date on it. Reassumres me that visa will definitely be issued after the clearance.
The text of the letter is as follows:
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Dear visa applicant:
A consular officer has approved your nonimmigrant visa pplication and has determined that additional adminitrative processing is required before printing your visa. The timing will vary on a case-by-case basis, but will generally take a minimum of one month. Once we have completed processing of your visa application, we will send your passport back to you via the courier. Than you for your patience.
If you should have any questions, you may email them to
paknivinfo@state.gov or call our information line 051-208-2121
If you would like us to return your passport, you may email your name and apssport number to
paknivpassport@state.gov and we will send your passport back to you via the courier service. This email is only for passport returns. Please allow a minimum of one week to receive your passport.
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I asked him I had travel plans and would it get cleared within three weeks? He said he couldn't guarantee but would do whatever to get it done(probably a standard line not an expedite request).
Me: Can I get my passport back?
VO: sure, here you go. But you will have to take it to American Express office once the check is cleared.
Me: I have another question? If my would-be spouse applies for H4, what's the deal?
VO: She can apply based on your I-797 but will not be issued visa untill your visa is issued. Or I think he also said that if she is issued a visa, it would be not be valid untill I am issued H1.
He didn't ask me for single document other than I-797 although I had two folder full of all kinds of docs.
Is it the dreaded security check or something benigh as someone in this forum received visa within 5 days? Any one else in a similar boat, please keep in touch. If anyone is in Pakistan and is in similar situation please email me and we can exchange phone number or information etc.
Best of luck to everyone.