Horrible experience at Mumbai for my wife's H4 visa

[sshah1001]

Guys,

Little background:
----------------------
My wife went to India in Sep'03. Her first visa expired in Oct'03. Her AP expired in Dec'03. I went on 4th Oct'03. Mt H1 visa expired on 18th Oct'03. I came back in Nov'03 on Adv. Parole. I did not get my passport stamped while I was there as I thought I would do it here in US. So, after coming here, I applied for re-validation.
In the meantime, my wife became pregnent.
She wanted to come back here as soon as possible but her AP was expired and we have still not recd. her new AP.
Then, on my lawyer's advise, I withdrew my H1 revalidation and got my passport and original I-797 back. I sent the same to my wife for applying her H4 in Mumbai.

This is what happened after that.

She went and applied for her H4 in Mumbai in Dropbox. Consulate people took only my original I-797 and her passport.
After 3-4 days, she received her everything back without any H4 stamping and she was called for the personal interview.
She went on yesterday there for the PI and they asked funny question to her. They asked her whether she was in US in 1998. We both came to US first time in 2001. Then, they called her for the finger printing. Don't know why. Now, they have asked her to wait for 3-4 weeks for the decesion.

Pl. note that my wife here in US was working on EAD and we have filed our I-485 and waiting for the approval. I also had my EAD and Adv.parole but never used EAD as I am still with the same company.

Could somebody explain me why they took her finger printing for H4 visa?

Also, now what options are left to bring her back with me. I understand that she cannot use her new AP as the rule says that you have to be here in US when you recv. your AP.


Thanks in Adv.

 

[mgh2001]

There might have been a name match during the security check which indicated a trip in 1998, and they need the fingerprint to verify identity - just my 2c. Havent heard of this issue before, usually H1/H4 issuance is fairly routine.

Did they indicate what the issue was at the interview or what the next steps are?

 

[sshah1001]

Hi mgh2001,

Thanks for your reply.

They did not clearly indicate any particular issue.

They simply asked her to wait for one month for their decision.

I am really pissed off due to all these things.

Thanks,

Samir.

 

[puhrince]

sshah, how long does it take to issue a H4 visa at the mumbai consulate? is it same day or does it take 2 weeks (as I heard from someone) ?

 

[BaSh]

Now a days the routine FP's are taking in all Consulate offices and checking whether any criminal background is there or not. No need of worry she will get her visa as soon as they stated.

BaSh

 

[sshah1001]

Hi puhrince,

In my wife's case, it was second time H4. In such case, you need to use the dropbox facility. She got her passport without h4 visa stamped in about 4-5 days. If you are a fist timer, than you may get on the same day. But nowadays, do not expect same day or quick stamping anymore.

HTH.