visa renewal (please reply early)

[city_luckya]

Hi all, I am currently in US on F1 visa for my PhD studies. I want to go back home (Pakistan) in summer but my visa has expired so I have to apply for a visa renewal.

Actually I received my visa on August 2005 after a painful wait of more then one year (applied in May 2004) due to security clearances and the reason told to me was that my name is very common . Now i want to ask that if I apply for visa renewal then do i have to undergo these security clearances again and will it again take this much time ( 1 year on first time) or will this time the process will be faster. Do they have a record of my earlier clearances? I am pretty confused whether this name/background check will take place again and can again delay the visa process. Also can anyone please inform me that whether applying from Canada will make the process faster?
Any useful responses will be greatly appreciated. Thanking in advance.
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[jefkorn]

I'm not sure if your previous security clearance can be reused but I think it's consulate's prerogative to request more security on case by case basis. All visa applicants go through some for of security clearance but then on the discretion of the visa officer, additional security checks can be requested.

Applying from Canada doesn't necessarily means that you wil get a faster clearance. In Canada, may be the consulate will be easy to communicate to and may follow up better with you as compared to one in ISB.

If you feel comfortable and there's no reason not to, call the consulate where you got your earlier F1 visa and check if your previous clearance can be or will be reused.

Good luck.

This is an an old link but may help explain things : http://www.usaimmigrationattorney.com/SecurityNameChecksAndAdministrativeReview.html

Talks about validity of up to 4 years (DOS duration of study) - http://opendoors.iienetwork.org/?p=VisaMantis

http://www.murthy.com/news/n_visman.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_Advisory_Opinion#Issuing_time_and_validity_period

http://travel.state.gov/visa/laws/telegrams/telegrams_1425.html

Disclaimer: used google to research the issue, please consult an Attorney before making any important decision

Hi all, I am currently in US on F1 visa for my PhD studies. I want to go back home (Pakistan) in summer but my visa has expired so I have to apply for a visa renewal.

Actually I received my visa on August 2005 after a painful wait of more then one year (applied in May 2004) due to security clearances and the reason told to me was that my name is very common . Now i want to ask that if I apply for visa renewal then do i have to undergo these security clearances again and will it again take this much time ( 1 year on first time) or will this time the process will be faster. Do they have a record of my earlier clearances? I am pretty confused whether this name/background check will take place again and can again delay the visa process. Also can anyone please inform me that whether applying from Canada will make the process faster?
Any useful responses will be greatly appreciated. Thanking in advance.
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