Not everyone are lucky to get H1B visa stamping at first attempt…Some of you might have got 221(g) query from the Visa Consular officer ( blue, white, yellow) asking to submit documents.
The most frustrating thing about 221(g) blue form is that there is no way to track your application…You just have to wait….it can be frustrating to wait…This page is meant to help others get an idea about processing times and how long does it take to process a 221(g) issued H1B case…If you were ever given 221(g), please share your details to help others get an idea. You may check out below articles as well.
- 6 tips from H1B stamping – 221(g) experience
- Drop Box submission process – 221(g) – No Box
- Chennai H1B visa – 221(g) stamping experience
You can check out our 221(g) tracker that has anonymous data with users like you, who added the details for community benefit.
[prompt type=”left” title=”Check out 221(g) Case Tracker ” message=”Check out our 221(g) Tracker with anonymous data from everyone.” button_text=”View your 221(g) Tracker !” href=”https://redbus2us.com/trackers/221g-tracker/”]
Waiting for the 221(g) response from US Consulate can be very painful…To help everyone be informed on average processing time and other similar cases, we have built an easy way to track for users their 221(g) status and let the community have an idea on the timeline as well. It is fully anonymous. Please add your case to the 221(g) Tracker.
[prompt type=”left” title=”Add your 221(g) Case ” message=”Please add your 221(g) Case for everyone’s benefit. It is fully anonymous and will help many waiting for it like you.” button_text=”Add your 221(g)Case!” href=”https://redbus2us.com/trackers/221g-tracker/”]
Ok. Congrats again!! I for some reason got a stamp without the petitioners name on it. And I travelled twice out of country as well. If anyone has something similar pls update this blog. Thanks..
Hi, (H1B/H4 interview on 28 Jan 2014)
I would like to share my 221g white form experience –
1. 1st H1B/H4 interview on 28th Jan 2014 – Very few and work related questions were asked. Everything went fine but at end VO looked at the screen for a while and changed her mind and handed over a 221g white for marked on AP.
2. I sent email for status updates weekly, but it was same response from travel desk asking for wait. There was not a single day when i did not check for my status online. Sometimes more than 20 times 🙂 but no luck. I did not get any email asking for any documents as well. My all plans were on hold due this 221g form. I was totally down and simply waiting for their response.
3. 11th March 2014 was a happy moment for me when they called on my cell phone and asked to come for re-iterview. hey sent one email and asked to take print out for interview. They asked to bring only passports and dependents were not required to go this time. I went alone on 12th march 2014.
4. 12th March 2014, I got the same lady on window who had given me 221g form. She remembered me and did not ask anything about my work/client. All she asked was about my native place, stay in hyderabad, primary education, my fathers name.
Finally she told that all the required details were met and took my passports and asked to leave.
I am still having finger crossed until I get stamped passports. I hope am thur.
All I can suggest you guys to just wait for them to contact, you cannot do anything.
All the best.
Thank you
13th March – Status changed to ISSUED 🙂 waiting for passports now.
All the best guys.
Can you confirm if your stamp has the employers name on it?
Yes, It has employer’s name just above the petition number.
Hi,
I went to H1B Interview on Oct 2013 and was issued with a 221g then My H1B petition is returned to USCIS in DEC 2013 with a recommendation to revoke the petition, Havent heard any thing from USCIS Since then.My question here is, If my petition is denied by USCIS, Can I find a new employer to file a H1B with CAP Exempt as I worked only for 1 year on my first H1B Petition that was denied by USCIS. Can you please let me know on this so that I can plan if I can wait till a decision is taken by USCIS or If I can file for a new H1B
Hi, I recently got a successful H1B stamp (after several rejections) but the stamp does not have the employer’s name on it. Has anyone else experienced anything similar? Is H1b stamp not employer specific any more?
My Current Company had applied for H1B visa and I got the H1B Visa on
2012 and Expired on September 2013.Company have applied for the Visa
renewal in the year 2013. I am not sure whether they have renewed it
or not,because company is not willing to disclose that.
Kindly let me know the following queries.
1. If I joined another company, can they cancel my H1B Visa.
2. Can I use the unused Visa (stamped on june 2013) in another company.
Hi ,
I was attended the H1b Visa interview on April 25th 2013.VO gave me the blue 221g to submit the required docs.On september 7th i have submitted the required documents with my passport as they asked.After that on October 6th passport returned with another 221g checked with AAP.On February 17th 2014 i called to embassy about my status.Then they told that they send the request to embassy to verify my case.I have been waiting for their response.On February 24th 2014 my case date was updated.But still it shows AAP.After AAP what is the next step ??I think AAP<<Issued<<Ready….
Is it Positive sign…..?
Iam very frustrating .
Can any one please help or suggest me in my case.
Hi Sandhya,
Iam also in same situation.I have got 221g blue slip on nov 1st.They took all the docs on interview day itself.My status updated date got changed on Feb-18th.till no there is no update from consulate.Please let me know if you have nay updates.
Thanks,
Bajarang
Hi All,
I have 221G white slip issued at mumbai on 21st Feb 2014 as we have shown in house project.
They asked me to submit following documents in PDF format at mumbai797@state.gov
1) Petition and 797 and other related documents.
2) Employer and Employee agreement
3) Project detail and job timing, office address and all.
Any idea for VISA be stamped after submission of all these documents?
Hi,
Did you get Visa?
Regards,
Rjau
Hello,
Hello Friends,
Please help me with the below
I have attended interview on 4th Feb and was issued with 221g white to submit project documents via email . Submitted all the documents requested. Received an email email on 15th to submit my passport for further processing. l have submitted the PP on the same day.
Still waiting for my passport….
How many days they will take normally??
Consultant
Hyderabad
Got 221G on in-house project, Consulate kept all the project related docs and returned my passport. Status shows refusal…
I lost my hope now.. lets see how my employer tackles it..
Hi GUYS ,
I and my wife attended visa stamping together on 9th December in Chennai
my Visa was approved but her is still in administrative processing
question to me:
1. which company
2. hwich client
questions to my wife
since how long u married : 1 and a half month
love or arranged ; love
how many people attended : 250
highest qualification : MBA human resource
and the the officer said congrates your visa is approved but your wife’s visa will take sometime,
I asked her if there is any specific reason , she just said it will take sometime
Why was my wife’s visa not approved , when i see the status it says “Admin Processing ” , she was not even given a pink slip
Please help ,
Regards,
Syed SS
Hi Syed,
Please when you get any update on your wife visa, do share with us. Best of luck with her visa approval. Hope she will get it soon….
Hello Saurabh,
I have attended H-1B visa interview on 19-Dec-13 at Hyderabad. Even though I have showed PO and Agreement,
VO issued me 221(g) white slip stating that ” A letter (on letterhead) from the personnel department at the U.S end client company(the jobs site where you will actually work) stating that there is vacancy for you.”
I have asked my employer to sent client letter. May I know the client letter is fine to submit or any thing else is required. Max how many days it will took to complete the process after submitting the documents.
Really appreciate for your efforts saurabh.
Regards,
JD
Hi JD,
I need small help from you. CAn you please provide your number.
Thanks,
Today (feb/11/2014) I have attended US consulate, VO issued me 221(g) white slip stating that ” A letter (on letterhead) from the personnel department at the U.S end client company(the jobs site where you will actually work) stating that there is vacancy for you.”
I need to talk to you on this, as you also faced this situation, can you please contact me at vbrny1 gmail.com
Thanks.
Vijay
Please what document you submitted for A letter (on letterhead) from the personnel department at the U.S. job site stating that there is a vacancy for you.
I appreciate your help on this.
Hi JD,
Hope, by now you got response from consulate after submitting your documents. Could you please share me, how much time it took for you?
Did you drop your documents along with Passport in Hyd drop box?
Thanks in advance.
Hi JD,
Can you please share under which model you was working, I mean do you had EVC (employer-vender-Client) model?
Was you able to make to arrange for a client lettor?
Please share your experience as I am planning to go for stamping without client letter, I believe your experience most certainly help so many ppl out here who are working under EVC model and due to some strict policy from client side, cannot arrange to get client letter.
Again, good luck with your approval if its still pending and thanks for your time to share your experience.
I appeared for my H1B Visa interview on 24-Sep-2013. Interview Officer took my documents and my passport and gave me a 221(g) form and asked me to submit my Employer’s TaxReturn documents at VFS. I submitted those document the next day. It is 17-Dec-2013 and I am still waiting to get my visa and passport back. My Employer contact the state Senator and they contact the US Embassy and we are still waiting to get my case processed. Is there anyone here who can help me and let me know if there is anything me or my employer or anyone else can do to help me? Me & my family are in grave situation that we cant plan anything ahead. Our lives and careers are on stake and we need desperate help here and request it from all of you.
Hey Prithvi
I got 221g Yellow too. All they asked me is resume, which submitted on very same day. But could you suggest how long does it take ot have a concrete answer. Hope things went well in ur case? If not please contact via email i need help.
I lost 19 months of my life fighting for this visa for a desi consulting firm, I lost my chance to apply for I-485 since I was stuck outside the country. Eventually, I got a full time job with a non consulting firm and got the visa right away, my sincere suggestion, do not leave the country if you are with a consulting firm PERIOD !!
Hi Saurabh,
I am from india, never been to US. This year i got an offer from a small employer and my new h1b petition is approved. Got all the DOC’s from my employer.
I have appeared for visa interview this week, but visa interviewer is not happy with my employer(internal project) and has moved my visa application to 221g(Admin Processing). Am not sure how long it takes for decision. Do i need to wait average timeline 60 days set by Visa consulate?
OR Mean while can i change my employer under CAP exemption? To change the employer how can i give my pay stubs where i never worked for actual petitioner? can i give my Indian current employer pay stubs?
Do i need to say about my 221g to the new employer? Finally if above all works, can i appear for new visa while my current visa application is under 221g?
Thanks in advance
Saurabh,
Can you tell me where can I verify my status in order to make sure everything is okay(I received my H1-B Visa 2 years ago)
I attended h1b visa stamping interview at Hyderabad consulate on sep 26. They gave me 221 g admin processing white form?. My question is how much time it will take to process admin processing cases generally? what is mean by white form?.
Hi,
I also received 221g white form to submit project description and previous client details…
How many days the administrative processing takes…?
Hi All,
I got my H1 B Stamped. But my employer is asking to come NJ. My LCA is having Washington as work Location.
Can you please let me know how long will it take to amend it if it is normal processing and if it is Premium Processing?
Thanks.
Hi Arun
LCA amendment doe snot take too long & I would advise you to change it before flying. Else u might end up in problem at Immigration in USA. Legally you should only work in the location mentioned in LCA.
Thanks Hasan
Still now visa interview was not scheduled for me.what happened about my h1b visa status
Hi All,
Here is the complete update and information on my case. My visa type is H1b I was into my 7th year of H1b.
I have successful stamping’s previously at Chennai (2006 first time) and in Matamoros,Mexico(2008 Second time).
I have approved i-140 with that I have got 3 year extension after completeing the cap of 6 years on H1b.
I went for my stamping to Matamoros,Mexico on September 19th 2012 as my previous stamping was done successfully at the same post.
I was told by visa officer that they do not have my employer details withe them to verify and told that i have to visit back my home country for this stamping.
So I came back to port of entry at Matamoros and explained the situation to the officers at the port and got temporary permit of one month to go home country.
I flew back to India on October 17th 2012 and took appointment at Chennai consulate on 26th of October 2012.
At Chennai consulate VO asked me what happened in Mexico. I have explained the same. VO told me that they do not have enough time to go through all my documents so they gave me 221g-White letter and mark other and written that additional administrative processing.
From that point i have waited for couple of months and started follow ups by sending email and making calls to us travel docs and customer support center. There is no movement till August 2013 in my case.
On 8th August 2013 I have got letter from consulate blue letter bring all the petitioner original documents. No appointment required so I went for my second round of interview. Again VO asked the same question and asked if they have my documents with them or not. I was shocked to hear that.
This time they took all my original documents and said need to review them again. After one week of this incident consulate people sent an email to my client asking about my details and if I still have the job or not.
My client manager responded positively. After that it took 50 days to complete all my administrative processing and issue my visa. I got my visa issued on 18th October 2013.
Total I have to wait exactly one year to get my visa after administrative processing. I hope this might give some strength and hope for other people who are in same boat.
Wait patiently and hope for the best. I pray to god every one who are in the same boat will get resolved soon.
I went through lot of pain with this 221g but you cannot do anything except wait.
I know lot of questions will fly through your mind I will compile one more subject with all queries that flew through my mind during this process.
Thanks,
LV
Hi,
I went for interview on 18th October at Delhi consulate, the VO asked questions on my client, work location and duration, he further asked for client letter and went inside, came back after few minutes and asked for other documents I have, I have handed over him my petition and LCA, the VO also kept my passport, at last he handed over me 221(g) and told me, he need sometime to do some investigation and told me they will update me in a week.
On 23rd then reached my client location for verification, which went positive.
I am still waiting for any update…
ASk Ahmad Bro,
I do not want to scare you but I am in same boat since feb 2013.I also attended VI at Delhi & VO asked me the same questions & handed over me a 221(g) White slip.Pls reach me at rafat dot sayeed at gmail . we can discuss more there.
Hi Ahmad,
I am in the same situation. I went for an interview on 25th OCT-2013 and same thing happened for me too. They went to my client and got a +ve reponse and even to my direct employer who also gave the +ve reponse but im still waiting for the visa. What about you? are u still waiting?
Yes, still waiting.
Any update on your Visa status?
Today my status changed to Issued.
I attended h1b visa stamping interview at Hyderabad consulate on sep 26. They gave me 221 g admin processing white form?. My question is how much time it will take to process admin processing cases generally? what is mean by white form?.
Same happened to me on 28th Jan, did they keep your passport? What is latest update? Please let me know.
Dears,
I had attended h1 interview @ Hyderabad on 30 September got 221(g) and requested for project description on company letter head in an week i was dropped the docs @ ODC, today got a mail stating I797,i129,LCA submit for further processing .
i am going to submit the requested docs.
Please let me know the case situation thanks in advance.
Hi S,
Mail me ur details at 221ghydaug27atgmail.com like mobile number. We will discuss over phone. I am also in same boat atteneded VI in HYD.
Any update bro??
No Update. Still Awaiting 🙁
I received 221G whiteslip when I attended my H1-B visa interview in Chennai on Feb-2013. Consular didn’t keep any of my document and I had 6 month time to respond which I eventually didn’t exercise.
If after an year say March-2013, I apply for H1-B visa interview again, do I need to specify in form DS-160 that my visa was rejected ? Or shall I ignore it. Any help in this regard would be of great help.
I will be going with a different petition this time and not the one on which I was issued 221G white slip.
Do I need to say YES or NO to the clause “Have you ever been refused a U.S. Visa….”
Please clarify.
221G-WhiteSlip,
Yes, you need to mention about that rejection.
Saurabh,
Thanks for your promt reply. Highly appreciated.
Hi,
I have a valid 1797 copy and i went for a Visa interview..there i got the 221g whiteslip asking for employers previous product description and current product contracts..My employer donot have US client for the previous product ..
Whatever the documents i have i am sending them to the USCIS..and waiting for the update.
1)meanwhile i wanted to know..in this current status can i transfer my h1 to other employer who has client req in USA.?
2)If yes whats the status of the current 221g comes negative..will that effects my new h1 transfer ..?
Help appreciated
Lukesh
Hi Saurabh,
Can you please tell me how we can figure out the case number
AAAABBB CCC 0001
Here AAAA is the year, BBB is the days count in the year untill your case creation date and
what does CCC mean ?And where i can check for CCC?
I got 221g form in HYD for H1B and i dont have case number provided and admin processing check box is ticked. Nothing asked so far from my side. My VI is on aug 27 2013 and status updated date changed 3times and stopped at 13 sep 2013. After that no updates,its still showing AP. Your suggestions please on case number and wat do u say whetehr its a positive sign or negative sign. Changed 3 timesa and after 13 Sep no updates.
Thanks,
221G
Hi Saurabh,
Can you please help here
Hi, I attended my visa interview in July 2013. I got RFE with blue slip on counter and they taken my documents. In August, i got email from consulate to send my passport for visa. I sent my visa. They issued visa and sent the passport to VFS for pickup.
I went to VFS office pickup passport. The counter guy told me, your passport is returned back to consulate upon their request. After a week, i got my passport with “Cancelled Without Prejudice” on my visa. Now when i check my case online, it is saying “Administrative Processing”.
I am on H1 in USA from 2006 to 2008. That visa, H1 got expired and I applied new H1 from new employer under premium processing.
Can you please help me what might be the reason for “Cancelled Without Prejudice” and what it means and what is the solution for this?
I appreciate your responses.
Thanks, Sri
Hi Subash,
Any update on my query !!
Please comment..
Thanks, Sri
H1 not stamped.
Switched from L1 to H1 in 2012.Went for H1 stamping at hyd yesterday during my vacation to India.
VO asked us to give all our employer documents including I129, 797 and passports and called us back after 30 minutes.
VO started saying that she has few questions about my employer.asked my desgination,my employer,my living city,my salary. thats it.she said they will perform some inquiry on my company and get back to us.
No white/pink/yellow slip issued.I work on EVVC model.No client letter,W2 ,paystubs asked
Any idea how to check my status?
Hello Saurabh,
I need your advise please. I attended VI at Delhi in 1st week of Feb 2013.Since then my case was not updated on ceac site.Suddenly, there is 3 updates on my case (26th , 27th & then 29th Aug 2013 (28th Aug was a holiday here)).After, last update there is no change in my case . I was very happy that I will get clear soon but It did not happen.Generally. after 2-3 updates people can get their Visa but my case is still pending yet. Based on your experience what would you say on that whether it is a good sign or bad? OR what they actually did on these dates?? I have heard that sometime consulate put case in admin check again without giving any new template.
Please help me to understand this & what can I do now.I am very frustated as I am waiting since 7 months.
Thanks in Advance!!
Hello Everyone,
Is there anybody who got any update from Delhi consulate today ??? Thanks!
I attended H1B visa interview i got 221g blue slip. after 5 months it was Refused my 221g.
can i apply again for next year H1B Visa.
Hello Raj,
I am also waiting for h1b visa since more than 6 months now got 221g white slip with no additional docs asked. could you please share denial reaso, why they reject your visa & what is your visa type? it would help me to understand my case.
Thanks!
Raj Reddy,
Can you please provide ur number so that we can talk over phone.
Pls contact me at rafat dot sayeed @ gmail . Pls share your number OR I will share my number. Thanks!
Update on my case.
I went for h1 visa stamping at chennai on 5/30/2013 and got my h1 & kids h4 this Monday and my wife’s h4 today. So it took nearly 12 weeks in my case.
Visa Type H1B at Delhi
Interview date 16 April
White slip with 221G
Initial Status date 16th April 2013 under Additional Processing
First update on 28th July under AP
Second update on 14th Aug under AP
Third update on 15th Aug under AP
Fourth Update on 16th Aug under Issued
Passport pick up 21st August
I know there would be lot of stress in this process but nothing we can do so as long as you are in India, your home country, enjoy with your family and friends and relax.
Good luck for those who are in this process.
Hi deepak,
I appeared for visa interview on 7-nov-2013
VO asked for client letter , i didnt have that
Later on the same day i got call from consulate saying to submit master service agreement and statement of work. i submitted the same day at ofc. (passport was not asked)
so before today ( 3-mar-2014) , the case status update was showing 7-nov-13
From today its showing case status update as 3-mar-2014
Can i know what wud happen from here?
I called service desk , with the uid , it says that – “your documents are received and sent to consular post”
Hi Jan, I want to know what exactly the IVR message “your documents are received and sent to consular post” mean and what happened after that. Even My status says sane through IVR and online tracker says “No Update”. Please let me know
I had to travel to India , had my interview on May 14 th 2013 at hyderabad , I got a 221 g white slip and an email asking for some more basic details. The status checking on the website showed changed on June 6th . Then had to wait till Aug 16 th finally to get the mail that I have the passport to pickup . I had to travel for my brothers wedding . My director allowed me to work from home , Gods favor . Any way if you are waiting keep u r hopes .
Hello,
I gave my VI on April 16th 2013 for H1B and got white slip, still waiting. My status date has changed to 28 July but same response….AP.
Can somebody please tell me expected date or VISA issue date when other applicant got VISA who gave VI in mid of April month?
I read all the comments but still not able to summaries.
Hi Deepak
Are you from Delhi consulate. I also appeared on April end at Delhi consulayte. My first update was of 28th july & then there was one more update on 5th aiuguts. after that it was issued on 6th aug. I know there was around 19 cases of april last few days which were updated with 28th july & out of those 4 were issued in first week of August. However remaining are still in AP. Each case is unique & you dont know how many approvals they are waiting . But a date update is always a very good sign & seems that u pass one hurdle and theymight be waiting for some more approval. Hopefully you should listen something positive veryy soon.Please note that as i said each case is unique & no one can predcict , bit based on my knowledge i think aftre first update you should be fine in 2-3 weeeks. This is just my opinion ……..
What visa category you are in?
There are many cases updated on 28th I do not know why. couple of those are below that are still pending AP [New delhi]
2013108 073 0001
2013108 149 0001
2013108 180 0001
2013108 218 0001
2013108 273 0001
2013108 278 0001
There are few who got visa approved with in week or two
Mine case is same as yours still waiting after 28th update… mine is under H4
Hi Hardeep ,
Mine also got updated on 28th but its still in AP.
2013108 149 0001
2013108 180 0001
2013108 218 0001
2013108 273 0001
2013112 468 0001 – Mine
All of above visa got approved:
Interview date: April 22 (May be 18th for few) – 2013, Delhi
Fist update : July 28
2nd update Aug 14
Approved- Aug 16
All the best for others too.
Hi Hardeep,
Can you please tell me how we can figure out the case number
AAAABBB CCC 0001
Here AAAA is the year, BBB is the days count untill your case creation date and
what does CCC mean ?
Thanks,
221G
Today my VISA status date has changed to 14th August. Let see how many more days i need to wait.
Hi Deepak,
My case also got updated to Aug-14th. Hope to see something good soon.
Hi Deepak, Narendra
My case updated to 14th as well…
Today my VISA date status has changed to 15th August……Not sure how can they work on Independence day 🙂
Hi Deepak,
Is this your 2nd or 3rd update ?
This is my 3rd update….
First on 28th July
Second on 14th Aug
Third on 15th Aug.
Hello Hardeep, Narendra, Deepak,
What is your visa type & where have you attended interview ??
Thanks!
Mine is H4
Today status date changed to 16th August and status is “ISSUED”
It’s saying that VISA is in final processing.
Is that mean i can collect the passport on Monday from Delhi Embassy?
Mine is approved as well 🙂
mine – H4. attended interview at Delhi on 22 April.
Sorry – mine – H1. attended interview at Delhi on 22 April.
My visa got approved:
Interview date: April 22 – 2013, Delhi
Fist update : July 28
2nd update Aug 14
Approved- Aug 16
All the best for others too.
Hello Narendra, Hardeep,
Are you collecting passports from Delhi or have you already
Received by courier?
Can you please let me know on this?
H1 at delhi
Hi Deepak
Dont worry , i think it would be issued on 16th August. Just keep ur finger crossed.
Hi,
Where do you check for your status. I only have access to the https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx website. There the date shows only the original date
Malick
Yes, this is the only method to check the visa status.
Saurab,
Appreciate your inputs in my case.
After long wait of 9 months under 221g (white slip at Chennai) to day i received an email from consular officer about my case.
I have submitted all necessary documents during my interview time last year Oct 26th. In which I was issued white slip with Additional administrative process is checked.
No additional documents asked. No passport retained. They have returned all my original documents and kept the copies of all the documents.
After several attempts of phone calls and emails for last 9 months i have received only response that it is under process i have to wait till it completes.
To my surprise for my inquiry about my status i got below response.
————————————————————————————————————
Dear Applicant:
Consular records show that a 221g letter has been sent to you today. Please collect the same and act as instructed in the 221g letter.
Thanks
Chennai Consular Information Unit
————————————————————————————————————-
They are sending me another 221g letter ???? not sure why
Has anyone had similar situation?
What might have triggered them to issue second 221g as i have already one with me which is pending till date.
I will post more details once i receive my second 221g letter.
Appreciate inputs from others also if some one is in similar situation.
Regards,
LV
LV,
Looks like they may be additional documents or may be same set of documents. What were the expiration date on the documents you submitted (like on 797, client letter, SOW etc)?
Hi Saurab,
Today i received second 221g letter (Blue Color).
They have marked that i can attaend interview between 8 am – 10 am
Any day except wednesday.
At the bottom of letter they have written “please bring a your pitition documents”
my question is what is the possibility of geting 221g again with this interview.
Prior to this i have submitted all documents and given all the information.
Not sure why they are calling in agan for interview?
Is this a positive sign???
i am planning to attend interview in next couple of weeks.
They said there is no need to take any appointment.
Appreciate your inputs.
Thanks,
Lakshman
LV,
Either thing can happen. They may approve the visa after the additional questions during interview, or they can gather the information from you and send you back home and continue their processing w/ the new information.
Saurab,
I went for my second interview on Monday.
at first counter (american) he took my blue letter and asked couple of questions about my client location and salary details and took all my original documents I-797 approval and bundle in which LCA and I-129 copy’s which i received from my employer and said wait for sometime.
After sometime like about 15-20 mins they have send me to second counter in which on Indian lady was there. She asked me about the letter that was given to me for the first time last year October 26th (white slip). I have given that slip to her she asked whether they have retained any documents of mine last time i said they have all copies of my documents with them. [ Here I was totally surprised to hear that as I know last time they took all my documents copies and returned my originals and said it need to go through admin processing and after 9 months they are asking about if they have my documents with them or not ???? so what they have been doing for last 9 months with out my documents. I am sure they might have miss placed my documents] .
At second counter lady then said wait for sometime she went back and called me after 10 mins and asked about do I have client letter I produced latest client letter which i got last week from my client manager and she again went back and came after 5 mins asked about whether i have my approved I-140 with me. I have handed that over (original) too she took that and went back again and came back asking about my previous 797 approvals. I have handed them all 797 approvals that I have (all originals). She took all of them and went back after 10 mins she came back and said go and visit the same officer that interviewed me.
I went to that officer then he said they need to review the documents and will get back to me in couple of weeks.
He has given me 221g blue letter this time and marked other check box and hand written pending docs review.
What is this mean ? Do I have to wait again another 9 months to get my document review process.
I am totally disappointed the way it went. I have to wait for some more time to get my processing done not sure how long more i have to wait.
Appreciate your inputs.
Thanks,
Lakshman.
Update on my case.Today I have received all my original documents from consulate. And along with the original documents they have send me a blue slip with my case number on it and asked to submit my passport.
I believe they have done with my AP. Hoping for the best. next week i will go and submit my passport.
Thanks,
LV
All the best LV.
My case is almost similar to your case.
But don’t worry, you will get visa this time for sure.
I attended my visa interview at Chennai in July 2013. I got RFE with blue slip on 2nd counter and they taken my documents. In August, i got email from consulate to send my passport for visa. I sent my visa. They issued visa and sent the passport to VFS for pickup.
I went to VFS office pickup passport. The counter guy told me, your passport is returned back to consulate upon their request. After a week, i got my passport with “Cancelled Without Prejudice” on my visa. Now when i check my case online, it is saying “Administrative Processing”. Now I am waiting again for the update.
So, hope for the best.
Hi,
Finally after one year of wait on 221g I have got my visa issued and I am back in USA now.
Will send complete update soon.
Thanks,
LV
Heartly Congratss LV…..,
Your case is giving strength to wait. I am also waiting for AP of my H1B since Feb 2013.
What is your visa type???Please share some details….. you can reach me at rafat dot sayeed at gmail
Hello Saurabh,
Good Morning!!!
As you might be know I am posting here since last few months.I need your advise please help me.Here is quick recap of my case:-
I have attended VI at Delhi on 06 Feb 2013 & got white slip for fresh h1B.My case is not updated for a single time till today. My VI was not so superb but it was so so.
Now, I noted a mistake in my DS-160 form. I have replaced last 2 digits of client address pin code (Like, 123 got replaced 132).Am I paying for this mistake since last 6 months.
Thanks in advance!!
RM Khan,
I don’t think that would be causing the delay. Was your client contacted by the consulate? Did they ask to submit any documents? It may be related to name check or background check.
Hello Saurabh,
Thank you very much for your response!!!
I am not sure about it but I believe that the consulate have not contacted to my client yet. After interview they just asked to me to wait for 2-3 weeks only and no docs were asked. I am worrying because of VO mood. He does not look happy after interview.
Let me tell you about client. It comes under top 10 Pharmaceutical company of world and I am not working on their payroll. I am working with an India based IT Company (Comes under BEP program) who is providing IT services to them.
Could you please help me how can I do follow ups. I never contacted with DOS or somewhere else. I have sent some e-mails to consulate only but always get standard message.
I will truly appreciate your help!!!!!
RM Khan,
Follow-ups are not fruitful. They will not provide you anything more meaningful.
Hi,
Anyone waiting for visa before interview date 30-May-2013 at Chennai? My case is name check and still no update on it.
Thanks,
Mohammed
Hello Mohammed ,
I am still waiting since more than six months now(fresh H1B, White Slip @Delhi). How do you know that whether it is name check or something else. What would you say on my case? Thanks!!
Hi RM Khan,
I wasn’t asked to submit any documents. I and my wife had to mention all the countries we visited along with our siblings information. When they ask about your siblings, its for name check and both of our cases have no updates yet.
Thanks,
Mohammed
As/k Mohammed,
They did not ask any docs from me as well. So, My is case is also held for name check ..?
Thanks
RM
Wa/k RM Khan,
Your case is most likely in name/background check.
Thanks,
Mohammed
ASk Mohammed,
Any updates on your case. mine is still pending. :(((
Hi Saurabh,
Your suggestions are really helpful to us. Thanks for your efforts.
My situation is tricky. Let me explain:
I attended H1 interview at HYD consulate on May 31st, Post the interview I got a 221G white Slip.
There was an email sent to me on the same day asking similar documents submitted during the H1 petition stage, nothing new here. I am thinking this email is just a process and nothing specific to any case.
I sent the response on June 2nd and the case was updated on June 6th. Till date there has been no change to this status.
In the meantime at work, I was shortlisted for a US based project. The project owner waited patiently for 2 months now and now he say he cannot wait no more. But he offered me the same position in UK.
Now my question is :
If I have to accept the UK offer and proceed –
1. My Passport is still with US embassy – Can I withdraw it without disturbing the current admin processing ?
2.What is the procees to withdraw the passport and what is the turn around time to get them in hand?
3.Will there be any black remarks on my case since I withdrew my passport?
4.Are there any connections between US and UK embassies because of which I may possibly go through a Admin processing at UK consulate as well? The reason for this question being : The project owner will not wait more than 4 weeks for getting me on boarded at UK.
Some more background:
I have a US B visa which was put under Admin processing during 2011 for about 3 weeks. I have travelled on this VISA to US couple of times as well.
Regards,
Faizal
Faizal,
1. You can withdraw the passport. However, I have seen both things happening – consulate keeping the processing on, and consulate withdrawing the process completely and send the petition for reconsideration to USCIS. You will have to check w/ your attorney before proceeding on this.
2. Here is one experience of successfully withdrawing the passport.
3. In worst case scenario, they will send the petition back to USCIS for reconsideration. USCIS can then either reinstate the petition or issued NOID to employer for denial.
4. This should not be an issue
My H1 Visa status changed to ISSUED on Aug 14th. I see a lot of approvals come in during Aug 14 – 16th time frame. Folks who are in the wait list should get your approvals soon. Hang in there.
Interview date : May 31st
First update: June 6th
Final update: Aug 14th – Issued.
Consulate: Hyderabad.
Hello,
I re-aplyed for H1B Visa after a long 221g Administration processing time (2 years).
In the begining of my interview the consular asked me to submit an additional Document to proof some Hospital expenses for our Baby born in the US.,
and then she gave me an Approval Paper showing : “Congratulations! The Consular grant your Entry-VISA to the US… you’ll get your passports within 8 days via UPS”,
it has been 20 days, and I still didn’t get our passports, I sent an email to the US embassy and they replyed “Dear Applicant, We regret to inform you that your visa is not ready. We understand that this can be frustrating sometimes but it is beyond our control. Please do not hesitate to contact us to enquire about the status of your visa. ”
Would you please tell me what to do next, Thank you.
Best Regards
A.Med,
There is nothing that can you do at your end except wait for them to complete the processing.
Hi,
Today my “Status Updated Date” is changed from April 22 to July 28. But website still says “Administrative Processing”. Is it good sign?
By reading this forum I found what is meaning of the case ID. So over the weekend I created a excel sheet scanning all case ID on April 22 at Delhi consulate. Here is some statistics (if someone wants the Excel sheet plz. let me know).
I checked case ID from 1 – 999.
Visa approved on same day = 713
Visa rejected on same day = 103
Visa pending for any reason – I am considering it as 221g =32
Visa approved after few days – may be 221g = 114
Max days for visa approval = 84
I am still waiting. Hope for something good to come out soon.
Hi Narendra
I am from Delhi & stuck since 26th April. Can u send excel sheet at at hasan_farhan Yahoo com.
Hi Narendra,
I am on same boat as yours. My “Status Updated Date” is changed from April 22 to July 28. But website still says “Administrative Processing”.
Could you please share that sheet with me.
My email is hardeep.amritsar at gmail
highly appreciate
PS: I get same standard response from the embassy after my call today with DOS at 202-663-1225. Tough this time he said “It can take anywhere between one week to one month” instead of it can not be predicted. keeping my fingers crossed.
Hi
My visa is also isued today
Interview Date : 26th April 2013
Visa Type : H1B
Consulate: N Delhi
First Status Date Change : 28th July
Second Status Date Change : 5th August
Third Status Date Change : 6th August (Issued)
This was my third 221 g (in 2006 & 2011) & i notice that every time it took around 90-100 days.. I work for a BEP company & tried all possible ways to communicate (email to VFS, Tel to DOS , EMail to consulate from BEP email id) , but nuthing worked. Based on my experiece nothing worked & no one can do anything . It will be resolved in its own time.. Even i got a reply from embassy yesterday that its still in AP. So it shows that unless status changes to website they will keep telling u that its in AP. So just chill out & pray to ALLAH .
Hi Hassan
I appeared for interview on 20th august and got 221g. Next day i got email to submit my passport . I submitted it on 26th and my case was updated on 29th august,after that i have not received any update. I need to travel somewhere so i need my passport. can you please suggest anything in this case.
Thank you
Hi Deepak
You can call VFS & request for your passport return. Usually it takes 2-3 days to get back your passport & u can always submit it later… Please note that it does not effect your processing.
Hello Deepak,
Where did you attend your interview. My case was also updated on 29 Aug & after that there is no update. Pls respond it would me helpful to me. you can reach me at rafat dot sayeed at gmail.
Hi Narendra,
Request you please send me the excel sheet you prepared.
Please share your knowledge, Need your help, I stuck on AP from Dec2012 at delhi.
Email : er.afzaalkhan gmail com
Regards,
Afzal Khan
Hi Narendra,
I am on same boat as yours. My “Status Updated Date” is changed from April 22 to July 28. But website still says “Administrative Processing”.
Could you please share that sheet with me.
My email is hardeep.amritsar at gmail
highly appreciate
PS: I get same standard response from the embassy after my call today with DOS at 202-663-1225. Tough this time he said “It can take anywhere between one week to one month” instead of it can not be predicted. keeping my fingers crossed.
Hey hardeep, have u gotten your visa yet? Just trying to see how long it takes after change of date till one gets the visa. Thanks, would really appreciate a reply!
No changes after 28th update 🙁
Hi Narendra,
Request you please send me the excel sheet you prepared.
Please share your knowledge, Need your help, I stuck on AP from Dec2012 at delhi.
Email : er.afzaalkhan gmail com
Regards,
Afzal Khan
Hey nanendra, have you gotten your visa issued yet? Just trying to see how many days it takes after change of date till the visa is issued. Thanks a lot, will really appreciate a reply!
Hi chipmunk,
My date is changed but still waiting on approval. Website still says, admin processing. Do you have an idea how many does it take after date is changed.
Thanks in advance,
Narendra
thanks for the reply. from what i’ve heard is that you get the visa issued within a few days, maximum a week, after the date has been updated. hopefully you should get it very soon. good luck!
Hi Every One !
I was interviewed on 29th January 2013 in US Embassy Islamabad. Visa Officer took my passport and put into proceedings. On the site of CEAC my case was “PENDING” till one month. Later on it was updated as “NO STATUS”. I sent 2 web based E-mails. In reply they said it is in Administrative Processing. Its 6th month is continued and no change happening in my case status.
Please guide me, is it normal duration or it is a matter of concern now ???????? I am bit depressed and worried now.
Please share your knowledge…………………………….
Hello everyone,
I need your input please. I am petitioned with a K1 visa and my interview was last June 13th, 2013. I was given 221g white form. I submitted the lacking document after 1 week. Last July 24th, my case status Administrative Processing was changed to READY and my creation case date was changed from April 29th, 2013 to July 24th, 2013 the same date with my case status update. My case status now is back to Administrative Processing with creation case date is July 24th, 2013 already. What does this AP to READY to AP status mean please? Does the creation case date meaning they just started reviewing my case? My case under Administrative Processing was updated everyday before it was changed to READY.
Is there anyone with the same experience here? Please advice……
Thank you very much!
Hi Dinah
I think HS has posted somewhere that the status sometimes changes from AP to ready back to AP before changing to issued. Look through this forum you ll prob find it
Thank you very much SN! My case status is changed to ISSUED today! I hope I will get my passport very soon with the visa in it. I feel so relieved. I hope all of us will get our visa very soon.
Please confirm in how many days after the status changes to ISSUED do we get an email to collect passport.
Hello Singh,
Yes I will. I am not getting the visa yet and no update from the courier. I am still waiting it to come and hope sooner!
Dinah
6 weeks under AP and 1 day in READY status and 2 days now from ISSUED status (not including Saturday and Sunday)
I just read your comment that your visa was just approved! Congratulations!
Hi,
My h1B case belongs to FY13. Petition got approved in Oct 2012 and I went for the interview in Feb 2013. The VO retained the passport and petition related documents and told me to wait. After a month I got my passport back with a letter saying that “…the employer is not willing or eligible to sponsor me an h1b visa…”. My interview did not go bad but the interviewer asked very few questions.
The case has been returned to Deptt of state and the uscis site shows the below status:
******************************************************************************
On March **, 2013, a USCIS office received this case from the State Department with a request that we review it. We will notify you when we complete our review, or if we need something from you. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.
**********************************************************************************
Can I still dream of getting this visa approved.
Thanks,
Kabeer.
Kabeer,
Refer to this article, which answers your question.
Case date updated changed to 24rth July today. But its still in administrative processing.
Hi SN. could you provide more details plz? which consulate? blue-pink-white sleep? when? and which documents had been asked?
New delhi, White slip. They had check marked everything on the white sheet even though i had everything with me.So i just re-submitted everything.
Hello SN,
As per my experience you are about to hear a good news.
When you attend your interview and what is your visa type??
Thanks!!
Hi RM
Hopefully its good news. I attended the interview may 1st. Docs submitted 3rd june to vfs
Still shows that my case is in admin processing. Is it too soon to expect the status to change?i had rescheduled my flight for next week. Just wondering if i should postpone it. Any help/observations would be helpful
Why did you take more than a month to submit docs? Any particular reasons since all documents listed in 221 G white slip is submitted during petition stage or available in H1 interview kit.
Yes, Most status changes resulted in a issued status to Visa in 2 working days.
Keep us posted.
Thanks !
Visa approved !!!!
Had an attorney draft a response because I had all the necessary docs with me at the interview but apparently they couldnt link them together. They had checkmarked everything on the 221g and I had all those docs already
Hi Faizal,
Which consulate you attended interview and date of interview. Did ever changed last updated date in your case. Did u applied thru BEP?
Hi SN,
It is a good sign when case status is updated. In my experience being under administrative processing, my case was updated almost everyday and exactly 6 weeks, they changed my case status to ISSUED. They changed my case status to READY after 4 weeks from the submission of my lacking documents. I really hope you will get your visa very soon. I know it is very difficult to be patient in a situation like this. I was also impatient but we have nothing to do with it but just to wait. Stay optimistic!
Dinah
Hi Saurabh,
I have applied for H1b visa in 2011 cap, my petition is approved till september 2013. I went consulate last year for stamping and there I got 221g (green) form and after that my petition is sent back to USCIS due to bad record of my employer who filed the petition. So, now I am looking for H1B traansfer. So, I just wanted to know that since my petiton is valid till sep 2013 can I apply for h1b transfer after the expiration of petition?
Thanks
Aditya
Aditya,
Yes, it can be done even after Sep 2013. You can have cap-exempt petition filed within 6 years of original H-1 start date.
I am waiting from March 21st 2013.Hyd consulate only
I am waiting from May 31st , Hyd consulate, White slip. Case update date is : June 6th
I am waiting from March 21st 2013
Hello Everyone,
Is there anyone who has heard that visa got rejected after 221(g) admin processing in case of fresh H1B …?
Please share. I have heard a case today 🙁
I see 21 cases for 28-May-2013 pending in chennai consulate pdf. How are you seeing 7 cases pending? Is the pdf file on chennai consulate not accurate?
I am sorry, I was reporting status of cases from US embassy in Delhi.
I did not know of any such pdf file for the cases in Delhi. you guys have it very convenient in Chennai. I had to manually enter cases on the status tracking website to form my own table of visa issuing delays. Anyhow the point is, there are many more people in the same boat as you. I was one of them until today. Give it another 2 weeks and you will have it too.
Hello HS and everyone….;
I have been interviewed at New Delhi on first week of Feb this year and got 221(g) white slip. Now, it’s more than 5 months. Is there anybody who is waiting since more than 5 months?
One of my friends has told me that delay in clearance leads to visa rejection. Is it true?? Guys, any thought please???
Thanks!!
Hello
I have been interviewd on 7th March and am waiting for 4 months..my employer has had approvals even after waiting for 13 months..i think delay means that they are still processing and chances of rejection is low
Dear an2013,
I think, you are correct but there is no use if they keep you in waiting for so long.I have seen chennai consulate pdf.there is some cases which is pending since 2008.
Where have you been interviewed and what is your visa type?
i have been interviewd in mumbai consulate for h1b….its really frustrating to wait but there is no option that isee..
Hi,
I am also waiting from March 21st. Till now there is no update in my case status.Which consulate you attnded the interview.
I have also appeared in 1st week in Feb 2013 in mumbai..still waiting..they contacted my HR almost after 110 days. not sure if visa delayed is visa denied. I think its all on luck once you are this loop ,when your case will be picked up and when it will be resolved. All the best to everyone..
Hi Saurabh, Its been 5 months for me now. they contacted my client and client responded with answers ( happened a month ago ). Now , as they did some work on my case, will they really come to any conclusion or they can keep the case ideal if they dont want to issue visa. ( say reason could be my petition is expiring in next 1 year or client said candidate will be working for next 6 month with us or blah blah ). I was just thinking that if they really take some decision or not . Again its case to case, but still want to know ur views here.
Tushar,
You are still in a better position than others who never get contacted. My personal opinion is that there should be some progress as now they have received client’s confirmation. How soon that happens is anyone’s guess.
Saurabh, I agree with you but just wanted to know that if they make it either YES/NO or they can keep the case as is untill petition is expired…I think its again tough question but loosing hope on this processing. Now I am looking for h1 transfer option and need your suggestion on this. I have been waiting since last 5 month and client check is done and its been a month to that action as well. what are the things involved if I do h1 transfer at this stage? any complication? say if I get stamping form some other employer then my existing admin processing can still go as it..or it will create further issues.. Please guide me…
Tushar,
I know few cases where the case remained pending for close to a year and then the package was returned saying that petition has expired and this stamping no longer makes sense. So it is possible that the wait ends w/ petition expiration.
You can go for another visa stamping while this is pending. The employer can file a cap-exempt petition for you, and you can then appear for stamping through them.
Hi Saurabh, So If I go for new employer and got successful stamping and say after 2 3 months my existing 221g will also clear then what are options? if I want to join old employer again, should I submit my passport for old employer’s stamping or the new stamping will work for me and I can still transfer h1 to old employer and use new stamping for traveling. will there be any issue at POE if I go with new stamping in this scenario where my 221g is not cleared yet.
Tushar,
It is good enough to have just 1 visa stamping – either from old employer or the new one. You can enter US on that visa stamp and carry approved unexpired petition of the employer you want to work for.
Hi Saurabh, as mentioned earlier, i am waiting since last 5 months. recent activity happened in my case is client check ( not sure it happened from consulate or USCIS). as I heard from few friends that after we submit the documents for 221g, if consulate find that they(consulate) can not take decision on case then they send the case to kentucky. And it happens with the notification to candidate that your case is being sent to kentucky ( i think USCIS). In my case, I have not got such notification and even case update is also same since beginning. does is mean that consulate contacted my client? I have been asking my client HR that who has contacted them but looks like they are busy but they have responded to the questionnaire for sure and they acknowledged that to me in the past. its been 3-4 week since this happened. other thing which was asked as a part of 221g was list of employees with project detail, current status, salary and organization chart of employer. I think they(consulate) might be validating these details and which is taking much time. what do you think?
Now , I am checking the feasibility of h1 transfer in the same VC (vendor-client) model. what is your suggestion on this scenario. should I wait for few more weeks and then think about h1 transfer. I am bit hesitant about discussing this with client-vendor at this point of time where they have allowed me to work from India till date and still going on. If I discuss this with them then they might feel that I am at -ve side and might result in end of my project which might happen if I don’t get any response in few months 🙁 I am in a dilemma if I should wait for few weeks or not..time is passing and losing patience slowly..
Tushar,
There is no set processing time. You can wait for 1-2 weeks and if no progress happens, then its better to move to another employer and re-appear for stamping. You can either approach the vendor or a different employer. If approaching vendor, make sure there is no non-compete agreement b/w your employer and vendor/client.
Yes dear I m another victim of this. I was interviewed on 29th Jan and still waiting. My status is more confusing. Its mentioned as ” No Status”. So I m depressed more than you. Six month is continued no change is happening since last 5 months. Wish you best of luck for all members on waiting…………………………..
I have also attended H1 interview with my wife on 26th April at Delhi Embassy. I am with IBM & going on a client project. I have been with this company for around 7 years. Also note that i had B1 stamped for 10 years in 2006 & travelled twice on that. I also had H1B stamped in 2011 but never travelled on that one.
VO asked me below question
1) Location i would be working
Answered
2) Salary i will be gettng in US
Answered
3) Cleinte’s Name
Answered
4) How long i have been with present employer
Answered
Then he did write something on his system & sent me to another counter. He said that there wil be few more question on that counter. When i reach on that counter an indian guy was standing & i handed over my and wife’s passport to him. He scanned both passport and gave me whiote 221 (g) crossing all the document list on that. He said that i dont have to submit any document . He also said that dont worry your visa is approved but they need final clearance & that will take around 2 weeks time.
any idea that how long it would take to clear it off. Does your case cleared ???. I will appreciate if you can share your experience.
I stuck up in 221 g in past too (B1 in 2006 & H1 in 2011) and it took around 3-4 months every time. should i hope that this time also i would get in similar time. As my three months would be completing tomorrow
Hasan,
There is no set processing time. Do you have a common muslim name? They are resolved in 3-8 weeks, but some of them take several months.
Even my case is created on 28th May. I went to chennai for stamping. This is my H1B renewal. 6 weeks and still waiting
Can some please tell how to check the status based on case no. Right now I am using this link – https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?eQs=WwjqOlbeRYzCYubaSQI+RA== and entering my application Id.
But when I enter my case ID , it says its invalid. Can some please help me here. I have been waiting for 3 months now. Really frustrating.
Are you keying in a 14 digit case number? I would think you are, but just to be sure.
I suggest you call up VFS or chat with one of their representatives tomorrow. Or have you already tried that too?
Hi hs,
Do you have any phone no. for VFS/ how to chat. Can you please provide me more information. It will be great help.
Thanks,
Narendra
Hi hs,
I don’t have 14 case no. The one I have is 11 digits case no written on 221g letter. I got white 221g. Is something wrong here?
Do you have any phone no. for VFS/ how to chat. Can you please provide me more information. It will be great help.
Thanks,
Narendra
Hi hs,
Thanks for pointing out to the 14 digit case no criteria. The one written on my visa xxxxx-1. Last digit is 1. I compared with YYYYDDD AAA 0001 which you posted (really helpful analysis.
I added 000 before 1 and now status says – “Your search did not return any data.”
What does this mean?
Regards,
Narendra Singh
I had my visa interview (H1B) towards the end of May this year (2013) and my case got referred for “Administrative Processing” (White slip). I must mention, this was a visa renewal and I had to undergo a similar ordeal in Dec 2010, when my visa got issued after a wait for one month and 2 days (There were ofcourse Christmas and new year holidays during that time).
One of the things I have been told and have myself seen some cases is that if you get stuck once (for administrative processing) the chances are very high that it will happen the next time too. This isn’t a rule, but there are not too many exceptions to it. It is immaterial if you got stuck for an F1 visa the first time and the next time you are attempting an H1b.
Anyhow, so I got stuck this time and all I had was a 14 digit case number. The format of the case number if you pay attention is YYYYDDD AAA 0001. The first four digits (YYYY) are the current year. The next three (DDD) are the day of the year your case got created. It is the day when your case gets created when you visit the Offsite centre for fingerprinting. It is not the day of your interview at the embassy or the consulate. So if you go for fingerprinting on 2nd January, DDD would be 002. If you go on Feb 1st, which is the 32nd day of the year, it is going to be 032. The 3rd group of digits AAA is your number. I have not figured out what 0001 is for. Anyhow if you play around with AAA, you can see what was the visa result for others. There is no passport number or any other critical detail that is provided in the results, so you are not infringing upon anyone’s personal details.
I did this to see who all and how many people were being screened for administrative processing. I also played around with DDD to get information on more cases of administrative processing. During this period when there are also F1 visa candidates, the administrative processing takes longer than other periods of the year. Last year, one of my friends had his visa interview on 31st May and got his visa issued on 19th July. During this period, you can expect a 6 weeks wait, as compared to 4 weeks during other times of the year.
My observation by looking at other cases by altering the 14 digit number is the following:
there were 2-3 cases where people got their visa issued in 2-3 weeks time. However everybody else had to wait for alteast 5 weeks. I myself got my visa issued after 6 weeks.
I also noticed that there is no change in any of the fields when you look for status update for visa for a very long time. And then on a good day you will see a change in case status update “date”. At this point the status update will continue to be Administrative processing. On the very next day, you can expect to see the status change to “Issued” or “Ready” or it can continue to be “Administrative processing”. It is rare that it continues to be “Administrative processing”. If it does, then I have not seen any case (and remember I am not an expert and what I am writing is no Science. It is just observation) where administrative processing status has changed to Issued anytime quickly. What you want to see is “Issued”. If however it changes to “Ready” — which I do not understand what it means, then my observation in atleast 4 cases is, it changes to ready around noon time and by the evening it changes back to “administrative processing”. Then on the next day I have seen it change to “Issued” in 2 of the 4 cases. In the other 2 it has continued to be “Admin processing”. I hope it will change to Issued for those folks soon.
If you are waiting for your visa and are frustrated for lack of any means to get information, you could check for yourself what the average wait times are for people who started their process around your time.
Hi HS,
I am also on admin processing.
I don’t see my case number here : http://photos.state.gov/libraries/chennai/724805/July%202013/adprocases20130710.pdf
Any idea why ?
Thanks.
When did you have your visa interview and when was your case created.
What are the 5th,6th and 7th digits of your case number? I do not know why does your number not show up there. But if it is any comfort, the last time (in 2010 Dec) my visa application got referred to administrative processing, my number did not show up for more than 3 weeks and i got my visa in just over 4 weeks. I have also heard a similar case from one of my friends wife, whose status didn’t show up last year (around this period) for a very long time. It is not unusual. Have you tried looking at your case at the following website
https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?eQs=WwjqOlbeRYzCYubaSQI+RA==
What does it say here.
Hi HS,
I had the interview on 13th jun
Number – 613
I had been prior to 90days, hence they have sent me a 221g blue sheet.
Saurabh just told me send it to VFS with the passport.
I am not sure why my case number does not appear on the chennai case status report PDF.
I can see it as Admin Processing on the CEAC status tracker
I would say, Saurabh certainly knows better, but have you tried contacting VFS over phone or chat?
Yeah , they told me to check the CEAC tracker and wait for 60 days.
Thanks.
My case is pending from 28-May-2013 and others in my batch have their visa issued after admin processing. Once they move to next batch do they issue visa to the previous/old batches? Its 6 weeks now and I am getting anxious now.
From the pattern I have observed, it is not a linear system. It does not work the way you are dreading it to. Let’s say your case got created on the 28th day of May. And let’s say for the sake of argument that mine got created on 20th of May. Let’s assume, you and I both have our cases under administrative processing and you get your visa issued on 12th July, while mine continues to be under administrative processing. The issuance of your visa has no bearing on mine. It does not mean that the US agency doing administrative processing is first going to clear all the cases of a particular date and then move forward with later dates. Your anxiety is valid, but you should expect 6 weeks delay around this time. It could even be 7 or 8 weeks, but eventually it will get done.
I am getting worried as I have common muslim name (CMN). Do you have CMN?
Mohammed
Trust me there are plenty of guys working on H1b visas or studying in US universities on F1 visas who share the same first name as yours. Mine is not a CMN, but it took me 6 weeks. One of the guys, I have written about in my original long post, got his visa after 7.5 weeks. His case happened last year and his visa interview was on 31st May’12. This is a busy period given influx of F1 visa cases for the upcoming fall session. I won’t tell you that your anxiety is misplaced, because it is not. But it may help playing around with the 8th, 9th and 10th digit of your case number to see how others who had their case created as the same day as you are faring. Start from 001 and move forward, until you hit 5-6 consecutive numbers that says, case number not found… Sometimes you will find there is no case number for some of the numbers, but if you continue you will again find numbers that are valid. Only when you find a series of consecutive numbers that do not show any result, can you assume that you have reached the last number issued on that day. But this exercise is only to understand what has happened with people on that day. or Else, just sit back and relax.
A quick question — did you have your interview on 28th May or did you have your case created on may 28th.
My case was created on 28-May-2013 and updated on 30-May-2013, visa interview date
Then you and I had our cases created and interview on the same dates.
I have went through cases for everyone who had their case created on may 28th and there are still 7 people who are under administrative processing.
And ofcourse there are many more awaiting visa issuance from other dates.
Hi,
which location was ur interview held? Is there any such PDF tracker available for Hyderabad location. I attended my interview on 31 may, 221 g white slip , awaiting visa.
thanks
Faizal
Mine was at the embassy in Delhi. I am not aware of any such pdf.
Mohammed had his interview in the consulate in Chennai and it appears, they provide a pdf with case numbers.
Hi Mohammed,
I have a CMN, and its been 6 weeks since my interview and waiting for the Visa approval.
Are there any one else from Hyderabad whose visa is in 221 G RFE from May 30th onwards? what is the typical turn around time for white slip 221 g cases for Hyderabad consulate?
Thanks!
Hi Faizal,
I had my visa interview in Chennai on 5/30/2013.
Hyd consulate only.Waiting from March 21st 2013
Hi Abdul,
how was your 221 g process ? Did u get a white slip with a tick mark on a box and an email sent to you on the same day ?
What is your case update date on the tracking webpage?
Did you go alone for H1 interview of with a H4 member?
I am trying to understand if our pattern is the same to estimate the waiting time.
I am also seeing a lot more 221 g cases in hyd and the wait time for them seems be much longer than other consulates? Any reason why?
Thanks,
Faizal
Yes i got a white slip and also received an email on the same day, replied on next day.update date is 21st March 2013. I attended along with H4 member.
I have one doubt rearding Admin wait time.60 or 90 days means Working days or normal days.
Could you please some one give the clarification.
Abdul,
Its is 60 normal days. However, there is no set SLA and this is just an estimated timeline. It can take longer as well.
Hi HS,
Your analysis is correct, and I figured out that the last group of number on the given 221G form is the number of people applied together. For example if family of 4 person apply then all the four numbers ex 0001, 0002, 0003 and 0004 will have same status in most cases.
I was interviewed on May 17, 2013, got 221G white slip, no doc asked and was told I will get my passport with visa after 2-4 weeks but now it is 8th week and still says admin processing.
I already have my old H1B stamp valid till Sep 2013 from old employer but got stuck in 221G. Last visa also I got 221G and was cleared in 3 months. But last time they asked employer docs but this time no docs as was told that I will get the visa after 2-4 weeks.
I am thinking to wait for 2 more weeks then request to get my passport back and travel to US using old valid visa with new I797 (hopefully they do not cancel my old visa). If any one requested passport back from embassy then please share your case. Thank you.
Hi HS
I had my interview on may 7th 2013. Received the 221g. Submitted docs 7 th June. Status hasnt been updated since 6th May though. I was reading through your post about the 14 digit no but mine starts with 2013126 which doesnt really follow the convention you listed.
Just figured out the convention. But still no update yet. Have been working from home but the client needs me in the office soon
Hi HS
My case status updated date changed to 24rth july. Status is still admin processing. If it has been approved any idea by when the status will change on the website