While the exact process is fairly opaque, Administrative Processing means: 1) that the applicant’s case has been sent from the Embassy/Consulate to a data center to be reviewed for criminal convictions, security risks, immigration violations or other irregularities and 2) that the applicant’s case will be delayed.
What is administrative processing?
Administrative process is the continuous and interrelated flow of planning, organization, management and control activities, developed to achieve a common objective: take advantage of human, technical, material and any other type of resources, which the organization has to make it effective for its stakeholders and society.
How do you apply for an immigrant visa?
- Be arriving on designated carrier that is signatory to a Visa Waiver Program Agreement, if applicable;
- Have a machine-readable passport valid for 6 months beyond the period of intended stay, or essentially 9 months (90 days + 6 months). ...
- Complete an Arrival/Departure Form I-94W. ...
What is DS 260 number?
When individuals for an immigrant visa or diversity visa, they are required to fill out a DS-260 form, also known as Immigration Visa & Alien Registration Application (DS 260). Form DS-260 is an inquiry from the U.S. State Department and serves a similar purpose as G325A: Biographic Information Form, which is requested by USCIS.
What is DS 260 confirmation page?
Ds 260 form confirmation page sample. A severe form of trafficking in persons. A severe form of trafficking in persons. You can access the ds 260 from the consular electronic application center ceac website by going to immigrant visasstategov and clicking on submit visa application and civil documents or on the website of the us.
How long does administrative processing take for immigrant visa?
60 daysProcessing times are unpredictable. According to the U.S. Department of State, most administrative processing cases conclude 60 days or less after the visa interview. However, the average wait time for administrative processing can vary depending on where the consulate is located.
What comes after administrative processing?
Upon completion of the case-specific administrative processing, the consular officer might conclude that an applicant is now qualified for the visa for which he or she applied. Alternatively, the officer may conclude that the applicant remains ineligible for a visa.
What is administrative process in US immigration?
Administrative processing takes place after the visa interview, and refers to visa applications that undergo additional review or security clearances outside of “normal” visa processing times.
What does it mean your visa case is currently undergoing necessary administrative processing?
Your visa case is currently undergoing administrative processing. This processing can take several weeks. Please follow any instructions provided by the consular officer at the time of your interview. If further information is needed, you will be contacted.
Does administrative processing mean denial?
If my application is subject to administrative processing, does this mean my visa application was denied or will be denied? Not necessarily. When an individual is placed in administrative processing, visa eligibility has not been determined.
Is Refused same as administrative processing?
A visa application under “administrative processing” will be deemed “refused” unless and until the application is overturned.
Can I get my passport back during administrative processing?
During administrative processing, the consular post retains the applicant's passport. If urgent travel is required, the applicant may request for the passport to be returned temporarily and resume the processing of the visa application at a later time.
Is administrative processing random?
Administrative Processing may be applied randomly to international students and scholars from certain countries and/or from certain fields (usually STEM fields) who are applying for a visa. The U.S. Embassy/Consulate may request a security clearance of anyone, prior to issuing an initial or extension of visa.
What does ready mean after administrative processing?
What does “ready” status mean? This means that your application has passed the initial screening and an interview will be scheduled shortly. What does the “Return to NVC” code mean? This indicates that there was a problem while processing your application and it has been sent back to the National Visa Center.
What happens if my administrative review is successful?
If you request an administrative review and your request is successful, but you are granted a longer period of immigration permission than you applied for, you will be required to pay an IHS for each additional half year of immigration permission. Refunds should be made to the card you used to pay the fee.
Can I travel during administrative processing?
Although a previously issued visa may be valid during a pending administrative processing hold, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) maintains the authority to determine admissibility. Thus, an application for entry could be denied by CBP, regardless if the previously issued visa is valid.
How do you know if U.S. visa is approved after interview?
At the end of your immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, the consular officer will inform you whether your visa application is approved or denied. Visa approval - When approved, you will be informed how and when your passport and visa will be returned to you.
What does ready mean after administrative processing?
What does “ready” status mean? This means that your application has passed the initial screening and an interview will be scheduled shortly. What does the “Return to NVC” code mean? This indicates that there was a problem while processing your application and it has been sent back to the National Visa Center.
Can I get my passport back during administrative processing?
During administrative processing, the consular post retains the applicant's passport. If urgent travel is required, the applicant may request for the passport to be returned temporarily and resume the processing of the visa application at a later time.
How long does 221g administrative processing take?
around 3-4 weeksIn most cases, 221g administrative processing will be completed within 60 days—typically around 3-4 weeks. In some instances, however, some 221g processing times can take many months or even over a year. Note that you will likely be asked not to inquire about your case for at least 180 days.
Why is a case placed in administrative processing?
Sometimes a case may be placed in administrative processing because the officer needs to do more investigation on the case, either because there are fraud indicators or some other information is outstanding which only the officer can retrieve —for example, the officer may need to have a discussion with a colleague at another Embassy.
What is the purpose of a visa interview?
When you attend your a visa interview, your visa is being adjudicated by a Department of State consular officer. Consular officers are required to make a decision on a case at the conclusion of the interview. In other words, a positive or negative decision has to be entered by the officer at that time; no case can remain in unadjudicated status.
What is administrative processing information?
Administrative Processing Information. There are only two possible outcomes for complete and executed U.S. visa applications (absent a visa sanction against a country under Section 243 (d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act). The consular officer will either issue or refuse the visa.
What happens when consular officer informs applicant of administrative processing?
Alternatively, the officer may conclude that the applicant remains ineligible for a visa. When administrative processing is required, the consular officer will inform the applicant at the end of the interview. The duration of the administrative processing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case.
What does "refused visa" mean?
What does a visa refusal under section 221 (g) mean? A visa refusal under section 221 (g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) means the applicant did not establish eligibility for a visa to the satisfaction of the consular officer, as is required under U.S. law, specifically section 291 of the INA. When an applicant is refused ...
What happens if a visa is refused?
If an application was refused and a consular officer indicates administrative processing is required, processing times can vary based on individual circumstances. If an applicant’s situation presents a unique hardship, please inform the consular section where the visa application was made.
Can a consular officer determine if an applicant is eligible for a visa?
However, in accordance with Department procedures, a consular officer may determine that additional information from sources other than the applicant may help establish an applicant’s eligibility for a visa. In such cases, refused visa applications warrant further administrative processing.
Can a refusal of a visa be overturned?
Can a refusal under section 221 (g) be overturned? Yes. If an application was refused under section 221 (g) and the consular officer specifically told the applicant to provide documents or information, the applicant should provide a complete response as soon as possible.
Can a consular officer reconsider a visa?
It is possible that a consular officer will reconsider a visa application refused under 221 (g) at a later date, based on additional information or upon the resolution of administrative processing, and determine that the applicant is eligible.
What is administrative processing?
Administrative processing is a catch-all term for all post-interview processing before a final visa decision is made. Any case that is otherwise approvable on its face, but has an open, unresolved issue is referred to administrative processing.
Why is administrative processing so frustrating?
Typically this is caused by a consular post waiting for a response on some form of advisory opinion. Although, as was experienced in 2014 and 2015, processing delays may also result from system failures in the Consular Consolidated Database (CCD) and more recently due to additional administrative hurdles such as the recent flurry of executive orders regarding visa issuance.
Why are consular officers encouraged to increase scrutiny on cases potentially impacted by lengthy administrative processing?
The unintended results of all of these delays is even more frustrating: Consular officers are encouraged to increase scrutiny on cases potentially impacted by lengthy administrative processing in order to come up with a basis for pretextual denial – similar to we see at DHS in CARRP and TRIG cases. The only exception to this is when DHS wants to carrying out additional CARRP or TRIG review, but is intentionally doing its work behind the shield of consular non-reviewability, at which point it will tell the post to hold the case.
How to contact the NVC for a non-immigrant visa?
For non-immigrant visas contact the Department’s Visa Office. For immigrant visas reach out to the NVC and make sure the case hasn’t been sent back (some embassies are horrible about sending notices on this).
When to update documents for immigrant visa?
For immigrant visa and petition-based cases you will also want to update these documents when it goes to the NVC and again at the consular stage. Thus you optimize the possibility that the consular officer receives the relevant information or that the relevant information is readily available to whatever agency will be doing the necessary investigations and will make a final decision for your client.
How to reduce processing time for gang name checks?
For example, if your client is from El Salvador and has a relatively common name, you can reduce processing times related to name checks for gang members by providing contextual information for your client such as the names of close friends and family members in order to differentiate from potential HITS. Similarly, if your client is from a high immigrant visa fraud country such as Vietnam, you will want to spend extra time establishing your client’s relationships in order to remove all doubt. While for Somalis, you will need to satisfy additional identity requirements by providing more information and documentation establishing consistent use of the same identity for the last 5 to 15 years, preferably using documents that do not originate in Somalia.
What is legal advisory opinion?
For attorneys, the legal advisory opinion is the area where we are often the most comfortable: identify the legal question, analyze the law, apply the client’s facts, and provide a brief to the consulate. Legal advisory opinions are also an area where we usually feel comfortable telling our clients to be patient.
How long do you have to wait to get your case number?
serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family), before making inquiries about status of administrative processing, applicants should wait at least 180 days from the date of interview or submission ...
Is the date below a new appointment?
The date stated below (next to your case number) is not a new appointment date. It is the expiration date of your administrative processing. To avoid significant delays, send your passport and documents as soon as possible when your number is posted.
Robert Louis Brown
Why is everyone writing in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS??????? This looks like ordinary processing and I think you need to learn how to be more patient.
F. J. Capriotti III
Contact the consulate and ask for specific information. If "administrative processing" = pending security clearances, that could take a very long time.. You'll need to learn to be patient.
Giacomo Jacques Behar
YOU SHOULD CONSULT THE CONSULATE AND ASK THEM WHAT WOULD BE THE NEXT STEP. IF THEY STAMPED YOUR PASSPORT WITH AN IMMIGRANT VISA FOIL, THEY WERE ALSO SUPPOSED TO GIVE YOU A SEALED ENVELOPE TO TAKE WITH YOU TO THE USA. ENGLISH LANGUAGE USES LOW CASE FOR NORMAL COMMUNICATION BECAUSE READING A TEXT TYPED ALL IN CAPS IS DESTRUCTIVE.