Administrative processing, also known as Security Advisory Opinion (SAO), is the time period during which visa applications undergo additional review outside of the “normal” visa processing times. Administrative processing takes place after the visa interview. Before issuing a visa, consular officers review different databases to determine if information exists that may impact individual eligibility for a visa. A “hit” on a particular database occurs when there is a match between the visa applicant and a database. These hits may be based on criminal convictions, security risks, and prior visa overstays or denials (this list is non-exhaustive). When an individual case has been tagged in a database, the Department of State, at the request of the consular post, may initiate administrative processing.
Does administrative processing constitute a refusal of a visa?
In such cases, refused visa applications warrant further 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 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.
What is the process for an U.S. visa?
US Visa Application Process - A Step-by-Step Guide Get a digital photograph of each applicant. A digital photograph is required for while applying for a US visa. ... Complete US visa application form DS160. Visitor visa application (form DS160) must be completed online, over the internet. ... Pay the US visa application fee. ... Take appointment for visa interview. ... More items...
Do all K1 visas require administrative processing?
Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant's interview by a Consular Officer. After You Receive a K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa
How long does it take to get US visa after administrative processing?
Please see “Administrative Processing” for further information. If you were advised at the interview that a waiver of ineligibility is required before the visa can be issued, you can expect your application to take up to 8 months to process from the date of the interview.
Is administrative processing a refusal?
A visa application under “administrative processing” will be deemed “refused” unless and until the application is overturned.
What does administrative processing mean in CEAC?
Administrative Processing If further information is needed, you will be contacted. If your visa application is approved, it will be processed and mailed back within two business days. This status includes: The visa issuance process (visa has been approved but not yet printed)
Is passport returned 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.
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 do they do during administrative processing?
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.
Why is my visa under administrative processing?
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 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.
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.
How do I know if my US visa is approved?
Check the Status of a Visa Application To check on the status of your U.S. Visa application: United States: Contact the National Visa Center (NVC) at 1-603-334-0700 for immigrant visas. For nonimmigrant visas, call 1-603-334-0888. Or use the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC).
How do I know if my visa is ready?
Visit the official visa website of the country of visit. Find the option of tracking the visa application status. Enter the acknowledgement number or passport number and the date of birth. Following that, enter the captcha code and click 'submit'.
Does passport request mean visa approval?
No it does not means that visa is approved. VFS is a third party authorised by the Embassy to accept the application on their behalf.
Why is my visa under administrative processing?
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.
Is 221g considered as visa refusal?
Technically, 221(g) is considered a denial; in subsequent visa applications and registration in the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, this must be disclosed. Nevertheless, the overwhelming majority of 221(g) denials are overcome and visas issued.
Do all visa go through administrative processing?
Not necessarily. When an individual is placed in administrative processing, visa eligibility has not been determined. Rather, the individual case resulted in a hit on a database used by the consular post.
What is the difference between visa refusal and rejection?
Visa refusal refers to the act of denying your entry into to a particular country by rejecting your visa application. Visa rejection may happen when you fail to prove your eligibility to visit a particular country.
What does administrative processing mean in immigration?
What does “Administrative Processing” mean in Immigration? When applying for a visa to the United States, many applicants worry about their “administrative processing” status. Some think this means they are doomed for denial. Others are just confused as to why there is a delay. In this article, we will briefly explain what administrative processing ...
How to prevent delays in consular processing?
To prevent further delays, comply with any document requests from the consular office as soon as possible. Remember, the time it takes for you to gather your information is outside the processing time.
What to do if the processing time for your local office has passed?
If the processing time for your local office has passed, you can contact your attorney to see about inquiring on the status of your case with the consulate.
How long does it take to get a security clearance?
How long it takes to process your security clearance depends on the consular office you attended. Some offices have processing times of 60 days, and others require more time. You can contact your local consular office (start by checking their website) for their administrative processing time.
Do you need a background check for a visa?
Sometimes, the consular office will require a background check to process your visa. This is an extra step in the visa application process caused by either a database match or a trigger in your application or interview.
Is there a way to expedite administrative review?
This means it is an additional time that is added on to the normal visa processing time. There is also no way to expedite the process of administrative review.
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 if my visa is pending?
Consulate can not waive this processing for any applicant. This is not a matter of missing documents and is in no way related to the number of times an individual may have been able to obtain visas or enter the U.S. in the past. If your case is Pending Process, please DO NOT contact the Consulate or you may risk delaying the administrative processing of your visa.
What is the pink handout for a consular interview?
At the time of the interview an applicant who has been refused or pending administrative processing would have received either a pink handout or a blue handout from the Consular officer. If you received a PINK handout please click here. If you received BLUE handouts please read the following paragraph and follow the instructions given therein.
How many remarks are there in a passport case?
The case list below is updated regularly to show the cases that have been processed. A case will have only one of three remarks Pending process or Contact the Consulate or Send Passport.
How long does it take to get a case under administrative processing?
However in some rare scenarios, it even takes more than 60 days, sometimes more than a year too. So in short, it is very difficult to put a specific timeline to cases under administrative processing.
Can you take administrative action on a case?
Unfortunately there is only limited action that you can take when your case comes under administrative processing. In all likelihood you will have to wait till you get an update on the status of the case.
What does administrative processing mean?
Continue Reading. “Administrative processing” usually means a security clearance is being performed in Washington, D.C. A clearance is usually required when there is a hit returned on a name check or fingerprint scan. A “hit” occurs when there is a potential match in one of the government databases for a foreign national.
How long does it take to get a passport back?
However, USCIS doesn’t do this without a quick review of its database, which usually takes verylittle time and you get your passport back in a 7–10 days.
What is a hit in a visa?
A “hit” occurs when there is a potential match in one of the government databases for a foreign national. Hits can occur due to name matches on various government lists; prior visa problems such as overstays or denials; or due to criminal arrests or convictions.
Is administrative processing considered a visa?
Yes. “Administrative processing, also known as Security Advisory Opinion (SAO), is the time period during which visa applications undergo additional review outside of the “normal” visa processing times.Administrative processing takes place after the visa interview.”.
