221g Blue Second time for Passport Submission BUT the Admin Processing Continues

[vaddy224]

Visablue thanks for the status updates, I have no clue of what is happening, I guess, we can only hope for a solution.

Fingures Crossed ie it...

[VisaBlues]

@H1b221Ghelp can you please let me know when did u get this similar reply and after how many days was your employer contacted.How was the client contacted? and what were the questions aked ?.In my case i am in EC model so no vendor.

[nandivelugu]

ANY BODY KNOWS WHAT IS DOS CONTACT TO CALL FOR STATUS ..

[H1b221Ghelp]

@VisaBlues

I got similar reply in the last week of April and my client has been contacted in the same week. They have asked about who assigns work, about my project and the duration of my project. Then on 30th of April i received a mail with blue form in it, asking to submit my passport.

I have submitted on May 1st, but still waiting to receive my passport.

Its been 15 days. still waiting.

[sathys01]

@H1b221Ghelp

May I know the date of your interview please? I know it was in Jan but don't know the date. I think in your case they should be waiting for PIMS update(not sure), but definitely you will get it stamped soon. Good luck.

[vaddy224]

Visablues,

Where did u get this status update from? I assume that you might have emailed VFS for the same.

I did call them today at the helpline number and I was told to email to VFS Chennai.

[VisaBlues]

Thnks H1b221Ghelp for sharing the info.Is your client contacted by email or in person?

[VisaBlues]

@H1b221Ghelp also can you please tell me what was the reply you used to get before this?.Prevously i used to get the case is in Mandatory Admin Processing.

[VisaBlues]

@H1b221Ghelp have you been trying to contact the consulate or DOS for the current status.if not you can contact them in the below # DOS-202-663-1225 Press 1 and 0. Chennai COnsulate-04428574000 -2120 (9-10 AM ISTonly)

[H1b221Ghelp]

Sathys01,

Jan 13th is my interview date.

Visablues,

My client was contacted by phone. Before that message, i used to get regular admin processing status from VFS.

Is calling Chennai consulate directly to the number you provided helpful? Did you get the status message anything different than VFS?

[sathys01]

@vaddy224

a month ago I was asked to do the same(that time background check was completed and consulate had to start their processing). After that I could notice some activities like PIMS verificationetc., finally it is in verification stage and no update after that. They take so much time.

[VisaBlues]

yes,you may get a better update calling to that #.Since your passport is with consulate .When your client is contacted what specific emp related questions asked to the client and how long was the interview?

[sathys01]

@H1b221Ghelp

Calling consulate(number provided by blues) is helpful some times if your case is stuck. Some times without even asking your case/PP no they will say it is pending, but it is worth to make a call.

[VisaBlues]

@sathys01 How did you come to know about PIMS verification ?

[sathys01]

When I called DOS one staff said they requested for PIMS update, then when I called consulate I asked her to confirm and she said PIMS updated later. It took almost three weeks to complete.

[VisaBlues]

@H1b221Ghelp can you plz tell me what were the Emp-E questions asked to the client.Also have you been working remotely during this 221g processing?.In my case I have been working remotely ,will this be of any issue?.I have given a heads up to my manager right now but I am still waiting for some one to contact the client/employer.

[vaddy224]

Looks like nothing has happened this week also, its is 3 months and I hear nothing from the US embassy. Is there a chance by which we will never have this approved at all? I mean the 221G will never get approved at all?

[VisaBlues]

@vaddy224 same with me here.I called the consulate today and I was told still in Admin Processing.I asked if there is any progress in my case and I was told that she can definately see the case progressing but couldnt provide me the details of it.My client is not contacted yet.But I did find some of the cases processed in 100-110 days in other forums.Hope we all get the result soon.All this time have you been working remotely for the client?.I am worried since I have been working currently remotely and not sure if it will be of any issue.

[sathys01]

@vaddy221

Chennai consulate used to be better than other consulates here, they used to post the status ~110 days in most case that are pending for long time but we never know, this time there are so many pending cases. Mine is 109 days completed now, but I did not got any response still, so I don't know what is going on...

@H1b221Ghelp

Did you got your visa stamped? You can call DOS to see if they have done something today by any chance, if you have not received any update. In your case it is taking so much time after passport submission:(

USCIS/DHS did their verification(client on site visit and employer) in just two days of time, I don't what processing they can have for two months after on site visit in my case.

[H1b221Ghelp]

When i sent an email yesterday to VFS for my case.

Today got reply with same old status message. I'm confused, Did my case again went back to square 1 :(.

I haven't contacts Consulate yet (with the number you guys provided). will do on monday.

"This is to inform you that if your application is pending under Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) for mandatory administrative processing. Please note that there is no definite time for administrative processing. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary depending on circumstances of each case. Be assured that the U.S. Consulate will contact you if the administrative processing is complete or if they require additional information."

[VisaBlues]

@H1b221Ghelp this is the standard message VFS guys send us without even contacting consulate thse current status.Call to consulate on Monday you will get better status.Dont Worry

[sathys01]

@H1b221Ghelp

You don't have to worry you won't have any such problem. I think Chennai consulate has so many cases that are pending and they don't have any proper way to handle so many cases. They should be getting same status update form many folks like us and they don't want to waste time to see who's status is what actually. There should be some defined process and number of days to do it.

I was so frustrated and asked DOS staff about this, she said Consulate is not able to decide that you are not eligible(if you are not they will send immediately) mean time they were not able decide that you are eligible(even after 4 months of processing). But people like us will think there is nothing that cannot be resolved within given time that is the reason client is still waiting for us at least from that they should understand. You will definitely get it approved soon, good luck.

[sathys01]

@H1b221Ghelp

May I know in which mode they send the packet to submit passport(blue dart or regular postal service)?

[H1b221Ghelp]

Thanks guys for your good words. I'll try to call consulate Monday morning.

Sathys01,

They sent via blue dart. i think thats the service all the US consulates use.

[H1b221Ghelp]

I did call consulate, i have heard a recorded message to call VFS or emil VFS. I don't heard any option which will take us to a Visa specialist or some one.

@Visablues, Sathys01,

Did your call went to any visa specialist?