Is it safe to request for passport during 221g Processing?

[sid1981]

Hi All,

I have been in the US for the past 3 years and came down to India for my first H1B stamping. Appeared for my interview at the Chennai consulate on Dec 13, 2010. The VO said my visa was approved but gave me a 221g Pink Slip. Another officer took my passport and a few other documents and mentioned it would take about 4 weeks.

Its been 2 weeks now and I need to travel outside India to visit my family that lives in Dubai. I just found out recently that I could have asked for my passport back so I could travel.

My question is: Will requesting for my passport back delay my processing further? I really want to go home and need my passport, but not at the expense of delaying my trip back to the US or jeopardizing my visa.

Please advise,
Thanks!

[chander_77]

I asked for same question from VFS if I need my passport for any purpose whether for identification or to travel out of India. VFS replied me that I can request for passport one week before I need and they will manage to courier back to me. I don tthink it will affect on VISA processing as if they want to give you VISA they will ask for passport again. However I have seen on posts that admin processing with pink slip is taking 4-8 weeks time and ppl are getting VISA without any or after few communications. If there is no emergency then perhaps you can wait for passport/VISA and then go to your family at once.