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I have recently received a new F1 visa stamp after submitting my passport through the Dropbox. I just wanted to share my experience and provide some clarity on what "Administrative Processing" is, so that this process is a little easier for other applicants in a similar situation.
Here are some background details:
- I am currently working on the 17 month STEM OPT extention.
- F1 visa was initially issued for bachelors and I completed it in 4 years
DOCUMENTS: At the dropbox, according to the website, I only had to submit my passport and latest i20, but I also included scanned copies of my OPT EAD card, latest paystub, job offer letter just to be on the safe side. (Normally, dropbox people wont accept any more documents than what is required, but if you insist, they will take additional documents)
Immidiately after submitting I started tracking the visa and passport. Here is what the timeline looked like:
Day 0: Passport: "In Transit to Post" and Visa(CEAC): "No Status"
Day 1 (afternoon): Passport: "Delivered to Post" and Visa: "Ready"
Day 2 (morning): Same Status
Day 2 (afternoon): Passport: "Delivered to Post" and Visa: "Administrative Processing".
The second I saw the "Administrative Processing" I was in shock. I thought that my visa is most likely denied and even if it is approved, it will take a long time. BUT this is completely incorrect. "Administrative Processing" is just a step in the visa process, it doesnt mean 221g!! You will most likely get an email if it did fall into 221g!
Day 3 (morning): same status
Day 3(afternoon): Visa: "Issued"
Day 4: Passport: "Ready for pickup", Visa: "Issued"
I went and picked up my passport with the new visa stamp 3 days later.
The bottom line is, if you see Administrative Processing in CAEC tracker, It doesnt at all mean 221g; in fact, I think every passport has to go through Administrative processing. Additionally, if it actually is 221g, you will probably get an email or phone call from the consulate.
GOOD LUCK!
Here are some background details:
- I am currently working on the 17 month STEM OPT extention.
- F1 visa was initially issued for bachelors and I completed it in 4 years
DOCUMENTS: At the dropbox, according to the website, I only had to submit my passport and latest i20, but I also included scanned copies of my OPT EAD card, latest paystub, job offer letter just to be on the safe side. (Normally, dropbox people wont accept any more documents than what is required, but if you insist, they will take additional documents)
Immidiately after submitting I started tracking the visa and passport. Here is what the timeline looked like:
Day 0: Passport: "In Transit to Post" and Visa(CEAC): "No Status"
Day 1 (afternoon): Passport: "Delivered to Post" and Visa: "Ready"
Day 2 (morning): Same Status
Day 2 (afternoon): Passport: "Delivered to Post" and Visa: "Administrative Processing".
The second I saw the "Administrative Processing" I was in shock. I thought that my visa is most likely denied and even if it is approved, it will take a long time. BUT this is completely incorrect. "Administrative Processing" is just a step in the visa process, it doesnt mean 221g!! You will most likely get an email if it did fall into 221g!
Day 3 (morning): same status
Day 3(afternoon): Visa: "Issued"
Day 4: Passport: "Ready for pickup", Visa: "Issued"
I went and picked up my passport with the new visa stamp 3 days later.
The bottom line is, if you see Administrative Processing in CAEC tracker, It doesnt at all mean 221g; in fact, I think every passport has to go through Administrative processing. Additionally, if it actually is 221g, you will probably get an email or phone call from the consulate.
GOOD LUCK!
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