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Hello,
I am a Medical Graduate from India in the process of giving the United States Medical Licensing Exams.
I had applied for a visitors visa for the Step 2 clinical skills part of the exam last year in April at the Chennai consulate.
My visa was put on administrative processing and I got a single entry visa valid for 3 months after a period of around 5 weeks, by which time I had to postpone the exam date, tickets etc. Came back to India well within the 3 month valid period.
After coming back to India, in order to improve my CV for improving my chances of getting a residency in the US, I was looking for opportunities for clinical experience in the US and applied for volunteer research posts to many professors.
I was fortunate enough to be accepted to a world renowned university to work with a professor in a field of my choice from January 2011 to June 2012. Got selected over a phone interview wherein I was told that my responsibilities would include ;
1) History taking and non invasive physical examination of patients undergoing research trials.
2) Entering and tabulating data into computers.
3) Taking blood samples and conducting stress tests.
It was meant to be a volunteer position and I wasnt going to be offered any salary/stipend.
Accordingly I applied again for a visitors visa at the Chennai consulate in January this year.
Visa interview was on January 4th 2011.
I was asked only to show the letter sent by the professor mentioning the volunteer research post.
No other questions were asked.
The VO dissappeared from his table for a good 20 minutes saying he had to ask and discuss with senior officers.
He came back and told me that unfortunately, I would have to go through administrative processing again.
I have waited patiently for the visa to come for over 5 months now.
Over a month ago I got a mail from the Chennai SAO stating that the administrative processing for my visa was complete. I was asked to submit ;
1) Previous passports (If any)
2) Detailed previous travel history
3) University transcripts.
The mail also started that the administrative processing may start again of needed and I would be informed if that happens.
I submitted the documents within 3 days of the mail.
It has been over a month since then and I have gotten no response.
Owing to extreme distress, anxiety and frustration, I mailed the Chennai consulate asking about the status.
I got a reply today saying that my visa was still under administrative processing according to consular records and I should wait till it is over.
The Doctor with whom I was supposed to join has given up hope of me joining after waiting patiently for over 5 months.
I will in all probability be losing an academic year in the process.
I have a few questions. I would be very grateful if I can get any answers.
1) Is it possible to voluntarily withdraw/cancel the administrative processing procedure for the visitors visa and apply for a J1 research visa?
2) Is the delay in administrative processing in my case because of gray areas over rules regarding volunteer work with tourist visas?
3)In case it is possible to withdraw, what is the procedure?
4)Would it be advisable to rather wait for denial or accceptance, knowing that there is no idea how long that could take?
Any advice, suggestions, opinions, help would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thank you,
Depressed and anxious.
I am a Medical Graduate from India in the process of giving the United States Medical Licensing Exams.
I had applied for a visitors visa for the Step 2 clinical skills part of the exam last year in April at the Chennai consulate.
My visa was put on administrative processing and I got a single entry visa valid for 3 months after a period of around 5 weeks, by which time I had to postpone the exam date, tickets etc. Came back to India well within the 3 month valid period.
After coming back to India, in order to improve my CV for improving my chances of getting a residency in the US, I was looking for opportunities for clinical experience in the US and applied for volunteer research posts to many professors.
I was fortunate enough to be accepted to a world renowned university to work with a professor in a field of my choice from January 2011 to June 2012. Got selected over a phone interview wherein I was told that my responsibilities would include ;
1) History taking and non invasive physical examination of patients undergoing research trials.
2) Entering and tabulating data into computers.
3) Taking blood samples and conducting stress tests.
It was meant to be a volunteer position and I wasnt going to be offered any salary/stipend.
Accordingly I applied again for a visitors visa at the Chennai consulate in January this year.
Visa interview was on January 4th 2011.
I was asked only to show the letter sent by the professor mentioning the volunteer research post.
No other questions were asked.
The VO dissappeared from his table for a good 20 minutes saying he had to ask and discuss with senior officers.
He came back and told me that unfortunately, I would have to go through administrative processing again.
I have waited patiently for the visa to come for over 5 months now.
Over a month ago I got a mail from the Chennai SAO stating that the administrative processing for my visa was complete. I was asked to submit ;
1) Previous passports (If any)
2) Detailed previous travel history
3) University transcripts.
The mail also started that the administrative processing may start again of needed and I would be informed if that happens.
I submitted the documents within 3 days of the mail.
It has been over a month since then and I have gotten no response.
Owing to extreme distress, anxiety and frustration, I mailed the Chennai consulate asking about the status.
I got a reply today saying that my visa was still under administrative processing according to consular records and I should wait till it is over.
The Doctor with whom I was supposed to join has given up hope of me joining after waiting patiently for over 5 months.
I will in all probability be losing an academic year in the process.
I have a few questions. I would be very grateful if I can get any answers.
1) Is it possible to voluntarily withdraw/cancel the administrative processing procedure for the visitors visa and apply for a J1 research visa?
2) Is the delay in administrative processing in my case because of gray areas over rules regarding volunteer work with tourist visas?
3)In case it is possible to withdraw, what is the procedure?
4)Would it be advisable to rather wait for denial or accceptance, knowing that there is no idea how long that could take?
Any advice, suggestions, opinions, help would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thank you,
Depressed and anxious.
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