H1B Visa stamping delays due to security checks?

[boston_gc]

Folks:

I was just informed by my lawyer that there is a potenital for significant delay in getting the visa stamped due to security checks. I assume it is PIMS related. My questions is:

1: Has anyone experienced such delay recently at Delhi Consulate? Please note that last visa H1B expired in Aug 2010.
2: Is there any proactive steps I can take before going to India and make sure that there are no delay due to PIMS verification

I also read somewhere that there is a way to get PIMS verification done while in US.

I will appreciate your responses.

[ca_immigrant]

anyone on this ?

I too have to go in India....in June....

in case I am not green by then I too have to get the H1 stamped...and anything to expidite the satmping will help...

Thanks to OP for posting this !

[gc_on_demand]

I had an appointment at Mumbai Consulate on Jan 5th , 7th year ext. Since my I 797 approval date and stamping date was too short ( 1-2 weeks ) USCIS or DOS failed to update info in PIMS on time. I got yellow slip after few basic questions and told to wait for 2-3 biz days. I informed my lawyer in USA and he made contact to DOS there and ask them to update record. Also I had renewed my Indian passport since I applied for I 797 so they had old pp no in record. Lady from DOS promised to work on my case but didn't give any definite time limit.

but I got reply from Consulate on 4th biz day. Submitted passport via local VFS office and with in 3 days got it back. I think if you contact DOS it would take less time , otherwise 2-3 weeks is normal and 4 weeks or longer is for some rare cases. As long as your history is clean nothing to worry even it takes 3-4 weeks.

[boston_gc]

My I-797 approval notice was received several months ago. Does that reduce the possibility of security delays? Also, is there a way to take proactive steps to make sure PIMS is cleared before visa interview date?

[gc_on_demand]

I had same situation in 2009.. petition was approved in Mid 2008 and stamping was in feb 2009. No PIMS delay. I think if gap is more than few months , PIMS records are updated.

[waitingnwaiting]

I had an appointment at Mumbai Consulate on Jan 5th , 7th year ext. Since my I 797 approval date and stamping date was too short ( 1-2 weeks ) USCIS or DOS failed to update info in PIMS on time. I got yellow slip after few basic questions and told to wait for 2-3 biz days. I informed my lawyer in USA and he made contact to DOS there and ask them to update record. Also I had renewed my Indian passport since I applied for I 797 so they had old pp no in record. Lady from DOS promised to work on my case but didn't give any definite time limit.

but I got reply from Consulate on 4th biz day. Submitted passport via local VFS office and with in 3 days got it back. I think if you contact DOS it would take less time , otherwise 2-3 weeks is normal and 4 weeks or longer is for some rare cases. As long as your history is clean nothing to worry even it takes 3-4 weeks.

Whom did the lawyer contact in DOS. Did he tell you? It will help if we know.

[sunilsj]

Read this link from Murthy.com:

MurthyDotCom : H1B & H-4 Visa Applications in India Plagued by 221(g) Refusals - Part 1 (http://www.murthy.com/news/n_h14ind.html)

[tonyHK12]

Read this link from Murthy.com:

MurthyDotCom : H1B & H-4 Visa Applications in India Plagued by 221(g) Refusals - Part 1 (http://www.murthy.com/news/n_h14ind.html)

" At the present time, it would be wise for H1B workers employed by IT consulting companies, as well as their H-4 spouses, that they limit international travel unless it is absolutely necessary. Those working for employers in other sectors also face risks that should be carefully considered before traveling internationally and applying for visa stamps abroad. "

pretty tough having to do it in the holiday season. The article says its an attempt to tighten the screws on fraudulent partices in H1b.

[thomachan72]

Is this predominantly affecting those on consulting jobs?

[tonyHK12]

Is this predominantly affecting those on consulting jobs?

Yes, according to this report. They have a law office in India too and handle local cases on the ground.
According to the article this is a follow up of the 2010 employer-employee memo. Insome cases they are giving the 221g before even reviewing the docs. Strangest things is H4s now have to provide almost as much docs as a H1b - really tough for the married people among you.
Still reading the article in parts...
ok 221g is considered visa refusal and has to be notified. how does name check become a refusal.

[sunilsj]

I wouldn't make the assumption that this is only happening to consulting cases. I know example where a full-time non-consulting candidate has been held up. Be careful.

[GreenMe]

My wife and I work for Consulting firm. We both had to travel to India for Visa Stamping.

My wife appeared on 4th Dec 2010. The Consular asked all regular work questions to her and then issued her a blue 221(g) form asking for additional documents from employer. The documents asked were Employer tax returns, each state tax returns, employee list with their salaries and position.

My wife went to Mumbai Consulate again on 17th Jan with all additional documents. To our surprise she was interviewed same day by the same Consular and issued a visa. Typically in the past, the consulate would take the paper and would ask the candidate to wait for the email from consulate.

I appeared for my Visa interview on 23rd Dec and was issued yellow 22(g) form without checking any of my documents. I was asked how I am working on 7th year of my H1 and then issued a yellow form to verify my details. I was told to wait for email from consulate. Luckily I received email on 3rd business day. Typically these cases take anywhere from1 to 3 months.

At VFS center I met 3 more people who received yellow 221(g) and got reply from consulate with 2-3 business days.

My observation is that the Mumbai consulate was issuing 221(g)s to many folks. And this is not just limited to IT consultants but also affects Fulltime non-IT folks too. One of my friend from Manufacturing received yellow 221(g) last month but got email from consulate after 10 business days.

So to conclude, I think Mumbai consulate is issuing these 221(g)s a lot but at the same time the turn around time is also quick.

[sunilsj]

Like I mentioned earlier, I personally know 2 cases as I am writing this. Both visited Mumbai office and both are stuck with 221(g). It may not therefore be generalized that Mumbai is better or worse than any other place. It is a matter of who you encounter with, timing and luck.

[deepakjain]

I was one of the candidates who had this issue, I was given a 221g in 2009 Dec at mumbai consulate.

I was not asked for any documents, and the officer told me that my case has been putup for security check and I can expect a reply back from Washington DC within 2-8 weeks.

I received a reply on my case after 3 weeks and then I took the copy of the reply and submitted my passport at the mumbai consulate for visa stamping, 3 days after
submitting my passport I got it back with visa stamped on it.

Please note in 2009 I was in my 7th year of H1B, I had EAD and AP during that time and I have a permanent job and have been working for the same firm for last 6 years.

Regards,
Deepak

Folks:

I was just informed by my lawyer that there is a potenital for significant delay in getting the visa stamped due to security checks. I assume it is PIMS related. My questions is:

1: Has anyone experienced such delay recently at Delhi Consulate? Please note that last visa H1B expired in Aug 2010.
2: Is there any proactive steps I can take before going to India and make sure that there are no delay due to PIMS verification

I also read somewhere that there is a way to get PIMS verification done while in US.

I will appreciate your responses.