E visa applicants and renewals 221 g

[Susie]

Hi

Just saw this on the American embassys web site

Applicants who are advised at the time of their interview that action on their application has been suspended under Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act are required to allow 10 - 15 days for their application to be processed once they submit the missing documents to the Embassy.


So my question to Caulfied is why is the processing time taking almost one year in some cases and only two weeks after interview?

Is this because they have already decided the outcome at the interview?

[InnVic]

because that says AT TIME OF INTERVIEW. a 221(g) interview will get you a quick yes or no.

By posting documents you go to the bottom of the pile and hence the years wait.

[Grumpy]

Hi Inn Vic

Is this good news for Em then?

In the sense she will know if approved or denied

[Emmalee25]

Yep!
what does this mean for little ol' me???
Em x

[Kitty]

Hi Em

Well it must be good news of sorts

They have your file and working on it. I am sure you will get called for interview soon

Good luck

[InnVic]

From what I've rread it means that they haven't yet reached a final decision - instead of asking for more documentation and incurring additional delays, or because they feel that the query they have can only be answered in person - they have decided that you should attend interview. The good news is that you will get a decision sooner rather than later - the worst case scenario is that you are in the UK if you get denied - which will make it difficult to get back to the US if you have to tie up loose ends with the business, home etc. But you have time to prepare and I always think that arguing your case face to face is preferable to trying to put a convincing case together on paper. I would think it harder to deny a real person sitting opposite you than an anonymous name on paper.

[charliesmum]

You might think it's harder to deny someone sat in front of you, but a whole load of people have had this happen to them.

There was a lot of these interviews at the beginning of the year and I'm afraid to say most of them were turned down and a stamp put in their passport saying so.

That's why I said to Em that she needs to know her business inside out and have really good future plans for it. The only person I know who got through one of these interviews - and I do realise there must be others - was even going for a start up business and he knew everything about his subject.

A lot of the time, people have felt that the decision had been made before they got there, so you need to be calm and get your points about your business across before they have a chance to turn you down.

Sorry to sound like this, but Em needs to know what she's up against.

Zoe

[InnVic]

Zoe
Your absolutley right... I didn't mean it to sound like if your sat there and your not convincing they won't deny you - because they will. What I'm saying is that its often easier to "communicate" face to face rather than trying to second guess what it is they are really concerned about on paper. Regarding the decision being made before the interview I would have to say that a bias is probably there. Otherwise why have the interview - they would just approve. At interview I'd suspect that on the facts in hand they would deny - but are giving you the opportunity to provide further documentation or information to convince them otherwise. Its not unsurmountable if you genuinely do fulfill E2 requirements.

[Susie]

Hi Zoe

Thats my friend, sensible good advise.

Em, make sure you have a very good business plan to show future growth. If possible show a 5 year lease on shop and with a bit of luck they may just give you a 5 year E visa

[victoria]

Hi Zoe - saw your email about the start up business (our situation). Do you know what the issue they had with your friend and hence the reason for the 221g interview?