You check the CEAC website every morning, hoping for an update. Yet, the status still reads “Approved”, and its been a month. No emails, no tracking number, just silence.
For many Indians in the U.S. this visa limbo is becoming a source of anxiety. Applicants who completed their interviews weeks ago, like the one in Doha, are still waiting for their passports. Calls to hotlines yield no real answers, and emails return only automated responses.
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So, what’s the hold up? The issue appears to be with passport issuance and delivery. An “Approved” status doesn’t necessarily mean your visa is printed and ready. It simply indicates that the U.S. Embassy has made a decision. However, between the decision making process, administrative processing, and the actual dispatch of passports, delay is inevitable.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Numerous applicants, particularly from the Middle East and South Asia, are experiencing the same problem. Some report waiting 4-6 weeks for their visas to be issued, while others have had to escalate their cases with the embassy multiple times.
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The most frustrating aspect is that there’s no definitive timeline. Some individuals receive their passports within a week, while others find themselves waiting indefinitely. The embassy’s official response is often vague: “processing times vary.” This is hardly reassuring when your travel plans are in unpredictable.
For those who are caught in the same situation, here’s what you can do-
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Keep following up – call the embassy, submit support tickets, and send follow-up emails.
Inquire if the embassy offers and expedited request option. Some do for medical emergencies or urgent travel needs.
Join online forums and vis groups. Others facing similar challenges may share updates that the embassies don’t provide.
The waiting period is stressful, but, unfortunately, quite common. If you find yourself in this predicament, know that you’re not alone. Let’s hope this isn’t the new normal for B1/B2 visa holders. For now, patience is key.
