Re: (GRE Success! ) Profile evaluation

The US Consulate/Embassy/Whatever have been decidedly painful in the
last few weeks.  I was back home in Nov-Dec '11 to get my H1-B
stamped.  The officer said all my documents were in order but that she
cannot issue a visa immediately because they need to do "some
administrative processing" on their end.

I wasn't entirely heart-broken until she told me it could take 8-12
weeks for that, and she held on to my passport until such time.  I had
accrued leave only for 3 weeks.  There is _absolutely_ no information
as to what this admin processing means anywhere on the blooming
Internet.  All that we know is it can take up to 12 weeks.  In some
horror stories that I read, it took 4 months, 6 months and in one rare
case, a whole year.  However, there was a bright side to it:  the fact
that they held on to my passport instead of returning it.  This means
they are intent on giving me the visa, but just need to get
confirmation on god-knows-what from god-knows-where.  Fortunately for
me, I work for an understanding company that also has the option of
telecommuting, so it all worked out.  I only had to wait an additional
3 weeks instead of 8 / 12 / whatever, and I am back now.

One of my good friends from undergraduate college was refused his
student visa the first time.  He went to the same visa office a second
time with the same documentation and he was granted the visa with a
smile the second time.  It happens to a lot of people.  Also, I
believe a candidate will never be assigned to the same officer a
second time to keep things fair.

Don't be worried, in case you are.  Just re-apply.  I think it is
safer to appear at the office which is nearest to your address unless
you have multiple options.  I have *heard* of cases where an applicant
hailing from the south of India was rejected a visa in an office in
the northern part of India simply because they appeared at that office
and not in the office where they were meant to apply.  I have *heard*
that this has happened.

Be bold and re-apply man.  It will all be okay.

Ye (somewhat) olde timer,
Raghu

PS.  Sure you don't want to go to Rutgers?  It is the "dream" option
for many an applicant.  That being said, you know better than anyone
else what you want. :-)


On Mon, May 21, 2012 at 1:55 PM, Srihari Yamanoor <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>
> Hello Akshay,
>
> Yes, if that wont raise any red flags, you should do that. You should also follow up with Rutgers and find out more about the I-20 processing status.
>
> Finally, as a favor maybe, try to find out if there is any complaint process with the US Embassy for visas rejected without reasons being clearly outlined. I might do some research myself, but I have a couple of grant proposals to write this week.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Srihari
>
>
> On Mon, May 21, 2012 at 10:19 AM, Akshay Jain <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> Hi Srihari,
>>
>> The I-20 from Rutger's is probably in processing. My financial documents were delivered to Rutger's 20 days back. So probably they are under process.
>> Why did you ask this?
>>
>> BTW,
>> I have heard that lots of VISA are getting rejected @ Mumbai Consulate. So I am thinking of applying to Delhi for the second time(actually I am from Rajasthan, but I am in Pune form past 6 years). What do you think, where should I apply?
>>
>> Sincerely,
>> Akshay Jain.



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