Most common reason for a delay is an issue in a background check, but delays can be for other
reasons as well. The background check might be called the name check, if being done in the
United States, or administrative processing if the visa application is with an embassy or
consulate abroad.

Very often the reason for a delayed background check is “name confusion” – meaning that
issues relating to someone else with the same or similar name and identifying are appearing in
your background check. Since initial “flags” or “hits” may come from information shared by other
US or foreign government agencies, the FBI or DHS may request files to clear the confusion, a
process which sometimes can take months or years.

It is often difficult, or even impossible, to find out the exact reason for a delayed case. You can
do inquiries with the USCIS online, by phone, and in person through scheduling an Infopass
appointment. You can also follow up with an embassy or consulate on a submitted application
by email. If these normal channels do not give a satisfactory answer, you can also follow up with your local congressional office to request that they make an inquiry on your behalf.

Read more about the Self Help Steps you can take to move your case forward.

Sometimes the process of multiple inquiries can itself move a case forward, if it was delayed to
a bureaucratic error and an inquiry forces the CIS to find a missing file. Oftentimes, however,
applicants have to file a “Mandamus” lawsuit to move their delayed case forward.

Read more about evaluating if a case is right for you.