Apparently what is holding up visa issuance after interview is the requirement that applicants who are nationals of certain countries (Russia, Ukraine, and (#@%^&!) Uzbekistan among them)are subject to State Dept requirement that the consul submit a request for an SAO and that a visa cannot be issued or denied prior to the State Dept's reply.
This comes from postings on the Google site and a reading of 9 FAM 502.2
http://www.foia.state.gov/masterdocs/09FAM/09G0500.PDF
The cited material is dated 04-24-2002.
Does anyone know if there have been any changes?
Any experience as to how long it takes to get an SAO?
