Requirement for Petition Approval to be in PIMS

An 11/13/2007 DOS cable states that before issuing an H, L, O, P, or Q visa, consular posts must first verify the approval of the underlying petition though the CCD in a new report called "PIMS" (Petition Information Management Service), even if the visa applicant has a paper Form I-797 approval notice.

Under this system, a paper Form I-797 approval notice can be used to schedule an appointment, but is not sufficient proof for granting the H, L, O, P, or Q visa, if the consulate does not also find the petition approval information in the CCD PIMS report.

The cable instructs posts that cannot find petition approval information in the CCD, to e-mail the Kentucky Consular Center's (KCC) Fraud Protection Unit (FPU), which will "research approval of the petition and, if able to confirm its approval, make the details available through the CCD within two working days."

Related resources:

• NAFSA-DOS Visa Office Liaison Call 02/15/2008
• PIMS Process for H-1B Extensions, Amendments or Changes of Status