There is genuine risk, and pretending otherwise helps nobody. Most stampings go fine, but some applicants get stuck in administrative processing (221g), which can take weeks or months with no fixed timeline — especially in certain technical fields. Sensible precautions: carry complete, consistent documents; check current appointment wait times; avoid travel during critical work periods; and talk to your employer's immigration team first. Consular rules shift, so check the local US embassy site and USCIS.gov.
Updated July 2026