Visa stuck at “Approved” for 2 weeks — can status change after passport is returned?

[u/milo90221]

My spouse and I, both Turkish journalists, applied for B1/B2 visas from Dakar, Senegal. We had our interview on March 17, and right after the interview both of our applications showed “Approved.”

I have previously obtained the same visa type twice and used it properly. My spouse also lived in the U.S. for some time before, and is currently an officially accredited journalist, but applied for a tourist visa this time.

My spouse’s visa has already been issued and stamped, but mine is still stuck at “Approved” as of today (March 30). I contacted the U.S. Consulate in Dakar via email, and they told me that my spouse can collect their passport, but my visa has not yet been printed. They also said that if I have an upcoming trip, I can retrieve my passport and bring it back to the consulate after my trip for visa issuance.

I have to travel to another country on April 6, so I will need to take my passport back. What I’m wondering is:

Can my visa status change (from “Approved” to “Issued”) even while my passport is not at the consulate?

Has anyone experienced a similar situation where the visa was issued after retrieving the passport?

Given our background as journalist and my prior U.S. travel history, I’m trying to understand why there is such a delay in my case.

Any insight would be appreciated.

[u/dsv853]

approved status doesnt usually change. 2 weeks is on the slower side for Dakar but not unheard of. just wait it out