you are right SAM i applied two time for USA visit visa it took 8 months for them for decision and when they requested the passport for visa stamping i get back in 3 days ..... this is very simple nothing unusual they are doing all embassies work like that, when the case is decided and passports are requested its simply for visa stamping all the professional work is done at this stage eligibility, background checks, security checks for that they took almost one and half year so what the point of professionalism is stamping the visa ... same visa stamping before when in person submission was open u also get in half hour if u submit your travel plans ... so they should follow some procedure ..