Interview experience at ISL and frustration for visa

[pakmani 0]

Hi guys. How is everybody doing? I am sorry I wasn't able to post this sooner. I know couple of people were waiting for me to post my wife's interview experience at ISL. Here it is:

My wife had her CR1 interview on 7/10. She was in line at the convention center at about 6:45, made it to the embassy between 7:30-7:45.

They took her interview letter at the door. Not sure when exactly she was called to the first window but they just asked her simple questions about why she is there, didn't ask for any document.

She was called for the second time and they took her fingerprints.

She was called for the third time to a Counselor Office window. She said her interview with the CO was very smooth, he asked very general questions such as her name, my name, our wedding date, thats about it. He asked for only one document, copy of marriage certificate, didnt ask for pictures, police certificate, nothing. My wife said the CO wasn't even white, it was a Pakistani guy, he interviewed her in Urdu but his Urdu wasn't very goody. So maybe he was an expat.

Well, after the interview he congratulated my wife and told her everything is all set and she can pick up her passport after about a week or so from courier's office and gave her a token.

She wasn't given any blue or pink slip and wasn't told anything about AP. But, here is the sad part, today is 7/25/08, her passport still hasn't been returned.

I called the ISL embassy on 7/22, they said they had some system issues and were not able to issue visas to people for about a week or so and we can expect it within few days or next week, I am not sure if I really buy that but whatever. Still no mention of AP.

I called again today 7/25, different person answered the phone, didn't say anything about system issues but said MAYBE 7-10 but no exact date, still no AP.

I am really stressed and nervous, I don't know what the hold up is, not sure if its AP or something else. What I have seen with other cases if they keep your passport, its not AP. If you are put on AP, your passport is returned and you are asked to submit it when AP clears and I think they won't say 7-10 on the phone if the person is in AP because nobody can predit the timing. I believe people on AP are not given the token to pick up the passport from courier's office either.

The operator on 7/25 wasn't very helpful, he kept saying wait 7-10 days and then call back if you don't get the passport, not sure what to make of that.

So I guess this is a good news and bad. Please comment if you have seen a similar situation. I am very nervours and don't want her to fall inot the black hole of AP/AR.

Thanks!

[CassandraHaydar 0]

My fiance was put on AP and his passport was taken...

[pakmani 0]

CO told your husband about AP. My wife's wasn't told about AP and embassy is saying 7-10 not months. I guess it is still possible that she is on AP but it just seems different from other people's experiences.

Thanks!

[sara..... 371]

from our experience with Islamabad for my brothers they are a pain in the butt and dont have their ducks all in a row if u know what i mean.........if there was not any statement of ap or if no slip was given only a token was given they are probably having internal problems........maybe it is the ability to print out visas who knows with that place just keep calling back .........

[irfan 0]

Hi guys. How is everybody doing? I am sorry I wasn't able to post this sooner. I know couple of people were waiting for me to post my wife's interview experience at ISL. Here it is:

My wife had her CR1 interview on 7/10. She was in line at the convention center at about 6:45, made it to the embassy between 7:30-7:45.

They took her interview letter at the door. Not sure when exactly she was called to the first window but they just asked her simple questions about why she is there, didn't ask for any document.

She was called for the second time and they took her fingerprints.

She was called for the third time to a Counselor Office window. She said her interview with the CO was very smooth, he asked very general questions such as her name, my name, our wedding date, thats about it. He asked for only one document, copy of marriage certificate, didnt ask for pictures, police certificate, nothing. My wife said the CO wasn't even white, it was a Pakistani guy, he interviewed her in Urdu but his Urdu wasn't very goody. So maybe he was an expat.

Well, after the interview he congratulated my wife and told her everything is all set and she can pick up her passport after about a week or so from courier's office and gave her a token.

She wasn't given any blue or pink slip and wasn't told anything about AP. But, here is the sad part, today is 7/25/08, her passport still hasn't been returned.

I called the ISL embassy on 7/22, they said they had some system issues and were not able to issue visas to people for about a week or so and we can expect it within few days or next week, I am not sure if I really buy that but whatever. Still no mention of AP.

I called again today 7/25, different person answered the phone, didn't say anything about system issues but said MAYBE 7-10 but no exact date, still no AP.

I am really stressed and nervous, I don't know what the hold up is, not sure if its AP or something else. What I have seen with other cases if they keep your passport, its not AP. If you are put on AP, your passport is returned and you are asked to submit it when AP clears and I think they won't say 7-10 on the phone if the person is in AP because nobody can predit the timing. I believe people on AP are not given the token to pick up the passport from courier's office either.

The operator on 7/25 wasn't very helpful, he kept saying wait 7-10 days and then call back if you don't get the passport, not sure what to make of that.

So I guess this is a good news and bad. Please comment if you have seen a similar situation. I am very nervours and don't want her to fall inot the black hole of AP/AR.

Thanks!

Congrats on the successful interview.

About not getting the visa in time what they have told you,It happened to us on our K1 visa tooShe was told it will be a week on November 3rd 2006 and we did not receive it till Nov 22nd. I emailed them a few times and was told there was issue with the pinter to print visa. On my last email i was told it will be this week and the passport came in 2 days. Don't get upset it will happen when it is destined to happen. you can use the email address on the embassy website. Use your ISL case nember in the subject line and they will respond back. Good Luck and Allah Hafiz

[Amy B. 0]

Hi guys. How is everybody doing? I am sorry I wasn't able to post this sooner. I know couple of people were waiting for me to post my wife's interview experience at ISL. Here it is:

My wife had her CR1 interview on 7/10. She was in line at the convention center at about 6:45, made it to the embassy between 7:30-7:45.

They took her interview letter at the door. Not sure when exactly she was called to the first window but they just asked her simple questions about why she is there, didn't ask for any document.

She was called for the second time and they took her fingerprints.

She was called for the third time to a Counselor Office window. She said her interview with the CO was very smooth, he asked very general questions such as her name, my name, our wedding date, thats about it. He asked for only one document, copy of marriage certificate, didnt ask for pictures, police certificate, nothing. My wife said the CO wasn't even white, it was a Pakistani guy, he interviewed her in Urdu but his Urdu wasn't very goody. So maybe he was an expat.

Well, after the interview he congratulated my wife and told her everything is all set and she can pick up her passport after about a week or so from courier's office and gave her a token.

She wasn't given any blue or pink slip and wasn't told anything about AP. But, here is the sad part, today is 7/25/08, her passport still hasn't been returned.

I called the ISL embassy on 7/22, they said they had some system issues and were not able to issue visas to people for about a week or so and we can expect it within few days or next week, I am not sure if I really buy that but whatever. Still no mention of AP.

I called again today 7/25, different person answered the phone, didn't say anything about system issues but said MAYBE 7-10 but no exact date, still no AP.

I am really stressed and nervous, I don't know what the hold up is, not sure if its AP or something else. What I have seen with other cases if they keep your passport, its not AP. If you are put on AP, your passport is returned and you are asked to submit it when AP clears and I think they won't say 7-10 on the phone if the person is in AP because nobody can predit the timing. I believe people on AP are not given the token to pick up the passport from courier's office either.

The operator on 7/25 wasn't very helpful, he kept saying wait 7-10 days and then call back if you don't get the passport, not sure what to make of that.

So I guess this is a good news and bad. Please comment if you have seen a similar situation. I am very nervours and don't want her to fall inot the black hole of AP/AR.

Thanks!

Thanks Pakmani for leaving us the details of her interview. I hope she will get her passport/visa back really soon!!!!!! insha allaah.

Overall as far as interview......it sounds like it went okay .. Well, just keep calling and insha allaah she will have her visa soon.

keeping you both in my prayers.

Aisha

from our experience with Islamabad for my brothers they are a pain in the butt and dont have their ducks all in a row if u know what i mean.........if there was not any statement of ap or if no slip was given only a token was given they are probably having internal problems........maybe it is the ability to print out visas who knows with that place just keep calling back .........

You would think that after all this time and waiting that we have to go through.........their ""printers"" would work and get the visa's back to our loved ones. But I guess since it is NOT THEM that have to go through such a long drawn out process, it don't matter to them. ( not all but most)

[S_AL_ 1]

Thanks Pakmani for the post. Yes from the given token it seems she is not on AP and inshaAllaah will ge the visa soon but like Aisha said, its stupid how they could be unable to print visas... Surprises me.

But inshaAllaah everything will be fine. Look at it this way...mani your wife has been through the interview stage and should insahAllaah be with you in a few weeks. Don't worry. I am really glad she wasn't given that dreadful light blue slip.

If I may ask, did you submit original police certificate at NVC and your wife took along a new original one to the interview? My husband's been pushing me to get another police certificate even though the one I got made is valid till November and alhumdulillaah we have reached the NVC stage but he insists that I should take another original police certificate to the interview. What do you guys say?

PLease comment

Allaah hafiz

Sara

[Amy B. 0]

If I may ask, did you submit original police certificate at NVC and your wife took along a new original one to the interview? My husband's been pushing me to get another police certificate even though the one I got made is valid till November and alhumdulillaah we have reached the NVC stage but he insists that I should take another original police certificate to the interview. What do you guys say?

PLease comment

Allaah hafiz

Sara

Hi sara,

When i was getting our papers together for NVC, Qasim sent me all the originals and I did send into NVC, because they do ask for the originals ya know. The only thing with his police report was that it was only good for 90 days. So, I told him if possible to go ahead and get a new one to take along with him to his interview on thursday and Alhumdulilah........he got it done yesterday.

If yours is still good till November, I would say just take a copy of it with you to your interview.Now thats my 2 cents.

But............

You said that you just got over to NVC and congratulations on that Also just wait closer to time of your interview date and if its past the expiration of your police report ( which I hope not) ........then I would get a new one, if not.......just take copy of the one you have, because I believe that it can be a pain in the butt to get another one and like you said......it's good till November. Also, you could always email the embassy and inquire about it as well.

Best of Luck and a Speedy trip through NVC

Aisha

also ......anything that you send in to NVC always make copies for your own records.

[S_AL_ 1]

Thanks a lot for the answer Aisha. This has been driving me crazy. I hope to either get my hands on a new one or convince my husband that the one which we already have is good enough. I really hope to read a review of the interview soon

May Allaah make it happen smoothly and their printer is fixed and qasim bhai does not go on AP and is issued visa right away and be with you within a week or so...aaameeeeeen.

[2ond journey 0]

Why dont you call DOS and see if she on AP or not? They will tell you.

[pakmani 0]

I did, they said they haven't received any requests from the consualte. I am pretty sure that its just the administrative delay at ISL consulate and they will get their act together soon.

[pakmani 0]

I spoke with DOS today regarding my wife's CR1 visa. She had her interview on 7/10 and was told her passport would be returned in about a week or so but still hasn't been returned. She wasn't given a blue or pink slip and no mention of AP.

DOS today said that a Counselor Officer has to review her case and since this is a very very busy summer season for them they will get to it when they get it to it and processing time for visa is 6 months. Where are they getting 6 months from? I am not sure how much longer I should wait, I just want to go to PAK and wait there with her but if its gonna be 6 months, I can't stay there for that long.

Please comment.

Thanks!

[S_AL_ 1]

I spoke with DOS today regarding my wife's CR1 visa. She had her interview on 7/10 and was told her passport would be returned in about a week or so but still hasn't been returned. She wasn't given a blue or pink slip and no mention of AP.

DOS today said that a Counselor Officer has to review her case and since this is a very very busy summer season for them they will get to it when they get it to it and processing time for visa is 6 months. Where are they getting 6 months from? I am not sure how much longer I should wait, I just want to go to PAK and wait there with her but if its gonna be 6 months, I can't stay there for that long.

Please comment.

Thanks!

I feel like banging my head on the wall right next to me...This is SO FRUSTRATING!!!!!! And the US Embassy can not afford to increase their workforce?

Bro, if your wife is living safely at her parents place...please wait a little longer before deciding to move there right away...I know its easier said than done but give it some more time. InshaAllaah inshaAllaah InshaAllaah she will get her passport with visa really soon. And this 6 months thing is just ####### of all the other ####### they throw at us. InshaAllaah sub theek hojaye ga. Allaah pouchay ga in ko tou!

Edited July 28, 2008 by S_AL_

[pakmani 0]

Thank you so much S_AL. It just pisses me off that they told her a week and didn't say anything about any review. I am still hoping that its the summer rush causing them not to be able to get to her file but who knows.

If they had told her its gonna take 2 months, we would have been settled, we have waited a year so 2 more months wouldn't have killed us.

But its the damn wait and not knowing what exactly the delay is. But thanks again for the encouragement.