8 weeks of AP: What options do I have

[emt103c 10]

I did the same thing. . .I even went as far as paying the $1,000 application/residence fees for Canada. . .we got out of AP and the visa got issued, EVEN WITH ALL OUR SLOWDOWNS. . .before we got through the Canadian system.

I understand your motivations, but you are right about calming down.

[cantwait2long 0]

We have been in AP now for more then 8 weeks and I know that is not as long as so many here. I cant stand this LIMBO so I have been looking into options to be with my husband. I am an RN so there is always the possibility of working in Australia or the UK for a 1 year contract doing temporary work (RN's are needed everywhere, that is to my advantage). I need to know if we do go to an other country for temporary work can anyone tell me if the visa can be collected at another embassy or would my husband have to return his passport to the Chennai embassy to receive his visa?

Another thought that has come to my mind is can an attorney do any good with AP or are we just at the mercy of the consulate to issue visa when they are ready?

I have already contacted senator and this AP is for document verification not for security or name checks. I would have thought 8 weeks was enough but I guess not. My patience has been weary this for some time but I keep hanging in there because I know this will eventually end with my husband getting his visa, but I see time going by so fast and there are so many things I wanted to do this summer with him (another year gone by so fast).

I hope there is some one who can give me some answers then I will have a better idea on how to procede. I have already contacted to agencies for work contracts in the UK and Austraila (did that today so no info yet), but I think it really sucks that I have to leave my country to be with my husband.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give

It has happened to so may people.

There is another VJ member "purplerose". Her hubby was on AP for 5 months but finally he got the visa. Before that he was denied a K-1 visa. Patience pays.

My wife then my fiance was denied K-1 in Nov. 2007 and US embassy send the petition back to CSC and finally Mr. Obama's office got an answer that our case is closed and the petitioner can apply again. I also thought of moving to Dubai or Doha for a job.

So be patitence.

[howdydoodle 0]

the senators office got word from the embassy that " documents relating to the relationship to the petitioner are being varified". Just seems that 8 weeks would have been sufficient (but that is my impatience). I just learned that to work in austrailia it would take 6-9 month of waiting and a 2 year contract...my husband will be here by then. oh well, I guess this summer is a bust and I will have practiced patience more then I ever wanted to

We recently got our NVC case completed on 8-8-2008 and my wife is waiting in Cairo for her interview date.

I had never thought of this AP issue until I read some of this posts.

WOuldn't you think going through the I-130 and NVC process before the approval, everything has been checked already? Isn't that the reason they ask for police certificates, affidavitt of support, divorce certificates, medical...etc. etc?

Now I'm worried about this issue too, we got married in USA on 4/16/07 and have sufficient evidence of a legitimate marriage. So what else do they check?

I had the bad luck to encounter this AP issue, we both have the option of flying to my home country Guatemala and living there together until this clears.

Also does the benificiary has to stay in her/his home country until the AP clears?

[JULIAFERNO 0]

the senators office got word from the embassy that " documents relating to the relationship to the petitioner are being varified". Just seems that 8 weeks would have been sufficient (but that is my impatience). I just learned that to work in austrailia it would take 6-9 month of waiting and a 2 year contract...my husband will be here by then. oh well, I guess this summer is a bust and I will have practiced patience more then I ever wanted to

We recently got our NVC case completed on 8-8-2008 and my wife is waiting in Cairo for her interview date.

I had never thought of this AP issue until I read some of this posts.

WOuldn't you think going through the I-130 and NVC process before the approval, everything has been checked already? Isn't that the reason they ask for police certificates, affidavitt of support, divorce certificates, medical...etc. etc?

Now I'm worried about this issue too, we got married in USA on 4/16/07 and have sufficient evidence of a legitimate marriage. So what else do they check?

I had the bad luck to encounter this AP issue, we both have the option of flying to my home country Guatemala and living there together until this clears.

Also does the benificiary has to stay in her/his home country until the AP clears?

You would think that these checks could have been done prior to the interview date, but that's not the case for all. It's a sad state of affairs. I have been on a roller coaster of emotions over the last two weeks, trying to digest the idea that we could be in AP anywhere from 2 months to a year or more (worst case scenario) after waiting 8 months just for the visa interview. It makes me want to cry.

In middle eastern countries, men are more likely to go through AP than women (generally due to name "hits" where the beneficiaries name matches a criminal's name and they have to do further security checks to confirm that these two individuals are not the same person). Although, AP can occur for any aspect of the case that the consular officer believes needs more investigation. It is a very mysterious process which they provide us little information about.

I don't think the USC needs to remain in the states during AP, but I'm not 100% sure about that, or sure about what you would have to do if you moved (i.e. submit change of address, etc.)

Try to stay positive - the chance that your wife will be in AP is not that high, I don't think.

Take care!

[howdydoodle 0]

the senators office got word from the embassy that " documents relating to the relationship to the petitioner are being varified". Just seems that 8 weeks would have been sufficient (but that is my impatience). I just learned that to work in austrailia it would take 6-9 month of waiting and a 2 year contract...my husband will be here by then. oh well, I guess this summer is a bust and I will have practiced patience more then I ever wanted to

We recently got our NVC case completed on 8-8-2008 and my wife is waiting in Cairo for her interview date.

I had never thought of this AP issue until I read some of this posts.

WOuldn't you think going through the I-130 and NVC process before the approval, everything has been checked already? Isn't that the reason they ask for police certificates, affidavitt of support, divorce certificates, medical...etc. etc?

Now I'm worried about this issue too, we got married in USA on 4/16/07 and have sufficient evidence of a legitimate marriage. So what else do they check?

I had the bad luck to encounter this AP issue, we both have the option of flying to my home country Guatemala and living there together until this clears.

Also does the benificiary has to stay in her/his home country until the AP clears?

You would think that these checks could have been done prior to the interview date, but that's not the case for all. It's a sad state of affairs. I have been on a roller coaster of emotions over the last two weeks, trying to digest the idea that we could be in AP anywhere from 2 months to a year or more (worst case scenario) after waiting 8 months just for the visa interview. It makes me want to cry.

In middle eastern countries, men are more likely to go through AP than women (generally due to name "hits" where the beneficiaries name matches a criminal's name and they have to do further security checks to confirm that these two individuals are not the same person). Although, AP can occur for any aspect of the case that the consular officer believes needs more investigation. It is a very mysterious process which they provide us little information about.

I don't think the USC needs to remain in the states during AP, but I'm not 100% sure about that, or sure about what you would have to do if you moved (i.e. submit change of address, etc.)

Try to stay positive - the chance that your wife will be in AP is not that high, I don't think.

Take care!

Thanks so much for your input. I'm wasn't even aware of the AP until today.

As far as travelling, my main concern is if my wife in Egypt can travel somewhere else other than USA else while on AP.

I know as an USC I shouldn't have any problems.

[Nutty 2]

I just noticed you live in Portland Oregon also.

Take care.

Tina

[tammy2688 1]

the senators office got word from the embassy that " documents relating to the relationship to the petitioner are being varified". Just seems that 8 weeks would have been sufficient (but that is my impatience). I just learned that to work in austrailia it would take 6-9 month of waiting and a 2 year contract...my husband will be here by then. oh well, I guess this summer is a bust and I will have practiced patience more then I ever wanted to

We recently got our NVC case completed on 8-8-2008 and my wife is waiting in Cairo for her interview date.

I had never thought of this AP issue until I read some of this posts.

WOuldn't you think going through the I-130 and NVC process before the approval, everything has been checked already? Isn't that the reason they ask for police certificates, affidavitt of support, divorce certificates, medical...etc. etc?

Now I'm worried about this issue too, we got married in USA on 4/16/07 and have sufficient evidence of a legitimate marriage. So what else do they check?

I had the bad luck to encounter this AP issue, we both have the option of flying to my home country Guatemala and living there together until this clears.

Also does the benificiary has to stay in her/his home country until the AP clears?

You would think that these checks could have been done prior to the interview date, but that's not the case for all. It's a sad state of affairs. I have been on a roller coaster of emotions over the last two weeks, trying to digest the idea that we could be in AP anywhere from 2 months to a year or more (worst case scenario) after waiting 8 months just for the visa interview. It makes me want to cry.

In middle eastern countries, men are more likely to go through AP than women (generally due to name "hits" where the beneficiaries name matches a criminal's name and they have to do further security checks to confirm that these two individuals are not the same person). Although, AP can occur for any aspect of the case that the consular officer believes needs more investigation. It is a very mysterious process which they provide us little information about.

I don't think the USC needs to remain in the states during AP, but I'm not 100% sure about that, or sure about what you would have to do if you moved (i.e. submit change of address, etc.)

Try to stay positive - the chance that your wife will be in AP is not that high, I don't think.

Take care!

Thanks so much for your input. I'm wasn't even aware of the AP until today.

As far as travelling, my main concern is if my wife in Egypt can travel somewhere else other than USA else while on AP.

I know as an USC I shouldn't have any problems.

I have had this same question and te answer is, yes she can travel during her AP but it is not advised. Traveling increase more activity on the part of the applicant that the embassy has to check. If they want to verify all of the places she went, it will delay the case. I would tell you to go to Egypt and spend time with her and let her stay put where she is. I can amost surely say that she will get a very short AP of 2-3 weeks at most because she is a female and if her travel record is clean also, that will be more the reason to issue the visa upon interview.

Tammy

[indianheart 2]

When I started this whole process I was unaware of the AP that could turn my world upside down. If I had been aware of that as a posibility I dont think it would have hit me quite as hard (second guessing this one, but if I ever hear of any one going through this I do tell them AP is a posible detour so hold on)being fore warned is being fore armed.

Tammy, you have to be one tough lady to have lasted this long. Me-I am falling apart every other day. I am finding so hard to work. The stress keeps me so tight (I carry my stress in my shoulders) and 2 weeks ago I hurt my arm moving a patient, somthing I have done for years with out trouble. I went to my doctor after that realizing that the stress is making me more prone to injury and decided that maybe it is time for medication to help me survive the wait (I hate pills, but I am falling apart). Also Tammy I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers as you come to the next chapter in this saga of the visa journey. I look forward to hearing good news from you.

[WonTanNara 0]

Indianheart, I too feel your pain. My fiance has been on AP for security clearance for 16 weeks. I too got slammed by this. I was in Dakar for his interview, we had so much proof, and I felt like, "If they see us together there's no way they could think this relationship isn't real." I was right, they approved us on the spot, but then called us back inside to give us the bad news. It was a complete shock for both of us. I can't sleep, I don't have any energy, and I can't concentrate at work. My fiance is stuck in Dakar waiting and waiting with nothing to do all day. He's an artist, a drummer from Guinea, and there isn't any of that work in Senegal so he's bored out of his mind. He can't go back home for a few different reasons and it's all just wearing on both of us.

I just called the DOS. I asked it if was possible for her to tell me when the last update to our case was and she said, "I'm so sorry but they came in about 3 or 4 weeks ago and changed the system so we can't see anything other than the fact that it's in administrative processing. I'm very sorry. Keep checking back with us, ok?" She even tried a couple of different things for me and said she couldn't see anything anymore. It was at least nice to talk to a kind person who seemed to care. Most of the time they are somewhat rude.

I see you mentioned something about taking meds, I assume antidepressants... A few years ago my doc put me on Lexapro for a circumstantial depression and #1 it didn't help and #2 I lost a TON of hair which of course was more depressing. I took up yoga instead and it helped me more than any pill ever could. That would be a nice link into your husband's culture.

As crazy as it might sound I think there is a reason for everything that happens. Hang in there and before we know it we'll be getting that call. I wish you (and everyone else feeling the same pain) the best.

Om Namah Shiva.

Namaste.

[2ond journey 0]

Have you tried calling the DOS and asking them about how much time it might take? Sometimes they can give you a ball park figure of how long it might take by the type of security check they are doing on him. It's been posted on here before how long each security takes about. I don't know where it was posted though. From what i remember each one lasted about 3-4 months. Donkey and Mantis checks and I forget the other ones. I hope he gets his visa soon. Good luck.

[WonTanNara 0]

Have you tried calling the DOS and asking them about how much time it might take? Sometimes they can give you a ball park figure of how long it might take by the type of security check they are doing on him. It's been posted on here before how long each security takes about. I don't know where it was posted though. From what i remember each one lasted about 3-4 months. Donkey and Mantis checks and I forget the other ones. I hope he gets his visa soon. Good luck.

Thank you. I've tried asking at the DOS which checks need to be done but when I ask that question they said "It's national security and we can't say." After my Senator did an inquiry I got a lovely form letter that said, "Rest assured your case is in the hands of the appropriate government agencies." Yeah, I'm assured alright. I'm so frustrated but on the other hand my fiance and I laugh about it (trying to be positive). The day after the interview we went back to the embassy to try and get more answers about what this AP meant, and the man we spoke to said, "I can't give you too much information about our processes but I can tell you that your fiance has a very common name." I said, "Oh, ok, so they need to do a background check." He sort of halfway nodded his head almost like "I'd love to help you, and I can't really say, but yeah." In the taxi on the way back to our apartment my fiance looked at me and in his adorable accented English said, "They think I am terrorist? That is funny." He took it well.

I have a great liason at my Senator's office and I'm going to see if she can find out which security checks are being done. Inshallah... hopefully it won't be too much longer.

[indianheart 2]

I have been working on the yoga and meditation, (I am sure along with the AP work has added its own stressors) and with the injuries it was enough to look into another avenue. I am on the lowest dose of a mild antidepressant (celexa) so far I have gotten zombied. It is worth a try to keep me from exploding.

too bad these people dont know what it does to people when we have to wait like this with out any timeframe and no information.

[tammy2688 1]

No, they really don't know what it does to people. Honestly I don't know if I have died and come back as a something else because in March 2008 I had the biggest meltdown of my life. I could not get out of bed, I cried at work, I cried during my sleep, and I unfortunately cried on the phone with my husband, something I never did during the previous 7 months of AP. It saddens me and breaks my heart to see all of these honest people and honest relationships suffering due to this AP when most European embassy get these checks done instantly. I understand the world does not care about MENA/S.E Asia, I understand there is more problems in this area, I understand there is this air of "who cares about another immigrant, better they don't get in the country at all" attitude. But I CAN'T HEAR THAT. These are our husbands, our lives, our hopes that are going through limbos.

I respect and understand the immigration system. I just wish that we could be more informed of what is going on and an estimate of when they can issue the visas based on how fast the checks are done. Right now it's such a situation that you do not know when one check starts, or ends or gets expired, or another starts, and Belinda63 even had such a long delay that she had a new CASE NUMBER and no one bothered to inform her or her husband (who had to travel far to get to the embassy) of it. So all that time she had not been getting any updates because she had been asking for information about the old case number.

What is this? It is ridiculously painful and heartbreaking and I have had to discipline myself so much and I know for humans, that is one of the hardest things. I hope and pray for all of us here that the visas will be granted.

God bless,

Tammy

Edited August 16, 2008 by tammy2688

[indianheart 2]

I have been working on the yoga and meditation, (I am sure along with the AP work has added its own stressors) and with the injuries it was enough to look into another avenue. I am on the lowest dose of a mild antidepressant (celexa) so far I have gotten zombied. It is worth a try to keep me from exploding.

too bad these people dont know what it does to people when we have to wait like this with out any timeframe and no information.

i have to make a correction here about my antidepressants...they have not made me into a zombie (like a previous antidepressant I took). so far it has seemed to help, at least I am not having the extreme ups and downs that I was having.