Questions about AP

[sara535 15]

There used to be several old threads about this but I dont know where they are now, but the gist of it was:

AP/AR consists of numerous name checks through numerous US agencies. It is usually not ordered before the Visa is OK'ed because it takes time and money to conduct the checks and no one wants to waste the already overburdened resources by doing it on people who arent going to get the visa for any other reason. if there is a name 'hit' (meaning the name matches a name on one of the many lists) it can take longer for more thorough checks to be completed. We have all speculated a great deal about why some countries and some individuals take SO much longer. My own opinion is that for example, in Egypt there are so many paternal lineage names and then a rarely used family surname that each person probably always has a hit or 2. Just a guess though. In any case, while its true that its a black hole of waiting, it is in fact a predictable step in this visa process which should be expected and discussed with your fiance well ahead of time and shouldnt be a cause for anger or panic. Everyone on these boards should know to expect it and prepare your fiance before the interview.

The waiting for NOA2 while your case is at the service center is also a 'black hole' with no definite timeline and no real clear view of whats happening to your file but for some reason doesnt cause nearly the freak out that this routine AP does. I guess maybe because this one is right at the end when all patience has pretty much been exhausted? I dont know but I do know that it can be made a little easier by understanding that it IS going to happen and at least trying to have some mental preparation. Think of it this way - they wouldnt do it unless the visa is approved! so if you make it to the final AP then al you have to do is grin and bear it through the waiting...

Having said that, yes I know there ARE other kinds of AP/AR that are questioning aspects of the relationship (egypt is famous for this) and that also there are people who end up with an insane amount of AP time (Tammy i am thinking of you right now) but those are often the exceptions rather than the rule. All of you waiting for the interview, spend a little time researching average AP lengths in the country you are dealing with and use that time to prepare yourself and your SO.

[~Jackie~ 30]

AP I'm not even to NVC yet.

Good luck and hope it is short for you.

Jackie

[S and S 12]

I am sorry that you are having to wait with no idea when it will end. I completely understand that feeling as I am waiting on my husband's background checks to be completed as well. Only difference is I don't get to call DOS and check on the status. I did have my congressman send in an inquiry, but it has been nearly two weeks with no response back from DOS to the congressman.

One suggestion I would give for dealing with his flight to the US and transit visas is to try and have him fly into Amman. From there he can fly directly into the United States (flights go to Chicago, New York and Detroit). This way you can avoid any layovers and visas through other non-middle eastern countries. Usually the rates on the flights from Amman can be among the cheapest anyway. Just a suggestion, but I hope it helps.

[nunyab 0]

yeah...all of this and knowing AP too !!!! not a thing to look forward to. Insha'allah they will speed up the process soon

[angie & abed 1]

Hi everyone!

Wow, I thought I got buried! Anyway, there is no news as of yet...I will contact my congressman's office tomorrow, don't know how much good it'll do, but from what I have been told by my mom's friend (who is very political and has helped others in immigration issues), Lebanon is a major refugee point for Iraqis, more specifically rich Iraqis and the US Embassy is completely overwhlemed with them at this point, which could in turn hold us up. I am being patient, as I have been for the over a year since we have filed. As someone mentioned on another thread, I have the patience of a (insert bad word here) Saint now.

In other news, I start a new job on Wednesday, I haven't worked in over 5 months. Trip to Lebanon and then coming back to live with my parents so I have help with Malak. It isn't the greatest job, but it'll help keep my mind off things for a while I suppose, though I am going to hate leaving Malak while I go to work all over again. (this time it feels even worse than when my maternity leave was over!). I need some distractions, or else I will worry and cry myself to death (never mind spend every last dime I have going shopping!).

Amanda (Sweet_Peach), I PRAY with all my heart Hayz doesn't have to go through AR and he can come home with you. Hopefully since he is Lebanese and not Pali, he won't have to go through it.

S and S, thanks for the info about Amman, he will prolly go through there or Praque, but either way, he still has to have the transit visa.

Anyway, thanks again for all the answers and advice, it has helped ease my mind that it is just another step. But, I still have hopes of him being here for our daughter's birthday. She really really misses him, and he misses her. Sometimes I wonder if I made the right decision in even going there for them to meet, it is so hard on them both.

OK, ok....enough rambling, hope everyone is well and we all have good news very soon!

~Angie

[Tunisia216 2]

Awhh Angie *hugs* I'm still praying and hoping it's going to be sooo soon! The last line of your post just broke my heart

But I know that you made the right choice... Even though missing each other is so hard, I am sure it was treasured and cherished time together!

Praying for you and thinking about you (F)

Anyway, thanks again for all the answers and advice, it has helped ease my mind that it is just another step. But, I still have hopes of him being here for our daughter's birthday. She really really misses him, and he misses her. Sometimes I wonder if I made the right decision in even going there for them to meet, it is so hard on them both.

OK, ok....enough rambling, hope everyone is well and we all have good news very soon!

~Angie

[Nita&Assaad 0]

Angie.... I am sorry to hear about the AP!!! INSHALLAH it will be over soon!!! My prayers & thoughts are with you!!

If you need an ear I am here!! *HUGS*

Nita

Hi everyone!

Wow, I thought I got buried! Anyway, there is no news as of yet...I will contact my congressman's office tomorrow, don't know how much good it'll do, but from what I have been told by my mom's friend (who is very political and has helped others in immigration issues), Lebanon is a major refugee point for Iraqis, more specifically rich Iraqis and the US Embassy is completely overwhlemed with them at this point, which could in turn hold us up. I am being patient, as I have been for the over a year since we have filed. As someone mentioned on another thread, I have the patience of a (insert bad word here) Saint now.

In other news, I start a new job on Wednesday, I haven't worked in over 5 months. Trip to Lebanon and then coming back to live with my parents so I have help with Malak. It isn't the greatest job, but it'll help keep my mind off things for a while I suppose, though I am going to hate leaving Malak while I go to work all over again. (this time it feels even worse than when my maternity leave was over!). I need some distractions, or else I will worry and cry myself to death (never mind spend every last dime I have going shopping!).

Amanda (Sweet_Peach), I PRAY with all my heart Hayz doesn't have to go through AR and he can come home with you. Hopefully since he is Lebanese and not Pali, he won't have to go through it.

S and S, thanks for the info about Amman, he will prolly go through there or Praque, but either way, he still has to have the transit visa.

Anyway, thanks again for all the answers and advice, it has helped ease my mind that it is just another step. But, I still have hopes of him being here for our daughter's birthday. She really really misses him, and he misses her. Sometimes I wonder if I made the right decision in even going there for them to meet, it is so hard on them both.

OK, ok....enough rambling, hope everyone is well and we all have good news very soon!

~Angie