approved pending additional documentation share your experience

[Justine+David 218]

It's just so highly unusual to get the AP for a born and bred British citizen in the first place, which is why I would contact them...maybe do a search on this board about others in AP for UK citizens? The only two I've heard about since joining this board last July was MagpieandKnight but she was born in India and MARM who's fiance was actually a Pakistani citizen studying abroad in the UK.

Good thing about them looking at your case at the end of March: that's the latest they could have looked because the embassy has today (Monday) off and last Friday off because of the UK holiday thing, so last Thursday was April 1st.

I can't wait to call tomorrow...although I have to gear myself to not expect anything. When I called on Thursday, I had been at work actually for my 12 hour shift and had to stay over 4 hours for a safety class and I called on my break and I felt like bursting into tears after talking to the DOS person who said we were in AP and didn't tell me anything else. Not to mention the fact that David hadn't contacted me in over a week then because he's on this hike in Scotland for 125 miles and (obviously) has no access to internet. Ugh. That was just so soul-crushing, working 16 hours, not hearing from David, and the (at that point) learning about being in possible blackhole AP.

Here's hoping for you this week!

[treehugger 23]

I can't wait to call tomorrow...although I have to gear myself to not expect anything. When I called on Thursday, I had been at work actually for my 12 hour shift and had to stay over 4 hours for a safety class and I called on my break and I felt like bursting into tears after talking to the DOS person who said we were in AP and didn't tell me anything else. Not to mention the fact that David hadn't contacted me in over a week then because he's on this hike in Scotland for 125 miles and (obviously) has no access to internet. Ugh. That was just so soul-crushing, working 16 hours, not hearing from David, and the (at that point) learning about being in possible blackhole AP.

Here's hoping for you this week!

Oh no, that doesn't sound so good...when's his hike over? Have you called them yet..any good news?

Yeah, those are the only two cases on here that I could find as well. I'm beginning to think that they've lost something and perhaps don't want to admit it. I don't have a common name, and have been a very good girl, promise lol, so although I spent time abroad as a child and that's already been covered, I really can't think what else is the problem.

My husband called his congressman's office again, and they told him that they'd already received a generic response which they weren't very satisfied with, so they'd made another inquiry and hoped to hear again within a week or so, and they'd let him know what the reply was. He says that every time he speaks to them he's convinced they're quite interested in the whole thing, which of course helps.

As you probably know, Easter Monday was a public holiday here, so I emailed the embassy on Tuesday just because I'm a glutton for punishment. They actually replied within 30 min, I was very impressed!! They just confirmed I was in additional AP, which is mandatory and cannot be waived, etc, and please be assured we'll contact you as soon as the review is complete.

Slight improvement I suppose...or at least I try and convince myself

[Justine+David 218]

Ugh that's awful!

David's hike is done; actually I'm here with him

April 14th is the "15th" business day since the mail person confirmed with signature that the embassy got it, so I'm instructing David to call on the 15th and ask for the code (hey--did you call first to get the code or just sent the e-mail?) and then e-mail them again. If we don't get a good enough answer, then yeah, I'm'a calling my senators to see what the deal is...I mean, DOS hasn't even said that London acknowledges that they've received it! It's just a bloody payment, grr. Oh yes I am starting to say British words while here and David actually said he was going to the bathroom at one point and then smacked himself swearing that he was not going to turn into a Brit talking like an American.

Are you all packed and ready to go otherwise? Did you quit your job, have a place to stay? Ugh, immigration...

[Justine+David 218]

tree, have you seen this link:

http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/niv/admin_processing_dates.pdf

It has all the cases in London that are in AP right now...is yours on it? It looks like it has the tourist visas on it as well...

[Justine+David 218]

oh: (and sorry for the 3rd post in a row!) I finally broke down and called the embassy and asked for the code.

The lady said there is no such thing as an e-mail code.

I told her about the case, she put me on hold, and said, "Okay...enter this code in an e-mail and they will reply to you as soon as they are able."

I resisted the urge to laugh.

E-mailed.

Received automatic prompt that normal turnaround is 3 days.

34 minutes later...

Thank you for your e-mail correspondence.

The payment of the visa issuance fee has been received by the Immigrant Visa Unit and your fiance’s visa is currently in the final stages of processing. Please be assured that he will be contacted as soon as his application is complete.

Good news?? Maybe it serves to cya themselves, but hopefully DOS will record something tomorrow and we will get the visa soon...David took a flight from Scotland to England the other day and had to use his HSBC work ID in order to board! I lol'd at that and told him that no way would that be accepted in the U.S.

[Justine+David 218]

yes!! David reported that his card was FINALLY charged today...only took them 21 days! (and probably my kick-to-them-phone-call)

DOS says nothing new has happened...that we've been transferred somewhere else...but wouldn't give me any more information on it. A lady a couple of weeks ago said it was just internal...

Hopefully the visa will be coming soon and I can relax

[amykathleen2005 441]

tree, have you seen this link:

http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/niv/admin_processing_dates.pdf

It has all the cases in London that are in AP right now...is yours on it? It looks like it has the tourist visas on it as well...

Wow, that is a great link. Do you know how often it is updated?

[Justine+David 218]

^^ dunno. Is your case on it? Probably once a week?? Just found it the other day.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand...David said the courier website says the visa is due to be delivered tomorrow!!!!!!!!! :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

oh:

And?

:dance:

tree, amy, I sincerely hope you receive your visas soon. Nobody knows what it's like to be in this process except those in it. People just do not get it. We are here for you!

[treehugger 23]

^^ dunno. Is your case on it? Probably once a week?? Just found it the other day.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand...David said the courier website says the visa is due to be delivered tomorrow!!!!!!!!! :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

oh:

And?

:dance:

tree, amy, I sincerely hope you receive your visas soon. Nobody knows what it's like to be in this process except those in it. People just do not get it. We are here for you!

Gosh, where do I start?!? First of all,congratulations!!!! :dance:

Secondly, where on earth did you find that link? Unfortunately my case isn't there...not only did I read all 35 pages , but I entered my case number several times, just in case. The fact that it's not on there is quite worrying, unless it's only the non-immigrant visas. There's only a handful of immigrant visas, including CR1, both on here and at the embassy when I was there for my interview. Thanks though, I will keep checking it

Loved the bit about there not being an email code, before she proceeded to give you one...some people eh? Yes, I'm trying very hard not to talk like an American, although my husband's vowels are changing as well as his vocabulary...I think it's great I had indeed packed pretty much everything up, and then proceeded to unpack somewhat. I left my job a few months ago, and am staying with family at the moment, but it's all very unsettling. Luckily my husband was able to come for a short visit, which helped, but I can't wait for this to be over and for us to be living together normally...something most couples just take for granted!

Thanks for all your encouragement, and your posts...you're right, until one is in AP one doesn't fully appreciate the futility of the 'black hole'. Wishing you all the best - you must be sooooo excited - and hoping everyone else gets the outcome they deserve

[Justine+David 218]

Here's the link: http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/niv/administrative_processing.html and then the status page is linked on the right side of the page under case status check.

Maybe it's not used for immigrant visas? You should shoot a PM to MARM and ask if she had heard of this--if she used it for her fiance or to KnightandMagpie if they did as well.

One thing that caught my eye was this quote, "If you attended a visa interview on or after October 1, 2009 and you received a 221(g) "Administrative Processing" handout at the interview, you can check the status of your case on-line." As I recall, weren't you supposedly approved without a 221g document? Did you get a pink slip or a blue slip? Maybe this is why you're not on it...any word on your husband's senators?

It really does seem like you have to kick the embassy sometimes to get them moving...I remember reading that MARM was very persistent in reminding them that her then fiance's student visa in the UK was going to run out at a certain date and he'd have to return to his home country and I know KnightandMagpie had some domestic issues that had her press on the fact that she had nowhere to go past her university schooling...and me annoying them after waiting 3 weeks and two days after calling getting having the payment done and the visa sent.

Of course I guess you don't want to risk annoying them too much, eep on those DOS people again! I would be paranoid if that happened to me.

I'm glad you got to see your hubby for a little bit at least. And I didn't mean to put it that I was in AP, no, I can't imagine the horror of being in that situation. But generally the immigration process. It's seriously how little people know about it and how complicated it is...(although I was completely ignorant prior to starting the process myself, I admit).

[treehugger 23]

Thanks, I've checked the link, and it is indeed for non-immigrant visas. K1 and K3 visas are both classed as non-immigrant, which is why MARM would have been able to use it...I can't remember if KnightandMagpie were K1 or CR1. Yup, I was given a pink slip, ie approved, which I then gave to SMS when I paid for the delivery service. The number of immigrant visas that the embassy deals with is relatively small - based on what I saw when I was there I'd say we account for 5-10% of the total, which is why they might not provide the same info as there simply isn't the demand

You're absolutely right, I don't want to antagonise either the embassy or the DOS. When my NVC case number was delayed by a month, I called and complained to a supervisor, and hey presto I finally got one a day or two later. It's not something I want to risk this time...not just yet!

Still not heard anything from the congressman etc...although I'm well aware that they're limited in what they can achieve, it's still something. Ah well...

Congratulations once again, I bet you're over the moon

[amykathleen2005 441]

But we have a K-1 which I checked with DOS and they said is in AP and it is not on the list which was updated this afternoon.

[treehugger 23]

But we have a K-1 which I checked with DOS and they said is in AP and it is not on the list which was updated this afternoon.

That's strange! Did you enter your case number in the search box and still come up with nothing? (hehe I had to be reminded to do that)

Really don't know what to say - that link definitely says non-immigrant visas, which includes the K1, so I've no idea why yours is not there

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_2994.html

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

But we have a K-1 which I checked with DOS and they said is in AP and it is not on the list which was updated this afternoon.

I think it's because you're not really in AP -- you're approved pending additional medical info, right? That's another kettle of fish altogether.

[Justine+David 218]

For some reason the US embassy in London thinks they're special and *does* classify K1s/K3s as "immigrant" visas. It's on the website and when I called them and tried to speak to the non-immigrant side, they told me I was wrong and it was an immigrant visa they like to run their own game I guess...