AP- Security checks in Washington

[denali_1963 0]

my fiance has been on ap for 5 weeks now. When i called last week all he told me was the petition is being processed in dc. Thats it. I wish i had some clue if its gonna be a summer wedding or winter

[sarah and hicham 3]

Chiquita-I forgot to add this-

When you call Casa you have to be a little bit pushy and also not mind calling back a few times before you get someone. The first person you get is just a security guard type who forwards your call. So if he forwards it and you get no one just say helo I just called and you transfered me but no one answered and I would like to speak to someone please. IT might take a couple of tried but you'll get it! I know that on Wed they are not open to the public but I'm sure they still take phone calls... good luck I hope that helps.

Sarah

[Together4ever 1]

I have taken the attitude with this AP thing... it's over when it's over. Setting an expectation for a time frame is a killer. You will eat yourself up. You have no control, no say over anything, and your suffering doesn't matter to those pushing the paper. I started out shopping wedding dresses about the time of Mohammed's interview and soon realized this was not a good idea. We have our ducks in a row as far as what we will need to do when he gets his approval (I refuse to say IF... LOL) so that we can move efficiently to do all we need to do, but as far as WHEN... nope, not even going to go there. Shon is right. It's an abyss. There is nothing tangible at all but the waiting and the suffering.

Laughably, the Cairo Embassy says visas take approximately 6 weeks to issue. If you look back through the times lines, 4 1/2 months was about the average, and now it seems it has slowed down even more. I don't know if this has something to do with policy changes, or an influx in cases, or what. But it seems the processing for most of the ME/NA embassies is slowing.

So... let's make a pot of tea, cozy up and wait together.

[babybunny 2]

This AP process has got to be more streamlined. I know 911 happend - yeah yeah.

there is not a person that will say security checks are not important. The hell they put a person

through is seemingly fruitless. because, when one thing goes though something else expires.

its crazy. I just wanna be with my Bingo and finally have a baby.

[chiquita 0]

Chiquita-I forgot to add this-

When you call Casa you have to be a little bit pushy and also not mind calling back a few times before you get someone. The first person you get is just a security guard type who forwards your call. So if he forwards it and you get no one just say helo I just called and you transfered me but no one answered and I would like to speak to someone please. IT might take a couple of tried but you'll get it! I know that on Wed they are not open to the public but I'm sure they still take phone calls... good luck I hope that helps.

Sarah

Thanks Sarah, I'll keep trying.

This AP process has got to be more streamlined. I know 911 happend - yeah yeah.

there is not a person that will say security checks are not important. The hell they put a person

through is seemingly fruitless. because, when one thing goes though something else expires.

its crazy. I just wanna be with my Bingo and finally have a baby.

I agree! How stupid is that??? Why doesn't everything stay good until it is all done?? Maybe that is what happened to us...took 8 weeks to complete!!!

I have taken the attitude with this AP thing... it's over when it's over. Setting an expectation for a time frame is a killer. You will eat yourself up. You have no control, no say over anything, and your suffering doesn't matter to those pushing the paper. I started out shopping wedding dresses about the time of Mohammed's interview and soon realized this was not a good idea. We have our ducks in a row as far as what we will need to do when he gets his approval (I refuse to say IF... LOL) so that we can move efficiently to do all we need to do, but as far as WHEN... nope, not even going to go there. Shon is right. It's an abyss. There is nothing tangible at all but the waiting and the suffering.

Laughably, the Cairo Embassy says visas take approximately 6 weeks to issue. If you look back through the times lines, 4 1/2 months was about the average, and now it seems it has slowed down even more. I don't know if this has something to do with policy changes, or an influx in cases, or what. But it seems the processing for most of the ME/NA embassies is slowing.

So... let's make a pot of tea, cozy up and wait together.

Yep, yep, yep!!

We will just wait and have tea. I'll throw in some muffins for us to enjoy.

[Together4ever 1]

This AP process has got to be more streamlined. I know 911 happend - yeah yeah.

there is not a person that will say security checks are not important. The hell they put a person

through is seemingly fruitless. because, when one thing goes though something else expires.

its crazy. I just wanna be with my Bingo and finally have a baby.

Shon, I agree 100% with you. There has been a reorganization of the infrastructure involved in this process since 9/11 (more then once is my undertanding) and they have much to improve upon. It's a monsterous undertaking, but it would be nice if it could be addressed and corrected, and not at the expense of those of us who are just trying to have our lives back in some kind of order. Maybe they are addressing it, does anyone know?

[sarah and hicham 3]

Well I called DOS again which makes 2 times today and they said the security checks are complete. Then I called the Consulate but the woman didn't know exactly when Hicham would get called. I am happy but not getting my hopes up. We have been very lucky so far but I have seen too many others get good news then get let down like Carrie and Simo who I am hoping every second of the day that they get called and cleared. Good luck to everyone.

Also when I asked the lady at DOS how many checks there are she said just one that goes through several agencies.... I'm so confused now!

Take care,

Sarah

[babybunny 2]

Well I called DOS again which makes 2 times today and they said the security checks are complete. Then I called the Consulate but the woman didn't know exactly when Hicham would get called. I am happy but not getting my hopes up. We have been very lucky so far but I have seen too many others get good news then get let down like Carrie and Simo who I am hoping every second of the day that they get called and cleared. Good luck to everyone.

Also when I asked the lady at DOS how many checks there are she said just one that goes through several agencies.... I'm so confused now!

Take care,

Sarah

I have a flow chart of the process.. brb....

[babybunny 2]

here is an AP FLow chart. its dated 2004 but, nothings changed far as I can see.

but, its pretty good. This flow chart is on PAGE 10 of the PDF file. if someone can make this

a JPG that would be great!!! here is the link this should help you all understand this crappy

process better. rember its PAGE 10.

source:

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d04371.pdf

[Jenn! 918]

Here's the JPG.

[sarah and hicham 3]

thanks!

[babybunny 2]

Here's the JPG.

oh cool you smart cookie - you!

[sarah and hicham 3]

Ahhh I am so annoyed I called DOS again and they said "This case is in security checks in Washington. They are not cleared yet."

Why did the lady earlier tell me they were all complete and cleared? Good thing I didn't get my hopes up.

I cannot believe how many inconsistencies there are each time I call. It is pretty unbelievable.

Ok now I talked to Rose at DOS and she said his name is clear the Consulate will contact your fiance. This is seriously making me crazy I need to stop using my phone.

[Veiled Princess 1]

I'm going to be on this thread huffing and puffing soon I'm sure. I asked Tunis today when they do the checks... they said after the interview. So basically I'm just preparing for him to have his interview in the next few months, getting through that and then being put on AP/AR for an undetermined amount of time. I am trying so hard not to get my hopes up. In fact, as a reality check, I'm planning on going to visit him if he's not here by next tax season.

[Aymerlu 3]

Ahhh I am so annoyed I called DOS again and they said "This case is in security checks in Washington. They are not cleared yet."

Why did the lady earlier tell me they were all complete and cleared? Good thing I didn't get my hopes up.

I cannot believe how many inconsistencies there are each time I call. It is pretty unbelievable.

Ok now I talked to Rose at DOS and she said his name is clear the Consulate will contact your fiance. This is seriously making me crazy I need to stop using my phone.

Sarah,

DOS has been saying the same thing to me since March. Makes a person mental after a while. Seems one check will be cleared, sent back to the embassy where the embassy goes and issues ANOTHER check.

Hope you hear some good news soon!