Everyone going through Administrative Processing in ISLAMABAD

[ZaheersShezadi 0]

Calling the DOS only results in being told the same thing "Pending AP". I spoke to a Joanna, or something like that the other day and she just said "They are still working on it." so I asked if it was in AP and she said as far as she could see on her computer, then yes it was in AP. I asked about any updates, and she said "I am not able to tell you when the last date the information was put in the computer." So, that was strange for me since they always tell me about the updates. So i said thanks and hung up. Zaheer called the embassy today. He was told the same thing, that he was pending AP. The guy said "You call every 2-3 days." and he said "Yes, because I want to know whats happening." and he said "Well, it's still the same thing. Still pending AP." so he said "But, my case was finished, so why did I get put back in AP? Whats wrong with my case?" and he said "Nothing is wrong with it, sir. Sometimes, the visa officer just decides he is unable to issue the visa at that time and it needs more processing." He asked "Well, we have been in AP for 5 months now.. is it going to take so long this time?" and he said "I cannot tell you that, sir." so. Anyhow. I dont know what to think. I am worried about it because if they dont finish by August, my I-130 will expire too. And I wont be able to go back and file for that if the K3 is taking too long. So I dunno what to do. Anyone got any suggestions??

~Tara

[hshah08 0]

If he is flying from Pakistan directly to the States with no flight change in Europe (only a refuel somewhere) then his immigration should be done at the port of entry in the USA.

However if he has a stop over somewhere in Europe (Especially, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin) then tell him to be prepared, his immigration might be done before his flight departs for the US. Most of these Airports now have US immigration enclaves within and you get done and dusted beforehand with all your i-94 landing card completion and submission and brown sealed 'SECRET' envelope declarations including finger printing etc.

In all scenarios, tell him to keep his calm, be prepared to tell the whole (how we met, when we met, and jab we met ... including the) wedding story if the visa officer asks, which i'm 90% certain he will be asked. X-rays are seldom taken. I was told to give it to my doctor in the US if i like as it was not needed for my immigration. This process will more than likely take up to 10 minutes max.

Out of all the POEs so far, JFK (NY) has the most probability of issuance of a work authorization stamp upon arrival.

I cannot emphasize enough how important work authorization is to a new immigrant in the US. I do not think most of us understand what us new immigrants will have to go through here. Unless your fiance / wife / Husband (whoever is the US citizen) earns a fortune, there is no other way to survive but to beg in-laws for financial help to get you the couple through this not just for a month or two, but possibly up to a year. And not to mention having to live in basements or with in-laws for at least a year after the wedding just because you can't afford your own place.

Here's what my wife is having to bear just because she is helping me settle down with her in the land of dreams. This is the extra amount she would be paying out of her hard earned basic salary each month.

Last week we got the following done;

Medical insurance; an extra 484 Dollars per month on top of her own payments of 150 dollars. (Blue Cross Blue Shield) - 7608 Dollar total for the year to have us both medically insured.

Car Insurance: 631 extra for this year as i am a new driver in the US despite my 10 year old driving record from Ireland and Pakistan.

I-485 Adjustment of Status application cost: 1014 Dollars.

Rent: 600 dollars for a 1 bed kitchen and bath basement each month. (Previously she was living with parents). Thats 7200 Dollars extra each year.

No chance of a house mortgage yet as one of us (me) holds no prior credit history. Been told to wait a minimum 2 years before coming back to apply for a mortgage.

Add this all up to see for yourself.

SO please understand that a work authorization is utmost important from day one. The new immigrant spouse must work and start supporting as soon as possible.

TRY AND GET A FLIGHT TO JFK (with no stop overs or flight changes in between) AND REQUEST THE VISA OFFICER TO ISSUE A WORK AUTHORIZATION ON HIS I-94 card. Period.

Thanks for the suggestions. His port of entry is JFK . His sister and her husband lives in New Jersey and are mashallah well settled. He is going to them and when he starts working and find an apartment we will have our ruksati. I live in atlanta and live with my uncles. So there is just no point of having any financial support from my uncles since one of them is really bad. and he wants to only help financially so he can degrade other who he has helped. So I have already rejected this help. His brother in law will be helping him finding a job and getting settled inshallah. I know its not very easy... But yeh hopefully we ll figure out somthing inshllah. .....

His flight is from lahore to abu dabi and then to new york JFK. So im hoping everything goes fine at poe as he is already in flight and Im praying tht he gets here sound and safe. Ameen and Inshallah

[ZaheersShezadi 0]

Nobody's posting anything anymore. this used to be such an active thread. whats new with you guys??

~Tara

[wellmux 3]

i am back to this website now

[Omark 3]

Calling the DOS only results in being told the same thing "Pending AP". I spoke to a Joanna, or something like that the other day and she just said "They are still working on it." so I asked if it was in AP and she said as far as she could see on her computer, then yes it was in AP. I asked about any updates, and she said "I am not able to tell you when the last date the information was put in the computer." So, that was strange for me since they always tell me about the updates. So i said thanks and hung up. Zaheer called the embassy today. He was told the same thing, that he was pending AP. The guy said "You call every 2-3 days." and he said "Yes, because I want to know whats happening." and he said "Well, it's still the same thing. Still pending AP." so he said "But, my case was finished, so why did I get put back in AP? Whats wrong with my case?" and he said "Nothing is wrong with it, sir. Sometimes, the visa officer just decides he is unable to issue the visa at that time and it needs more processing." He asked "Well, we have been in AP for 5 months now.. is it going to take so long this time?" and he said "I cannot tell you that, sir." so. Anyhow. I dont know what to think. I am worried about it because if they dont finish by August, my I-130 will expire too. And I wont be able to go back and file for that if the K3 is taking too long. So I dunno what to do. Anyone got any suggestions??

~Tara

welll watch dis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--R_rNhP0x8

[forever-together 0]

i am back to this website now

How is your health now Mr. well mux? I hope you get done with your AP soon.

[Mus24 0]

Guys my wife is in Pakistan and expecting a baby in October(Inshallah).

As I become eligible to apply for citizenship in December,how do we go about the immigration for the newborn.He/she will likely be 6-8 months when the family finally immigrate.

Will the baby need a new pak passport to travel or will he/she be registered in mom's passport?

How long before the baby acquires US citizenship?

Anyone having similar situations to share?

Thanks.

[wellmux 3]

forever-together thanx i am fine and still i am in AP

[forever-together 0]

Hello everyone,

I just had a question for those people who have already arrived in the United States. Have you experienced any form of racism or bias? Do you like being here in this country? Has it been harder to find a job? Please do reply. It would really help.

[ZaheersShezadi 0]

Hi everyone. Just checking in to see if anyone has heard anything yet? I am hoping that Rana bhai will hear something soon. Insha'Allah. We called DOS last week, I think on Tuesday. The girl told me it was "still pending" and that "They haven't finished yet". They have never said "Haven't finished yet>" before. Perhaps they see the end in sight? When Zaheer called about 3-4 weeks ago and they told him AP was over and review was over and they were "working on it", the guy said "But I am not allowed to tell you if visa was issued or not". So, then the next time he called they said he was "Back in AP". I know they received his passport around this time, so, I am sure they are working on that because the gentleman he spoke to at the embassy said that his case "WAS finished" and now it was "back in AP". I also know that when they call you to submit the passport, they do additional processing with the passport.. thats why it has been taking people like 40-45 days to get it back once they call to submit it. So.. anyhow. Just thought i'd keep up with you guys. Good luck. and Anyone who has ventured to USA, keep in touch.. let us know whats going on.

~Tara

[Mus24 0]

Nobody's posting anything anymore. this used to be such an active thread. whats new with you guys??

~Tara

Correct me if I am wrong but as I see your timeline,it took only 2 months from I-130 approval to interview.Thats amazingly fast.

Gives me inspiration for my wife's case.

Edited April 16, 2010 by Mus24

[waiting4otherhalf 0]

I am trying to write my name in the list for waiting for ap I had applied for my Husband and we had interview on Jan 12,2010 and waiting for ap to be done.If anyone going through the similar situation let me know there status and if they have heard anything I did call DOS and they stated to me that it is looking very good, I dont know what that means if anyone can tell me then let me know and the other girl I talked to me said usually we clear cases within 90days so I dont know what to think.

thanks for anyones reply in this matter.

[ZaheersShezadi 0]

MUS24: Im glad we can give you inspiration. It doesn't usually take very long from approval to interview, I dont think.

As far as AP goes, this is true that most cases are cleared up within 90 days.. but for some of us, we arent so lucky. Good luck to you and I hope you dont have a long wait.

~Tara

[Mus24 0]

MUS24: Im glad we can give you inspiration. It doesn't usually take very long from approval to interview, I dont think.

As far as AP goes, this is true that most cases are cleared up within 90 days.. but for some of us, we arent so lucky. Good luck to you and I hope you dont have a long wait.

~Tara

Tara,I am still an LPR and scheduled to apply for USC this December.My wife's I-130 is already approved though(March 2008).With IR1 or without it,the cut off dates are moving pretty fast(this month they jumped 6 months forward).So I can't wait for the day my wife is scheduled her interview.We have suffered long enough,its been a long road.

[at09 0]

Salam VJ Members,

I need to know place in karachi where my wife can take DS230 immigration picture? Any suggestion or place you guys used? Anyhelp would be greatly appreciated.....

Anyplace in karachi where i can translate and notarized the documents?