AP lengths

[UmmSqueakster 54]

It seems that some of the newer members don't realize how common AP/AR is, and how bad it used to be. Please check out this old thread thread where members kept track of who had interview when, and subsequent APs and interview in hands. It really is just a part of the whole process.

It doesn't even show the worst of them, which I believe were Cairo 2006-2007, where AP was routinely 6+ months to over a year.

Edited December 18, 2009 by UmmSqueakster

[Jenn! 918]

Good thread! I've noticed this as well.

AP is NORMAL, and it shouldn't be seen as an interview failure when you get AP. Everyone does get AP, sometimes it just happens to be done before the interview so it appears as though it didn't happen.

Please don't freak out about getting AP!

ETA: And while a short AP probably indicates that the CO did not have questions about the validity of the relationship, along AP doesn't necessarily mean the opposite. It might just be that there was a hit during the name check that must be cleared. AP is NOT a measure of theconsulate's view on the validity of the relationship.

Edited December 18, 2009 by Jenn!

[UmmSqueakster 54]

For the old timers, what was your AP?

AbuS had a 5 week AP in 2005 through Cairo.

The worst I can remember was CairoBound, who's husband had his interview in late 2006, and they didn't receive the visa until mid 2008.

[allousa 1]

My husband was in AP for a year and a half.....Casa. AND we had the "blond devil lady" too! She actually turned out to be quite nice to my husband once his file was approved.

[Jenn! 918]

2 weeks from Casa.

[And_Sam 44]

Thanks for starting this thread UmmSueakster!! I knew that MENA countries had AP/AR. I am preparing myself for my husband to go into it after his interview. I know that no matter how long the USCIS and NVC part is, the real waiting begins AFTER the interview. I was looking at the old thread that you posted, there seems to be a pattern of what visa was filed too for the length of the AR/AP?

Good job!!

[JeanneVictoria 55]

We had 6 months AP after his visa interview thru Cairo.

[Berber Mama 5]

I don't understand the whole concept of who gets AP and who doesn't either. We filed the CR-1 and didn't get AP. He got his visa the next day. Therefore I always thought that AP was done before the interviews for those types of visa's. Since then I have seen other couples from Morocco who filed the CR-1 and who DID get AP...so I'm just as dumbfounded.

[spectheintro 18]

I don't understand the whole concept of who gets AP and who doesn't either. We filed the CR-1 and didn't get AP. He got his visa the next day. Therefore I always thought that AP was done before the interviews for those types of visa's. Since then I have seen other couples from Morocco who filed the CR-1 and who DID get AP...so I'm just as dumbfounded.

It looks completely unpredictable. The only thing I've been able to piece together is that it is decided prior to the interview--if you need additional processing, nothing that happens during the interview can remove the need for it. However, if all of your paperwork is in order and there's no pending processing, you can theoretically get your visa right afterwards, assuming the consular officer doesn't decide to delay it.

[JeanneVictoria 55]

I don't understand the whole concept of who gets AP and who doesn't either. We filed the CR-1 and didn't get AP. He got his visa the next day. Therefore I always thought that AP was done before the interviews for those types of visa's. Since then I have seen other couples from Morocco who filed the CR-1 and who DID get AP...so I'm just as dumbfounded.

It looks completely unpredictable. The only thing I've been able to piece together is that it is decided prior to the interview--if you need additional processing, nothing that happens during the interview can remove the need for it. However, if all of your paperwork is in order and there's no pending processing, you can theoretically get your visa right afterwards, assuming the consular officer doesn't decide to delay it.

Not true. There was nothing wrong with any of our paperwork or interview. Cairo is known for long

A/P's. I have still to figure out why it seems that Egypt has longer A/P's than other countries, but

I think now Morocco has caught up with Egypt. Used to be their A/P was only a couple weeks. I think the shortest A/P from Egypt since I have been on VJ was 2 wks and that was Sparrow. I'm sure some will remember them. Other than that, most of us who have gone thru Cairo have at least 6 months....some are even longer like Tammy and Bridget.

We had a fantastic CO for our petition interview (DCF), but Wael had a bear for his visa interview.

The CO told him he would get his visa in 2 wks....yeah right...6 months later it was issued. No rhyme or reason. Most of our SO also had home visits thru Cairo. One cannot predict nor calculate when a visa will be issued. Doesn't matter what country you have filed from.

[spectheintro 18]

Not true. There was nothing wrong with any of our paperwork or interview.

Sorry--what I said may have been unclear. Let me repaste with bold.

It looks completely unpredictable. The only thing I've been able to piece together is that it is decided prior to the interview--if you need additional processing, nothing that happens during the interview can remove the need for it. However, if all of your paperwork is in order and there's no pending processing, you can theoretically get your visa right afterwards, assuming the consular officer doesn't decide to delay it.

So, basically, my theory is that when you go to the interview, if you're going to get AP, you have already been flagged for it. At that point nothing in your interview can change that. BUT, assuming you were NOT flagged for AP, then theoretically if the interview goes well and no documents are missing, you get your visa.

The common theme here is that the interview has nothing to do with AP, assuming your paperwork is in order and the interview itself doesn't raise red flags. It seems to be decided beforehand.

Edited December 18, 2009 by spectheintro

[KarimaG 2]

I want to return my congressman and get another! I wonder if you can use one from a different district? You think?? I pretty much expect AP... honestly did... I have been reading quite a few threads sayong how commong AP is... and certainly that should be understandable. So check this....

Scenario 1...

Dude goes for his interview, and speaking with CO, she gladly takes 'keeps' his passport and proof and says 'we'll call y0u'.... End result

is AP

Scenario 2...

Dude goes for interview, and speaks with CO, she refuses his proof, gives back the passport, and says "we'll call you, btw "I think your

fake!"... End result is AP

Yes AP is commong. 99.9% are going to go through ap. Everyone talks about howww natural AP is. But, looking at the 2 different

scenarios,... one of them doesnt seem natural except for the fact they both got AP.

So if this whole thing was natural then they would have kept his passport. Even though he is in AP now, and Im told not to worry, the

fact that they did not keep his passport is room for an 'oh ####### whats going on here!?" Because something is going on and its not a positive

thing.

I spoke with my congressman and she says she spoke with DOS and they stated that is just common AP... she said not to worry that its 'common AP' and that there were no red flags attached to my file. But there has got to be something there... Just to me doesnt seem like a 'normal' AP.

But hey... I could be wrong... not like I had have experience in this matter before!

[Jenn! 918]

My husband's AP was 2 weeks and they didn't keep his passport.

[KarimaG 2]

My husband's AP was 2 weeks and they didn't keep his passport.

hhh Well then... Thanks for the ray of hope Jenn! Very much appreciated!!

[MrsAmera 41]

Karima - There are 3 people you can contact - your 2 Senators for your state and the US House of Rep. member for your district. Check them all out and see where they stand on immigration and also give them all a call to see what and how they would be willing to help.