review equals administrative process?

[baunzerbrudi 0]

Hi,

we had our interview 3 weeks ago and they said everything was fine pending fingerprints and medical. They should have gotten those by now so we emailed and their response was our case was "under review and it is impossible to give a timeline". Is this some internal consulate procedure or the dreaded administrative processing taking months? They kept his passport and issued him nothing but a sheet with a phone number to inquire about his case if necessary (consulate phone number that is). What is going on?

[Ann 26 1]

Hi,

we had our interview 3 weeks ago and they said everything was fine pending fingerprints and medical. They should have gotten those by now so we emailed and their response was our case was "under review and it is impossible to give a timeline". Is this some internal consulate procedure or the dreaded administrative processing taking months? They kept his passport and issued him nothing but a sheet with a phone number to inquire about his case if necessary (consulate phone number that is). What is going on?

Depending which country you live in, administrative processing can take lots of time. I have read in this forum that it can take up to 1 year may be more or less in certain countries. It depends on your own situation, as every case is different.

European countries are in better conditions as once the file is complete and there is no more missing documents, it take little time to get a visa.

You won't need extra background check if you belong to western European countries.

[treehugger 23]

You won't need extra background check if you belong to western European countries.

You're less likely to need an extra background check if you're from a European country - but there's still a possibility you might do. I've been in AP for 12 weeks and I'm a British female - if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.

[baunzerbrudi 0]

Frankfurt is our consulate... shouldn't they have informed us if we were in AP (some sort of blue slip I read somewhere)? At the interview they seemed like everything was fine. Is this "review" at the consulate level or back in the US? Any way to find out? Thanks for all the replies!!!!

[treehugger 23]

Frankfurt is our consulate... shouldn't they have informed us if we were in AP (some sort of blue slip I read somewhere)? At the interview they seemed like everything was fine. Is this "review" at the consulate level or back in the US? Any way to find out? Thanks for all the replies!!!!

I had my interview in London - it lasted three minutes and the guy said that my visa was approved and that I'd get it, and my passport, back in two or three days. When 17 days went past and no passport, I called the embassy who said my application had been suspended, and they told me to email the consulate section. I found out later that day I was in AP. You can call the State Department and perhaps (depending on the mood of the person answering the phone) they'll tell you whether it is AP or review, and whether it is background checks conducted in DC or being reviewed at the embassy.

Good luck

[baunzerbrudi 0]

any specific number or the NVC one? It's not like we haven't been forgotten twice in the process by uscis and at NVC, looking at almost 2 years now... nice speedy processing time. Good luck to you. Any idea what triggered your AP?

[treehugger 23]

any specific number or the NVC one? It's not like we haven't been forgotten twice in the process by uscis and at NVC, looking at almost 2 years now... nice speedy processing time. Good luck to you. Any idea what triggered your AP?

The number you need is 202 663 1225, then choose 1, then choose 0 - you shouldn't have to wait more than a minute or two to get through

Forgotten twice? How does that happen?!? Incredible! No, I don't really have any idea why I'm in AP...I wish I did it'd make it all so much easier!!

[Whatznext 2]

what I was told from the Ukraine Embassy Adminstrative review is internal process usually under a month and we know the indefinte timeline for the dreaded AP I hope your case is just under review. Call the Embassy they should be able to tell you. Good Luck

[ScottThuy 140]

I talked to a guy at DoS today and it was a lengthy casual conversation... I explained that DoS policy/ federal Law requires them to review the documents I submitted within 30 days and that the document provided me by the consulate said the case file was awaiting review by a consular officer.. he said yes AP... I asked AP or pending review by A CO? His response was interesting... AP, Administrative Processing, Additional Processing, Administrative Review and Pending Review are all interchangeable terms at DoS.... I explained that the DoS website indicates a different policy for different terms...

He noted every notation/entry on my case file and said in fact "it was awaiting review by a consular officer"... he also indicated that he could not tell me if there was any notation if the file was going through any DHS background checks...(stupid IMO)... He went on to say that based on what he saw I was not in "AP" as I described AP to him (security or name checks)... and that the case was just sitting waiting for someone to look at it...

AP=Additional Processing or Administrative Processing... usually a background check or some additional securityclearance being done..If the consulate sends the file to DHS for additional clearances.. (usually what happens to the guys from MENA) it can take from a few months to over 1 year... when it takes over a year after the interview, a new case number must be issued and a new police cert, medical must be done before the visa can be issued... When it comes to AP, the only thing that can really make a difference is a Writ of Mandamus... Inquiries from Senate or Congress can only get answers, not make anyone do anything..but often times if a case gets alot of attention from a bigwig, it can make the consulate get on the ball... nothing and I mean nothing can speed up a DHS or FBI background check.... many others have been there done that and it is what it is... When those offices sign off on the case thats when they are done with it..not before.... if one is in AP, pray, Pray pray... and call DoS along with your senator or congressional rep regulary...

[ScottThuy 140]

what I was told from the Ukraine Embassy Adminstrative review is internal process usually under a month and we know the indefinte timeline for the dreaded AP I hope your case is just under review. Call the Embassy they should be able to tell you. Good Luck

AR, Under a month because DoS policy requires them to address it before 30 days... More info

[baunzerbrudi 0]

by "forgotten twice" I mean our I-129f was 4 months outside the processing window when they approved it (after 3 calls). Then we were stuck at NVC for close to a half year and the file took months from nvc to Germany (lost in the mail system...)

[ScottThuy 140]

not lost in the mail.. they use DHL and it was likely sitting on a desk forgotten.. happens too often... the case has clearly gotten a great deal of attention at each stage.. expect the same at the consulate...

[baunzerbrudi 0]

we did expect a lot of trouble at the consulate. However, the interview was 5 minutes and no problems. He actually brought up the "issues" (denied entry on visa waiver, previous marriage) and was told it did not matter... guess now we are stuck indefinitely

[baunzerbrudi 0]

so I called the number and spoke to a person who said my case was at the consulate and being processed (not back in the US)... is this good or bad news?

[Miss smarty pants 84]

so I called the number and spoke to a person who said my case was at the consulate and being processed (not back in the US)... is this good or bad news?

Sounds like good news.....for now. Good luck to you.