Help - it's been 3 weeks

[cshell 0]

My fiance had his interiew 3 weeks ago along with fingerprinting. They strongly suggested that I attend the interview and I wrote them saying it wasn't possible. I sent all the documents that were needed to the interview with my fiance. After the interview was complete they took his passport and said that they would contact him within 2 weeks.

Additionally, they gave him a form letter with certain items checked off. The checked items stated "Section 221(g) of the immigration and Nationality Act which prohibits the issuance of a visa to anyone whose application does not comply with the provisions of the INA."....and under "Required Documents" they wrote "Further administrative processing." It also says in the letter When we receive the documents we will review your case and contact you with our decision.. If you do not hear from us within 30 days please call the visa enquire at (phone number). In bold text it also reads WARNING: If you fail to take the action requested within one year following visa denial under Section 221(g) of the INA requires that your application be cancelled.

At the interview when they reviewed the paperwork they did not take the (2) DS-157, my letter of Employment, my Statement from the bank (of my accounts and deposits in the past year). My fiance called inquiring if they would like those paper and they said that they have what they needed. Additionally, the day after the interview I wrote the embassy asking the status of the case and if they might like further info from me. They wrote back "Please be informed that this case has been referred for further Administrative Review. New information when available will be communicated to the beneficiary in writing. Regrettably, we are unable to provide an approximate time frame." Today I wrote the embassy again and got the same response. So I tried calling them and still received the same response with no time frame or comment accept that the case is being reviewed.

About a week after the interview a man stopped at my fiance's home (he lives with his mom)and spoke with his mother inquiring who lived in the house. Probably checking up that he wasn't married or had a girlfriend.

So what do we do?? What does this section 221 (g) mean. How long might we wait??

[MaryandMian 1]

A 221(g) is a temporary denial. You also experienced a home visit from an investigator out of the embassy/consulate.

Once they have gotten all the checks done and are satisfied they will contact him to come back to the embassy and finish processing his case. We had 5 months of AP and we had a home field investigation as well and DOS or the embassy would not tell us any updates until they were ready to proceed with our case. Our 221(g) also said after 45 business days to contact them so do not freak out if you are still not processed within that timeframe.

Pray for patience and hopefully your AP will be completed soon.

Mary

[cshell 0]

A 221(g) is a temporary denial. You also experienced a home visit from an investigator out of the embassy/consulate.

Once they have gotten all the checks done and are satisfied they will contact him to come back to the embassy and finish processing his case. We had 5 months of AP and we had a home field investigation as well and DOS or the embassy would not tell us any updates until they were ready to proceed with our case. Our 221(g) also said after 45 business days to contact them so do not freak out if you are still not processed within that timeframe.

Pray for patience and hopefully your AP will be completed soon.

Mary

What is a CR-1 that you applied for? Also was your husband without his passport the whole time? I just called to FBI Fingerprint Status 304-625-2000 and they haven't received anything, they suggested I contact the National visa center at 603-334-0700. I did and they have no updates on the case, they only had record that the file was sent to the embassy back in July. They didn't know that the interview had occured or that we are in AP (administrative processing).

[MaryandMian 1]

What is a CR-1 that you applied for?

This is a marriage visa where you Adjust status before entering the USA.

Also was your husband without his passport the whole time?

No, he had his passport. AP happens alot in the ME/Asian/Africian countries and the taking away of the passport depends on the interviewer. Some take them some do not.

I contact the National visa center at 603-334-0700. I did and they have no updates on the case, they only had record that the file was sent to the embassy back in July. They didn't know that the interview had occured or that we are in AP (administrative processing).

NVC does not have any updates until the embassy informs them. We were in Administrative processing and when I called DOS they would only say your case is in AP and you have to wait. You need to contact DOS and inquire on an update.

You will need your fiance visa application number like ours was ISLxxxxxxxxx2005, his date of birth and full name.

DOS

202 663 1225

Press options 1,0,4,3,0

[cshell 0]

You will need your fiance visa application number like ours was ISLxxxxxxxxx2005, his date of birth and full name.

Yes, NVC told me to call DOS - so that is my call for tomorrow. My fiance # begins with GEO2006XXXXXX for Georgetown. Is that the # you are referring to?

At the moment my fiance is unable to work as a seaman without his visa. Has anyone ever asked for the visa back during AP process.

Has anyone experienced AP after the interview?

[MaryandMian 1]

Yes alot of men from these countries go thru AP after the interview. Look into the ME and Islamabad forums to see that it is very common.

I am not sure but he may can explain why he needs his passport back and see if they can give it back to him for his work.

Good luck on your call to DOS.

Mary

[Together4ever 1]

We've been in AP/AR 6 months, however each consulate is different. The worst thing you can tell yourself is "it's not supposed to take this long." Each case is unique and handled uniquely, and for whatever their reasons, some just take longer then others. This doesn't necessarily mean bad things. I've seen people who have been waiting even longer who do get their visas. Just depends on what they decide they need to do to clear your SO. I have noticed that with only a few exceptions, these timeframes they give out are rarely followed. Hang in there and don't let the visa process eat you up.

[cshell 0]

What does SO stand for?

I called to DOS yesterday and they were willing to give me a tiny bit of info. The fingerprints were sent to the DOS, but that is not the hold up rather just the process of the security checks. The person didn't comment on the length that it might still take but acknowledged that yes cases can take many, many months. They felt if the passport was needed back for purposes of work that the embassy should have no difficulty in returning it. When I said that currently my fiance is unemployed and seeking work and may receive a 3-6 month contract on sea they suggested that he stay near. I feel a little bettter knowing that the hold up is security checks but my fiance still has no idea what to do about his work situation. He needs to work, but if he gets a job what happens if the embassy wants him to come it. I WISH they just had the ability to say well at minimum it will be 2 months, but may take up to 5+ or we think it will be decided upon within the next 3 months. Has anyone ever gotten any sense of a time line from DOS?

[Together4ever 1]

What does SO stand for?

I called to DOS yesterday and they were willing to give me a tiny bit of info. The fingerprints were sent to the DOS, but that is not the hold up rather just the process of the security checks. The person didn't comment on the length that it might still take but acknowledged that yes cases can take many, many months. They felt if the passport was needed back for purposes of work that the embassy should have no difficulty in returning it. When I said that currently my fiance is unemployed and seeking work and may receive a 3-6 month contract on sea they suggested that he stay near. I feel a little bettter knowing that the hold up is security checks but my fiance still has no idea what to do about his work situation. He needs to work, but if he gets a job what happens if the embassy wants him to come it. I WISH they just had the ability to say well at minimum it will be 2 months, but may take up to 5+ or we think it will be decided upon within the next 3 months. Has anyone ever gotten any sense of a time line from DOS?

SO means "significant other". At least that's what I thought it meant. lol

This is the gripe of many people, including us. The Embassy has been holding his passport since he sent paperwork in before they scheduled his interview. That's adding up to about 8 months now. There is no work for him close by home or the consulate and in order to get it he has to travel several hours away. We've been going through this for over a year. He's very frustrated. He feels victimized. I guess I don't blame him. They keep tossing petty timelines but never have I seen them adhered to. This really does cause issues with people's lives. Just do the best you can.

[cshell 0]

A 221(g) is a temporary denial. You also experienced a home visit from an investigator out of the embassy/consulate.

Once they have gotten all the checks done and are satisfied they will contact him to come back to the embassy and finish processing his case. We had 5 months of AP and we had a home field investigation as well and DOS or the embassy would not tell us any updates until they were ready to proceed with our case. Our 221(g) also said after 45 business days to contact them so do not freak out if you are still not processed within that timeframe.

Pray for patience and hopefully your AP will be completed soon.

Mary

Thanks so far folks for all the info

Mary you said that my fiance had what is called a "home investigator" (person just showed up at the house) and asked his mom who was living there. When you said you had a "field investigation" as well - Was that a planned meeting in the home? or did they just show up? And who did they talk with? All the persons living in the home or your husband?

[MaryandMian 1]

Thanks so far folks for all the info

Mary you said that my fiance had what is called a "home investigator" (person just showed up at the house) and asked his mom who was living there. When you said you had a "field investigation" as well - Was that a planned meeting in the home? or did they just show up? And who did they talk with? All the persons living in the home or your husband?

Glad to hear that you go some information out of DOS on your case. SO as Jean mentioned does mean "significant other" is what I have seen it used as in the forums.

Home investigations have been happening in the Islamabad forums. I know of a few that had calls from the embassy asking family members about the relationships or to verify some information. The one I had and several others experienced is a man the embassy hires and he takes a stack of files each week and travels all over. He then goes to the applicants job, home, friends and shows up without any prior knowledge of the visit. In our case he rang the bell and asked for my husband and his brother said he was at work. They called him to come home. Before he arrived they talked to his Dad, mom and other family members at home, looked at our photos and then once my husband arrived he interviewed him and then called some of the persons in the pictures of our wedding to verify the date of our marriage and if it was true. He even went to Mian's married sisters home and interviewed her about our marriage.

Mary

[garbage_account 0]

cshell, I'm in the same boat as you.

My fiance's interview was on 9/25. As in your case, my fiance is also in Guyana and I went through the Vermont Service Center.

I did attend the interview with my fiance and we were each interviewed separately by two different people (so it was total of four distinct interview sessions that lasted over 2.5 hours in total). At the end of all that, they told us that our case was going to be put into a process for additional review. They wouldn't give too much other information even when I questioned them... the interviewer did, however, say that it was neither a rejection nor approval. We also did NOT get any additional forms/letters from them.

They told us that they try to process these things quickly but they didn't know exactly how long it would take. They said hopefully within a week or so they would let us know. I doubted that it would take a week and I was right... it has been almost two weeks. Next week, I'm planning to write to the Embassy in Georgetown to request a status. If they don't provide enough info or if they continually give me the run-around, I'm considering writing to my Congressman (which may not be a bad thing given that elections are in November and congressmen will be itching for votes). But, I also don't want to tick off the embassy and force them into a rejection decision... so it's a fine line to walk.

It does appear that the embassy is conducting some type of investigation because I heard that they called my fiance's job and spoke to her manager... not sure what else they have done in the past week.

Just wanted to let you know that I'm stuck in the same hole as you. If you find out any additional info about this process, feel free to share it here and I will do the same. Good luck to you and your fiance.

Edited October 5, 2006 by garbage_account

[cshell 0]

cshell, I'm in the same boat as you.

My fiance's interview was on 9/25. As in your case, my fiance is also in Guyana and I went through the Vermont Service Center.

I did attend the interview with my fiance and we were each interviewed separately by two different people (so it was total of four distinct interview sessions that lasted over 2.5 hours in total). At the end of all that, they told us that our case was going to be put into a process for additional review. They wouldn't give too much other information even when I questioned them... the interviewer did, however, say that it was neither a rejection nor approval. We also did NOT get any additional forms/letters from them.

They told us that they try to process these things quickly but they didn't know exactly how long it would take. They said hopefully within a week or so they would let us know. I doubted that it would take a week and I was right... it has been almost two weeks. Next week, I'm planning to write to the Embassy in Georgetown to request a status. If they don't provide enough info or if they continually give me the run-around, I'm considering writing to my Congressman (which may not be a bad thing given that elections are in November and congressmen will be itching for votes). But, I also don't want to tick off the embassy and force them into a rejection decision... so it's a fine line to walk.

It does appear that the embassy is conducting some type of investigation because I heard that they called my fiance's job and spoke to her manager... not sure what else they have done in the past week.

Just wanted to let you know that I'm stuck in the same hole as you. If you find out any additional info about this process, feel free to share it here and I will do the same. Good luck to you and your fiance.

WOW - May I ask are you of Guyanese background? I am Italian (not black or Indian in me). They had issue with me as I hadn't provided "civil documents" from my parents - their birth and marriage certificates. I know that if I was of Guyanese background it would of been more of an issue to prove that we weren't relatives.

You certainly made me feel a little better to know that this didn't happen just because I was unable to go to the interview.

Please do let me know if you find out any other forms of investigation that occur. Did they take your fiance passport? At least they had given you a time frame - one week - meaning that they expected it to take a short time. For my fiance they told him 2 weeks and we are now at 3 1/2 weeks. And the Embassy doesn't want to talk to me - they said wait and my fiance will be contact by mail. Based upon my reading past threads and posting I feel that this will be a 5 month wait. That way I will be happily surprised if it takes two months HAHAHA This is all so very crazy!

[Together4ever 1]

Please keep in mind every consulate operates differently regarding their timelines.

[cshell 0]

Please keep in mind every consulate operates differently regarding their timelines.

true - but for myself and garbage_account we are at the same embassy with interview dates that were only 2 weeks apart