Undergoing AP just because of COB and common name?

[Teller 0]

Hi,

I've applied for the F-1 visa and went to the interview here in Stockholm, Sweden. The outcome was rather sad, the consular told me I was put on Administrative Process.

Now, a week after here I am thinking about possible reasons to have been put in this seat.

Here is some background info:

- Born in Afghanistan, lived for 1 year there.

- Moved to Sweden in 1990, 23 years ago.

- Swedish citizenship since 1990.

- Never been to Afghanistan since I was born there. Never will.

- Have a bachelor degree here in Criminology

- Have a rather common "muslim" middlename in my Swedish passport.

So, I think the bolded parts are the very reason for the AP.. What do you think?

I had the interview on 29th of May 2013, and now on 4th of June 2013 I checked the status on my VISA and it was updated, but didn't tell me for what reason.. Should that status update be a positive thing?

Thanks in advance, and wish be the best.

Edited June 5, 2013 by Teller

[Penguin_ie 5,995]

Yes, where you are born and your name could definitely be an issue, especially if you are still Muslim.

That being said, it's only been a week. it could be they just needed to finish some paperwork or something.

What was your status updated to? Just a new date, ie indicating someone looked at your file?

[Teller 0]

Yes, where you are born and your name could definitely be an issue, especially if you are still Muslim.

That being said, it's only been a week. it could be they just needed to finish some paperwork or something.

What was your status updated to? Just a new date, ie indicating someone looked at your file?

Hi,

Yea, I guess so. But how would they know if I'm Muslim or not? They didn't ask for my religious view.

This is the current status update:

Application ID or Case Number: XXXXXXXXX Case Creation Date: 29-May-2013 Status Updated Date: 04-Jun-2013

Your visa case is currently undergoing necessary administrative processing. This processing can take several weeks. Please follow any instructions provided by the Consular Officer at the time of your interview. If further information is needed, you will be contacted. If your visa application is approved, it will be processed and mailed/available within two business days.

/Erased my Application ID.

Edited June 5, 2013 by Teller

[Penguin_ie 5,995]

Well, they would not know for sure, but your name and background, together with things you may have said at interview, or where you live (neighbourhood near a mosque etc) could make them think so. Good thing is someone looked at your case. Hopefully you will get approved soon.

[Teller 0]

Well, they would not know for sure, but your name and background, together with things you may have said at interview, or where you live (neighbourhood near a mosque etc) could make them think so. Good thing is someone looked at your case. Hopefully you will get approved soon.

Yeah, I guess they just assumed it by my name and COB. Hopefully it will be issued before 15th of July 2013.

[Boiler 45,884]

How many Afghani's are not Muslims?

Wikepedia

Minority religious groups [edit] Shia Islam [edit]

Main article: Shi'a Islam in Afghanistan

The Shi'a Muslims make up 10-19%^[1][2][3] of the total population of Afghanistan. Although there are some Sunnis amongs them, the Hazaras are predominantly Shi'a, mostly of the Twelver branch with some smaller groups who practice the Ismailism branch.^[14][15] The Qizilbash Tajiks of Afghanistan have traditionally been Shi'as.^[16]

Zoroastrians [edit]

According to the World Christian Encyclopedia, which provided statistics for world countries to Britannica, there are also some Zoroastrians still remaining in Afghanistan. The figures vary widely though statistics show that little over 300,000 Afghans were counted as Zoroastrians in 1970.^[17]

Hindus and Sikhs [edit]

Main articles: Hinduism in Afghanistan and Sikhism in Afghanistan

There are about 4000 Hindus and Sikhs living in different cities but mostly in Jalalabad, Kabul, and Kandahar.^[5][6] Other smaller groups include the Bahá'ís who number according to a recent estimate at approximately 400 in Afghanistan.^[18] Senator Awtar Singh is the only Sikh in Afghanistan’s parliament.^[19]

Bahá'í Faith [edit]

Main article: Bahá'í Faith in Afghanistan

Baha'i Faith was introduced to Afghanistan in 1919 and Baha'is have been living in there since the 1880s.

Christianity [edit]

Main articles: Christianity in Afghanistan, Roman Catholicism in Afghanistan, and Protestantism in Afghanistan

Some unconfirmed reports state that there are 500 to 8,000 Afghan Christians practicing their faith secretly in the country.^[20]

Judaism [edit]

Main article: History of the Jews in Afghanistan

There was a small Jewish community in Afghanistan who fled the country before and after the 1979 Soviet invasion, and one individual, Zablon Simintov, still remains today.^[21]It is thought that there are between 500-1000 secret Jews in Afghanistan who were forced to convert to Islam after the Taliban took control of the country. There are Afghan Jewish communities in Israel, USA, Canada and the UK.

[Teller 0]

How many Afghani's are not Muslims?

Wikepedia

Minority religious groups [edit] Shia Islam [edit]

Main article: Shi'a Islam in Afghanistan

The Shi'a Muslims make up 10-19%^[1][2][3] of the total population of Afghanistan. Although there are some Sunnis amongs them, the Hazaras are predominantly Shi'a, mostly of the Twelver branch with some smaller groups who practice the Ismailism branch.^[14][15] The Qizilbash Tajiks of Afghanistan have traditionally been Shi'as.^[16]

Zoroastrians [edit]

According to the World Christian Encyclopedia, which provided statistics for world countries to Britannica, there are also some Zoroastrians still remaining in Afghanistan. The figures vary widely though statistics show that little over 300,000 Afghans were counted as Zoroastrians in 1970.^[17]

Hindus and Sikhs [edit]

Main articles: Hinduism in Afghanistan and Sikhism in Afghanistan

There are about 4000 Hindus and Sikhs living in different cities but mostly in Jalalabad, Kabul, and Kandahar.^[5][6] Other smaller groups include the Bahá'ís who number according to a recent estimate at approximately 400 in Afghanistan.^[18] Senator Awtar Singh is the only Sikh in Afghanistan’s parliament.^[19]

Bahá'í Faith [edit]

Main article: Bahá'í Faith in Afghanistan

Baha'i Faith was introduced to Afghanistan in 1919 and Baha'is have been living in there since the 1880s.

Christianity [edit]

Main articles: Christianity in Afghanistan, Roman Catholicism in Afghanistan, and Protestantism in Afghanistan

Some unconfirmed reports state that there are 500 to 8,000 Afghan Christians practicing their faith secretly in the country.^[20]

Judaism [edit]

Main article: History of the Jews in Afghanistan

There was a small Jewish community in Afghanistan who fled the country before and after the 1979 Soviet invasion, and one individual, Zablon Simintov, still remains today.^[21]It is thought that there are between 500-1000 secret Jews in Afghanistan who were forced to convert to Islam after the Taliban took control of the country. There are Afghan Jewish communities in Israel, USA, Canada and the UK.

Well, they assumed right on my religious view. But then again, what if a blue-eyed white extreme-muslim male applied for visa and got approved. The system got it flaws, but still I do respect the US for their security looking at past incidents.

Edited June 5, 2013 by Teller

[Harsh_77 718]

You are 100% correct main reason for being in AP is for the common name, specially when one has a very common muslim name they are tend to be in AP.

Hopefully you don’t have similarity between your name, your father’s name etc. lot of them have that problem as well.

[Teller 0]

You are 100% correct main reason for being in AP is for the common name, specially when one has a very common muslim name they are tend to be in AP.

Hopefully you don’t have similarity between your name, your father’s name etc. lot of them have that problem as well.

All my brothers and father have a common muslim name, but not the same.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Yes, where you are born and your name could definitely be an issue, especially if you are still Muslim.

That being said, it's only been a week. it could be they just needed to finish some paperwork or something.

What was your status updated to? Just a new date, ie indicating someone looked at your file?

I strenuously disagree with this.

AP is for ties to terrorist countries, fraud, and criminal activity, not because of ones religion outright.

You paint a false picture by implying that if the OP had only changed his religion, he'd be okay. The outcome would be the same. His religious beliefs aren't really part of it, the issue is a common name and ties to Afghanistan. Those things aren't a problem either, they just need to do some extra checks.

Edited June 5, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[Penguin_ie 5,995]

I implied no such thing. It is the totality of the circumstances that matter.

[Teller 0]

I agree

I implied no such thing. It is the totality of the circumstances that matter.

Ofcourse

[Kathryn41 3,205]

One comment containing racist comments violating the Terms of Service has been removed.

[Teller 0]

For anyone wishing me the best and wondering, hehe..

I tracked my application today and there was a new status update today: 3rd of July.

Last one was 4th of June 2013.

I hope we're approaching to a positive end and my check-in at College is 18th of July.

[belinda63 3,041]

To answer your question yes and yes. Sweden is a common country for Iranians to move to I know two of my sister-in-law live there married to Iranians with their entire family living there. I also know Sweden accepts a lot of refugees from many countries. Not to sound like I am discriminating, but our government does. Your country of birth is a "T" country, you have a mulim name, your birth name is probably written in non-roman letters, and your entire family I am betting is from Afghanistan. This means you get special attention! Feel special. We all know only Muslims and only people from the middle east become terrorist. Timothy McVaugh was probably a surgically modified middle easterner with false ID. Same for the Unabomber.

Seriously, good luck, hope you make it in time.