New Islamabad AP-Tracker, Part III (merged thread)

[mrs.sarfaraz 14]

Why nvc's operator says the line is busy ? Can't go thru been calling since two days

[sarahch 68]

I was in AP for 2 years.

whats your story?

[sarahch 68]

Yes that's right, people just don't understand our situation, nothing else we can do and make DUA for others and ourselves...and I really hope you get your visa soon since you have been waiting for a very unfair long time like many others here

People in Pakistan question the person who is waiting, "oh so you havent gone yet?" or "but why is your case taking so long?" then they give examples of their on friends and relatives who have got their visas quickly, as if that is any comfort, then on my end people are like telling me, so why dont you email embassy, why dont u call embassy? I feel like screaming and saying what do you think I have been doing for so many weeks now?

We as the petitioners still have it easy here, I feel bad for the ones waiting in Pakistan and facing all types of humiliation and questions.

[sarahch 68]

Lol Yeah it's true I forgot about that they do security checks here too, I don't know then what is it that they do, it's fustrating and soooo stressful! The 10 year green card is the only good thing about this like you said because then there's no need to go through a process again to remove the conditions.

My husband and I have been arguing a lot these days due to the stress he gets so depressed because of his friends making fun of him and everyone including family keep asking him when is he leaving to America..it's so sad he has to say not yet. Even I get so angry when my family and friends ask me when is my husband coming, they probably think our marriage is a lie or something else going on. ...

Awwww , dont argue, this is the time to make your relationship stronger, maybe you should take a visit soon, I know it wont stop the questions from people, but would give a little mental ease to the both of you. I gave my husband a pep talk today, and was like this is probably the hardest test we will have to face in our relationship, lets pass it, every phase in life is temporary and this is one of those. Keep giving boosting your husband's mental health, thats the only thing that can help right now.

[sarahch 68]

Why nvc's operator says the line is busy ? Can't go thru been calling since two days

I also been trying to call, you just have to keep trying ,hang up and call hang up and call until you get through. That's how I got through, only to hear "your case is in review"

[mrs.sarfaraz 14]

No ive called them many times its not that number busy thing .. Call get connected and an Ivr is set after which it hangs up auto

[sarahch 68]

No ive called them many times its not that number busy thing .. Call get connected and an Ivr is set after which it hangs up auto

Try calling during the evening hours US eastern standard time, or before they close it connects right away then. I called in the morning and got through but I had to keep trying.

[AaliPDX786 30]

No Ali bhai, I got my last updatet on 22nd December. My office wanted me to go on foreign trainings but My passport is with the US Embassy. Now they have started making fun of me regarding my passport which got expired in June 2014. Many even are asking me whether my white American wife has left me or not because they think US Embassy doesnt take that much time in giving visa. More humiliation and pain I get from people due to their ridiculing. I would simply say that God would dispense justice and the pain I am getting, God willing, either that visa officer or her children would suffer such kind of pain. US Embassy screwed my life, career and family life. Its 42nd Month or precisely 3 years and 5 months since I am in AP. I honestly dont have craze to be in the US but unfortunately I am married to a lady who happens to be an American citizen. Is there anyone reading our posts on this forum? Any policy making senator or congressmen?

Dear AnF…I really feel ur pain coz we all r suffering from same situation and the worst night mare of our lives….Each story of VJs seems similar to us coz we feel it how difficult it is

when We get married and suffer to be with our loved ones…my wife is white American as well and at time of our marriage I was working and living in Dubai and we are blessed to spend most of our time together after our marriage and I resigned from my job after applying US visa becoz in our company we cannot leave immediately after resignation and have to go through a lengthy notice period of 6 months and now I get surprised that if I had idea about this visa would take such longer span I would never have resigned from my job…we applied our visa 4 months after or marriage while being in Dubai and then I resigned one month later and then completed 6 months lengthy Notice Period and trained another new personnel for 4 months in my job position but never heard anything about our case and we had to come back to Pakistan…after 1 year staying in Pakistan I got call for Interview and after a fantastic interview in Islamabad I am still in AP for last 18 months…now my Passport expired last month and I got it back from US Embassy and renewed it, but me and specially my wife are not willing to return it to US Embassy and now I am planning to return Dubai again instead of wasting more time in Pakistan…

My wife has recently returned to US after staying 10 months in Lahore, Pakistan and it is her 2^nd visit to Pakistan and now we will meet in Dubai again after 2 months…US Embassy staffs are purposely doing this with all Pakistanis and I really feel bad for all our nation being suffered by such bad attitude of Embassy staffs with innocent, respectable and decent citizens.

We are the best nation in the world and we really have better Human rights & respect for each human irrespective of color, religion & culture. American Embassy staffs must realize

how much respect & care they get from Pakistanis and what they give us in return…just AP ( A Punishment )…

Edited January 24, 2015 by AaliPDX786

[carolynhotstuff 252]

It was taking so many years for my husband to get here that people told me I was throwing my life away and that I should divorce him. I ignored them. I married my husband to spend the rest of my life with him.

I am a black American and I really don't believe that people are put in AP because of the color of the Petitioner. As I said before if the CO gets a feeling that something is not right during the interview they will put the case in AP. They can keep a loving couple apart for years based on a feeling without proof. I used to be angry with the embassy staff but over time I learned to forgive them for being mean and stupid. I started praying for their health and happiness. That made the anger go away.

If you are fighting with your loved one it is time to take a break from the visa process. Take 2 weeks and talk about fun things. There are other things going on in your life besides the visa process.

[AaliPDX786 30]

Sister Carolyn thanks for your nice and precious words and they mean a lot to me always...I wana tell u that our marriage is purely based on love and we met to be together forever but it does not mean that we allow others (Embassy staffs) to play with our life's happiness and waste precious days of our youth bcoz of just a visa...that's why we have decided to add more bright colors in our lives and enjoy at it's peak which we deserve. When US Embassy will have visa ready they will email us and then we will get it and till that time we will stay in Dubai and enjoy each and every moment of life...Thanks for your priceless words I admire always

[Karachi_Guy 18]

JUST FOR INFORMATION FOR NEW "AP" MEMBERS..........

“administrative processing” is State Department-speak for a temporary visa refusal pending further investigation of a visa application. (9 FAM Appendix E, 404). The applicant typically learns of the temporary refusal when, at the conclusion of the interview, the consular officer issues a written notice stating that under section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act no visa can be issued until additional administrative processing has been completed.”Administrative processing” may involve a request by the consular officer for a Security Advisory Opinion (SAO) from the Department as to whether the applicant poses a risk to the United States. Before issuing the SAO, the Department may in turn consult with other government agencies, such as law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

There are various types of SAOs, such as

(1) Condor SAOs, which are based on national security concerns, including a concern that the applicant may intend to engage in terrorist activity;

(2) Mantis SAOs, which are based on the applicant’s suspected access to sensitive technology with a potential military application and the unlawful exportation of that technology;

(3) Donkey and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) SAOs, which are based on name matches or “hits” occurring in various databases; and

(4) SAOs related to Communist Party members applying for K-1 or immigrant visas. Consular officers are warned not to reveal to applicants that a case has been referred to the Department for an SAO. (9 FAM Appendix E, 404).

The term “administrative processing” may also be used when the consular post has decided to perform an investigation to verify information or to check for fraud, on issues such as the legitimacy of a marriage, an applicant’s education or work experience, the authenticity of a marriage or birth certificate, etc

[sarahch 68]

JUST FOR INFORMATION FOR NEW "AP" MEMBERS..........

“administrative processing” is State Department-speak for a temporary visa refusal pending further investigation of a visa application. (9 FAM Appendix E, 404). The applicant typically learns of the temporary refusal when, at the conclusion of the interview, the consular officer issues a written notice stating that under section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act no visa can be issued until additional administrative processing has been completed.”Administrative processing” may involve a request by the consular officer for a Security Advisory Opinion (SAO) from the Department as to whether the applicant poses a risk to the United States. Before issuing the SAO, the Department may in turn consult with other government agencies, such as law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

There are various types of SAOs, such as

(1) Condor SAOs, which are based on national security concerns, including a concern that the applicant may intend to engage in terrorist activity;

(2) Mantis SAOs, which are based on the applicant’s suspected access to sensitive technology with a potential military application and the unlawful exportation of that technology;

(3) Donkey and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) SAOs, which are based on name matches or “hits” occurring in various databases; and

(4) SAOs related to Communist Party members applying for K-1 or immigrant visas. Consular officers are warned not to reveal to applicants that a case has been referred to the Department for an SAO. (9 FAM Appendix E, 404).

The term “administrative processing” may also be used when the consular post has decided to perform an investigation to verify information or to check for fraud, on issues such as the legitimacy of a marriage, an applicant’s education or work experience, the authenticity of a marriage or birth certificate, etc

Yeah, that information is all over the internet and from what I have read, condor SAO is applied to all Pakistani nationalities. I wonder how long it takes to clear though? I cant find recent data on how long each type of check gets cleared in.

[AaliPDX786 30]

There was a brief discussion on these SAOs last year on VJ here and conclusion was that all these SAOs apply to all Pakistanis no matter how respectable and educated citizens they are...LOL

SAO is a great technology invented by DOS for the benefit of few Human Beings to keep them safe from other Good & much better Human Beings...How funny it is...

I have a question Karachi bro & Sis Sarahch...u guessed that Pakistanis may fall in category of Condor Sao...so does it mean that All Pakistani Men, Women, Old People and even infants are part of it or they have flexibility for infants...Recently here on VJ sister Javeria suffered a lot with her infant and was missing her family so badly...it really hurted every one here...its purely a discrimination with s stupid excuse of Condor Sao, Mantis Sao & Sao Sao Sao etc...

Some one should really speak for Pakistanis becoz we are much better than other countries and our record abroad is million times better when it comes to hard work, honesty & self respect.

Edited January 25, 2015 by AaliPDX786

[sarahch 68]

There was a brief discussion on these SAOs last year on VJ here and conclusion was that all these SAOs apply to all Pakistanis no matter how respectable and educated citizens they are...LOL

SAO is a great technology invented by DOS for the benefit of few Human Beings to keep them safe from other Good & much better Human Beings...How funny it is...

I have a question Karachi bro & Sis Sarahch...u guessed that Pakistanis may fall in category of Condor Sao...so does it mean that All Pakistani Men, Women, Old People and even infants are part of it or they have flexibility for infants...Recently here on VJ sister Javeria suffered a lot with her infant and was missing her family so badly...it really hurted every one here...its purely a discrimination with s stupid excuse of Condor Sao, Mantis Sao & Sao Sao Sao etc...

Some one should really speak for Pakistanis becoz we are much better than other countries and our record abroad is million times better when it comes to hard work, honesty & self respect.

lolz. ali bhai, I think at this point if a pakistani is bringing their dog with them to US, they also have an SAO check too!!

but who can speak for us? no one is there to stand for us pakistanis and our families.

[Karachi_Guy 18]

Dear Ali bro

We can not blame totally on us embassy due to this loooooooonger pain full AP......i remember the time of interview, pakistani staff in us embassy was very rude and kind of jealous and other hand rest of others were very cooperative, whom should i blame whenever i go abroad i have to take POLIO VACCINATION AS A BABY....

I was on executive job in leading UAE company..........i remember often arabic people appreciate me support me and other hand at karachi airport.....mostly i had a tough time......my own people treat me as an enemy,

Once i was late for flight and i just asked custom officer to help as i was getting late .......he sent me on other empty belt and ASF staff checked my each and every tiny thing of my baggage and dress i was shouting but they did not listen me even every other person was going on normal checking but i was on special treatment and they took so much time ...........and i lost my flight......

i dont know what to say............if your own goverment your own people don't support .....how can we blame others????? i am speechless

There are hundreds of people who don't duffer from this AP they get their visa in few days or months.........

I think we should support each other as nobody else can understand our pain...

I was thinking about "Mandamus" but after lot of study and research I found that i have to give embassy one more year........in the mean time i will try to settle my life again in UAE. I know many of my friends will make a fun of me regarding this US visa. but i don't have other choice

I am an IT Professional..........if some one from any of my bro and sis need any IT related help I will be available.

Allah bless on all of us. ameen

Edited January 25, 2015 by Karachi_Guy