AP for middle eastern countries

[Meg&Andrew 297]

As I have been reading these posts, I have noticed a lot of topics about AP, and it really having an effect on people from middle eastern countries. So my question is; my fiance is from the Philippines, and is in Saudi on a working visa. He is Filipino, but has worked in Saudi for about 5 years. He moved there in high school with his dad on his Visa, went to NYIT, and then graduated and started working in Saudi shortly after. Most of his life was spent in the Philippines. Do you think him being Filipino could possibly keep him out of AP? Or will there still be issues because of the time spent in Saudi? Also, he works for a company in marketing. They are constantly going to Qatar, Bahrain, and places around the GCC which require him to have his passport. In order for him to live in Saudi he has to have his passport to leave the country, and he has to maintain his job. So i'm worried if he gets put in AP for a long period of time, they will take his passport, and he will not be able to travel with his company causing him to lose his job. Also resulting in him losing his Saudi Visa, and leaving him homeless for some time. He's planning on working up until right before he comes here for this reason. If he does get put in AP, is it possible he can keep his visa so he can continue working for the time being?

Edited April 26, 2016 by LeeAndrew

[Hypnos 6,576]

Everyone goes through AP; it's mandatory.

The only variable is how long it lasts.

With links to both Saudi Arabia and the Philippines, it probably won't be over in a couple of weeks, either.

[Meg&Andrew 297]

I've seen posts from the Saudi consulate reviews where people were approved and received their visas just a couple of days after the interview. I assumed they weren't put in AP, I'm guessing they were but it just only lasted a day or two. Are you saying him being Filipino and living in Saudi will be worse on him because he has ties to the Phillipines as well?

[Hypnos 6,576]

Yes.

But it's not an exact science and there is no way to tell definitively.

There are people on these forums from Pakistan who have been waiting 7-8 years in AP. Obviously, those sorts of cases are extremely rare, but they happen.

Edited April 26, 2016 by Hypnos

[Meg&Andrew 297]

Wow. Well I'm assuming these people have some reason for being in AP that long. Some serious security reasons, or something of that sort. I'm sorry not trying to argue or be smart here, but I do belive AP for 7 years doesn't happen all the time. Only on rare occasions. I'm not asking to get out of AP, or to not have to be in AP. I know thats not something that I, or him have any control over. I'm just wondering because he isn't a Saudi national, if it would help him for security reasons. I can't possibly see how it could hurt him anymore. And like I asked, if he can keep his passport for the time he could possibly be in AP?

[Hypnos 6,576]

You're right. AP for years is (fortunately) a rarity, and I stated as such.

And yes, he can request to keep his passport until they're actually ready to issue the visa. This will add more time to the process, though (because they have to wait to receive it).

[GeorgeandGeorgia 14]

As I have been reading these posts, I have noticed a lot of topics about AP, and it really having an effect on people from middle eastern countries. So my question is; my fiance is from the Philippines, and is in Saudi on a working visa. He is Filipino, but has worked in Saudi for about 5 years. He moved there in high school with his dad on his Visa, went to NYIT, and then graduated and started working in Saudi shortly after. Most of his life was spent in the Philippines. Do you think him being Filipino could possibly keep him out of AP? Or will there still be issues because of the time spent in Saudi? Also, he works for a company in marketing. They are constantly going to Qatar, Bahrain, and places around the GCC which require him to have his passport. In order for him to live in Saudi he has to have his passport to leave the country, and he has to maintain his job. So i'm worried if he gets put in AP for a long period of time, they will take his passport, and he will not be able to travel with his company causing him to lose his job. Also resulting in him losing his Saudi Visa, and leaving him homeless for some time. He's planning on working up until right before he comes here for this reason. If he does get put in AP, is it possible he can keep his visa so he can continue working for the time being?

Hi.. I have been in living in Bahrain for almost 14 years and I didn't have any problem for my K1 visa My K1 application was on AP for 2 days only then got the visa after that. Also, my friend just finished her Interview for CR1 visa and also APPROVED today And take note: I have been in Qatar, UAE & Saudi Causeway too. I have 5-6 friends that already in the US and they were here in Bahrain and didn't get any problem with their K1 & CR1. And take note: All of them are from Philippines too! As long as your relationship with your fiancé is bonafide & you have many proof of evidence regarding your relationship + if you can pass 2016 poverty guidelines, then you should not be worry about the AP. It will definitely will take 2-5 business days for Administrative Processing. (Saudi is 30 minutes (driving) away from Bahrain).

God Bless in your journey!

[baron555 934]

As I have been reading these posts, I have noticed a lot of topics about AP

Everyone undergoes AP.

, and it really having an effect on people from middle eastern countries.

Yep, there are historical reasons based on past attempts at visa fraud and possible relationships to terrorists that need to be vetted out.

So my question is; my fiance is from the Philippines, and is in Saudi on a working visa. He is Filipino, but has worked in Saudi for about 5 years. He moved there in high school with his dad on his Visa, went to NYIT, and then graduated and started working in Saudi shortly after. Most of his life was spent in the Philippines. Do you think him being Filipino could possibly keep him out of AP?

Everyone undergoes AP.

Or will there still be issues because of the time spent in Saudi?

Maybe

Also, he works for a company in marketing. They are constantly going to Qatar, Bahrain, and places around the GCC which require him to have his passport. In order for him to live in Saudi he has to have his passport to leave the country, and he has to maintain his job. So i'm worried if he gets put in AP for a long period of time, they will take his passport, and he will not be able to travel with his company causing him to lose his job.

No, if that is the case he can request his passport back from the Embassy if he's in a long period of AP.

Also resulting in him losing his Saudi Visa, and leaving him homeless for some time. He's planning on working up until right before he comes here for this reason. If he does get put in AP, is it possible he can keep his visa so he can continue working for the time being?

He'll need to discuss it a that time with the Embassy. They are actually very helpful and will work with him.

[Meg&Andrew 297]

Hi.. I have been in living in Bahrain for almost 14 years and I didn't have any problem for my K1 visa My K1 application was on AP for 2 days only then got the visa after that. Also, my friend just finished her Interview for CR1 visa and also APPROVED today And take note: I have been in Qatar, UAE & Saudi Causeway too. I have 5-6 friends that already in the US and they were here in Bahrain and didn't get any problem with their K1 & CR1. And take note: All of them are from Philippines too! As long as your relationship with your fiancé is bonafide & you have many proof of evidence regarding your relationship + if you can pass 2016 poverty guidelines, then you should not be worry about the AP. It will definitely will take 2-5 business days for Administrative Processing. (Saudi is 30 minutes (driving) away from Bahrain).

God Bless in your journey!

Thank you so much for your reply. I have been to Bahrain several times as I can not go to Saudi myself, so this is where I have to travel to see him. It's a beautiful place. I hope we are as lucky as you have been. We can definitely prove our relationship and with my fathers help we can also pass the 2016 poverty guidelines. You give me hope that we won't be stuck in AP for years, but I suppose you never know. Thanks again.

[Meg&Andrew 297]

Thank you for your reply, I did not know everyone undergoes AP. Now I understand they do, it's just the amount of time you're in it. I will make sure he talks to the embassy about the visa and keeping his passport. I'm glad to know they will work with him. Thanks again.

You're right. AP for years is (fortunately) a rarity, and I stated as such.

And yes, he can request to keep his passport until they're actually ready to issue the visa. This will add more time to the process, though (because they have to wait to receive it).

Thank you for the replies. I appreciate the guidance.

[Becca and Doody 18]

The majority of people I've followed through the Riyadh embassy have not had to go through extra administrative processing and typically got their visas in around a week after their interview assuming all their documents were in order.
My fiance was born and raised all his life in Saudi and he's only traveled to other Gulf countries which might be a reason for the extra long AP. But I wouldn't worry about it in your case. Being from the Philippines will not cause any extra AP, I actually think it's good to have ties outside of the Gulf.

I, like you, often meet my fiance in Bahrain because he could drive up there easily and I as a single woman could not go to Saudi easily. Bahrain is a beautiful country. He also came to Qatar where I was living. I really miss living there.

Anyways, I wish you a smooth ride through the embassy and good luck when you get to the interview.

[GeorgeandGeorgia 14]

Thank you so much for your reply. I have been to Bahrain several times as I can not go to Saudi myself, so this is where I have to travel to see him. It's a beautiful place. I hope we are as lucky as you have been. We can definitely prove our relationship and with my fathers help we can also pass the 2016 poverty guidelines. You give me hope that we won't be stuck in AP for years, but I suppose you never know. Thanks again.

You're most welcome and yes! bahrain is a beautiful place! People here are friendly & helpful. Also, one of the reason why I like Bahrain is tax free I get my monthly salary without any deductions from the government ? i will miss this small Island and thats for sure. Will be travelling to US in 2 weeks

[Meg&Andrew 297]

The majority of people I've followed through the Riyadh embassy have not had to go through extra administrative processing and typically got their visas in around a week after their interview assuming all their documents were in order.

My fiance was born and raised all his life in Saudi and he's only traveled to other Gulf countries which might be a reason for the extra long AP. But I wouldn't worry about it in your case. Being from the Philippines will not cause any extra AP, I actually think it's good to have ties outside of the Gulf.

I, like you, often meet my fiance in Bahrain because he could drive up there easily and I as a single woman could not go to Saudi easily. Bahrain is a beautiful country. He also came to Qatar where I was living. I really miss living there.

Anyways, I wish you a smooth ride through the embassy and good luck when you get to the interview.

Thank you very much. I wish you luck as well, and I really hope you see the end of your AP soon. I love Bahrain, and I would love to eventually live there but unfortunately I have small children that can not move out of the country at this time. I was actually offered a job there, with very good pay but due to my children I couldn't take it. I have always wanted to visit Saudi, but I don't think I will ever get to. I have traveled through Qatar as well, and it seems to be a beautiful place. People have a lot of misconceptions about places in the GCC. Even though they are considered third world countries, they are very beautiful, and fortunately for me the people I have met, and been around have been very respectful and nice. The only issue I have had is the last time I went to Bahrain, the officer that stamped my passport didn't inform me my visa was expiring in 3 days. When I checked my stamp and went to the Bahrain Ministry to have my visa renewed I found out that I couldn't just get another stamp. I had to leave Bahrain, be gone for 24 hours, then turn around and come back to get another visa issued. So I ended up having to fly to Dubai and stay in the airport for 24 hours then come back. Otherwise I would've overstayed my visa and that was extremely costly. Keep in touch, and let me know how things go with the AP.

[Meg&Andrew 297]

You're most welcome and yes! bahrain is a beautiful place! People here are friendly & helpful. Also, one of the reason why I like Bahrain is tax free I get my monthly salary without any deductions from the government ? i will miss this small Island and thats for sure. Will be travelling to US in 2 weeks

Good luck with your trip!!!

[Anitafeliz 1,133]

Ask in the philipines forum there has to be another like case. I don't think he would be held under that said countries AP process but I don't know don't loose hope he's a citizen of Phillipines first I would think....