APs in Casa

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Are there any horror stories? On average, about how long have they been taking in the last year or so?

Thanks!

[peezey 0]

From what I've read here, it's anywere from a few days, a couple weeks, or months depending on if there's a name hit, and/or if they order new checks at the consulate.

[caybee 21]

Are there any horror stories? On average, about how long have they been taking in the last year or so?

Thanks!

When I tried to put an avarage together for Casa based on what folks had posted here, it came out to two or three weeks, though some have lasted months. Ours lasted a week (unusual surname perhaps), though it took an additional week before they issued the visa.

Edited March 25, 2007 by mona_jamie

[mybackpages 0]

Barring any special problems with paperwork, the longest AP through casa that I have seem in recent times is about 6 months. A few will go as long as 2-3 months. Many will finish 2-3 weeks. Almost everyone gets 1 week. Then there are the lucky few who have a 2 -3 days turn around.

[noura 0]

The longest I've seen thru Casa lately is Karen2075 (approved last week) for 13 months. Before that it was Carrie & Simo @ 5 1/2 months and maybe others I can't remember. Oh yes, and Najia is still waiting since October! But on average, most seem to be 1-6 weeks. Ours was 1 week exactly. Good luck... when is the interview?

Also, there seems to be (or not) something to do w/ the timing of the interview - ie: lots of approvals around Ramadan.

Edited March 25, 2007 by noura

[Sofiyya 1,687]

The longest I've seen thru Casa lately is Karen2075 (approved last week) for 13 months. Before that it was Carrie & Simo @ 5 1/2 months and maybe others I can't remember. Oh yes, and Najia is still waiting since October! But on average, most seem to be 1-6 weeks. Ours was 1 week exactly. Good luck... when is the interview?

Also, there seems to be (or not) something to do w/ the timing of the interview - ie: lots of approvals around Ramadan.

Thank you, everyone!

Thanks for asking about the interview, noura. I'm not asking for me, at this time. It came up in an off the board discussion; we're curious about Casa's AP rate in general.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

How about denials at Casa? Do they have a habit of returning petitions with no reason? If they give a reason, what do they tend to return them for?

[~kiyah~ 14]

How about denials at Casa? Do they have a habit of returning petitions with no reason? If they give a reason, what do they tend to return them for?

Yes, Casa returns a very high percentage of what comes through their post. They do not return for what we the public would consider a good reason, or real evidence of their 'suspicions'.

They do not tell you why they are returning, the canned response to this inquiry is: "for validity of relationship" and even getting that response is like pulling teeth with a pair of pliers...no joke.

From all the cases I personally know about and have had the privelage of the petitioner sharing the return memorandum notes with me, the reasons for return the consulate is putting in the memorandum are extremely flimsy and judgemental at best...completely against the guidelines for returning a petition/application as they are essentially 're-adjudicating' an approved petition.

I have seen reasons of age difference as small as 6 years, not together long enough in the eyes of the consulate, getting engaged or married after less than 1 year knowing each other, lack of an elaborate engagement or wedding celebration...small number of attendees for the engagement or wedding celebration, difference in religion between the couple, some instances will be specific to the beneficiary's interview questions, I have read memorandum notes stating that they just do not believe the relationship is real, staged photos, etc.

These are COs who most of the time refuse to take additional ongoing evidence of a relationship, or refuse to speak to the petitioner who has made the trip to support their SO during the interview and make themselves available to the CO for questions if needed. They do not have real evidence, so the next best thing to do since they cannot officially deny the application/petition is to return it to the USCIS reccommending revocation, placing the couple in a black hole of uncertainty, misinformation, ultimately costing the government more money, effort, resources and delaying the reunion of the couple for as long as 2 years.

I know of one K1 case that was returned, reaffirmed and when they got to the 2nd interview, the petitioner was called after the benficiary was interviewed for 90 minutes...the CO specifically said to her "I am not convinced he loves you, if you had not come to this interview, he would not be getting his visa...I hope this relationship is everything you think it is."

~Kiyah~

[~kiyah~ 14]

Sorry...double post

Edited March 25, 2007 by Kiya

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Wow! Thanks, Kiya. After I asked the question, I remembered the pinned thread about returned petitions and started to read it. I can see why you are so passionate re this issue. Best wishes to you!

[Visa4habibi! 0]

I don't even have to write anything here - just read my signature, no change up to today.

[nad05zb 0]

ladies if your finace is from morocco call before you think they have their interview dont email call. the email is lame and tells you nothing dial the number (+2122264550) it's on the embassy info you find morocco if you use a prepaid phone card its like a dollar a min(rediculous) but anyhting for my man. so call them before they have their interview if they have one within the next 2 weeks . I AM SERIOUS and keep calling until you get someone it took me 15 mins to get to someone but it was worth it.

love natalie