How common is Administrative Processing/Review

[mendeleev 68]

OK -- so there are a few of us in Administrative Processing at NVC at this moment. Maybe part of the issue is that we are in a cohort watching things particularly closely -- so we and post about details of the process that might have gone unnoticed by others.

Let's let each other know as we clear NVC and go onto Moscow.

I'll be calling NVC tomorrow, probably very early in the morning.

OK -- so there are a few of us in Administrative Processing at NVC at this moment. Maybe part of the issue is that we are in a cohort watching things particularly closely -- so we and post about details of the process that might have gone unnoticed by others.

Let's let each other know as we clear NVC and go onto Moscow.

I'll be calling NVC tomorrow, probably very early in the morning.

[MaxxumUSA 0]

OK -- so there are a few of us in Administrative Processing at NVC at this moment. Maybe part of the issue is that we are in a cohort watching things particularly closely -- so we and post about details of the process that might have gone unnoticed by others.

Let's let each other know as we clear NVC and go onto Moscow.

I'll be calling NVC tomorrow, probably very early in the morning.

OK -- so there are a few of us in Administrative Processing at NVC at this moment. Maybe part of the issue is that we are in a cohort watching things particularly closely -- so we and post about details of the process that might have gone unnoticed by others.

Let's let each other know as we clear NVC and go onto Moscow.

I'll be calling NVC tomorrow, probably very early in the morning.

I will call tomorrow also to try and get clarification of what they mean by A/R.

Also I think it is KEY that we both inquire as to whether this is normal for all cases - or if this is a special case and we have been "Flagged" by something in our file.

If I get an answer that my case is "Flagged" I will do my best to try and find out what the trigger is.

- David

PS I just got back from my bike ride from yesterday today at 2:00 in the afternoon! Awesome riding. I went up to Americade in Lake George, NY and hung out with 30,000 other riders last night. It was a nice escape from the worries of the visa process.

[Nagishkaw 510]

I am leaning towards the ' flagged ' aspect, myself. Why on earth would it just be a random selection? To me, it does not add up. They must know and are not telling us the real truth here.

[mendeleev 68]

A woman at NVC told me this morning that we're still in Administrative Processing.

When I asked if there was anything special about our case that flagged this, she said "no, it is due to the aftermath of 9/11 and there is no timeframe for completion of these security checks."

She also asked me to call back as often as I wanted.

[Nagishkaw 510]

What kind of ####### answer is that? Im calling them now....watch me get the same response.

[Nagishkaw 510]

Ok, I just got off the phone with those lames. I was given the same 911 answer, and this time my questions were basically ignored. All I was told is its going to take a bit longer to be sent to the Embassy ( duh, no kidding! ) and she could not even tell me if it is already at DC or still at NVC ! Waste of phone call, IMO.

[MaxxumUSA 0]

A woman at NVC told me this morning that we're still in Administrative Processing.

When I asked if there was anything special about our case that flagged this, she said "no, it is due to the aftermath of 9/11 and there is no timeframe for completion of these security checks."

She also asked me to call back as often as I wanted.

I called also. I kind of interrogated the lady a little and she seemed knowledgeable and ameanable to my questions.

Me: I was told on Friday my case was in Administrative Review.

NVC operator: Your case is in Administrative Processing.

Me: You are using the term Administrative Processing but I was told on Friday I am in Administrative Review. What is the difference?

NVC Operator: There is NO difference. It depends on which operator tells you this. They are the same thing, security checks.

Me: Wait a second. On Friday I was told my file was flagged and was sent to Washington DC for Administrative Review.

NVC Operator: I don't see the word flag in that conversation.

Me: I am using the term flag. I assumed from that conversation that somehow my case was special and had been sent to Washington DC. This is what he told me on Friday.

NVC Operator: No. Your case is HERE. We sent a cable to Washington DC for security checks. This is standard for ALL cases due to post 9/11 procedures.

Me: So when cleared by Washington they send a cable back and everything will be OK?

NVC Operator: Yes. Your case is being processed normally. Nothing special.

Me: Thank you so much for the information.

SO... There you go. I waited and panicked all weekend for no reason. BUT... there are still some people stuck in A/R at NVC level. So there is still a remote chance for a file to get stuck at this point.

From my research this weekend and the phone call this morning, I would say A/R is not only common - but that 100% of all petitions go through this.

[Nagishkaw 510]

Thank you, David !

You got a heck of a lot farther than I did. Your info helps take the edge off things, and I appreciate you posting your experience.

[Turboguy 6]

I am not implying that anyone I ever talked to there knew anything but I think the actual file never leaves NVC. When your file is sent there for A/R they really just send or fax copies to DOJ and the real file stays at NVC. They do use the terminology that your file was sent to Washington even though it is not true.

I think from the time the file arrives until it is forwared to the Embassy it is considered to be in Administrative processing even though it has not been flagged. You guys may be ok but only time will tell. I think they use that term to mean it is being "processed" Good Luck

[Milenka 0]

Thanks to David and Turboguy! I hope that we haven't been "flagged" I am trying to call now, and clarify, no luck getting through yet. Turboguy, you've been waiting SO long already! I hope you get out soon! Good luck everyone.

[mendeleev 68]

Thanks a lot, David!

So, if all cases are considered to be in AP while they are at NVC, then since all K1 and K3 cases go through NVC, perhaps we can conclude that most cases are in AP for a short period of time.

Perhaps the statistics for the USCIS website that Turboguy has quoted (one third get out in 3 months, another third in a year, and a final third linger for over a year) is appropriate for cases that get stuck in AP/AR at USCIS, but not at State. (Does that analysis seem sound, folks?)

Lets hope so. And hope that Turboguy and his fiance get their case released to Moscow really soon!

[Turboguy 6]

Perhaps the statistics for the USCIS website that Turboguy has quoted (one third get out in 3 months, another third in a year, and a final third linger for over a year) is appropriate for cases that get stuck in AP/AR at USCIS, but not at State. (Does that analysis seem sound, folks?)

Actually the exact wording of the information on the USCIS website was that 68 % of the cases in A/R had been there for 3 months or more and that 35% had been there one year or more. At a glance it could be taken that 2/3rds of the A/R's take 3 months but in reality ones that were there for a few weeks rarely show up. I am tired and ready for bed but if you think about the wording it does not really say what it sounds like it is saying.

[jordoc 0]

I am still in administrative review at embassy level since March 20th. coming up on 3 months. Very lilttle information forth coming from state dept or embassy in Moscow, other than what everyone else here has mentioned. My 129f application was Dec 06. I will post followup if any thing happens. I hope the 3 month minimum will happen for us. Good luck to all. The wait is painful. -jj (hang in there Turboguy)

[Turboguy 6]

I have no choice but to hang in. Hanging seems to be a very correct word for what you do in A/R. You are definately left hanging.

It does get frustrating when you see others who are now with or married to thier gal and you are sitting around hoping for something to break so you can get your life back on track.

Less than 12 days until I leave to spend the summer with my gal in the Caribbean. I am trying to make the best of the time in A/R and to find as much time to be together as possible but I would much rather have saved the $ 8,000 this summer together will cost me and if it was not for the A/R, it would be totally unnecessary.

Jordoc, I hope you get your approval soon. The Embassy level is usually a little quicker.

[MaxxumUSA 0]

I just talked in detail with my lawyer about extended Administrative Review at the NVC level. My attorney is Holmes and Lolly and they do hundreds of K-1's.

First... They told me just like NVC told me - ALL cases go through SOME admistrative review. They told me it is usually very quick.

They also shed some light on who's background check they are checking. They told me that the petitioner gets complete extensive checks at the USCIS level. At NVC the beneficiary goes through security checks. I asked twice and made my question clear. They said my fiancee gets the checks at NVC and not me.

NO - I do not think that everything that every lawyer tells me is true. But it seems to jive with the research I had done over the weekend.

Most NVC A/R delays I notice are for beneficiaries that have entered and left the USA in the past, or are from an unfriendly country. I think it's possible if the security checks are done for the petitioner at the USCIS and that takes a while occasionally, that the same would hold true for the beneficiary if NO background checks are done on him/her until the NVC level.

We will see when Elena clears the NVC. She has no problems ever from what she has told me.