Calling everyone going thru Islamabad Embassy, version 2.0

[AnM06 0]

Salam all, I see a lot of people getting visas congrats to all of them. I have been reading this forum for over a year now never posted though. But now I am really frustrated of this AP thing. It has been over a year now and I haven't heard anything from embassy or anyone. I contacted them several times but same old reply it’s in process. I saw many people here filed after me and they are already in US. I guess it’s just my bad luck which got me stuck with AP. My case was filed by my wife in Feb 2007. My interview was on 25 Sep 2007 and I am on AP since then. She tried to get some info by calling at 202 663 1225 but no use. SO guys please advice is there anything I can do to get my case expedited. :crying:

[Revived 0]

Salam all, I see a lot of people getting visas congrats to all of them. I have been reading this forum for over a year now never posted though. But now I am really frustrated of this AP thing. It has been over a year now and I haven't heard anything from embassy or anyone. I contacted them several times but same old reply it’s in process. I saw many people here filed after me and they are already in US. I guess it’s just my bad luck which got me stuck with AP. My case was filed by my wife in Feb 2007. My interview was on 25 Sep 2007 and I am on AP since then. She tried to get some info by calling at 202 663 1225 but no use. SO guys please advice is there anything I can do to get my case expedited. :crying:

you are not alone =) v r in the same boat=)

may Allah make this waiting period easy upon us all ~Ameen

duas

[FaK 0]

Dont give up...I was in AP for 15 months and then I got the visa and moved! Goodluck and hangon!

Salam all, I see a lot of people getting visas congrats to all of them. I have been reading this forum for over a year now never posted though. But now I am really frustrated of this AP thing. It has been over a year now and I haven't heard anything from embassy or anyone. I contacted them several times but same old reply it’s in process. I saw many people here filed after me and they are already in US. I guess it’s just my bad luck which got me stuck with AP. My case was filed by my wife in Feb 2007. My interview was on 25 Sep 2007 and I am on AP since then. She tried to get some info by calling at 202 663 1225 but no use. SO guys please advice is there anything I can do to get my case expedited. :crying:

[Saqib 0]

Dr. Nadeem,

Salaam, well to me its been 5 months up till now and i don't know what going on, I have done the same what you have done involved senator and congressman but they are effortless and they can't do anything for sure. They have the power but they don't use it as in return all they say it's a national security issue. Well if its a national security issue why the hell you gave us 5 year multiple visa 4 time which is still valid till 2011.

If we really wanted to commit crime or if we would be some kinda terrorist we would've gone on visit visa not on immigrant visa. That's foolish of them to reply in this manner.

K3 visa is suppose to reunite family's not to put them on AP. Sorry who will be hurt with what I'm about to say here but it's fact that K1 visa holder are not suppose to be get visa before K3 Because that's more like Vulnerable to security and to a lot of things as they are not even married and can commit anything. Please don't take me wrong, I'm not accusing anyone specific here, I'm just explaning how and what should be done, which is not being done.

Sorry if anyone is hurt to what i said but fact cannot be changed.

Saqib

[Revived 0]

Dr. Nadeem,

Salaam, well to me its been 5 months up till now and i don't know what going on, I have done the same what you have done involved senator and congressman but they are effortless and they can't do anything for sure. They have the power but they don't use it as in return all they say it's a national security issue. Well if its a national security issue why the hell you gave us 5 year multiple visa 4 time which is still valid till 2011.

If we really wanted to commit crime or if we would be some kinda terrorist we would've gone on visit visa not on immigrant visa. That's foolish of them to reply in this manner.

K3 visa is suppose to reunite family's not to put them on AP. Sorry who will be hurt with what I'm about to say here but it's fact that K1 visa holder are not suppose to be get visa before K3 Because that's more like Vulnerable to security and to a lot of things as they are not even married and can commit anything. Please don't take me wrong, I'm not accusing anyone specific here, I'm just explaning how and what should be done, which is not being done.

Sorry if anyone is hurt to what i said but fact cannot be changed.

Saqib

Saqib,

and what made u think K-1 males are gettin visas??? the way i see it 95% (even higher) males are in this whole... it's only the ladies who are gettin' visas; may it b K or whatever other visas... and did any of the terrorist came on ks' visas?? were they from pakistan? khair, thatz besides the point....

but there is a time for everything, may Allah SWT make this period easy upon us all... and if u see it from my prespective, i say K-1 visa is a v v crucial visa, two ppl r in a relationship that is not yet fully committed, the distance culd have some serious negative impacts on the indviduals, given the cultural and religous limitations. plus it is v v difficult to wait to get married then be married , cuz the spouses culd still b 2gether in a foregin country... thus, the gov has decided to expedite the K1 visa to a 6mons. process and they do abide by that , that is only if one is not put under AP.

khair, waiting for any of these visas r not easy, each day seems like an yr. may Allah SWT preserves our relationships from the whispers of Shaita'n ~Ameen

Edited September 24, 2008 by Revived

[sara..... 371]

come on now guys u have to pray and remember that in time u will all prolly get ur visa to be with ur loved ones.......trust me if u had noa2 fast from csc or any other service center most muslim countries gonna get it one way or the other on ap.........perviz an i have been waiting over a year just to get noa2 and have not got it yet and it is simple k1 visa.......it is not just pakistan that is having problem with getting visa and being put on ap any muslim country or muslim person for the most part is getting ap some place in the process..........good luck to all of u and put ur faith in Allah after all Allah can do anything

sara

[AnM06 0]

Thanks everyone for your kind words I really appreciate I was really depressed and felt like I was the only one put on AP for this long. I wish we could something about it’s so unfair to keep this processing period so long. I hope this AP thing gets done quickly for everyone “Ameen”. Actually this AP is not the only torture one has to go through I think the biggest torture is people asking “oh why you still in Pakistan are you not supposed to be with your spouse? Why your case is taking so long?” I have no answer as I don’t know myself what’s taking so long.

[Revived 0]

Thanks everyone for your kind words I really appreciate I was really depressed and felt like I was the only one put on AP for this long. I wish we could something about it’s so unfair to keep this processing period so long. I hope this AP thing gets done quickly for everyone “Ameen”. Actually this AP is not the only torture one has to go through I think the biggest torture is people asking “oh why you still in Pakistan are you not supposed to be with your spouse? Why your case is taking so long?” I have no answer as I don’t know myself what’s taking so long.

=))).. like ppl askin' "r u still engaged" .. did somethin' happen bwt u two?? feelin' sorry 4 us... indeed it worsten the whole situation...but itz dunya.. may Allah SWT give us sabr and save us all from the eyes of evil

i understand exactly where u comin' from....=))

duas=)

[Revived 0]

come on now guys u have to pray and remember that in time u will all prolly get ur visa to be with ur loved ones.......trust me if u had noa2 fast from csc or any other service center most muslim countries gonna get it one way or the other on ap.........perviz an i have been waiting over a year just to get noa2 and have not got it yet and it is simple k1 visa.......it is not just pakistan that is having problem with getting visa and being put on ap any muslim country or muslim person for the most part is getting ap some place in the process..........good luck to all of u and put ur faith in Allah after all Allah can do anything

sara

oh lord, r u sure your file is not lost??? a whole year and no NOA2???

you have some patience Sara mashAllah=))

I think it's more of common names and the specific muslim countries.

As of our above discussion, it's more of venting out LOL... one has not many means of comfort at this point..

I pray that this Ramadan brings you both good news

[shas1 0]

Sorry guys, I was regularly in touch with this thread but was busy and could not write on time about what happened from medical call to interview. I wanted to write it in detail so that all those who are in the process and those who may join this thread latter at some time would have the idea of what happens normally. Lets me start it from where I left.

INTERVIEW CALL LETTER:

My (case IR-1) process reached to the extent that case at the NVC completed on 31-7-2008 and the letter of interview was mailed by NVC at my/applicant’s address as well as my spouse address in USA. Please note that normally all the letters that I received in Pakistan reached in not less than 6 weeks. So I was worried that I may not receive it on time and even if it reached me before interview I will be short of time for the medical examination. This worry was ignited with the fact that my spouse had already reached Pakistan and was living with me and the address of my spouse given to NVC was vacant these days but still we managed to get that letter on time by telling my spouse neighbor to send it. Interestingly the letter sent to Pakistan also reached on time.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION:

On contacting the doctor/clinic I was given an appointment for the first week of September. The doctor/clinic at Islamabad is situated in F-6/3 adjacent to Super Market. I reached there at 9:00 am which was the time of appointment. Please note that only those persons are allowed to continue with their medical appointments who bring the following;

1- Passport original and a photocopy,

2- NIC,

3- 2 photographs as instructed

If you have any previous vaccination reports do take that, if no its ok. I did not had any vaccination reports.

Initially you sit in a lounge where you are given a form to complete. On completion of the form you will submit it with the concerned staff member who will paste your photographs and copy of your passport with it. You will be asked to write your name on the back of the photos & sign it on the front. I already wrote my name on the back of the photos and signed it in front of them. The form is simple, basic questions like date of birth, earlier vaccinations, previous injuries, infections like TB etc. So not to worry it’s a matter of 5-10 min to fill it.

After completing the form I submitted it alongwith the fee and was given a number. I was asked to wait for my number to be called for X-Ray. So this is how it goes;

1- You will be called for X-RAY and next you will be asked to go for blood test in another room.

2- So the first injection is basically when they take the blood for examination.

3- Next you will be called for eye sight test, weight and height examination (which is a matter of 3-5 minutes.

4- Next you will wait for the doctor to call you who will examine you in detail.

5- After the medical examination by doctor finally you will be called for vaccination. I have no idea about those who had vaccinations earlier or have some special disease but in normal cases 4 vaccines injections are injected. For those who worry it does not hurt so be psychologically brave (just kidding)

This is all - you will be asked to collect the report in two days. Let me tell you the staff is extremely cooperative the doctor, at least the one I met was a gentleman and so much so that since I was coming from a distant place I was told by the staff that they can TCS the reports at my address, if I so want. I think that was more than courteous.

I picked the reports after two days. They give you two envelopes, one has the X-Ray and Vaccination report and the other sealed envelope which one in not allowed to open and give it to the visa counselor.

INTERVIEW:

Reached Diplomatic Enclave at 6:50AM which I realized was late as the queue was so long that the tickets for the first bus were already sold till I reached the window.

I reached window at 7:30 and waited for the bus. I was accompanied by my spouse and child. We finally reached 9:00 to the Embassy. My time for interview was 8:00. Please note that my spouse and child are both USC, so their names were not mentioned in my interview letter. Before entering you are thoroughly checked again. Initially by security personal and then you go thorough scan for any metal like things.

Though we reached late but were fortunately not yet called. I went through the following steps;

1- The first step is biometrics. You are asked to scan your fingerprints. This is done in a separate room and it would hardly take 5 minutes.

2- Then you enter another room where interviews are held. These interviews are for both immigrant as well as non-immigrant cases. The immigrant interviews will be conducted behind where you will sit. The non-immigrant interviews are on the right hand side. Basically the seating arrangement is such that immigrant visa applicants sit on the left side while the non-immigrant applicants seating is on the right side. In fornt of the seating arrangement a TV is installed which while we were sitting was broadcasting GEO TV news.

3- In this room I was first called in one window i-e window No. 4 (which may not necessarily be in all the cases. I mean you may be called at another window depending on who is processing the case). In this window a Pakistani guy asked for my passport and asked me to wait for another call. Then after sometime I was called at window No. 7 where I was asked to submit my medical report. Since in my interview letter I was asked to bring 2 photographs and a police report I took those as well (Please note that I had already deposited the Police Certificate and Photographs earlier with my original documents as asked by NVC but since the interview letter again asked for it so I made a fresh police certificate and photographs as requested as a precautionary measure). The person at window No. 7 was again a Pakistani guy. Let me tell you that both the Pakistani guys were very polite, calm and friendly. After he retained the medical certificate I asked him if he needs the photographs. He said no we have it. Then he asked who sponsored and I told him my spouse. He asked the name and then he asked the name of financial sponsor as my financial sponsor was not my spouse. I told him the names. He then asked have you travelled to USA earlier and I said no. then he asked have you lived outside your hometown for more than 6 months anywhere after the age of 16. I said no. He asked where is your spouse now and since both my spouse and kid were standing with me I said here are they. Are they both USC I told them yes and he asked, did you deposit a copy of spouse US passport which I did but he could not find. He said no-problem I will photocopy it. Fortunately I had a copy of it at that time and which I gave to him. Then he asked me to wait for a minute and went to pick something came again and asked me to wait for another call which will be by the counselor.

4- I was called again at another window which I do not remember probably No. 3. This time he was either an American or some other foreign national young guy. Again a very friendly guy. When I reached at that window I was accompanied again by my spouse and kid. My kid was speaking to himself. He first said hello and then asked did you travel outside Pakistan I said yes twice to UAE, Dubai and UK. He asked how long did you stay there. Two weeks in Dubai for the first time, 4 days the next time, two weeks in UK for the first time and 10 days for the second time. Which place did you like the best. Well for sight seeing UK is much better and facility wise Dubai is far ahead. So both were good. He laughed and asked our son, hey what are you saying. I asked him should I submit the Police Certificate to you and he said no we have it. (Still I would advise to take all the documents requested in interview call letter including the X-Ray and vaccination report as a precaution). Then he said well all your documents are complete we are satisfied. There will be an administrative processing for security purpose to be done by Washington and we will then ask you to submit your passport again. He gave me back my original documents i-e Nikkah Nama, Birth Certificate and passport alongwith a blue slip and maroon sticker of the embassy pasted on my passport and a list of approved courier agents. He asked me to submit the passport at this courier agent when the Embassy calls you to do so. Then he said the Administrative Processing takes a minimum of six weeks. I said its ok. Then he said well congratulations and welcome to USA in advance. I said Thanks.

That was all. I took engagement & wedding photographs and so many other documents but it was quite easy. I am on AP since then and await the call from embassy.

I had noted that Zorro very rightly said that if your Financial sponsor (AOS) is someone in addition to your spouse you will be on AP and I believe that’s true. With due respect however the other observations like English language etc. is wrong. These things do not matter.

But I would say all is well if it ends well.

Sorry for writing in so much detail and taking so much space of the thread but I believe it will help those who have not been through interview.

Take good care and pray that we all get visa and those on AP their AP is over soon.

Regards

[hyd617 1]

Sorry guys, I was regularly in touch with this thread but was busy and could not write on time about what happened from medical call to interview. I wanted to write it in detail so that all those who are in the process and those who may join this thread latter at some time would have the idea of what happens normally. Lets me start it from where I left.

INTERVIEW CALL LETTER:

My (case IR-1) process reached to the extent that case at the NVC completed on 31-7-2008 and the letter of interview was mailed by NVC at my/applicant’s address as well as my spouse address in USA. Please note that normally all the letters that I received in Pakistan reached in not less than 6 weeks. So I was worried that I may not receive it on time and even if it reached me before interview I will be short of time for the medical examination. This worry was ignited with the fact that my spouse had already reached Pakistan and was living with me and the address of my spouse given to NVC was vacant these days but still we managed to get that letter on time by telling my spouse neighbor to send it. Interestingly the letter sent to Pakistan also reached on time.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION:

On contacting the doctor/clinic I was given an appointment for the first week of September. The doctor/clinic at Islamabad is situated in F-6/3 adjacent to Super Market. I reached there at 9:00 am which was the time of appointment. Please note that only those persons are allowed to continue with their medical appointments who bring the following;

1- Passport original and a photocopy,

2- NIC,

3- 2 photographs as instructed

If you have any previous vaccination reports do take that, if no its ok. I did not had any vaccination reports.

Initially you sit in a lounge where you are given a form to complete. On completion of the form you will submit it with the concerned staff member who will paste your photographs and copy of your passport with it. You will be asked to write your name on the back of the photos & sign it on the front. I already wrote my name on the back of the photos and signed it in front of them. The form is simple, basic questions like date of birth, earlier vaccinations, previous injuries, infections like TB etc. So not to worry it’s a matter of 5-10 min to fill it.

After completing the form I submitted it alongwith the fee and was given a number. I was asked to wait for my number to be called for X-Ray. So this is how it goes;

1- You will be called for X-RAY and next you will be asked to go for blood test in another room.

2- So the first injection is basically when they take the blood for examination.

3- Next you will be called for eye sight test, weight and height examination (which is a matter of 3-5 minutes.

4- Next you will wait for the doctor to call you who will examine you in detail.

5- After the medical examination by doctor finally you will be called for vaccination. I have no idea about those who had vaccinations earlier or have some special disease but in normal cases 4 vaccines injections are injected. For those who worry it does not hurt so be psychologically brave (just kidding)

This is all - you will be asked to collect the report in two days. Let me tell you the staff is extremely cooperative the doctor, at least the one I met was a gentleman and so much so that since I was coming from a distant place I was told by the staff that they can TCS the reports at my address, if I so want. I think that was more than courteous.

I picked the reports after two days. They give you two envelopes, one has the X-Ray and Vaccination report and the other sealed envelope which one in not allowed to open and give it to the visa counselor.

INTERVIEW:

Reached Diplomatic Enclave at 6:50AM which I realized was late as the queue was so long that the tickets for the first bus were already sold till I reached the window.

I reached window at 7:30 and waited for the bus. I was accompanied by my spouse and child. We finally reached 9:00 to the Embassy. My time for interview was 8:00. Please note that my spouse and child are both USC, so their names were not mentioned in my interview letter. Before entering you are thoroughly checked again. Initially by security personal and then you go thorough scan for any metal like things.

Though we reached late but were fortunately not yet called. I went through the following steps;

1- The first step is biometrics. You are asked to scan your fingerprints. This is done in a separate room and it would hardly take 5 minutes.

2- Then you enter another room where interviews are held. These interviews are for both immigrant as well as non-immigrant cases. The immigrant interviews will be conducted behind where you will sit. The non-immigrant interviews are on the right hand side. Basically the seating arrangement is such that immigrant visa applicants sit on the left side while the non-immigrant applicants seating is on the right side. In fornt of the seating arrangement a TV is installed which while we were sitting was broadcasting GEO TV news.

3- In this room I was first called in one window i-e window No. 4 (which may not necessarily be in all the cases. I mean you may be called at another window depending on who is processing the case). In this window a Pakistani guy asked for my passport and asked me to wait for another call. Then after sometime I was called at window No. 7 where I was asked to submit my medical report. Since in my interview letter I was asked to bring 2 photographs and a police report I took those as well (Please note that I had already deposited the Police Certificate and Photographs earlier with my original documents as asked by NVC but since the interview letter again asked for it so I made a fresh police certificate and photographs as requested as a precautionary measure). The person at window No. 7 was again a Pakistani guy. Let me tell you that both the Pakistani guys were very polite, calm and friendly. After he retained the medical certificate I asked him if he needs the photographs. He said no we have it. Then he asked who sponsored and I told him my spouse. He asked the name and then he asked the name of financial sponsor as my financial sponsor was not my spouse. I told him the names. He then asked have you travelled to USA earlier and I said no. then he asked have you lived outside your hometown for more than 6 months anywhere after the age of 16. I said no. He asked where is your spouse now and since both my spouse and kid were standing with me I said here are they. Are they both USC I told them yes and he asked, did you deposit a copy of spouse US passport which I did but he could not find. He said no-problem I will photocopy it. Fortunately I had a copy of it at that time and which I gave to him. Then he asked me to wait for a minute and went to pick something came again and asked me to wait for another call which will be by the counselor.

4- I was called again at another window which I do not remember probably No. 3. This time he was either an American or some other foreign national young guy. Again a very friendly guy. When I reached at that window I was accompanied again by my spouse and kid. My kid was speaking to himself. He first said hello and then asked did you travel outside Pakistan I said yes twice to UAE, Dubai and UK. He asked how long did you stay there. Two weeks in Dubai for the first time, 4 days the next time, two weeks in UK for the first time and 10 days for the second time. Which place did you like the best. Well for sight seeing UK is much better and facility wise Dubai is far ahead. So both were good. He laughed and asked our son, hey what are you saying. I asked him should I submit the Police Certificate to you and he said no we have it. (Still I would advise to take all the documents requested in interview call letter including the X-Ray and vaccination report as a precaution). Then he said well all your documents are complete we are satisfied. There will be an administrative processing for security purpose to be done by Washington and we will then ask you to submit your passport again. He gave me back my original documents i-e Nikkah Nama, Birth Certificate and passport alongwith a blue slip and maroon sticker of the embassy pasted on my passport and a list of approved courier agents. He asked me to submit the passport at this courier agent when the Embassy calls you to do so. Then he said the Administrative Processing takes a minimum of six weeks. I said its ok. Then he said well congratulations and welcome to USA in advance. I said Thanks.

That was all. I took engagement & wedding photographs and so many other documents but it was quite easy. I am on AP since then and await the call from embassy.

I had noted that Zorro very rightly said that if your Financial sponsor (AOS) is someone in addition to your spouse you will be on AP and I believe that’s true. With due respect however the other observations like English language etc. is wrong. These things do not matter.

But I would say all is well if it ends well.

Sorry for writing in so much detail and taking so much space of the thread but I believe it will help those who have not been through interview.

Take good care and pray that we all get visa and those on AP their AP is over soon.

Regards

Thanks for ur review, and i am sure it will help many people who read this forum..

although my husband is from india, we had the exact same interview in chennai..

I was present with him during the interivew, we were asked the same questions as you.. then she said you will get the visa but i need to do some additinal processing on your case, which will take 4-6 weeks.. we were not told why.. but my husband did go to UMRA recently in 2004, and she did ask us if he travelled to saudi, so :/ gues we are in AP for security checks also..

inshallah its over soon... i called DOS and they said its pending for security and background check but would not give us any further info...

just hope that all people on AP are reunited with their spouses in this month of Ramadan, and inshAllah keep faith and keep praying, GOD is great, and nothing can happen without his permission...

[Amy B. 0]

Salaam

I have been reading all the post and I do feel for everyone that is still waiting on AP or just starting this journey. It took us over 15 mths for my husband to finally receive his visa!!!

You have to have patience, Faith, prayers, and the support of others to make it through this whole ordeal. I would have never dreamed that my husband would already have his visa but Alhumdulilah he does. It is all GOD's will and that is how we look at it.

I really struggled alot through uscis, because I never thought we would ever get our NOA2. We filed our I-130 in June 2007 and then in July all the fees increased, so there goes our case...........Backlogged with all the others. We got our Noa1 pretty fast and then..........that is when the waiting started......omgosh......I didn't think it would never end!!!!

I was so depressed and all I wanted was to be with my husband. I was a USC so why did it have to take so long? We are married so why are all of these others getting approved before us? These are alot of the questions that I was asking myself .......... I had some filed after we did and was already getting approved and here we still waited and waited.

So, we made it to Dec 2007 and still no NOA2 but one day I opened up my email and there was an email from CRIS and I was like so excited. Well it wasnt our NOA2 it was a darn RFE , so then that was another hurdle for us to jump over. It was right there at the holidays and we wasn't getting anything done because of that. WE finally got that sent off and our case Resumed in Feb 2008 !!!!!

WE finally got our NOA2 around Feb 20th, so now moving on to NVC ..yayyyy.........It went rather smoothly and between waiting on paperwork from my husband and getting money together....it went okay. So we finally got our case complete in May and Interview for July 2008. Qasim was on AP from around Aug 4th to around Sept 10th, ( that is the day the US embassy called for his passport)

So, Everyone here has had to wait at some point in this process and no it isn't fair, but we all have to go through this. We all knew that we would have to wait, but never said for how long. This is not easy but you have to have a very strong relationship with your SO, so I believe or this could very well break you down and your relationship.

We all have to be there for eachother and this is what VJ is for and this forum. So, just hang in there and your time will come. Believe me...........I know from my own struggles as well as others before me.

Many prayers and much love

Aisha

Edited September 24, 2008 by Qasim~n~Aisha

[monty001 0]

So I just read that the Embassy has been shut down for Thursday the 25th and Friday the 26th of September due to threats. Visa services have been suspended temporarily and will be rescheduled by the consulate. My fiancee's interview is supposed to be on Monday the 29th.

So I really don't know what the hell is gonna happen now. I'm pretty freakin pissed off right now. What to do? Guess I just gotta keep faith and pray that insha'Allah... everything will be ok.

[shas1 0]

Many thanks hyd617.

Monty001 you are right.

All concerned must know that US Embassy, Islamabad will remain closed on 25th & 26th September. For further details see the website below.

http://islamabad.usembassy.gov/wn-08092401.html

[sara..... 371]

Sorry guys, I was regularly in touch with this thread but was busy and could not write on time about what happened from medical call to interview. I wanted to write it in detail so that all those who are in the process and those who may join this thread latter at some time would have the idea of what happens normally. Lets me start it from where I left.

INTERVIEW CALL LETTER:

My (case IR-1) process reached to the extent that case at the NVC completed on 31-7-2008 and the letter of interview was mailed by NVC at my/applicant’s address as well as my spouse address in USA. Please note that normally all the letters that I received in Pakistan reached in not less than 6 weeks. So I was worried that I may not receive it on time and even if it reached me before interview I will be short of time for the medical examination. This worry was ignited with the fact that my spouse had already reached Pakistan and was living with me and the address of my spouse given to NVC was vacant these days but still we managed to get that letter on time by telling my spouse neighbor to send it. Interestingly the letter sent to Pakistan also reached on time.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION:

On contacting the doctor/clinic I was given an appointment for the first week of September. The doctor/clinic at Islamabad is situated in F-6/3 adjacent to Super Market. I reached there at 9:00 am which was the time of appointment. Please note that only those persons are allowed to continue with their medical appointments who bring the following;

1- Passport original and a photocopy,

2- NIC,

3- 2 photographs as instructed

If you have any previous vaccination reports do take that, if no its ok. I did not had any vaccination reports.

Initially you sit in a lounge where you are given a form to complete. On completion of the form you will submit it with the concerned staff member who will paste your photographs and copy of your passport with it. You will be asked to write your name on the back of the photos & sign it on the front. I already wrote my name on the back of the photos and signed it in front of them. The form is simple, basic questions like date of birth, earlier vaccinations, previous injuries, infections like TB etc. So not to worry it’s a matter of 5-10 min to fill it.

After completing the form I submitted it alongwith the fee and was given a number. I was asked to wait for my number to be called for X-Ray. So this is how it goes;

1- You will be called for X-RAY and next you will be asked to go for blood test in another room.

2- So the first injection is basically when they take the blood for examination.

3- Next you will be called for eye sight test, weight and height examination (which is a matter of 3-5 minutes.

4- Next you will wait for the doctor to call you who will examine you in detail.

5- After the medical examination by doctor finally you will be called for vaccination. I have no idea about those who had vaccinations earlier or have some special disease but in normal cases 4 vaccines injections are injected. For those who worry it does not hurt so be psychologically brave (just kidding)

This is all - you will be asked to collect the report in two days. Let me tell you the staff is extremely cooperative the doctor, at least the one I met was a gentleman and so much so that since I was coming from a distant place I was told by the staff that they can TCS the reports at my address, if I so want. I think that was more than courteous.

I picked the reports after two days. They give you two envelopes, one has the X-Ray and Vaccination report and the other sealed envelope which one in not allowed to open and give it to the visa counselor.

INTERVIEW:

Reached Diplomatic Enclave at 6:50AM which I realized was late as the queue was so long that the tickets for the first bus were already sold till I reached the window.

I reached window at 7:30 and waited for the bus. I was accompanied by my spouse and child. We finally reached 9:00 to the Embassy. My time for interview was 8:00. Please note that my spouse and child are both USC, so their names were not mentioned in my interview letter. Before entering you are thoroughly checked again. Initially by security personal and then you go thorough scan for any metal like things.

Though we reached late but were fortunately not yet called. I went through the following steps;

1- The first step is biometrics. You are asked to scan your fingerprints. This is done in a separate room and it would hardly take 5 minutes.

2- Then you enter another room where interviews are held. These interviews are for both immigrant as well as non-immigrant cases. The immigrant interviews will be conducted behind where you will sit. The non-immigrant interviews are on the right hand side. Basically the seating arrangement is such that immigrant visa applicants sit on the left side while the non-immigrant applicants seating is on the right side. In fornt of the seating arrangement a TV is installed which while we were sitting was broadcasting GEO TV news.

3- In this room I was first called in one window i-e window No. 4 (which may not necessarily be in all the cases. I mean you may be called at another window depending on who is processing the case). In this window a Pakistani guy asked for my passport and asked me to wait for another call. Then after sometime I was called at window No. 7 where I was asked to submit my medical report. Since in my interview letter I was asked to bring 2 photographs and a police report I took those as well (Please note that I had already deposited the Police Certificate and Photographs earlier with my original documents as asked by NVC but since the interview letter again asked for it so I made a fresh police certificate and photographs as requested as a precautionary measure). The person at window No. 7 was again a Pakistani guy. Let me tell you that both the Pakistani guys were very polite, calm and friendly. After he retained the medical certificate I asked him if he needs the photographs. He said no we have it. Then he asked who sponsored and I told him my spouse. He asked the name and then he asked the name of financial sponsor as my financial sponsor was not my spouse. I told him the names. He then asked have you travelled to USA earlier and I said no. then he asked have you lived outside your hometown for more than 6 months anywhere after the age of 16. I said no. He asked where is your spouse now and since both my spouse and kid were standing with me I said here are they. Are they both USC I told them yes and he asked, did you deposit a copy of spouse US passport which I did but he could not find. He said no-problem I will photocopy it. Fortunately I had a copy of it at that time and which I gave to him. Then he asked me to wait for a minute and went to pick something came again and asked me to wait for another call which will be by the counselor.

4- I was called again at another window which I do not remember probably No. 3. This time he was either an American or some other foreign national young guy. Again a very friendly guy. When I reached at that window I was accompanied again by my spouse and kid. My kid was speaking to himself. He first said hello and then asked did you travel outside Pakistan I said yes twice to UAE, Dubai and UK. He asked how long did you stay there. Two weeks in Dubai for the first time, 4 days the next time, two weeks in UK for the first time and 10 days for the second time. Which place did you like the best. Well for sight seeing UK is much better and facility wise Dubai is far ahead. So both were good. He laughed and asked our son, hey what are you saying. I asked him should I submit the Police Certificate to you and he said no we have it. (Still I would advise to take all the documents requested in interview call letter including the X-Ray and vaccination report as a precaution). Then he said well all your documents are complete we are satisfied. There will be an administrative processing for security purpose to be done by Washington and we will then ask you to submit your passport again. He gave me back my original documents i-e Nikkah Nama, Birth Certificate and passport alongwith a blue slip and maroon sticker of the embassy pasted on my passport and a list of approved courier agents. He asked me to submit the passport at this courier agent when the Embassy calls you to do so. Then he said the Administrative Processing takes a minimum of six weeks. I said its ok. Then he said well congratulations and welcome to USA in advance. I said Thanks.

That was all. I took engagement & wedding photographs and so many other documents but it was quite easy. I am on AP since then and await the call from embassy.

I had noted that Zorro very rightly said that if your Financial sponsor (AOS) is someone in addition to your spouse you will be on AP and I believe that’s true. With due respect however the other observations like English language etc. is wrong. These things do not matter.

But I would say all is well if it ends well.

Sorry for writing in so much detail and taking so much space of the thread but I believe it will help those who have not been through interview.

Take good care and pray that we all get visa and those on AP their AP is over soon.

Regards

Thanks for ur review, and i am sure it will help many people who read this forum..

although my husband is from india, we had the exact same interview in chennai..

I was present with him during the interivew, we were asked the same questions as you.. then she said you will get the visa but i need to do some additinal processing on your case, which will take 4-6 weeks.. we were not told why.. but my husband did go to UMRA recently in 2004, and she did ask us if he travelled to saudi, so :/ gues we are in AP for security checks also..

inshallah its over soon... i called DOS and they said its pending for security and background check but would not give us any further info...

just hope that all people on AP are reunited with their spouses in this month of Ramadan, and inshAllah keep faith and keep praying, GOD is great, and nothing can happen without his permission...

oh man i bet that is why we are in security soooo long perviz worked in the hosptial in saudi for a year before we filed for k1 visa