Anyone had this happen at Moscow embassy??

[slim 1,525]

As the others have said, don't think it means anything too serious. They're probably just checking something in a little more detail.

Keep up with the email inquiries. They'll get back to you one of these days.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Good advice Brad. If you use congressional help and they CAN help, then you have to "let go the wheel" and let them do their thing which does not happen overnight.

Anther thing you need to be aware of is that they CAN do this at any point actually and my guess is that if it hadn't happened now, it would have for the AOS process...and still could. I do recall one case similar to this where a fiance from Canada got his visa, but was turned back at the border when he tried to enter the US because of some similar thing. It is not over, really, until he becomes a citizen. Though I imagine once you get past this hurdle, whatever it is, it ought to get better.

Good thought about the AOS Gary. To the OP, collect all the documentation you can about this situation along the way. Save all the email, letters, etc. in hard copy for the interview and POE - just in case. Sometimes flags in the State Dept. computer system are taken out by consular, but I would be nervous that, with this amount of time in the system, there might be issues clearing passport control or AOS if the computers don't scrub data the same way.

[elya 17]

Good thought about the AOS Gary. To the OP, collect all the documentation you can about this situation along the way. Save all the email, letters, etc. in hard copy for the interview and POE - just in case. Sometimes flags in the State Dept. computer system are taken out by consular, but I would be nervous that, with this amount of time in the system, there might be issues clearing passport control or AOS if the computers don't scrub data the same way.

Thanks for the suggestions... gosh I hope that once we get through this he won't get stopped at POE. That would just kill me! At least for AOS if they want to review us again we will be here together...

I will try to get copies of the letters the congressman's aide sent and received. But from what they told me, the responses they did get were pretty generic. All real communication from the embassy, besides one generic response e-mail "The case is in administrative review", has only been by phone - when they called him to ask for the visa back, and when the asked his parents questions. We never even received an official paper about the administrative review, as people do when they get administrative review after the interview, and we didn't receive any sort of official request, or even e-mail, for him to return the visa and why. Which seems improper, but I have no idea how to complain about it or whether there is even any point to do so. Honestly one of my first thoughts when he got the phone call was "what if it's not really them calling, how do we know?" But I guess who else could it have been... And our lawyer advised to definitely return it immediately.

From what I've heard and our experience so far, basically we expect no more than a phone call if he gets invited for a second interview or if they approve/deny the visa. Any suggestions on how to get stuff from them in writing? Without causing further delays or ticking anyone off?

And, stupid mistake, we didn't even make a photocopy of the visa before he gave it back....argh. hindsight is 20/20 :-(

[Brad and Vika 129]

And, stupid mistake, we didn't even make a photocopy of the visa before he gave it back....argh. hindsight is 20/20 :-(

Don't worry about it. The visa will remain in his passport even if it is cancelled. No one will remove pages from his passport, or intentionally damage a page. If they cancel the visa, it will be in his passport with a cancel stamp and a code on it. The code ties to the consular reg. code reason for denial.

[Turboguy 6]

Having spent about 5 or 6 months in Administrative Review I can sympathise with you. Mine came at NVC and I am sure it would be a lot worse after you think everything is done and behind you. What happened to you is very rare. There was a point a few years ago when that happened fairly often. Most cases are resolved faster than yours has been so I hope yours does not take much longer.

[elya 17]

I have been reading a lot on another forum about 221(g) administrative processing for fiance or immigrant visas... a lot of cases do finish more quickly, but some of them scare me so much, 15 months, 18 months, 3 years, 5 years! It's just impossible to plan anything when you think that we could get his visa back tomorrow... or in 5 years!

Trying to stay optimistic but it's tough... this is already the longest time we've ever gone without seeing each other :-( Thanks to everyone who responded with suggestions and support, and wishes for a fast resolution to anyone and everyone out there who is also stuck in AP!!

[Darnell 8,478]

There is small chance he was flagged for a MANTIS check, IMO. When you next talk to that US Rep's immigration liason staffer, inquire about any MANTIS check, directly.

Good Luck !

[slim 1,525]

this is already the longest time we've ever gone without seeing each other :-(

Did you guys grow up together or something?

Not trying to be a smart@$$, just trying to remind you to keep it in perspective. Yes a few extra months may seem like forever but in reality, it's only a few extra months. It's not going to be five years. Quit punishing yourself by reading peoples' 221g horror stories. Keep your eyes on the prize, stay in contact with your Congressman's aide and keep up with regular e-mails to the embassy once or twice a week.

This will all be over with soon.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Did you guys grow up together or something?

Not trying to be a smart@$$, just trying to remind you to keep it in perspective. Yes a few extra months may seem like forever but in reality, it's only a few extra months. It's not going to be five years. Quit punishing yourself by reading peoples' 221g horror stories. Keep your eyes on the prize, stay in contact with your Congressman's aide and keep up with regular e-mails to the embassy once or twice a week.

This will all be over with soon.

Often we will get jumped on now for saying something like this, and it is not from the perspective of a short timeline (which it usually gets blamed on and I did not even look at Slim's timeline)

It is from the perspective that this is a lifelong deal, it is not a dinner date. It is WAY too much trouble for a dinner date, no matter what he looks like. He WILL arrive and then you will be in for the ride of your life and you have not prepared for it and 2 more years couldn't prepare you for it. One year down the road, from now, from when he arrives, from when he has a green card...take your pick...and it all fades to distant memories. And I will still be dealing with the USCIS for several more years to come between the three people. Every year for the next four years, at least, there will be some big "event" to file for and go through. Not to mention that I have been doing this for 2.5 years already. When it is "all done" it will be nearly 7 years total, start to finish. Meeting to Naturalization. What you are doing now is part of that journey. Think of it as a road trip from New York to California. You just got a flat tire in Ohio. It is a flat tire, a nuisance, that is all. Deal with it, it is life with an immigrant spouse/children.

Not to sound uncaring, believe me, we have all been through BS with the various government agencies. Just understand this is not the last inconvenience, the visa is not "the end" of the journey, it a milestone, but not the end, it is not even half way.

[sachinky 465]

I can't even imagine what this would feel like. I'd heard of APs occuring after the applicant had already been told that the visa was approved. But to have to return your passport after the visa has been issued and then be in AP for months is just terrible.

I'm so sorry it happened to you. Hang in there and keep up with the enquiries.

I wish you all the best. It probably has to do with some mix-up, I think. Maybe the CO missed it and the supervisor caught it. Could be a name/address issue. Maybe they're checking his immigration history? Any discrepancies (in basic biographic details) with your current petition/visa and his previous ones? I'd suggest you go over all the paperwork in great detail.

Edited May 30, 2010 by sachinky

[Justine+David 218]

Did you guys grow up together or something?

Not trying to be a smart@$$, just trying to remind you to keep it in perspective. Yes a few extra months may seem like forever but in reality, it's only a few extra months. It's not going to be five years. Quit punishing yourself by reading peoples' 221g horror stories. Keep your eyes on the prize, stay in contact with your Congressman's aide and keep up with regular e-mails to the embassy once or twice a week.

This will all be over with soon.

I think it's very unfair to say that to the OP...and you don't know how long it will be whether it's short or long...one of our UK members who was a natural-born English ancestry woman was put into AP after initially being told she was approved with no obvious red flags. And she's been stuck there since February...the truth is that we don't know how long each individual AP takes.

OP, I wish the best for you and your fiance and that the visa will be issued soon.

[slim 1,525]

Often we will get jumped on now for saying something like this, and it is not from the perspective of a short timeline (which it usually gets blamed on and I did not even look at Slim's timeline)

I don't have a timeline. Although, if I did, it would say something to the effect of "I knew my fiancee for five years before we filed. As of this month, we've been going through this VJ for 10 years."

It only took three posts to get jumped on. Not bad.

It is from the perspective that this is a lifelong deal, it is not a dinner date. It is WAY too much trouble for a dinner date, no matter what he looks like.

Exactly where I was coming from. Often I see folks on here who are still going through the process and who assume that because we've already been through it that we either didn't face our fair share of burden or we're insensitive now because we're "above" USCIS now that our SO has arrived. Folks - this kind of stuff happened before too! Also, keep in mind many of us with our SO here put in a lot longer "wait time" than some of you do today. Processing times today are rather quick compared to what they once were.

this is not the last inconvenience, the visa is not "the end" of the journey, it a milestone, but not the end, it is not even half way.

After several years of "time served" I look back on the visa part as "the easiest part of this whole process."

I think it's very unfair to say that to the OP

Oh boo hoo.

...and you don't know how long it will be whether it's short or long...one of our UK members who was a natural-born English ancestry woman was put into AP after initially being told she was approved with no obvious red flags. And she's been stuck there since February...the truth is that we don't know how long each individual AP takes.

So, you as a person who doesn't know how long it's going to take, are telling me, as another person who doesn't know how long it's going to take, that it's very unfair of me to post that the OP should relax and not be too concerned over this whole thing since nobody knows how long it's going to take?

What should I be telling her? Horror stories of folks waiting FOUR months? Whooooptidy freakin doooo. FOUR months. My point is a few months is really not that long in the grand scheme of things. While it may seem like FOURever while we're trying to make preparations for new life together and plans for the future, in the grand scheme of things a few months of extra waiting is not that big of a deal and instead of pulling our hair out, losing sleep and being all depressed over it, we should be able to go on with our lives while patiently awaiting the eventual positive outcome.

This is why I recommend folks stay out of other forums unless they want specific advice on paperwork. The "horror stories" of all the "what ifs" that "could be happening" that are, in truth, nothing more than simple delays (and correctly done in response to numerous red flags, I might add) that will be cleared up in due time.

The sky is not falling.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I knew you would get pounced on by the "I-really-don't-care-about-anyone-but-me-but-internet-ink-is-free-so-why-not-act-like-it" crowd that thinks some greater purpose is served by pretending it is an outrage to have a 4 month delay in a lifelong process. They offer no advice to the OP but lots of internet "hugs". They are almost always flying a UK or Canadian flag. Mostly people that never did any work with the government (but want them to run their healthcare) and do not understand it can take one department of the government YEARS to approve a permit application for another part of the government.

These same people, if marrying a domestic mate without government approval, would think nothing of waiting 4 months to get the banquet hall date they want, or 4 months to have a wedding dress made, but because they are in love and can't stand to be apart the government should fly through the process so they aren't kept apart.

I was never apart from Alla for more than 6 weeks. Just get on a plane and GO, there are non-stops every day from New York, the government is NOT keeping you apart. The OP is free to go visit anytime she wants. She can wait outside the consulate with her fiancee for word.

[visaveteran 1]

It is a paradox for me to be both on my own visa journey and to be an American citizen. That is to say, while I want everyone on here to be successful with their K-1s or CR-1s, I also want the US to be safe from terrorists, spies, and those who work against our way of life.

Frankly, we're not on the best of terms with Russia and now Ukraine at the moment. Undoubtedly, Russia continues to infiltrate the US with spies even if not with the same intensity as under the USSR. Russia is, after all, run by former KGB leadership. The communists seem to be making a come back even in places like the Czech Republic. There are bad people out there who want to get into the US for mischief or secret information.

So, if the government is not comfortable granting someone a visa without a full review and maybe some extra time to make sure this person is not a bad guy, good for them.

I know we could never believe our wives would be spies or terrorists, but how do we really know? If they're well trained, they know how to make it look good. It would be a great way to infiltrate the US and we might never suspect any foul play...but we could be fat, old, bald dupes.

Yeah, I know this sounds nuts, but it is not outside the realm of possibility.

[mendeleev 68]

I hear what Slim and Gary and Alla are saying and it makes sense, intellectually.

But I still remember the (probably routine) Administrative Review we experienced in my wife's K3 process. It didn't last that long, but those were a few tough months for me. And I had the option of fairly frequent travel to Russia in those days. A lot of people don't have that advantage. I hope elya and her fiance get through this hurdle quickly, so that they can soon look back on it and wonder why they were so impatient. Right now, impatience and distress are completely reasonable reactions to this episode over which they have essentially no control.