Round-up of yesterday - Visa in Administrative Processing!

[arwilson80 0]

OK guys. Quick update on yesterday…

Had a 09:00 appointment. Arrived just after 08:30 and went in to the waiting room. Got called after about 3 hours. The lady had to go collect my files and came back. Then she said ‘Oops, they aren’t all here. Let me go get the others’. Went and got them and she organized them a little bit. And then for a 2nd time ‘Oops, looks like we are missing page 2 of the DS-230 form’, so I handed her a copy. Then there were a few questions like ‘When are you leaving?’, ‘Have you your Police certificate / birth certificate?’, ‘Have you the affadit of support?’, ‘And the supporting documentation?’, etc… Got all that and they made some copies and gave me the originals back. She then told me to go pay the visa fee and come back. Asked a few more questions like military service, married before, etc…

Told all was fine and to go have a seat and I’d be called again later. After about 2½ hours I got called back again. Asked a few more questions… ‘When did we get engaged?’, ‘When was I intending to leave?’ To which I replied ‘July 7th’ and had a response something like ‘That’s quite close…’, ‘Ever been arrested?’.

He then handed me 2 sheets of paper with various questions on them (Parents names, Siblings name, Countries visited in last 10 years, Places of work for the last 10 years (these all sound familiar? )and told me to go fill them in and when I was done come straight back to him.

About 30 mins late I brought them all back and was told ‘Thanks... we have a little extra processing to do on your visa. We will give you a call in a week or so to have you send in your passport and get the visa’. At which point he said ‘Here’s a form (see below)… call this number to have the embassy courier pick up your passport after we call. Here’s your passport. It normally takes about a week…

The 'Blue form' had a 'check' in the first box to say that they were missing documents. This was then scribbled out and a new one put in the 'Administrative Processing' box.

I asked if they needed anything more and was told they had all they needed and all was ‘Fine’

So… 5½ hours in the embassy and as wise about approval as I was when I went in.

[DTunda 0]

OK guys. Quick update on yesterday…

Had a 09:00 appointment. Arrived just after 08:30 and went in to the waiting room. Got called after about 3 hours. The lady had to go collect my files and came back. Then she said ‘Oops, they aren’t all here. Let me go get the others’. Went and got them and she organized them a little bit. And then for a 2nd time ‘Oops, looks like we are missing page 2 of the DS-230 form’, so I handed her a copy. Then there were a few questions like ‘When are you leaving?’, ‘Have you your Police certificate / birth certificate?’, ‘Have you the affadit of support?’, ‘And the supporting documentation?’, etc… Got all that and they made some copies and gave me the originals back. She then told me to go pay the visa fee and come back. Asked a few more questions like military service, married before, etc…

Told all was fine and to go have a seat and I’d be called again later. After about 2½ hours I got called back again. Asked a few more questions… ‘When did we get engaged?’, ‘When was I intending to leave?’ To which I replied ‘July 7th’ and had a response something like ‘That’s quite close…’, ‘Ever been arrested?’.

He then handed me 2 sheets of paper with various questions on them (Parents names, Siblings name, Countries visited in last 10 years, Places of work for the last 10 years (these all sound familiar? )and told me to go fill them in and when I was done come straight back to him.

About 30 mins late I brought them all back and was told ‘Thanks... we have a little extra processing to do on your visa. We will give you a call in a week or so to have you send in your passport and get the visa’. At which point he said ‘Here’s a form (see below)… call this number to have the embassy courier pick up your passport after we call. Here’s your passport. It normally takes about a week…

The 'Blue form' had a 'check' in the first box to say that they were missing documents. This was then scribbled out and a new one put in the 'Administrative Processing' box.

I asked if they needed anything more and was told they had all they needed and all was ‘Fine’

So… 5½ hours in the embassy and as wise about approval as I was when I went in.

Hey I can so sympathise!

Something similar happened to me at my June 9th interview.

Our lawyer submitted the wrong Affidavit of Support for my fiance AND failed to tell us we needed a joint sponsor after we asked him on numerous occasions if my fiance's income for 2009 was enough. So at the interview the CO told me that I needed to submit these documents (I-134 for fiance and I-864 for joint sponsor) before processing can continue. I was SOOOO disappointed.

I had planned the entire month of June around getting my approval on the 9th. I wanted to go work in the UK (where I had been studying for the pass year even though I live in Norway) for the rest of June and July then fly out to the states in August, but this delay has not only flat lined that plan, it has caused me so much wasted time and MONEY!!!

I have to be staying in a hostel (because I gave up my apartment when I went to study in the UK and all my friends have gone on holiday) while my fiance and I try to find someone who is willing to be our co sponsor. We've found many kind hearted family members and friends who want to help but either they don't earn enough for their household size or they haven't yet filed their taxes!!! ARRRRGHHH

This is just horrible and I can relate to how disappointed and frustrated you feel.

At least you're in a slightly better situation than me. I'm sure your case will be approved and your visa issued in no time. Wish I could say the same for myself! :/

[treehugger 23]

Please tell me you haven't booked a ticket!!

As you probably know, every single applicant goes through AP, it's just that most are completed the same day/the next and never actually get to hear those dreaded words. You might have been put in 'black hole' AP for a number of reasons...and although I sincerely hope that you do get your visa issued in time for you to leave on the 7th, I'd advise you to make alternative plans, just in case. The fact that they didn't keep your passport is not encouraging, as it implies they don't expect to issue a visa soon.

You probably don't know my own history - I was approved after a three minute interview, told I'd get my passport (visa included) in two to three days...116 days later the visa has yet to be issued. Unlike you, I was given the pink slip - I only found out about being in AP almost two weeks later when I called the embassy to ask if my passport had been mislaid.

Wishing you luck, and do keep us posted

Good luck to you too, DTunda

[DTunda 0]

Please tell me you haven't booked a ticket!!

As you probably know, every single applicant goes through AP, it's just that most are completed the same day/the next and never actually get to hear those dreaded words. You might have been put in 'black hole' AP for a number of reasons...and although I sincerely hope that you do get your visa issued in time for you to leave on the 7th, I'd advise you to make alternative plans, just in case. The fact that they didn't keep your passport is not encouraging, as it implies they don't expect to issue a visa soon.

You probably don't know my own history - I was approved after a three minute interview, told I'd get my passport (visa included) in two to three days...116 days later the visa has yet to be issued. Unlike you, I was given the pink slip - I only found out about being in AP almost two weeks later when I called the embassy to ask if my passport had been mislaid.

Wishing you luck, and do keep us posted

Good luck to you too, DTunda

Thanks treehugger, I think I'm going to need it!

I hope your case works out if it hasn't already.

[Justine+David 218]

Are there any potential red flags in your file that you can think of? Born British but in another country? Immigrated to Britain? Large age disparity, religious differences, spent a lot of time in a third world country? Military service?

I hope you get the visa soon

[arwilson80 0]

Please tell me you haven't booked a ticket!!

As you probably know, every single applicant goes through AP, it's just that most are completed the same day/the next and never actually get to hear those dreaded words. You might have been put in 'black hole' AP for a number of reasons...and although I sincerely hope that you do get your visa issued in time for you to leave on the 7th, I'd advise you to make alternative plans, just in case. The fact that they didn't keep your passport is not encouraging, as it implies they don't expect to issue a visa soon.

I haven't a plane ticket. That is the thing that needs least organizing.

Are there any potential red flags in your file that you can think of? Born British but in another country? Immigrated to Britain? Large age disparity, religious differences, spent a lot of time in a third world country? Military service?

I hope you get the visa soon

All 'No'. The thing i can't understand is there's nothing i can think of that should've raised a 'red flag' on either side. Maybe the file is 'too good' (if there is such a thing).

I just hope it doesn't go back to having something to do with USCIS transferring my case to Dublin!

Edited June 18, 2010 by arwilson80

[Lisa and Ian 7]

I haven't a plane ticket. That is the thing that needs least organizing.

All 'No'. The thing i can't understand is there's nothing i can think of that should've raised a 'red flag' on either side. Maybe the file is 'too good' (if there is such a thing).

I just hope it doesn't go back to having something to do with USCIS transferring my case to Dublin!

My guess would be that they just need time to review the forms you had to complete while you were there.

Don't book a ticket until you have your visa in hand. It will save you loads of stress if there are any delays.

Good luck!

[Gemmie 142]

Really sorry to hear that. It's good that you haven't booked a ticket yet, the last thing you need is more stress.

I hope it gets sorted out as quickly as possible. Some people are only in AP for a matter of days or a couple of weeks.

[arwilson80 0]

I just had a double check of what was actually on Part II of the DS-230 form... It's all those 'Have you ever...' questions that you answer 'Yes' / 'No' too (same as on the form you get with the I-94W each time you enter).

[arwilson80 0]

Really sorry to hear that. It's good that you haven't booked a ticket yet, the last thing you need is more stress.

I hope it gets sorted out as quickly as possible. Some people are only in AP for a matter of days or a couple of weeks.

I perfer the days option.

As for the stress... I wouldn't say i was stressing, but i do hate waiting on something that i have no idea what is going on (if there is actually anything happening) and how far it's progressing. That may sound a little like a 'control problem' but i'm laid back so it can't be that. I just like to be updated.

[arwilson80 0]

4 days to hear something otherwise we'll have to re-schedule the wedding.

[Justine+David 218]

Have you contacted the embassy directly about the AP yet? Or DOS?

[arwilson80 0]

Yeah. Have called DOS once (will call them again later today as well). Just told me the usual 'You are in AP. The Embassy will contact you when they are ready, but feel free to call back and we'll tell you what we can'.

I wonder whether referring them back to this point in their 'Customer Service Statement' would have any effect on them?

We will use our available resources to fairly assist all applicants to get appointments to allow travel in time for business, study, and other important obligations.

Edited June 28, 2010 by arwilson80

[Amit-N-Melody 11]

I totally feel for you.. I married my Hubby in India and his whole family got to attend but my family had to watch via web cam... so I had planned this huge reception type party for our Wedding anniversary on July 25th, so my family could meet him <really just a good excuse to through a party>...I even put a deposit down on this old victorian mansion and everything....well ehh hem... doesnt look like that will happen... sucks when you cant control the situation, I borrowed my AUnts lace komono and was having a cream dress made to wear under it... We bought the girls the most adorable Indian Dresses to also wear... ohh well... Happy Monday

[arwilson80 0]

Well... just off phone to DoS... My AP is undergoing name checks in DC. 30-90 day wait time.

Here are a couple of links that may put minds at ease (or maybe not)...

http://www.fbi.gov/congress/congress04/garrity022504.htm

http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/security_checks_42506.pdf

http://www.visajourney.com/news/2009/03/