We are totally devastated.... my fiance went to his interview at 7am this morning (Nigeria time), called me at 12pm his time, we have been put on Administrative Processing. He answered every question correctly, had all the evidence, over a years worth of im covo's and telephone records, proof of our meeting, emails between he and I as well as between he and my daughter, cards I had sent snail mail, everything. She said there wasn't enough evidence, I just can't believe it! I sent like 10 pounds of paper over there for him to take with him. It was organized, everything was there and in tact. I don't understand what they will find during their Administrative Processing that was not already there and available to them.

The one thing he said she questioned is that when we met in person, I didn't go to Nigeria but to Ghana because of all the travel warnings and safety risks associated with Nigeria. She said "she came all the way to Africa and didn't even meet your parents?" Can that be why we were put on Administrative Processing? We can't go back and change that.

We don't know what to do now..... Will he have another interview? Will we need to supply even more documentation of our relationship from now forward? How long will this take?

My head is spinning. I felt so good about all the documentation, I just didn't expect this. Any advice would be so appreciated. I haven't slept a wink all night and I'm sure being exhausted isn't helping matter's but at the moment I just feel so hopeless.

hugs
tess

Im so sorry to hear this, hope its not kept on AP too long.

Tess, I am so sorry to hear about that

We are also on AP. They want to see letters that we wrote to each other, but we have a date to go back.

Was your fiance given a piece of paper or anything at the interview? What is written on it? Or did they just tell him he is on AP?

Thank you.

Yes he just scanned and sent it to me. It says:

This office regrets to inform you that is is unable to issue a visa to you because you have been found ineligible under section 221(g) of the which indicates that you have not provided sufficient documentation.

Please return at 1 PM on the day that you are re-invited after the administrative processing is complete. When you return, please bring the following:

Your case requires further administrative processing, which may average up to six months

You may email lagoscons2@state.gove to request and update on the status of your case.

When this process is complete, you will be contacted by phone or email and then reinvited for an interview.

They didn't even say what to bring! I just don't understand what we need to do

Sorry to hear about them putting you guys on AP. It sounds like you sent more than enough evidence, but some of the CO's can be picky over the slightest thing. Most times they won't tell you why you are on AP, but I have noticed that sometimes the questions that were focused on the most during the interview can be a hint as to what they are looking for. Your AP *could* be concerning the fact that you didn't go to Nigeria. Who knows for sure. I think your best bet would be to call DOS (Department of State) . The DOS phone number is 202.663.1225 ( press 1, 0, 4, 3, 0 to speak to a human).

Whenever the embassy updates your case in the computer system, i.e. your interview, then it goes to DOS. DOS will be able have access to all of the notes and comments that the CO put on your case file in the computer system. Sometimes the DOS rep will slip up and give you information and sometimes they are tight-lipped about it. I would try to call them and see if there is anyway you can sqeeze some info out of them.

AP can be from 1 week to more than a year. It all depends on what they are looking for. Sometimes they will tell him the beneficiary a new date to come and drop off evidence or sometimes they will schedule a 2nd interview. That's the bad thing about AP...you are basically in a black hole and just have to wait and see what comes next. I know it's devastating to wait more time, but it's not the end of your case.

It seems like they are probably doing some verifying or some sort of security check and they will just notify you when they are finished.

Thats what it looks like to me too LovinLiberia. I would think that if they wanted more documentation that they would have indicated it on the 221g.

Tess, I would call DOS and see what they say.

Why did they want to see letters you wrote each other? did you have any other proof of ongoing relationship?? Or did they just want to see more? I'm curious cuz my fiance goes Wednesday, he has an email or two from each month of the last year we've been apart. But mostly I used calling cards to call him so it's not accepted as proof. I did use my house fon the last two months, so he has that. But its a scanned copy and a little hard to read. He does have some western union slips from this past year that I've occassionally sent him. Do you think that will help? We're so worried cuz we keep reading about ppl being put on AP.

We did not include the letters because they are only like 10 and we had more eviddence that we though was enough. Well, the CO decided that they wanted to see the letters, but in our case the AP is just so that we can turn them in and then get the visa. We are not in security checks.

Send everything you can to your fiance to prove the relationship. I would not include the Western Union receipts because I have read that the CO frowns on that, especially if the USC is a female. I don't think it would help your case.

People get put on AP for different reasons. The most common one is the name checks or background checks that are not completed before the interview. In other cases, the CO is not satisfied with the evidence and asks for more. It just depends on what the CO thinks is lacking.

Thank you both for your suggestion. I called the DOS and the lady wouldn't tell me anything other than to do what the letter says. When I told her that the letter doesn't tell us anything to bring back, she just said "well I couldn't guess what it might be you might want to send an email to Lagos." What a totally frustrating process.

What concerns me is that we don't have anything else to provide. I don't know if I need to plan a trip to Nigeria in the next few weeks or what?? But then I also wonder.... would it even help? Will we even have the opportunity to show that I've come again??

I think your case is in AP. I don't think you need to return anything else to the embassy. If they do need anything else from you then they will let you know. No one can tell you how long it will take. If they wanted more documentation I think that they would have checked the box asking for more documentation (that is what they did with us).

I would think hard about using the Western Union receipts. The CO can definately frown on those. It can be interpreted as him scamming you for money. Also, my husband and I had sent money back and forth for different reasons and we included some of the receipts. At his interview, the CO asked him why he sent me money. She asked if he had been paying me to do this process for him. The CO's are very good at taking simple issues and twisting them into a negative perspective. I would be very careful with using the Western Union receipts.





It is very frustrating. You should try to call once a week or maybe once every two weeks. Different reps wil give you different amounts of information. If they wanted you to provide more evidence they would have listed it on the paperwork. Being on AP is a waiting game and there is really nothing you can do except send emails to the consulate for updates, call DOS to fish for information, and wait. I would hold off on that trip to Nigeria. It won't help towards the AP and you might not get any information if you go to the embassy while still in AP.

Just remember that AP is not the end. You will eventually hear from them and have an answer. You should go read up on AP in the MENA forum. A lot of the people in that forum are placed on AP since it is a common thing in the Middle East. You should be able to see how everyone's AP times vary and maybe even get tips on what to do.

"What concerns me is that we don't have anything else to provide. I don't know if I need to plan a trip to Nigeria in the next few weeks or what?? But then I also wonder.... would it even help? Will we even have the opportunity to show that I've come again."


Hi Tess,

Sorry for the delay and that is what it really is. It is a delay provided both of you do your homework. This is an opportunity for you and Tony to satisfy the embassy requirements whatever that may be. Here is my 2 cent. If you can afford a trip to Nigeria to visit Tony, it will do a great deal. This will validate your on-going relationship for one and give your photo opportunity with your future in-laws. MAKE sure you meet with his immediate families. Document your visitation. I would encourage you to continue what both of you have been doing such as the documentation of your on-going relationship. Once you guys come out of AP, and he is invited for a second interview they will be expecting to see some information to aide their decision. This is what is going to win the CO over to your side thus getting the visa granted. Take care and be blessed now.

Sorry about the AP. Your second in a matter of months. Try to stay as positive as you can and continue to document your connections with your fiance now. I'm not sure about visiting now, but they may schedule a second interview and if I were you, I would go to that interview.

I would hold off on the trip. Since they did not indicate that the AP is for lack of evidence of their relationship, I don't think it would help them. I would wait to see if I could get any more information from DOS about the reason for AP. If it is about the validity of the relationship then I would make the trip possibly for the second interview (if you are given one).

I think the key right now is to wait and see what DOS can tell you. Calling them every couple of weeks is a good idea.

This is just a tiny bump in the road

I just wanted to tell you that I am truly sorry about the outcome of the interview and you are in my prayers

Thank you very much!

I am acutally one of those people who always feels as if I should be "doing something", so...... about mid day, dried my swollen eyes and got on the phone to my Congressman's office. The man I spoke with was very nice and told me not to worry (of course I started crying again, dangit!) that they do this all the time and that it sounds as if my fiance' took moore than enough evidence. He said that he will be calling and emailing them to get to the bottom of the reason for the AP. I also typed and sent a formal letter of request (for whatever good it will do) to the US Embassy in Lagos requesting additional information.

Maybe neither thing will help but makes me feel a little better, doing something.

Thanks so much for your prayers!

tess

I'm glad that you are trying to stay proactive. Calling the Congressman was an option that I forgot about. Let us know what information he gets back from the embassy.

I am so sorry to hear this. I sincerely pray that your delay is a brief one.

Now that I'm in a little better place than I was at 5:00 A.M. I wanted to post some of the questions my sweetie was asked for anyone who has an upcoming interview. I'll post a review later....

1) How did you meet your fiance'?
2) What is her birthday?
3) When did you meet?
4) When did you meet in person?
5) How many times has she been married?
6) Why didn't she just get a divorce instead of an anullment?
7) Does she have any grandchildren? (age difference dig there I guess)
8) How old is her daughter?
9) Why did you two meet in Ghana instead of Nigeria?
10) So she hasn't met your family?
11) What about her parents?
12) Where do her parents live?
13) What kind of car does she drive?

He couldn't remember the make and model of my car and I think he could have been a little more forthcoming with his answer to number 6 but... I believe because it was for such personal reasons, he didn't give the best possible answer.

Still..... everything else he answered perfectly! I don't think those two things are reasonable reasons to put us on AP!!!!

Oh wait.... who said they were reasonable right? I guess I'm getting angry now.... I hate that.

Tess, I know exactly what you are going through.

You can PM me if you need to talk

Tess, AP is not the end of the world but just a slight delay. Someone once told me that most AP's are for the CO's to confer with their supervisors to ensure that all tees are crossed. From everything you indicated, you did your homework very well and believe me this thing could be resolved in a very short time. Hold off on the travel to Nigeria and continue to pray. This process is a journey of faith, hope and longsuffering. Our country is very much stigmatized by the very few fraudsters who make things difficult for genuine couples like you and your SO, and that is what goes through the minds of most CO's at Lagos Embassy. Please stay strong and God will surely see you through.

Wow....I'm so sorry. I was really hoping to continue to hear good news out of Lagos. My husband has his interview on Thursday. I was thinking...maybe because you guys met in Ghana, they need to do some kind of security check with the embassy there to make sure there's not been another petition filed there or something. Hopefully it will just be a matter of a week or two for them to check that out, and then he will be scheduled a second interview. Have you tried emailing the Lagos consolate...I know they don't always respond, but my husband actually got a response a few months back to a question he had. It's worth a try. I will be sending prayers your way.


God Bless

I am so sorry to hear the outcome of your interview. I traveled on 2 occasions to meet my fiance in Senegal. The CO asked him why and he told the CO that I did not want to travel to Nigeria with the US Travel Advisory. That satisfied that particular quesions. Just stay proactive and positive.

I am so sorry to hear the outcome of your interview. I traveled on 2 occasions to meet my fiance in Senegal. The CO asked him why and he told the CO that I did not want to travel to Nigeria with the US Travel Advisory. That satisfied that particular quesions. Just stay proactive and positive.

I am so sorry to hear the outcome of your interview. I traveled on 2 occasions to meet my fiance in Senegal. The CO asked him why and he told the CO that I did not want to travel to Nigeria with the US Travel Advisory. That satisfied that particular quesions. Just stay proactive and positive.

I am so sorry to hear the outcome of your interview. I traveled on 2 occasions to meet my fiance in Senegal. The CO asked him why and he told the CO that I did not want to travel to Nigeria with the US Travel Advisory. That satisfied that particular quesions. Just stay proactive and positive.

I am so sorry to hear the outcome of your interview. I traveled on 2 occasions to meet my fiance in Senegal. The CO asked him why and he told the CO that I did not want to travel to Nigeria with the US Travel Advisory. That satisfied that particular quesions. Just stay proactive and positive.

Sorry that you are placed on AP. We were placed on AP in march, 2008. This letter that they gave you is the same letter we were given.





This office regrets to inform you that is is unable to issue a visa to you because you have been found ineligible under section 221(g) of the which indicates that you have not provided sufficient documentation.

Please return at 1 PM on the day that you are re-invited after the administrative processing is complete. When you return, please bring the following:

Your case requires further administrative processing, which may average up to six months

You may email lagoscons2@state.gove to request and update on the status of your case.

When this process is complete, you will be contacted by phone or email and then reinvited for an interview.

They didn't even say what to bring! I just don't understand what we need to do
[/quote]

I pray that you are right. My initial instinct is to jump on a plane and go to Nigeria to camp out at the Embassy, lol. For whatever good that would do me. This morning I am in a little better place than I was yesterday. Still heartbroken no doubt but running a little less on pure emotion, listening to the logical side of my brain this morning, lol.

You guys are awesome! The support here is an amazing thing!

I just keep telling myself now that God doesn't give us more than we can handle so this too shall pass and we will be able to get on with the business of spending the rest of our lives together.

Thanks again! You guys rock!

tess

I pray your husbands interview will be a smooth and very positive experience. You may be right about the Ghana thing, I didn't think about that, thanks! I heard from my Congressman's office this morning, he has sent an inquiry, I just hope they respond. He did ask me in his email if we had thought about getting married in Africa. Does anyone know how that would work since we have already been thru the K-1 process?

hugs,
tess

I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy AP. If you should go and get married in Nigeria that would involve filing for another visa K3 or CR1/IR1. Even if you decide to get married and refile, it still is not a guaranteed approval. Who would want to start this prcocess all over? I hope the congressman is able to get some inforamtion for you and then make a suggestion as to what needs to be done. Stay strong, we are here to support you

[quote name='OFUNE' date='Apr 15 2008, 08:37 AM' post='1756117']
Sorry that you are placed on AP. We were placed on AP in march, 2008. This letter that they gave you is the same letter we were given.


Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers also for a speedy AP

I just got this back from my Congressman's office:

I just got this from the U.S. Consulate in Lagos. Your fiancée was not denied a K-3 visa, all the Department of State is saying is that they need additional time to decide on your fiancées case.



Here is what they wrote:



Thank you for your email. The interviewing officer informed the applicant that additional administrative processing was required in this case. The applicant was told that this process can last six to twelve months and that he will be re-invited after the processing is completed. We hope this addresses your inquiry.



Sincerely,
Immigrant Visa Section
U.S. Consulate General
Lagos, Nigeria


Wow! That was helpful! I swear, it makes me so angry that the Consulate's are allowed to operate in this manner!