You know I had been pondering the thought....we try to console ourselves with thinking ya just because its a male from middle east/muslim nation that they get AP and that its done for national security, etc. But that doesn't make sense - then EVERYONE would get about 8-9 months of AP coming from these countries. I'm beginning to think its more about the relationship validity?? But then they say no it has nothing to do with that when I asked DOS. I know its also based on job type, etc etc...I researched all that. I'm just saying it doesn't make sense that they stress its for male of young age from T-countries....every male does not have these long APs. That goes for males with the same names too, they are all either Muhammad or Ahmed around this region so its not the name... It seems too selective for that to be the case. My husband has been waiting for over 7 months at bangladesh embassy while men from Iran get out in 2 months (and then theres men from iraq/iran having AP up to one year so that makes no sense either...clearly bangladesh has not made the headlines for having any nuclear weapons, etc. Its a low-risk country according to them as its not even included in the top T-countries but the other T-26. Its the same thing with India, which has much better relations with US where people get these LONG APs. What is it then? After contemplating for almost a year now I am wondering is it just people they do not like or think the relationship is not real more than the country/age? I did not even meet my husband online but in person on vacation, I visited 3 times already and have proof..proof to them was never the issue then why give others in the same embassy quick visas and drag this case to such a point? Any thoughts on why certain people with same conditions as the next person will have to wait these long APs while many get through within 1-2 months?

My dear Tammy,

AP is a big black hole with little rhyme or reason. Having spent 11 months there with a man from a strong US ally country, I know.

If they do not doubt your relationship, it is really all about clearing up the "name hit". My honey shares his common Latin name with many a drug dealer and criminal. The agencies have to determine that he is not one of these bad people - around the world.

I expect you and your man are in a similar situation. It seems some agencies clear the names faster than others - probably because some use technology and others by hand.

You know all this and I know, based on my experience, that nothing will make you feel better. Just keep calling the DOS number and one of these days, a rep will tell you the name is clear and to contact the embassy. Have your congressional rep office make an inquiry every 3 months. The hardest part is to keep the relationship strong and give each other support from a distance.

Try focusing on other things - exercise, volunteer work, whatever. And him too.

BIG HUGS!!!

Ann

Tammy, my heart goes out to you.

You are a strong woman and I know you will get through this.

Massive hugs

Dear Tammy,

I know it has been so hard waiting. Trying to figure out the reasons for the different wait times while factoring in the applicant's nationality, the name, the profession....I know. I wracked my brain trying to understand how some got the visa after a few weeks, while others waited months.

My husband has a bizaare last name which may have helped. it is rahimipourgaloosalari. Talk about a mouthful. In the end his unique last name that was our good fortune. However, I am so jaded by the process I won't believe he is really coming until I see him.

I think that your long AP has to do with bureaucratic slowness. Nothing more. I wonder what the US Embassy is like in Bangladesh. Possibly the AP cleared and the consulate wanted to run additional checks. I wish I could shake them up and just get some answers for you.

I wish your husband would reconsider the idea of a visit....It is just that the long seperation does take such a toll on the wellbeing of you both.

Please take care.

Your friend. Tina

Wonderful Tammy,

I have to agree with every word Nutty said, first of all. Secondly, I know for a fact they cannot keep you in the black AP hole forever and it is only a matter of time before your husband will get his visa. There is nothing I can say nor do to make this all go away for you, but you know that I am praying hard for you. Your day will come, like I said, not when you want it to, but when it is SUPPOSED to. ((( HUGS ))).

Ok I kinda like that explanation. It serves a pretty good reason. Thanks.

LOL Tina I love ur husband's names seriously I was wondering since I had heard his name before, like WHY would he get AP?? I dont think anyone has that lovely name haha. Ya I agree its the slowness of the embassy they are worse than India...and thats pretty bad. There's abou 3,000 people in there at all times waiting for visas and I wonder now how ANYONE ever gets their visa.

Thanks buddy

Tammy

Right Nagi, I totally believe it will come when its supposed to. Thats why I don't push it or get frustrated. I just wanted to know how they select a few to torture longer...and clearly everyone with long AP's got cleared eventually (except for one or two rare cases that had high relationship fraud,etc) but its evident that these guys were innocent...ya I must agree with the bureaucratic slowness as a major factor. Because I believe pushing anything is bad I haven't written to congressmen or bugged the embassy. I feel good to hear some possible reasons for the major inconsistencies.

Thanks

Ur wonderful Nagi, always.

There is not much a congressperson can really do but bug the Embassy FOR you. You can always take things higher should your AP go longer than usual, but that is not going to happen now is it?
Just stay the course, Sis. I know it is torture, but someone as strong as you will not go down without a fight.

There are about 12 specific lists that you have to clear. Some are name based some are based on organizations and such. If you get a "hit" and you or your SOs name matches somethng on the list then you get extra checks. The lists can be huge Sample list of bad people

I forget all the exact lists names ( and I probably don't know them all ) but between them you can find people with names like Janet Smith and names like MU' ASA AL-AQSA AL-KHAYRIYYA ( I think that is a name )

Oh my....thats a lot of names for only one list. I figured it was like this thats why I was wondering how anyone ever gets their visas these days. Thanks I see it visually now how dire the situation is .

I fully agree with you Tammy and thank you for your reply to my post I really feel the immagration system is a little to mechinacal for such a human enviroment I believe that Family's really should;nt be put thru all this especially if there is'nt really any good reason I mean they say every case is unique but it seems that if your case is just like everyones else's Such as NAMES, COUNTRY of ORGIN, REALTIONSHIP HISTORY, Then why are only a few of us having to face long process wich can cause so many human/life problems.

Furthermore if some of us are going thru this tortures process and life events happen like PREGNANCY then why can we not contact someone derictly. It seems like a never ending mountian off process and forums just for a Citzen whoes paying taxs, working, paying for thier own health care ownes a home has lived there for 10 years or more I mean if they have any questions they KNOW EXACTLY WHERE TO FIND US that is if THERE WAS ANYTHING TO QUESTION............

Sorry for ranting on your post I just feel so bloody helpless and after reading everyone elses stories I don;t feel better that I am not alone I just get the Feeling that.........WELL this just shoud not be happening

I feel as if I am sick and there help out there but the people that can help seem to just not care. Its the worst feeling ever. I guess the only thing good in this is its makes me think I should help others more now and in the future. I guess now I know how those people in the Charity commericals really feel. I pray for quick resolutions to all of our Famlies regretable circumstance. I've said it before and I will say it again I know God loves us all:) fourtenly/unfourtenly enough he has given us all free will to do as we wish inculding the Immagration people

Aman I feel the SAME WAY. Well that is obvious since I made the post lol. But really I am becoming seriously mentally sick from this and that is exactly my point - SAME NAME, COUNTRY, ORIGIN, RELATIONSHIP HISTORY, KNOW WHERE TO FIND US....WHY do this to some people and not others? Not fair I'll tell you that. But I have a feeling everything evens out in the end, remember, just because our spouses get here does not gaurantee true love and good relationships - that is up to God. It is all right, if God has a good future for us this wait is not so hard but every day it gets worse and until there is some answer, this sickness will continue. Love and prayers to your wife. A strong woman she has learned to become and I am sure this will help her much in life.

If we hang on, we can overcome.

With love,
Tammy

Hi Tammy,

Could it be that part of AP involves the government where the applicant lives? Like the US government inquiring with the Bangladeshi government, "does this man have any red flags in your security systems?" I am only guessing here.

You know that my husband has the bizaare 9 syllable last name...So even despite the fact he is from Iran, his name getting a "match" or "hit" because was remote.

Hang in there!!!! I know you are strong in spirit and faith....But even so, you need to know that we are all thinking and praying for your AP to finish soon!

I still hope that you will consider taking a trip to see your husband.

Your friend,

Nutty

Tina! The best part of ur message was the wacko face! Yes I certainly feel sometimes but ONE good thing happened within the past week which is I got the courage to ask them to do an inquiry. Yes, finally I got the "yes I can do that" by the DOS operator. Before I never got that so I am very thankful to God.

Yes it is definately due to the country where he is from, its basically Delhi with a few million less people but a few million more lazy officials. There was a great reform of the embassy a couple months back with taking people out who gave visas for bribe money and now lot of US officials are there and the check ups are more detailed. But what got to me was some people I know from there got their visas even with common names. (they are coming to the US next week) ..thats what frazzles me but I am feeling good that at least I was able to voice my concern for the delays.

Thanks for keepin contact, I do know that the prayers of good hearts always comes true.

May God help us all, through the visa journey and beyond.

Tammy

Tammy, I requested an inquiry and shortly after that ( plus the other thing I told you about ) things began to move,... a second interview and passport stamped that day.
Prayers to you, Girlfriend! Lemme know if you ' hear anything ' .

how long and under what circumstances can you ask for inquiry?

I am so sorry you are in AP! Please call DOS weekly for updates, if this thing takes longer than 2-3 months get an inquiry. I waited 8 months, I figured they will put more weight on my inquiry because it has passed 6 months.
Best of luck to you and do not worry too much, this is a hard process. I pray your AP will be short and you will be reunited soon.

Tammy

there's no rhyme or reason to it and that's why I feel as if my intelligence is being insulted on a daily basis.