Hello Diana,
I am so sorry for this roller coaster ride you had to go through. I can only imagine how horrible that phone call would have been. I almost wish he did not pick it up! Well all that aside, its time to get you calmed down and ready for what will happen now.
I am not going through Columbia but I have been good friends with ladies going through Latin American countries, particularly Dominican Republic. I will tell you they are tough, sometimes tougher than Middle East case.
I am also in AP and have been since mid 2007, almost 3 years without seeing my husband except for a month or 2 in summers, so you can trust in my advice.
Now there are a few things that could happen:
1st of all, he could be cleared VERY quickly and get his visa within a few days. That happens a lot, yes. So you can look at somewhere from 1-3 weeks for visa issuance, print, etc. Clearances don't take long, its the people who conduct them.
Now if you find yourself waiting AFTER 4 weeks, then you can be sure that his name indeed had a name hit and it needs time to process. Some ladies from Latin American consulate countries have waited over 6 months for their SO. So it is not unheard of. Obviously we should not thinking the worst, but it is good to be informed. That I definately believe.
Ok if you see that it is taking more than 1 month, take action and call the Department of State (DOS) at 1-202-663-1225 (e-mailing does not generate replies due to high case 'volume') - Actually I would recommend you call NOW and see what is happening. They will tell you if indeed he is in security checks or if they are missing anything or what the particulars might me.
During my first months I wanted to get as educated as possible and I went half nuts reading every literature on security checks, FBI, MANTIS, whatever you can think of and met a lot of people in the same position.
About keeping the passport - yes, that is definately a good sign. Even if they mail it back, (which is unlikely) it may only delay you a week or two because the main thing is getting clearance. After that they immediately issue the visa. I will tell you why I am so confident of them taking quick action after clearance in the next paragraph. Believe me, in the scope of things, a week or two is nothing compared to the 8-16 months people are and have been waiting.
The reason I assure you that they will not unnecessarily hold your case AFTER it has been cleared is because I have seen it first hand. Basically at the 4th month of AP, I had called to hear AP was over and it was in at the consulate. The next day my husband called me to say the embassy wanted him back to submit passport. So you see they work quickly once clearance is issued.
Ok, positives about your case:
1.No relationship question. This is good - your case did NOT get the bad AP (the one where they send it back to US, lot of hassle, waiver, etc and it takes a long time to travel from pouches, USCIS, back to consulate, you can imagine).
2. They said "congratulations" - this is good because it basically means they do not doubt the relationship and have no problem issuing the visa except that his name may have gotten a hit.
Upon many conversations since my husband's AP with DOS, I learned that they would gladly clear people and have them get visas. Unfortunatly my husband upon being called at the 4th month apparently got another name hit during the time consulate was reviewing the case so I sit here past another four months but I am assured at least that when he does get clearance I don't have to worry about delay for visa issuance.
So right now the best thing for you to do is not hang around VJ and read all the horrific tales of waiting years in AP or going through learning the names of the security checks they do - it will only drive you nuts, believe me.
Call DOS tomorrow before 4pm and give them your case number/name of applicant and ask for case status.
I pray to God not another person has to suffer through this. Keep a positive attitude and BELIEVE that AP will be cleared very soon. Keep your faith strong and trust in God and let us hope you do not become an expert in AP, I am sure its a title no one wants.
I feel good about your case, your relationship is solid and it is probably a short name check.
Please keep us updated. I look forward to hearing good results!
May God keep you and your fiance calm during this tough time and you SHALL get through!
Tammy
