Got a letter on July 10 (with an MNL#) stating the NVC has my petition and will be forwarded to the embassy within one (1) week.

Got curious so I called

morning: Very pleasant woman answers. Checks my case and says yes its been forwarded.....wait no looks like they are getting ready to. Ok thanx for your help.

late afternoon: hmmm maybe they sent it? Im gonna call. Very pleasant gentlemen answers looks up my case and says yeah its here going through "processing" if you dont hear anything in a couple of weeks give us a callback. Ok thank you.

see what tomorrow brings.

oh. i thought once it was approved it got sent immediately. sorry you're having to wait so long.

I think some are sent directly to the embassy or consulate. I think it depends on the counrty? Or some other variable...dunno?

Well, now that you posted that link to the info about security checks I'm starting to wonder... Do they do those before or after?

I thought they did. Maybe the NVC does another check. Maybe Visa's applied for in some countries require additional checks. For example Canada might require less processing as opposed to Pakistan. Just a guess, again entire speculation on my part.

Gomez

I am in the same situation as you Gomez. My case was received at NVC on July 11. I received a letter in the mail this week from NVC dated July 14, with the same wording as yours. I called today, thinking that my case had already left for the consulate, but to my surprise the lady told that my case is in administrative processing and that she doesn't have a time frame and she asked me to callback within a week, which I am planning to do toward the end of next week. Let's hope it's not another long wait.

Sounds like you had the same phone conversation I did.

There really should be a twiddle your thumbs icon here

Gomez
What is the difference between Administrative Processing and Administrative Review? From my reading on this site it looks like we are heading for another long processing.

Probablly the same thing. Looks like most people are out of NVC either in a couple of days or weeks. We are both about two weeks in I wouldnt sweat it just yet.

I asked this question becuase from my reading, it seems that AP is a normal process, which everyone applicant file goes through. Whereas, AR is done for additional security or background check, especially when your name has been hit. Just my thought, no sure if this is true. This deduction is from what I am reading on this website.

Pretty much the way I see it... 2 or 3 days for AP... 2 to 3 weeks for AR (apparantley where we are)

I just found out that your petition could get stuck at the NVC for weeks, even months!! Aughh

Well Gomez, looks like I will be hanging at the NVC with you for a while..... Hopefully we wont have to hang here too long......

Yeah guys, I am right there with you, NVC is telling me the same thing, waiting for this AR process to end. Good luck to everyone, lets try and get some more patience.


Mike.

I just called them again today - spoke with a really nice man. He actually was very helpful, unlike the lady I spoke with last night. He told me that my case was rec'd on the 14th , finalized on the 17th and now just going through final processing. He stated it should be off to the Embassy anyday now, he did not use the word AP or AR, at all. He just acted like it was a normal thing, told me to call back in a week to check on status. Sounds better than the call I had last night anyway. Have any of you had any calls like this?

Looks like it is going to be about 2-4 weeks at the NVC....hmmmmm

Name/Security checks are a normal process with NVC/consulates but the wait time at NVC is generally not too long as cases can and will be forwarded to the consulate prior to the name/security checks being cleared. Administrative processing usually refers to a legally mandated security check the Department of State (NVC) must do for all applicants/beneficiaries over the age of 16. The length of time one can be held up in administrative processing will vary as some countries are subject to closer scrutiny. The process normally takes four to six weeks but as I said it can be much longer. Fingerprints are sometimes required at consulate level but this is all a part of the initial administrative processing that began at NVC. Once an interview is held a visa will not be issued until/unless clearance has been received. In most cases (again dependent of country), administrative processing will be completed and clearance granted well before an interview is even held.

Lorelle