CR1 Approved but stuck in administrative processing

[Matteo.don 1]

Hey everyone,

I was wondering if anyone has experience or experienced being in the dreadful security administrative processing. I had my interview on the 19th of April and was told my visa is approved. The CO took my passport and said I should get my passport back within 2 weeks, but it's been 3 weeks now and still waiting.

any idea how long it will take to be completed at the London embassy ?

Many thanks in advance

[JFH 12,189]

Oh wow! That's bad luck... It very rarely happens in London. Have you lived overseas? Do you have a foreign name? I see AP happening a lot with men from Arabic countries but not much from Europe. Are you male?

I suppose the only consolation is that since there are not many AP cases in London it could be quick? Not many on their workload? Unlike the Arabic countries where it seems almost all males go through it so that may be why it takes longer there. I don't know, just thinking out loud.

So sorry to hear this! CR-1 is long enough as it is without this added wait.

But they kept your passport. That's a good sign.

[Matteo.don 1]

Oh wow! That's bad luck... It very rarely happens in London. Have you lived overseas? Do you have a foreign name? I see AP happening a lot with men from Arabic countries but not much from Europe. Are you male?

I suppose the only consolation is that since there are not many AP cases in London it could be quick? Not many on their workload? Unlike the Arabic countries where it seems almost all males go through it so that may be why it takes longer there. I don't know, just thinking out loud.

So sorry to hear this! CR-1 is long enough as it is without this added wait.

But they kept your passport. That's a good sign.

[Matteo.don 1]

Hi JFH,

Yeah male, under 30, Muslim name and born in Somalia but lived in England nearly all my life. I'm guessing that's why for the AP.

Cr1 is really long, been on it for more than a year ?, and being away from your love one is really hard. I get that sometimes they need to do extra checks, but it would be nice to let people know how long they have to wait.

Just hoping it would be completed asap.

Edited May 9, 2016 by Matteo.don

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

It happens in London as well If born in the Middle East, Northern Africa, or with Muslim ties. Not a lot interviewing in London fit that profile so that's why it is not a big percentage that have additional AP. It takes as long as it takes. They don't know. If they have to get info from another country, then they wait for a response. A lot I am aware of in London were cleared in 4-8 weeks, but not all of them.

[Matteo.don 1]

It happens in London as well If born in the Middle East, Northern Africa, or with Muslim ties. Not a lot interviewing in London fit that profile so that's why it is not a big percentage that have additional AP. It takes as long as it takes. They don't know. If they have to get info from another country, then they wait for a response. A lot I am aware of in London were cleared in 4-8 weeks, but not all of them.

Hey Nich-Nick

4-8 weeks ? It's a good thing I didn't quit work.

The status updated date changed 4 times in the last 3 weeks, is that normal ? And why do they change it ?

I heard they send AP cases back to US for checks, is that true ?

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

I don't think it goes back to US. Status is updated if your file moves location, they get information to add, you email them...lots of reasons. I don't know what is normal.

[JFH 12,189]

4-8 weeks is a long time when you are waiting to be reunited but I have seen some of the Pakistani men on the CR-1 forum in AP for a year or more.

I wouldn't think it gets sent to the USA. All the info they need they can get via computer.

We are really only at the beginning of CR-1 (filed I-130 beginning of February). Already I've had enough of waiting. I think AP would just about kill me. Stay strong.

[Matteo.don 1]

4-8 weeks is a long time when you are waiting to be reunited but I have seen some of the Pakistani men on the CR-1 forum in AP for a year or more.

I wouldn't think it gets sent to the USA. All the info they need they can get via computer.

We are really only at the beginning of CR-1 (filed I-130 beginning of February). Already I've had enough of waiting. I think AP would just about kill me. Stay strong.

If I'm in AP for more than 2 months, I'm going to ask for my passport back and start the process for uk spouse. I can't take another year, thats just crazy.

Cr1 can be long and can be hard at times but if you plan ahead for the NVC, things should go smoothly.

Edited May 10, 2016 by Matteo.don

[JFH 12,189]

I think UK spouse is taking about 12 weeks now so that could be an option for you. We applied for a UK visa for my hubby, we would prefer to live in Europe, but he was denied and is permanently ineligible.

I'm getting prepared for NVC already - photocopying documents like crazy.

[Matteo.don 1]

We made the mistake applying for cr1 visa instead of applying for uk spouse visa, there's a big difference between 12 weeks and 12 months. All this waiting and not seeing your spouse for more than two weeks at a time can get to you, it's really frustrating.

[JFH 12,189]

Indeed it is. There is now an income requirement for UK spouse visa. But apart from that it's certainly not as involved as the CR-1. I wouldn't mind all the paperwork and waiting around if we could be together while we did it.

I have decided to go for a quick visit next month. We are thinking we should have applied for a visa for my hubby for the Netherlands. We would like to live there.

[vanity08 66]

We also apply for my husband in the UK and it only took 5 weeks and we got the visa, shame he doesn't like uk. Will like to leave in Europe, grow up in Netherlands, but leave in uk now. What a waste of money

[Matteo.don 1]

Indeed it is. There is now an income requirement for UK spouse visa. But apart from that it's certainly not as involved as the CR-1. I wouldn't mind all the paperwork and waiting around if we could be together while we did it.

I have decided to go for a quick visit next month. We are thinking we should have applied for a visa for my hubby for the Netherlands. We would like to live there.

I think k3 visa allows you to stay with your spouse while they process your cr1. I'm not too sure how it works but I believe you can stay with your spouse.

Netherlands is really nice and friendly people. Don't you have to live there first to apply for a spouse visa ?

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

I think k3 visa allows you to stay with your spouse while they process your cr1. I'm not too sure how it works but I believe you can stay with your spouse.

No. If you get a K3, you don't get a CR1visa. Only one visa needed to enter US. K3s apply for greencard after arrival much like the K1s.