How soon should I contact DOS to check status?

[atk_721 0]

My hubby has been placed on AP on june 24th.When should I contact DOS to get status,do I have to wait for the minimum of 6 weeks,please help n share...

Thanks in advance

[gogo 6]

any time you feel like it that's how we found out we were due for the I-601 Waiver.. although she has never been to the US before.. and I got some help and got the I-601 Waiver reversed for our case.. now it's just under processing again.. you never know.. always good to keep updated on your case.. they will sneak in something and you will regret it later for not checking..

Edited July 6, 2009 by gogo

[Cuchita 1]

Oh yeah just give them a call maybe once a week.

Hope it doesn't take too long.

Good luck!

Oh yeah just give them a call maybe once a week.

Hope it doesn't take too long.

Good luck!

[MaryandMian 1]

USE Islamabad in the past updated with DOS on Wednesday afternoons or Thursdays. I suggest that you call them bi-weekly and ask for a status update. Good luck to you.

[Bajih 4]

I am REALLY new at this- so please forgive my ignorance-

DOS = Department of State. US Government site here in the US

This is just the phone number listed on their website? I call in with our number and ask for an update? I get to speak with a live person?

Will they be able to tell me "when" we went into AP? We were never notified- I am just assuming we are since our interview was back in April, 2009.

Thank you!

Baj

[emt103c 10]

DOS # 202-663-1225 You can press "1" and then "0" for an operator. . . .

With Pakistan, I wouldn't bother to start calling quite yet, but it won't hurt anything either. In addition to calling, when my husband's file was in ISL, I had a Senator doing inquiries for me. They don't really speed the process so much as make sure that they know you are there. I wouldn't do this until at least a month or two has passed though. . . .hopefully you won't have to wait that long, but with ISL, it is a serious possibility.

[atk_721 0]

Thanks for ur replies

Should I get my congresslady or senator involved or is it too early for it?

[MaryandMian 1]

The congressional liason would not get involved in our case until after three months in the past. It depends on the office and some will get involved and some will not do anything for a much longer time. Right now it is too soon Also, be aware that if you have the congressional aide calling or emailing them the embassy will then ignore your emails or calls and refer everthing to the elected official. This is from my observations of dealing with Islamabad. The embassy would only have contact with you then to come back, give them additional information or anything they may require to issue the visa.

[emt103c 10]

When I tried to contact ISL on my own, they completely ignored me anyway. . .before the rep was involved. . .except for the nice auto-email that says they won't respond to any personal AP inquiries until 6 months have passed.

[tammy2688 1]

Ya I agree -

Mary and emt103c are very correct as you should wait to get at least 3-4 months before contacting any senator help. Also as Emt said, it is impossible to reach anyone at ISL or any other country near it in fact, live. they just give an e-mail that states nothing.

I am going to be honest, I was in the Dhaka embassy (bangladesh) and have seen many many ISL cases. That embassy is known to give long APs, usually 2-24 months long. Its a huge range but you should keep in mind not to get your hopes up too much, it only hurts more. Be ready to have a 8 month AP but pray for shorter. God is with you and will help you throughout your journey. Meanwhile, use you weapons (Senator, etc) later when you really need answers, say if you AP continues longer than 3-4 months.

Hopefully your journey will be smooth and your husband will get the visa soon.

God bless,

Tam

[atk_721 0]

It is just so depressing.I had filed this petition in March 2006 as a PR and it was finally approved after 3 years in feb 2009 that too probably because I became a USC in October 2008.Otherwise probably It would even have been approved.Some cases filed by PR's spouses filed later, got approved before me and now they are approving petition in a few days.It is just so unfair that I had to wait so long at that stage too.

I know there is no use of whinning but they should have better system and some standard.I waited long enough for my approval and now this AP.It is just so cruel.Whats the point of doing interviews and then putting people of AP .As far as I know it is asecurity check and field investigation, can't they do it before the interview as they were doing it for years.I guess they just want to check how much patience each couple has.......

Edited July 8, 2009 by atk_721

[Bajih 4]

I agree ATK- why do the interview if security isn't approved? I must admit- I fell for that. Got too excited that we had an interview- Thought that everything was cleared and ready to go and then BAM. No word. It was really hard and now I do not get my hopes up like that anymore. I believe I will see the day he is approved, but I do not speculate when that will be. It is very hard.

What I don't understand is why the USCIS doesn't put a security check starting right away- as soon as they approve it. ?? When does a file go into AP anyway? (USCIS approva? NOA? Interview? who knows?) I really do not know how to gauge how long it has been as I do not know when he was put into AP. Guess I will make that DOS call this week!

B

[Khadijah1 0]

Hosam had his interview last night and we were put on AP . You would think they would be checking all this through the whole process and have a direct answer after the interview.After a flawless package and proof of an ongoing relationship since 2003 and with letters from family and friends in both countries and way beyond the information they asked for. Im really hurting right now but at least they didnt deny us . I really feel they could be doing all this AP while everything is being sent to all the various agencies. Theres really no reason for the AP's except government employee laziness as far as im concerned but i guess this is my lovely country and its way of doing things . InshAllah it wont take that long but im one of those people that if i didnt have bad luck i wouldnt have any at all...lol. I wish all the luck to all you lovely people on ur journey's and may Allah bless you all...

[MaryandMian 1]

Security checks are run on the USC/Petitioner and the applicant from the start of the processing with the first application at USCIS. Then it goes into another check once again at the NVC level. Then the background and/or the interview determines what are the remaining checks that are required. Education, job, travels, verification of documents, and the relationship all determine the checks. Then those checks are initiated after the interview. Believe me checks are going at all stages.

[tenderheartusa79 14]

Hosam had his interview last night and we were put on AP . You would think they would be checking all this through the whole process and have a direct answer after the interview.After a flawless package and proof of an ongoing relationship since 2003 and with letters from family and friends in both countries and way beyond the information they asked for. Im really hurting right now but at least they didnt deny us . I really feel they could be doing all this AP while everything is being sent to all the various agencies. Theres really no reason for the AP's except government employee laziness as far as im concerned but i guess this is my lovely country and its way of doing things . InshAllah it wont take that long but im one of those people that if i didnt have bad luck i wouldnt have any at all...lol. I wish all the luck to all you lovely people on ur journey's and may Allah bless you all...

Congratulations on the interview and sorry about the AP.

believe it or not i was going to contact you yesterday to ask about your fiance's interview .but i knew the result . i knew that they will put him under AP.

don't be sad .it seems they put everyone under ap now in Cairo .''I'm under AP since March ,2009''

I hope that we will hear good news soon .Hang in there and good luck

Mohamed