Timeline Consular Administrative Processing

[coyote 3]

Hi,

Does Visa Journey have timelines for administrative processing? If not, can the administrators set one up? And does anyone have experience with the U.S. consulate in Nairobi in this regard?

My husband's visa was approved pending admin processing. I'm optimistic over the long term, but I won't rest easy until he has his visa in hand -- and I'm not holding my breath.

My sense is that this is the new black hole for visa applications -- DOS won't estimate time needed for processing or give any info. The uncertainty is very difficult for people. According to news reports, Obama has leaned on DOS to do more security reviews, and as usual with anything related to immigration, they're doing it badly. See this Washington Post article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/31/AR2010033103613.html

[JenAndBabs 1]

Hi,

Thanks for posting the link to that article! My fiance's visa has also been held up for admin processing (just since the end of november) and I wondered if it was because he is Muslim. The consular officer asked him to spell all of his siblings' names and asked about where he had lived, if he had ever traveled outside ghana, etc. My fiance has a common Muslim name and if I money gram him, the transfer is held up until I provide his date of birth.

Regardless of the reason, the uncertainty is really difficult. I definitely would like to see more information on this topic on Visa Journey.

Jen and Babs

[coyote 3]

Wow! Your 1-129 was approved in 2 months? Amazing. Maybe they've caught up with the backlog or who knows....

I would like to see more on this subject, too. I'm thinking of circulating a Care2 petition on this. Just haven't gotten to it yet.

I'm also writing an essay about this experience that I hope to publish someplace decent -- will keep you posted.

Hi,

Thanks for posting the link to that article! My fiance's visa has also been held up for admin processing (just since the end of november) and I wondered if it was because he is Muslim. The consular officer asked him to spell all of his siblings' names and asked about where he had lived, if he had ever traveled outside ghana, etc. My fiance has a common Muslim name and if I money gram him, the transfer is held up until I provide his date of birth.

Regardless of the reason, the uncertainty is really difficult. I definitely would like to see more information on this topic on Visa Journey.

Jen and Babs

[coyote 3]

Hi,

Thanks for posting the link to that article! My fiance's visa has also been held up for admin processing (just since the end of november) and I wondered if it was because he is Muslim. The consular officer asked him to spell all of his siblings' names and asked about where he had lived, if he had ever traveled outside ghana, etc. My fiance has a common Muslim name and if I money gram him, the transfer is held up until I provide his date of birth.

Regardless of the reason, the uncertainty is really difficult. I definitely would like to see more information on this topic on Visa Journey.

Jen and Babs

Hi, Jen and Babs: I've put together a Care2 petition on administrative processing delays and reform of legal immigration in general. The petition site isn't that specific, but I asked for a 90-day limit for AP and when that limit has been reached, supervisory review and a reason given to petitioner. I also asked for a host of reforms that would improve accountability and transparency, and a commission to investigate ways to make the process take an average of 6 months instead of 12, as well as looking at whether de facto racism/racial profiling is taking place.

If you'd like to sign it, and pass it around, that would be great! Thanks.

I hope this isn't off-topic but I've started a petition asking Hillary Clinton and all the other relevant officials to streamline this process and build in the transparency and accountability that we normally receive from government agencies. Please consider signing, particularly if you are the U.S. citizen petitioner.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/falling-in-love-with-someone-from-another-country-is-not-a-crime/

I hope this isn't off-topic but I've started a petition asking Hillary Clinton and all the other relevant officials to streamline this process and build in the transparency and accountability that we normally receive from government agencies. Please consider signing, particularly if you are the U.S. citizen petitioner.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/falling-in-love-with-someone-from-another-country-is-not-a-crime/

[coyote 3]

Hi,

Thanks for posting the link to that article! My fiance's visa has also been held up for admin processing (just since the end of november) and I wondered if it was because he is Muslim. The consular officer asked him to spell all of his siblings' names and asked about where he had lived, if he had ever traveled outside ghana, etc. My fiance has a common Muslim name and if I money gram him, the transfer is held up until I provide his date of birth.

Regardless of the reason, the uncertainty is really difficult. I definitely would like to see more information on this topic on Visa Journey.

Jen and Babs

I haven't noticed any response from the visajourney folks but I have put together a petition calling for timelines and accountability in AP and a review of the whole visa process. Please sign if you agree and pass on to friends and family! Thanks, Susan

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/falling-in-love-with-someone-from-another-country-is-not-a-crime/

I haven't noticed any response from the visajourney folks but I have put together a petition calling for timelines and accountability in AP and a review of the whole visa process. Please sign if you agree and pass on to friends and family! Thanks, Susan p.s. I had the same problem with moneygram, but they seem to have eased up. My husband says he wants to change his name to mine, because having a Muslim name is such a hassle.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/falling-in-love-with-someone-from-another-country-is-not-a-crime/

[AMteam 1]

Hi,

Does Visa Journey have timelines for administrative processing? If not, can the administrators set one up? And does anyone have experience with the U.S. consulate in Nairobi in this regard?

My husband's visa was approved pending admin processing. I'm optimistic over the long term, but I won't rest easy until he has his visa in hand -- and I'm not holding my breath.

My sense is that this is the new black hole for visa applications -- DOS won't estimate time needed for processing or give any info. The uncertainty is very difficult for people. According to news reports, Obama has leaned on DOS to do more security reviews, and as usual with anything related to immigration, they're doing it badly. See this Washington Post article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/31/AR2010033103613.html

I would also like more info about admin processing times. My fiance had his interview in October 2010 and was put in Admin Processing and we still have heard nothing. I contacted my Congressman last month and they sent an inquiry to the Embassy only to come back with "it's in Administrative Processing and there is no time-line". I'm so tired of hearing that. I wouldn't even mind the long waiting period if they could just say how long it will be. Could they keep us in limbo for a year or more??? It has already been a year since we started our "Visa Journey".

[coyote 3]

I would also like more info about admin processing times. My fiance had his interview in October 2010 and was put in Admin Processing and we still have heard nothing. I contacted my Congressman last month and they sent an inquiry to the Embassy only to come back with "it's in Administrative Processing and there is no time-line". I'm so tired of hearing that. I wouldn't even mind the long waiting period if they could just say how long it will be. Could they keep us in limbo for a year or more??? It has already been a year since we started our "Visa Journey".

Apparently they can do whatever they want, although the chief of the visa services in Nairobi told me there is accountability -- it's just not to us, apparently. I'm happy to say that my husband's AP lasted 3 months, and if I had known that, I certainly would have been less stressed out. I did contact various congresspeople, as did my mother, on my husband's behalf. The same chief of visa services told me that they don't pay any attention to this, but I would do it anyway.

The uncertainty is really hellish. As I've posted (probably too much) the only recourse seems to be getting involved politically, probably through American Families United (www.americanfamiliesunited.org) and I would love it if you would sign my petition.....anyway, it does seem encouraging that there is apparently some accountability about getting this stuff done even if it is to State Dept. higher ups rather than citizens.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/falling-in-love-with-someone-from-another-country-is-not-a-crime/