Need Some Guidance

adillabbas · August 9, 2011

221g - Need some guidance and help for AR/AP

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We had interview june 15th.. long story short they put us in mandatory ap and july 25th... the co called and did phone interview... at the end he said he was satisfied and that we have nothing now to worry about but one last check for my husband which is name checks. He said he will put him in that and at the end of the checks the visa can be issued.

That ws two weeks ago... i called DOS yesterday morning and the person told me we were pending (of course) but she also said he ws pending at Admin Review at the embassy... I asked if any name checks have started and she said nothing has been initiated for name checks that she sees.

My question is.. does DOS always get updated quickly?

Can the embassy do the name checks on their side? If it is no hit then visa can be issued?

Would DOS be notified if embassy did checks on their side?

IF it has a hit then does the embassy require Washington checks?

OR do they ALL go thru washington checks and DOS is notified of all??

Im so confused!!! I know islamabad is becoming very strict and that's ok but i get told so many different things and im not sure of anything now.

The only thing we are looking at is our anniversary coming in October... just want to be togther by then and IDK if that's even a possibility now...

Please anybody help me understand at least a little of all this...

milimelo · August 9, 2011

Moving to 221g forum.

Sabian · August 9, 2011

The same exact thing is happening with me. I didn't even get told about name checks, and my officer didn't sound optimistic. So be happy that yours did!

I do not know about how quickly DOS takes care of the checks. Standard for Islamabad is 6 months at least. Don't feel alone you are not the only one waiting. We just have to wait and let Islamabad do their job.

mustafa1232 · August 10, 2011

221g - Need some guidance and help for AR/AP

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We had interview june 15th.. long story short they put us in mandatory ap and july 25th... the co called and did phone interview... at the end he said he was satisfied and that we have nothing now to worry about but one last check for my husband which is name checks. He said he will put him in that and at the end of the checks the visa can be issued.

That ws two weeks ago... i called DOS yesterday morning and the person told me we were pending (of course) but she also said he ws pending at Admin Review at the embassy... I asked if any name checks have started and she said nothing has been initiated for name checks that she sees.

My question is.. does DOS always get updated quickly?

Can the embassy do the name checks on their side? If it is no hit then visa can be issued?

Would DOS be notified if embassy did checks on their side?

IF it has a hit then does the embassy require Washington checks?

OR do they ALL go thru washington checks and DOS is notified of all??

Im so confused!!! I know islamabad is becoming very strict and that's ok but i get told so many different things and im not sure of anything now.

The only thing we are looking at is our anniversary coming in October... just want to be togther by then and IDK if that's even a possibility now...

Please anybody help me understand at least a little of all this...

salam adillabbas happy ramadan mubrak to you and pakistani vjers and all muslim worlds first of all your AP DATE is not start 15th june your AP date start at that time when embassy recieved your wife son custody document. this date is your starting AP date you START count your AP DATE at that time here is some AP DETAILS

I. SECURITY NAME CHECKS (ALSO CALLED BACKGROUND CHECKS) For public safety & welfare and national security reasons, all visa petitions under current regulation and procedure are placed through security name checks at three (3) locations: 1. uscis office, 2. National Visa Center (NVC) and 3. the U.S. Consulate where the visa is ultimately issued. There can be not one but several levels of security checking: There is an initial security name check done rountinely on all in-coming petitions. If the results produce a "lookout hit" or "red flag hit", the petition is placed in line for additional more intensive customized security screening, which could include a request for full fingerprints and which obviously has the undesirable effect of extending processing time for adjudication. While security checking is widely focused on the visa beneficiary, petitioners and even attorneys and consultants involved in a case are subject to security screening. A Lookout Hit or Red Flag Hit can be generated on a visa petition, among other reasons, for any the following: *Past arrest record *Past criminal conviction record *Past firearms record *Past record of domestic violence or sexual offenses *Past fingerprint record with any law enforcement agency *Past visa or immigration history *Watch List or Pending Charges "Hit": Petitioner or Beneficiary is currently on watch list or wanted on pending charges with any law enforcement or other government agency, (local, state, federal, FBI, INTERPOL, Homeland Security, State Department designated terrorist group list) *Common or Similar Last Name with others in the database who have past arrest or conviction records (sometimes called a "False Hit") Under post 09-11 legislation such as USA Patriot Act, Border Security Act and Intelligence Reform Act, our Immigration Service, the Consulates, and Customs and Border Protection, have worked to significantly upgrade their technological capabilites, increase inter-agency data-sharing and coordinate investigative activities. The current policy directive is "zero tolerance" policy for security issues. The on-going U.S.Visit program is one example. Another important example is the implementation of a critical software upgrade which effectively links up Immigration and Consular databases with many local law enforcement data bases and the FBI criminal database. Obviously, any security name check is only as good as the accuracy and completeness of the database upon which the check the done. Here is a sample of the principal databases upon which an immigration and consular security check can be done currently: *NCIC (National Crime Information Center)(also called FBI criminal database) *IBIS (Interagency Border Inspection System) [Click Here for More Information on Security Checks with IBIS.] *NIIS (Non-Immigrant Information System) *CLASS (Consular Lookout and Support System)(This name-check database in particular has been greatly expanded, now storing up to 18 million records.) *CCD ( Consular Consolidated Date Base)(Stores 75 million records of past visa applications and outcomes) *TIPOFF (Classified DOS Bureau of Intelligence database) *NAILS (National Automated Immigration Lookout System) *TECS II (Treasury Enforcement and Communucation System) *TSC and TTIC databases (DOS Terrorist Screening system) At USCIS (Homeland Security Department) stage, currently, NCIC, IBIS and NIIS database checks are done, with the option, if warranted, to do additional database checks. At National Visa Center (State Department) stage, a separate independent NCIC database check is done by in-house FBI staff in connection with information supplied in the DS-230. Based on results, NVC has the option to request full fingerprints to be taken at post. NVC checks can usually be completed in 24 hours. In some limited cases involving high-risk visa applicants meeting certain specific criteria, NVC also does Security Advisory Opinions (SOAs) before sending the file to Consular Post. At Consular stage, there are three (3) Visa Security name checks done: CONDOR, MANTIS AND MORE ANOTHER NCIC (via CLASS) [Consulate has option, if warranted, to run full gamut of checks, such as CCD (past visa applications & results), TIPOFF (DOS Bureau of Intelligence), NAILS (Nat'l Automated Immigration Lookout System), TECS II (Treasury Dept. database), TSC & TTIC (DOS Terrorist screening)]. CONDOR refers to a check done mostly of information supplied on Form DS-157, and focuses on visa applicants with a potential terrorist, firearms or weapons background. CONDOR in most cases should be completed in 90 days or less. If not, contact the VO Public Inquiry line at Tel: 202-663-1225 or usvisa@state.com MANTIS refers to when potentially sensitive technologies might be used by the visa applicant in her visit to the U.S. If the visa applicant might employ a "critical-fields" technology in the U.S. which could have a "dual-use" such military or national security application, this check will be done to screen out a high-risk applicant. Most MANTIS checks can be done in 30 days. If not, contact the SAO Problem Resolution Unit atsaoinquiries@state.gov NCIC (via CLASS) refers to the name check procedure done by the Consulate with the NCIC criminal database at FBI. This procedure screens visa applicants by name to see if there is a "hit" with the criminal database: that is, a person in the criminal database has the same or very similar name to the visa applicant. "False Hits" Problem: Consular posts however have recently been inundated with "false hits" from 7 million new names added to the NCIC database, including persons with convictions for minor offenses such as simple DUIs and shoplifting. Many visa applicants with common names with those in the database get a "false hit": the refers to when a visa applicant's name matches a name in the datebase but is NOT actually that same person in the database, just a person with a common or very similar name. This places the case into what is called "Administrative Review". Under current rules, the Consulate is required in this circumstance to receive full clearance from FBI (via the NVC) before Consulate can issue the visa. It may require a full fingerprint check and customized investigation. Full clearance from FBI (via the NVC) in most cases can take 4 to 6 weeks, but in some cases much longer and even months. "False hits" have become a major problem for some visa applicants. There are reportedly an alarming number of false hits caused by similar or identical or very similar names, or errors, inconsistencies or discrepencies in listed names in official documents. This is true especially in countries, such as the Latin countries, where there are only a few surnames and name-similarity is common, or record-keeping accuracy in official documents is dubious. Reportedly, approximately half of all names in the NCIC database are Latino, and this has resulted in a high number of false hits for individuals with common or very similar last names at Consulates in the Latin countries. Applicants presently are not allowed the opportunity to prove that they are not the same person as that on the database, nor is there a way to initiate security checking in advance of the visa application. Thus, the best protection for visa applicants to avoid name check problems and delays resulting from Administrative Review at the Consulates and USCIS is: providing full, accurate and truthful name information (first, last, middle, and other) in all forms and documents, timely

mustafa1232 · August 10, 2011

salam adillabbas i think there is some errors in copy paste so i try to post another copy

I. SECURITY NAME CHECKS (ALSO CALLED BACKGROUND CHECKS)

For public safety and welfare and national security reasons all visa petitions under current regulation and procedure are placed through security name checks at three (3) locations: 1 uscisoffice 2 National Visa Center (NVC) and 3 the U.S Consulate where the visa is ultimately issued.
There can be not one but several levels of security checking. There is an initial security name check done rountinely on all in-coming petitions. If the results produce a lookout hit or red flag hit the petition is placed in line for additional more intensive customized security screening, which could include a request for full fingerprints and which obviously has the undesirable effect of extending processing time for adjudication. While security checking is widely focused on the visa beneficiary and petitioners and even attorneys and consultants involved in a case are subject to security screening.

A Lookout Hit or Red Flag Hit can be generated on a visa petition and among other reasons and for any the following:*Past arrest record *Past criminal conviction record *Past firearms record*Past record of domestic violence or sexual offenses *Past fingerprint record with any law enforcement agency *Past visa or immigration history *Watch List or Pending Charges Hit Petitioner or Beneficiary is currently on watch list or wanted on pending charges with any law enforcement or other government agency and (local state federal FBI INTERPOL Homeland Security State Department designated terrorist group list) Common or Similar Last Name with others in the database who have !important; ">past arrest or conviction records (sometimes called a False Hit) !important; ">

Under post 09-11 legislation such as USA Patriot Act, Border Security Act and Intelligence Reform Act our Immigration Service, the Consulates, and Customs and Border Protection, have worked to significantly upgrade their technological capabilites, increase inter-agency data-sharing and coordinate investigative activities. The current policy directive is zero tolerance policy for security issues. The on-going U.S.Visit program is one example. Another important example is the implementation of a critical software upgrade which effectively links up Immigration and Consular databases with many local law enforcement data bases and the FBI criminal database.Obviously, any security name check is only as good as the accuracy and completeness of the database upon which the check the done. Here is a sample of the principal databases upon which an immigration and consular security check can be done currently

NCIC (National Crime Information Center)(also called FBI criminal database)
IBIS (Interagency Border Inspection System)
[Click Here for More Information on Security Checks with IBIS.]
NIIS (Non-Immigrant Information System)
CLASS (Consular Lookout and Support System)(This name-check database in particular has been greatly expanded, now storing up to 18 million records.)

CCD ( Consular Consolidated Date Base)(Stores 75 million records of past visa applications and outcomes)
TIPOFF (Classified DOS Bureau of Intelligence database)
NAILS (National Automated Immigration Lookout System)
TECS II (Treasury Enforcement and Communucation System)
TSC and TTIC databases (DOS Terrorist Screening system)

At USCIS (Homeland Security Department) stage, currently, NCIC, IBIS and NIIS database checks are done, with the option, if warranted, to do additional database checks.

At National Visa Center (State Department) stage, a separate independent NCIC database check is done by in-house FBI staff in connection with information supplied in the DS-230. Based on results, NVC has the option to request full fingerprints to be taken at post. NVC checks can usually be completed in 24 hours. In some limited cases involving high-risk visa applicants meeting certain specific criteria, NVC also does Security Advisory Opinions (SOAs) before sending the file to Consular Post.

At Consular stage, there are three (3) Visa Security name checks done: CONDOR, MANTIS AND MORE ANOTHER NCIC (via CLASS) [Consulate has option, if warranted, to run full gamut of checks, such as CCD (past visa applications & results), TIPOFF (DOS Bureau of Intelligence), NAILS (Nat'l Automated Immigration Lookout System), TECS II (Treasury Dept. database), TSC & TTIC (DOS Terrorist screening)].
CONDOR refers to a check done mostly of information supplied on Form DS-157, and focuses on visa applicants with a potential terrorist, firearms or weapons background. CONDOR in most cases should be completed in 90 days or less. If not, contact the VO Public Inquiry line at Tel: 202-663-1225 or usvisa@state.gov
NCIC (via CLASS) refers to the name check procedure done by the Consulate with the NCIC criminal database at FBI. This procedure screens visa applicants by name to see if there is a "hit" with the criminal database: that is, a person in the criminal database has the same or very similar name to the visa applicant.

False Hits Problem: Consular posts however have recently been inundated with false hits from 7 million new names added to the NCIC database, including persons with convictions for minor offenses such as simple DUIs and shoplifting. Many visa applicants with common names with those in the database get a false hit the refers to when a visa applicant's name matches a name in the datebase but is NOT actually that same person in the database, just a person with a common or very similar name. This places the case into what is called Administrative Review. Under current rules, the Consulate is required in this circumstance to receive full clearance from FBI (via the NVC) before Consulate can issue the visa. It may require a full fingerprint check and customized investigation. Full clearance from FBI (via the NVC) in most cases can take 4 to 6 weeks, but in some cases much longer and even months.
False hits have become a major problem for some visa applicants. There are reportedly an alarming number of false hits caused by similar or identical or very similar names, or errors, inconsistencies or discrepencies in listed names in official documents. This is true especially in countries, such as the Latin countries, where there are only a few surnames and name-similarity is common, or record-keeping accuracy in official documents is dubious. Reportedly, approximately half of all names in the NCIC database are Latino, and this has resulted in a high number of false hits for individuals with common or very similar last names at Consulates in the Latin countries. Applicants presently are not allowed the opportunity to prove that they are not the same person as that on the database, nor is there a way to initiate security checking in advance of the visa application.

Thus, the best protection for visa applicants to avoid name check problems and delays resulting from Administrative Review at the Consulates and USCIS is: providing full, accurate and truthful name information (first, last, middle, and other) in all forms and documents, timely

Edited August 10, 2011 by mustafa1232

TBoneTX · August 10, 2011

Another concise, completely comprehensible post that absolutely answers the question... rather expected from the poster above.

OP, I was told by multiple immigration attorneys (some who are former COs themselves) that the consulate or embassy always, ALWAYS knows more than DOS does. Therefore, get your information straight from the source, when you can.

rafinoori · August 10, 2011

salam mustafa bhai how are u doing happy ramadan sharif what happen with ur visa did u get it or not

EAbbas · August 10, 2011

OP, I was told by multiple immigration attorneys (some who are former COs themselves) that the consulate or embassy always, ALWAYS knows more than DOS does. Therefore, get your information straight from the source, when you can.

Thank you TBONE... I actually was hoping to hear that info that the embassy always knows more than DOS... it seemed to me each time I called DOS they wouldn't tell me anything or if they did it was something that had been in place over a week or two already..as a new update... hmmmm could be DOS isn't updated as fast i guess...

if Mustafa is right our ap started June 21 instead of june 15 but july 25th the CO called me and said that we have nothing to worry about with our case it is now going to the last thing which is name checks...

just don't know if its embassy side checks or washington... DOS said they had nothing initiated on Monday so idk if embassy can start the process without DOS knowing or not... but that's where we are...

Thanks guys for these answers... AP is just one of those things i guess we really will never know praying everyday he comes by our anniversary october 2..

Edited August 10, 2011 by EAbbas

iahudi · August 16, 2013

salam adillabbas happy ramadan mubrak to you and pakistani vjers and all muslim worlds first of all your AP DATE is not start 15th june your AP date start at that time when embassy recieved your wife son custody document. this date is your starting AP date you START count your AP DATE at that time here is some AP DETAILS

I. SECURITY NAME CHECKS (ALSO CALLED BACKGROUND CHECKS) For public safety & welfare and national security reasons, all visa petitions under current regulation and procedure are placed through security name checks at three (3) locations: 1. uscis office, 2. National Visa Center (NVC) and 3. the U.S. Consulate where the visa is ultimately issued. There can be not one but several levels of security checking: There is an initial security name check done rountinely on all in-coming petitions. If the results produce a "lookout hit" or "red flag hit", the petition is placed in line for additional more intensive customized security screening, which could include a request for full fingerprints and which obviously has the undesirable effect of extending processing time for adjudication. While security checking is widely focused on the visa beneficiary, petitioners and even attorneys and consultants involved in a case are subject to security screening. A Lookout Hit or Red Flag Hit can be generated on a visa petition, among other reasons, for any the following: *Past arrest record *Past criminal conviction record *Past firearms record *Past record of domestic violence or sexual offenses *Past fingerprint record with any law enforcement agency *Past visa or immigration history *Watch List or Pending Charges "Hit": Petitioner or Beneficiary is currently on watch list or wanted on pending charges with any law enforcement or other government agency, (local, state, federal, FBI, INTERPOL, Homeland Security, State Department designated terrorist group list) *Common or Similar Last Name with others in the database who have past arrest or conviction records (sometimes called a "False Hit") Under post 09-11 legislation such as USA Patriot Act, Border Security Act and Intelligence Reform Act, our Immigration Service, the Consulates, and Customs and Border Protection, have worked to significantly upgrade their technological capabilites, increase inter-agency data-sharing and coordinate investigative activities. The current policy directive is "zero tolerance" policy for security issues. The on-going U.S.Visit program is one example. Another important example is the implementation of a critical software upgrade which effectively links up Immigration and Consular databases with many local law enforcement data bases and the FBI criminal database. Obviously, any security name check is only as good as the accuracy and completeness of the database upon which the check the done. Here is a sample of the principal databases upon which an immigration and consular security check can be done currently: *NCIC (National Crime Information Center)(also called FBI criminal database) *IBIS (Interagency Border Inspection System) [Click Here for More Information on Security Checks with IBIS.] *NIIS (Non-Immigrant Information System) *CLASS (Consular Lookout and Support System)(This name-check database in particular has been greatly expanded, now storing up to 18 million records.) *CCD ( Consular Consolidated Date Base)(Stores 75 million records of past visa applications and outcomes) *TIPOFF (Classified DOS Bureau of Intelligence database) *NAILS (National Automated Immigration Lookout System) *TECS II (Treasury Enforcement and Communucation System) *TSC and TTIC databases (DOS Terrorist Screening system) At USCIS (Homeland Security Department) stage, currently, NCIC, IBIS and NIIS database checks are done, with the option, if warranted, to do additional database checks. At National Visa Center (State Department) stage, a separate independent NCIC database check is done by in-house FBI staff in connection with information supplied in the DS-230. Based on results, NVC has the option to request full fingerprints to be taken at post. NVC checks can usually be completed in 24 hours. In some limited cases involving high-risk visa applicants meeting certain specific criteria, NVC also does Security Advisory Opinions (SOAs) before sending the file to Consular Post. At Consular stage, there are three (3) Visa Security name checks done: CONDOR, MANTIS AND MORE ANOTHER NCIC (via CLASS) [Consulate has option, if warranted, to run full gamut of checks, such as CCD (past visa applications & results), TIPOFF (DOS Bureau of Intelligence), NAILS (Nat'l Automated Immigration Lookout System), TECS II (Treasury Dept. database), TSC & TTIC (DOS Terrorist screening)]. CONDOR refers to a check done mostly of information supplied on Form DS-157, and focuses on visa applicants with a potential terrorist, firearms or weapons background. CONDOR in most cases should be completed in 90 days or less. If not, contact the VO Public Inquiry line at Tel: 202-663-1225 or usvisa@state.com MANTIS refers to when potentially sensitive technologies might be used by the visa applicant in her visit to the U.S. If the visa applicant might employ a "critical-fields" technology in the U.S. which could have a "dual-use" such military or national security application, this check will be done to screen out a high-risk applicant. Most MANTIS checks can be done in 30 days. If not, contact the SAO Problem Resolution Unit atsaoinquiries@state.gov NCIC (via CLASS) refers to the name check procedure done by the Consulate with the NCIC criminal database at FBI. This procedure screens visa applicants by name to see if there is a "hit" with the criminal database: that is, a person in the criminal database has the same or very similar name to the visa applicant. "False Hits" Problem: Consular posts however have recently been inundated with "false hits" from 7 million new names added to the NCIC database, including persons with convictions for minor offenses such as simple DUIs and shoplifting. Many visa applicants with common names with those in the database get a "false hit": the refers to when a visa applicant's name matches a name in the datebase but is NOT actually that same person in the database, just a person with a common or very similar name. This places the case into what is called "Administrative Review". Under current rules, the Consulate is required in this circumstance to receive full clearance from FBI (via the NVC) before Consulate can issue the visa. It may require a full fingerprint check and customized investigation. Full clearance from FBI (via the NVC) in most cases can take 4 to 6 weeks, but in some cases much longer and even months. "False hits" have become a major problem for some visa applicants. There are reportedly an alarming number of false hits caused by similar or identical or very similar names, or errors, inconsistencies or discrepencies in listed names in official documents. This is true especially in countries, such as the Latin countries, where there are only a few surnames and name-similarity is common, or record-keeping accuracy in official documents is dubious. Reportedly, approximately half of all names in the NCIC database are Latino, and this has resulted in a high number of false hits for individuals with common or very similar last names at Consulates in the Latin countries. Applicants presently are not allowed the opportunity to prove that they are not the same person as that on the database, nor is there a way to initiate security checking in advance of the visa application. Thus, the best protection for visa applicants to avoid name check problems and delays resulting from Administrative Review at the Consulates and USCIS is: providing full, accurate and truthful name information (first, last, middle, and other) in all forms and documents, timely

Salam Mustafa I really want to tank you for the best expalnation a see so far about AP

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