Visa In Hand! Finally after 4 weeks in AP

[groundnutsoup 8]

I rarely post, but I wanted to share this great new with all of those who are anxiously waiting through this dreadful AP process.

My husband's interview was originally scheduled on March 18th. I even travelled to support him and help him prep for his interview. We arrived about 30 mins before the interview. I was not allowed to go in so we said a quick prayer and wished him luck as he entered the building.

After about almost 2 hours he came back out with a WHITE paper in his hand. My heart just dropped. After I calmed down...I noticed that there was NOTHING checked off on the paper. It was blank. I asked him to tell me exactly what happened. He said that the consular told him sorry, but they could not conduct the interview because his package sent from NVC (in Feb) had not yet been received at the Embassy and they are not able to proceed with the interview without those papers. So his case had to be placed in AP until they could locate the paperwork.

So here is the background...before traveling, I had checked CEAC website to keep track of his package. The site had shown the package in transit and 6 days later it also showed that the packaged had arrived at the embassy and that his case was ready. I tried calling and emailing the embassy to confirm receipt of the package (but got no response) - maybe should have been my first red flag.

Anyway I immediately emailed the consulate to ask for more details and also ask why CEAC had shown that the file had arrived when it had not. They sent a short email response - saying it was an error on the CEAC website, but the file was not there and they had followed up with NVC to track. I offered to give them copies of our files, but was told that they can only proceed with the original. I then contacted NVC - who interestingly had NO CLUE that the package had not arrived. And had no idea where it could be. I asked them if anyone was trying to track it and they opened a supervisor request (which to this day I have not heard back). Next I tried my Congressman's office to intervine to get more details on the location of the file. Not much help there - they did an inquiry, but met with pretty similar response from both the consulate and NVC.

Anyway my husband and I then took matters into our own hands to investigate. We talked to other people we knew in coutry who have recently received DHL packages and the DHL office in Sierra Leone to inquire about any delays in delivery due to the current situation in the country. And the answer was yes, it seemed to take on average 3-5 months for packages to arrive after they were shipped due to the present situation in the country. I was just devasted. It has already been 2 months since NVC mailed our package and to think that worst case scenario we would have to wait another 3 months.

I will have to admit - both my husband and I hit our BOTTOM in this process. We both just felt hopeless and heartbroken not knowing when exactly the package will arrive, when his interview might be rescheduled. Our mind just went to a dark place.

After a few weeks we sought spiritual counseling for intercessory prayers and guidance to help us get hope back and be patient and allow God to intervene on our behalf. We prayed day and night...

God is Good! And so worthy to be PRAISED! On April 16 - my husband called the embassy on Thursday to check in and was told his packet had arrived and his interview will be rescheduled soon. On April 20 he got a call to come in that afternoon for his interview. And just 30 minutes after he entered - he was only asked TWO interview questions and immediately approved.

A week later his Visa was issued and today he went to check and Visa in Hand!

It's so unbelievable that this process is FINALLY over and next month my husband and will FINALLY get to start our lives together.

My heart goes out to all of those who are stuck in AP. I admire the strength and resilence of everyone waiting so patiently thru AP for approval. During this last month - I have read so many stories on others in AP and it really helped me to share in others experience, see posts of those who had survived AP and read posts of those waiting.

I am truly grateful to God that our issue was resolved fairly quickly and I know that God will do the same for all of you.

My thoughts and prayers to everyone.

Sorry for the long post....I am just GUSHING RIGHT NOW! :joy:

[adeefawe 0]

stay bless and congrat.God bless

[TBoneTX 43,059]

Congratulations!

[AverysMom 76]

I'm an AP survivor too and I'm happy you shared your AP journey! It helps to show there is light after the darkness

[groundnutsoup 8]

I'm an AP survivor too and I'm happy you shared your AP journey! It helps to show there is light after the darkness

Thank you! I was following your posts as well. So happy that everything worked out for you. Good luck with everything.