Israel - Administrative Processing at the Jerusalem Consulate

[EdenG 3]

Hi All,

My husband, who is Israeli, had his interview on April 22. The consulate requested additional documents (co-sponsor) and then notified us that the case is "documentarily complete."

However, it seems that we are now in AP. Any idea on how long the process is for Israelis? It's been about 6 weeks and the consulate finally said the case is in "manedetory processing" after I inquired as to the status of our case.

I hope someone can give me an idea of time frames.

Thanks

[allyinchicago 8]

Jerusalem goes soooooo slow. I knew someone that was in AP for a few months before the visa was issued

[EdenG 3]

Thanks for the reply -

I mean, they've been updating the case every week, a few days within the week at that. In addition, they've been responding to nearly every email. So I'm assuming that they're not just putting our case somewhere to collect dust.

What I really, really dislike though is the dishonesty. My impression is that they asked for a co-sponsor (and from other people updated resumes for some reason) in order to simply say they are missing paperwork instead of flat out saying, "We need to do some administrative processing on your case."

In addition, it is utterly upsetting that its at random. Not everyone goes into "mandatory AP" like they claim. There are individuals who are approved on the day of the interview and whose passports are mailed within 10 days. I simply don't get it. Not to downplay my husband, but there really isn't anything that special or extraordinary that would trigger this situation. He's never, ever even had a tourist visa to the states and he isn't educated in a special field.

The irony is that we went through the process apart like this only so that he doesn't come to the states on a tourist visa, we marry, and we possibly get in trouble for fraud. Somehow though, it seems like that may just have been the better option - a tourist visa and marriage because 99% of the people I know have done this and have been successful. But oh well...

[Jawaree 717]

Wow always great to learn....I was clueless Israelis

went into long AP or even go thru the same process

coming here I thought they came & went as they please.

I did not think they are Americans I just thought

they have special treaty agreement like that...So I learned

otherwise today....Thank you

PS* Cases are updated online when an enquiry has been made

Edited June 6, 2015 by Jawaree

[EdenG 3]

Wow always great to learn....I was clueless Israelis

went into long AP or even go thru the same process

coming here I thought they came & went as they please.

I did not think they are Americans I just thought

they have special treaty agreement like that...So I learned

otherwise today....Thank you

PS* Cases are updated online when an enquiry has been made

Yeah, Israelis do get put through AP. I hope its over soon though. AP takes a long time sometimes if there is a similar name on the US governmental databases or maybe according to the above poster, just because the consulate is simply slow.

Also, its updates without our inquiries quite often... so that's good I believe.

[Jawaree 717]

Yes if its updating without enquiries , they are working on it...good luck

[allyinchicago 8]

yeah Jerusalem is quick to respond to all my emails too !! But it is stupid that they do AP for someone who has never been to the US like your spouse, that is just rude actually. Like you are actually doing it the right way too with the i130, NVC and then this rather then as you said of doing the tourist visa. The girl I knew who was in AP also was never in the US before too, just weird !!

Has there been any update yet?

[EdenG 3]

Received this by email this morning:

Our records show that the case is documentarily complete and is ready for issuance. Please submit your passport via courier service after printing the attached document.

The CEAC still says "AP," shouldn't it changed to ready if the above i true? Or does it not change until they get the passport.

I hope this is over really soon though! Its funny ... I just bought a ticket to Israel too for a month because I wasn't sure what was going on.

Edited June 10, 2015 by EdenG

[allyinchicago 8]

Received this by email this morning:

Our records show that the case is documentarily complete and is ready for issuance. Please submit your passport via courier service after printing the attached document.

The CEAC still says "AP," shouldn't it changed to ready if the above i true? Or does it not change until they get the passport.

I hope this is over really soon though! Its funny ... I just bought a ticket to Israel too for a month because I wasn't sure what was going on.

That is awesome!!! was he able to send it today?? I think it will change from AP to ready or issued after they have his passport and the visa is in his passport..At least you can go and come back together!!! keep us updated!!!

[EdenG 3]

That is awesome!!! was he able to send it today?? I think it will change from AP to ready or issued after they have his passport and the visa is in his passport..At least you can go and come back together!!! keep us updated!!!

Thanks! He' sending it tomorrow and I'll def keep you updated! And that's true. It'll be nice to fly back together. Really an adventure

[TBoneTX 43,017]

That's good news.

[Jawaree 717]

Congratz Ms Lady I know you are happy

[EdenG 3]

Issued! Good luck guys. Administrative processing took so long and the consulate seems slow at everything, but its finally over.

[TBoneTX 43,017]

Great news -- thanks for returning with the update.

[bananite 67]

Hi guys, can you tell me what email you are using to email the Jerusalem consulate?

Because when I email the address provided (jerusalemiv@state.gov), this happens:

postmaster@state.gov

11:47 AM (6 hours ago)

to me

Delivery has failed to these recipients or groups:

jerusalemiv@state.gov

Your message can't be delivered because delivery to this address is restricted.

Do you guys have special permission or something?

I ask because I'm in the same boat. They requested 'missing' documents (also new financial sponsor), which registered mail told us arrived 2 weeks ago. Our status on the AIV website still says "SEND DOCUMENTS", but the ceac status (DS-260) is in AP, updated 2 days after the consulate rec'd our documents. Not sure why they are different and what is the actual status of our case. Do we have to wait weeks or months? (/sigh)