Adnan&Liane

Hi zshan_ali1,

I'm very sorry to hear you got stuck in AP. When we found out we were in AP I didn't know what it was and I didn't expect it at all - I was crushed. I thought after the interview he'd get his visa and we'd be done waiting. I understand your frusteration. We have been waiting for almost 5 months. What type of visa are you applying for? Did they ask you for any additional documents?

AP seems to happen in 2 cases. The first is if they need additional documents from you to review or if they doubt your relationship. This is probably not your case. The second is if you are from a MENA (middle east/north africa) country or if you are muslim (especially males). Because you are from Abu Dhabi I would assume it's the second reason. Don't worry - this is pretty much standard for all MENA countries.

Some cases take months...some rare cases take years...I would be happy to be in the 6-8 month range...some are lucky and get through sooner.

You will find a lot of discussion on this site in the AP forum. There is not much you can do but if you read the posts you will start to get a better understanding of what is going on w/your case. Everyone has been very helpful.

Be prepared to wait and to not get much info at all about the status of your case. Your patience will be tested. You can call the DOS (department of state) weekly to check your status but they will only tell you if your still in AP or not. Here is the number: 202-663-1225. (wait a few weeks until they have a chance to start working on your case). After about 5/6 months if you are still waiting you can contact your senator or congress person to inquire about the case. Again - this won't result in much, but if the case has been lost or if there is a problem they can get things moving again. That is pretty much all you can do besides just wait and be patient. Be prepared for a long wait but hope for a quick one! Good Luck!

Hi everyone,

First I want to thank everyone here on VisaJourney for being so helpful. I just called the DOS and we are still in AP...no updates It feels like we are going to be one of the long ones. We are almost at 5 months...it's time to take action! I'm going to contact my senator's staff, but before I do that I want to email the embassy in London.

Does anyone know who to contact to inquire into our case? Email address?

What should I say? Has anyone else emailed the embassy to inquire as to why it's taking so long? What did you say? How should I word it? Is there anything in particular I should include? I'm assuming I should I have all of our info...case number/full name of petitioner & beneficiary /DOB/etc...

Please share your expertise...I could really use some advice!

Thanks in advance!

Thanks everyone for the advice...sorry to take over your thread Rozi.... I'm going to call DOS this week to check our status....if there is no news I will fill out the form and email them... did you make an appointment to see them in person Rozi? Are you going this week? Did you have to schedule a time or can you go whenever? If I don't have to go in person I won't because my schedule is crazy busy and I work everyday...but if it's better to go in person I guess I will have to take an hour or so off of work and go during the day...I work near times square so it's not too far to get to...

Hey hellraiser- have you worked w/either of these senator offices before? I am also from NYC...and thinking of writing one of these offices... I am with you Rozi...I am almost at 5 months in AP and thinking of getting a senator involved too... I am wondering if I should try contacting the Embassy first before getting a senator involved...any opinions? So far I have only waited patiently and called DOS a few times...I feel like it's time to take action....

what is the difference between mandatory AP and internal AP? Just where they are processed? Is there a time difference? You seem to be the expert on AP togetherforever13

Thanks to everyone for the advice...I think we won't take any chances...we'll just have to wait until this AP is over...

Hey Everyone,

I am just wondering for those of you in London AP...how many of you are muslim or have lived in or are originally from one of the MENA countries? We have been in AP for 4.5 months so far...we had no requests for additional documents after the interview...they didn't doubt our relationship...everything in our case was fine...but we were put into AP to do background/name checks. My husband is a young muslim male...he is a UK citizen born in London and lives there now but he lived in Morocco for most of his life. Just curious if anyone here in London AP has a similar situation. Please share and keep us all updated on if you hear something...good luck to everyone!

Thank you so much togetherforever13...you have been so helpful to everyone who posts with questions and concerns!

Actually my husband is not from Egypt...he was invited to go visit with family but he has never been there before. He was born in London and is a UK citizen but lived in Morocco w/his mother for most of his life (but not a Moroccan citizen). He moved back to London in 2008.

I feel very bad because I keep telling him no to everything. It has been very difficult for him...he hates where he lives and wants to move and he also loves to travel and has given up many opportunities to do so because I have told him I've heard it's not a good idea. I feel bad because he has given up so much and put his life on hold to be with me. He was hoping to continue his schooling over here and since we don't know what's going on he also has to wait on that. We both understand we have to make these sacrifices...I just want him to be happy!

Thank you again for your advice...I really don't want to take any chances or mess up the process....hope we ALL hear good news soon!

Hey Everyone,

Is it okay for the beneficiary to travel during AP? Not to the US...he lives in London but was thinking about traveling to Egypt...I have read somewhere that it can make AP longer because they have to look into additional travel records...I am not sure if this was reliable information...does anyone have any information or experience with this? Or know how I can find out?

Also curious if it will be okay for him to travel to visit his family in Morocco after his visa is issued but before coming to the states?

Finally, I am wondering if it is okay for him to move/change his address during AP? And if so, who do we report it to? Embassy? Is there a form to file?

Any info would be greatly appreciated....we have been hesitant about these things since we don't want to do anything that might affect AP or make it any longer than it is already taking....

Thanks in advance for your help!

A friend of mine has her own collection (based out of NYC) - it is more modern but she also does custom orders. Here is the website: http://www.uurmicollection.com/index2.php#/home/

Just found this info as well...

221g - FBI National Name Check Program—Frequently Asked Questions

Source: http://www.fbi.gov/

National Name Check Program—Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take for my name check to be completed?

The length of time it takes for a name check to be completed varies from name to name. Normally, a name is submitted by an agency, such as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), on a data tape. Currently, the National Name Check Program (NNCP) receives over 75,000 name checks every week, with about 45 percent coming from USCIS. When a data tape comes in, the names on the tape are electronically checked against the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Universal Index (UNI). The searches seek all instances of the individual's name appearing in both main files and reference files. A main file name is that of an individual who is, himself/herself, the subject of an FBI investigation, whereas a reference is someone whose name appears in an FBI investigation. References may be associates, conspirators, or witnesses.

The majority of name checks submitted on a data tape are electronically checked and returned to the submitting agency as having "No Record" within 48-72 hours. A "No Record" indicates that the FBI's UNI database contains no identifiable information regarding a particular individual. Duplicate submissions (i.e., identically spelled names with identical dates of birth submitted within the last 120 days) are not checked, and the duplicate findings are returned immediately to the submitting agency.

A secondary manual name search conducted within 30-60 days usually identifies additional requests as having a "No Record." The remaining name checks (usually about 10% of the name checks originally submitted) are identified as possibly being the subject of an FBI record. At that point, the FBI record must be retrieved and reviewed. If the record is available in the FBI's electronic record keeping system, it can be reviewed quickly. If not, the relevant information must be retrieved from an existing paper record. Review of this information determines whether the information is positively identified with the name check request. If the information is not identified with the request, the request is closed as a "No Record," and the requesting agency is notified as such.

The average time required to retrieve and review an FBI record for possible information related to a name check request is case specific—it depends on the number of files an analyst must obtain (which is dictated by the number of "hits" on a name), the location and availability of those files, and the amount of information contained in a file. If a file is stored locally, an analyst will be able to obtain the file within a matter of days. If a file is located in a field office or other FBI location, the applicable information must be requested from that location. There are over 265 different FBI locations that could house information pertinent to a name check request. If a file is electronically available, an analyst will have immediate access to that file. Additionally, once an analyst receives the file, or the pertinent information contained in a file, the analyst must review it for possible information related to the name check request.

Many times, the delay associated with the processing of the remaining name checks is not the actual time it takes to process a name check, but the time it takes for an analyst to get to the name check request in order to process it. This is due to the constant volume of name checks, several million each year, combined with the FBI's current work on processing residual name checks from a batch of 2.7 million requests submitted by USCIS in December 2002, as compared to the NNCP's limited resources. Less than one percent of the requests are identified with a file containing possible derogatory information. If applicable, the FBI then forwards a summary of the derogatory information to the requesting agency. It is important to note that the FBI does not adjudicate the name check requests, but only provides available information to a requesting agency for its adjudication process.

How can I have my name check expedited?

The FBI tries to process its oldest name checks first. Customer agencies will occasionally request expedited handling of specific name checks. Criteria used to determine which name checks receive expedited handling are internal matters of each customer agency. The FBI does request that the number of expedited cases be kept to a minimum in fairness to the other pending name check requests. Because each customer agency determines which name checks are expedited, contacting Congressional representatives, the FBI's Office of Congressional Affairs, or the NNCP will only further tie up vital resources and will not contribute to the expediting of a name check.

Does contacting my Congressional representative expedite my name check?

No, the customer agency determines expedited handling. The FBI's policy is to be responsive to our customer's needs given the limits of our resources. Re-prioritization from multiple sources would convolute the customer agency's ability to manage their priority cases.

Is there a fee I can pay to expedite the process?

No. Processing times are a function of the volume of work versus the resources that can be applied to the task. Paying an additional fee would not speed up the name check process.

I am aware that some name checks have been completed that were submitted to the FBI after cases that remain pending. Why are the name checks not handled in the order in which they are received?

The vast majority of name check requests are completed in less than 60 days. Of those remaining, the FBI tries to complete the oldest name checks first. The time to complete any given name check varies. There are many factors that impact processing times such as the number of files to retrieve and review, a file's location and accessibility, case status, and workload all impact processing times. Another factor that might delay the processing of a name check request on a first in/first out basis is the number of requests for expedited handling received from a customer agency.

My Freedom of Information/Privacy Act request to the FBI resulted in a "no record" response. Given that, why is my name check request still pending?

Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts (FOIPA) requests are sometimes confused with name check requests. FOIPA provides copies of FBI files relevant to a specific FOIPA request. For FOIPA, the FBI search uses the name or information as provided in the FOIPA request. A FOIPA search determines whether there is an investigative file associated with an individual—a "main file" search. For a name check, "main files" and "reference files" are both checked, in an effort to protect our national security, in addition to searching a name in a multitude of combinations.

Just found this info as well...

http://***removed***/forum/showthread.php?t=3823

221g - FBI National Name Check Program—Frequently Asked Questions

Source: http://www.fbi.gov/

National Name Check Program—Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take for my name check to be completed?

The length of time it takes for a name check to be completed varies from name to name. Normally, a name is submitted by an agency, such as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), on a data tape. Currently, the National Name Check Program (NNCP) receives over 75,000 name checks every week, with about 45 percent coming from USCIS. When a data tape comes in, the names on the tape are electronically checked against the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Universal Index (UNI). The searches seek all instances of the individual's name appearing in both main files and reference files. A main file name is that of an individual who is, himself/herself, the subject of an FBI investigation, whereas a reference is someone whose name appears in an FBI investigation. References may be associates, conspirators, or witnesses.

The majority of name checks submitted on a data tape are electronically checked and returned to the submitting agency as having "No Record" within 48-72 hours. A "No Record" indicates that the FBI's UNI database contains no identifiable information regarding a particular individual. Duplicate submissions (i.e., identically spelled names with identical dates of birth submitted within the last 120 days) are not checked, and the duplicate findings are returned immediately to the submitting agency.

A secondary manual name search conducted within 30-60 days usually identifies additional requests as having a "No Record." The remaining name checks (usually about 10% of the name checks originally submitted) are identified as possibly being the subject of an FBI record. At that point, the FBI record must be retrieved and reviewed. If the record is available in the FBI's electronic record keeping system, it can be reviewed quickly. If not, the relevant information must be retrieved from an existing paper record. Review of this information determines whether the information is positively identified with the name check request. If the information is not identified with the request, the request is closed as a "No Record," and the requesting agency is notified as such.

The average time required to retrieve and review an FBI record for possible information related to a name check request is case specific—it depends on the number of files an analyst must obtain (which is dictated by the number of "hits" on a name), the location and availability of those files, and the amount of information contained in a file. If a file is stored locally, an analyst will be able to obtain the file within a matter of days. If a file is located in a field office or other FBI location, the applicable information must be requested from that location. There are over 265 different FBI locations that could house information pertinent to a name check request. If a file is electronically available, an analyst will have immediate access to that file. Additionally, once an analyst receives the file, or the pertinent information contained in a file, the analyst must review it for possible information related to the name check request.

Many times, the delay associated with the processing of the remaining name checks is not the actual time it takes to process a name check, but the time it takes for an analyst to get to the name check request in order to process it. This is due to the constant volume of name checks, several million each year, combined with the FBI's current work on processing residual name checks from a batch of 2.7 million requests submitted by USCIS in December 2002, as compared to the NNCP's limited resources. Less than one percent of the requests are identified with a file containing possible derogatory information. If applicable, the FBI then forwards a summary of the derogatory information to the requesting agency. It is important to note that the FBI does not adjudicate the name check requests, but only provides available information to a requesting agency for its adjudication process.

How can I have my name check expedited?

The FBI tries to process its oldest name checks first. Customer agencies will occasionally request expedited handling of specific name checks. Criteria used to determine which name checks receive expedited handling are internal matters of each customer agency. The FBI does request that the number of expedited cases be kept to a minimum in fairness to the other pending name check requests. Because each customer agency determines which name checks are expedited, contacting Congressional representatives, the FBI's Office of Congressional Affairs, or the NNCP will only further tie up vital resources and will not contribute to the expediting of a name check.

Does contacting my Congressional representative expedite my name check?

No, the customer agency determines expedited handling. The FBI's policy is to be responsive to our customer's needs given the limits of our resources. Re-prioritization from multiple sources would convolute the customer agency's ability to manage their priority cases.

Is there a fee I can pay to expedite the process?

No. Processing times are a function of the volume of work versus the resources that can be applied to the task. Paying an additional fee would not speed up the name check process.

I am aware that some name checks have been completed that were submitted to the FBI after cases that remain pending. Why are the name checks not handled in the order in which they are received?

The vast majority of name check requests are completed in less than 60 days. Of those remaining, the FBI tries to complete the oldest name checks first. The time to complete any given name check varies. There are many factors that impact processing times such as the number of files to retrieve and review, a file's location and accessibility, case status, and workload all impact processing times. Another factor that might delay the processing of a name check request on a first in/first out basis is the number of requests for expedited handling received from a customer agency.

My Freedom of Information/Privacy Act request to the FBI resulted in a "no record" response. Given that, why is my name check request still pending?

Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts (FOIPA) requests are sometimes confused with name check requests. FOIPA provides copies of FBI files relevant to a specific FOIPA request. For FOIPA, the FBI search uses the name or information as provided in the FOIPA request. A FOIPA search determines whether there is an investigative file associated with an individual—a "main file" search. For a name check, "main files" and "reference files" are both checked, in an effort to protect our national security, in addition to searching a name in a multitude of combinations.

Hi Farzin...sorry to hear you are stuck in AP... What kind of questionnaire was your husband asked to fill out? Did he get a blue 221g form? AP can happen for multiple reasons. It is pretty much standard for young muslim males. Other factors are common names, frequent traveling, being from a "T-country"....I pasted some info below from another site that explains AP better...

My husbands name is Adnan Ahmed Mohamedy and we have been in AP for 111 days (3 months 19 days) so far....

Good luck and hope it goes quickly for you!

Administrative Processing Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Administrative Processing? AP is also called Additional Administrative Processing and is when the applicant is being checked more closely. It can be for security checks which encompass fingerprints and/or name checks or for document verification.

• When does Administrative Processing Happen? AP can happen at any time during your processing. It can happen at a service center, at the NVC level, or at the embassy level. It mainly is discussed here in the forums at the embassy level.

• Who can get Administrative Processing and Why? AP usually affects men and women from certain countries but anyone can get AP. Persons coming from T countries (Terrorist Countries) seem to have more security checks and have to endure AP at the embassy level after their interview. Common names, your nationality, religion, education, relationship of applicant, travels and job can all be factors for AP. Having incomplete or missing documents will also cause a case to be put in AP. In some cases if the embassy does not believe in the validity of the relationship they can investigate it further with a field investigation.

• What are the T-Countries? Although it is classified, the list of countries reportedly affected by these restrictions includes, but is not limited to, Afghanistan,

Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Egypt,

Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya,

Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia,

Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates,

and Yemen. http://www.abil.com/articles/ABIL%20...0Wolfsdorf.pdf This list is complied from an attorney and the list of T-countries can change at any time.

• Can I check the status of my case? The embassy will not in many cases respond to emails until a certain amount of time has elapsed. The best bet is to contact Department of State aka: DOS and ask them for an update bi-weekly. They will not be able to give you details but they can tell you if the case is still pending in AP or cleared.

• DOS information: DOS can be contacted Monday through Friday during business hours. You must have all information concerning your case with you so that they can assist you.

Department of State’s visa Information phone number: 202-663-1225

• Can I expedite this process? The simple answer is NO. No one can expedite the checks since they are considered a matter of National security. An elected official can only make a congressional inquiry on your behalf. They cannot get the checks finished any faster.

• Does AP have any time frame for completion? NO AP can last anywhere from days, weeks, months and in a few cases years.

Anyone that happens to be given a 221(g) or Administrative Processing letter must be patient and let them do their work. Do not call constantly and ask about your case. Remember each time your case is moved it can then end up at the bottom of the stack and your time can be extended. Each case is different so you cannot judge your case by any other and each consulate/embassy may have a different average time for completion of AP.

Hi Everyone!

I am looking into writing my congress-person to check into the status of our AP and would like some advice. I have a few questions and I was hoping that those of you who wrote your congress-person could please share your experiences. How far into AP were you when you decided to write them? How did you structure your letter? What kind of information did you include? Did you have a lawyer advise you or write the letter for you? Please share as much about your experience as possible. Thank you!

Hi Everyone!

Please share your experiences w/calling the Department of State to get info about your AP status... what kinds of questions did you ask? What questions got the most info? I know the only info you can typically get is pending or approved....but I also know that sometimes by asking the right question or letting your emotions show you can get a slightly more in-depth answer...please share your results and tips for the rest of us... thanks!

I'm sorry to hear about your long wait deepvison My husband has been in AP since October 21, 2011 (106 days so far). He is a UK citizen and currently lives in London, but he grew up in Morocco. Not knowing how long it will take is the most difficult part... I hope that your visa approval is right around the corner. Good luck to everyone!

Hi Basher,

Thank you for filling out your info... There is a link on the London Consulate page that allows some to check their AP status - but I believe it is only for non-immigrant cases. Here is the link just for reference: http://london.usembassy.gov/administrative_processing.html

Thank you Nich-Nick! That's very helpful to know!

Congratulations on finishing your AP!

Hi everyone...if anyone has FINISHED their AP - would you please go to the GENERAL POLLS forum. I have created a poll called ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING POLL & QUESTIONNAIRE...please if you have finished your AP will you go and fill this out to help the rest of us? Thank you so much!

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/347299-administrative-processing-poll-questionnaire/

Hi everyone...if anyone has FINISHED their AP - would you please go to the GENERAL POLLS forum. I have created a poll called ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING POLL & QUESTIONNAIRE...please if you have finished your AP will you go and fill this out to help the rest of us? Thank you so much!

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/347299-administrative-processing-poll-questionnaire/

Hi everyone...if anyone has FINISHED their AP - would you please go to the GENERAL POLLS forum. I have created a poll called ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING POLL & QUESTIONNAIRE...please if you have finished your AP will you go and fill this out to help the rest of us? Thank you so much!

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/347299-administrative-processing-poll-questionnaire/

Hi everyone...if anyone has FINISHED their AP - would you please go to the GENERAL POLLS forum. I have created a poll called ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING POLL & QUESTIONNAIRE...please if you have finished your AP will you go and fill this out to help the rest of us? Thank you so much!

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/347299-administrative-processing-poll-questionnaire/

Also I have created a poll under the GENERAL POLLS forum - it's called ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING POLL & QUESTIONNAIRE...please if you have finished your AP will you go and fill this out to help the rest of us? Thank you so much!

Hi Boiler,

Thank you for your response. The reason I did not post in MENA is because I am trying to find anyone else in my same situation. I know it is much less common in London, but I hope to find anyone else who has been through the process and to see how long it has taken for them. I've already read the hundreds of posts in the MENA forum and I welcome their input here as well - but I would really like to see some london feedback. Thanks again!

Hi EAbbas! Yes - please still fill it out if you don't mind. I already know why we are all stuck in this frustrating process, but I am just hoping to make some connections with timing since they won't tell us anything. I know that every case is different, but I am hoping to see if there is any connection with any of these factors I have listed and if it takes significantly longer. It may mean nothing and it just takes as long as it takes...but I am going crazy and I feel like I have to do something. I cannot imagine waiting 7 months-3 months in AP is torture enough...my heart goes out to you! I hope you hear good news soon...I feel so bad for all of those from Pakistan - it seems like it is the worst when it comes to AP! When is the last time you saw your husband? I have not seen mine since we were married in December 2010. Thanks for your response!