heartandsoul

I would like to wish everyone the Best of Luck with your Journey. For personal reasons, ours is ending after 3 years of marriage and 5 years together. We have made a decision that is best for both of us. Please, I don't need to be judged as one person on here already has done in a personal email. I want to thank each and every one on here that has helped us and supported us in so many ways. I wish the best for all of you and will continue to check on you from time to time. I'm sharing because people write or ask me for updates and I don't want to leave you wondering.

Thank you again!!!! Praying for all of you. (especially those that have been with me since 2010 on here)

If you haven't heard we are in what they call a Government Shutdown right now for political reasons here in the States. I did a bit of research to see what effect it would have on the Visa process and this is the information that I found to be consistent. Hopefully it will be a short shutdown and we won't feel the effect of it.

As a fee-based agency, USCIS will continue to accept and process applications and petitions. However, we expect there to be delays in processing, as some support staff may be furloughed and USCIS depends on non-essential agencies for services.

E-Verify will be shut down. According to the Department of Homeland Security, “citizens and U.S. businesses will not be able to access E-Verify, the Internet based system that allows employers to voluntarily determine the eligibility of prospective employees to work in the United States.”

The Department of State confirmed that consular operations domestically and overseas will remain 100% operational as long as there are sufficient fees to support operations. However, this is only expected to last for a few days, after which consular posts will focus solely on diplomatic services and emergency services for American citizens. We expect delays in processing visas, and if there is a prolonged shut down, we expect a cessation of visa processing. During previous shutdowns, business reasons have not qualified for emergency visa processing.

The embassy returned my email. They said it was a mistake and I do not need a co-sponsor!

My husband will go for his interview in about 7 days. We need time to practice possible questions the embassy might ask.

Asif asghar congratulations on finally getting your visa!

Carolyn!!!!!!!

I'm am so excited for you and your husband. I can't wait to finally hear that you two are together. It has been such a long journey but your faith and love will overcome all obstacles.

I'm so HAPPY to see this progress! I'll be praying for you my friend!

I am optimistic because 4 months ago the embassy asked for fresh documents, medical and my husbands passport. I don't know why it's taking so long for them to issue

his visa but I refuse to give up hope. There are people on here that sent fresh documents in February and March and they are still waiting. That means our case is not

that different in the way it is being handled by the embassy in Pakistan.

You are an amazing women and an example of what true love is. Your hope gives hope to the rest of us. I too am glad to see movement FINALLY!

After a year of thinking that they just disposed of my case, they sent it back to the USCIS in June. Today we received this email that we should have our NOIR in 14 days. At least we have some movement now. Can't wait to see what it says. Pray for us!!!!!!!

Your Case Status: Post Decision Activity


On September 10, 2013, we mailed you a notice indicating we intend to revoke the decision made on your case. That notice will explain in detail what action we intend to take. Please read it carefully when you receive it. If you have not received the notice within 14 days of the date above, please call customer service at 1-800-375-5283 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-375-5283 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting for further assistance. If you move, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address.


For approved applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include USCIS sending notification of the approved application/petition to the National Visa Center or the Department of State. For denied applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include the processing of an appeal and/or motions to reopen or reconsider and revocations.



If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results

listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current

processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (800) 375-5283 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting.


*Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov under Check Processing Times.


*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.


Sincerely,


The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Does anyone have information why the following were denied? Were they in AP prior to denial? Folks waiting since last year is ridiculous.

Heartandsoul CR1 (male) June 21 2012 Denied/trying to keep case at embassy

Anas & Ayesha CR1 (Male) June 27th 2012 Denied/trying to keep case at embassy

Aisha& Wajid CR1 June 29 2012 Denied/trying to keep case at embassy

I found out that there were 4 of us in one week. We all had the same abusive CO and we were all given the same 212 (a)5(a) which is not a bonafide relationship. In my case she said that his answers did not match mine and she never even interviewed me. My husband was only in there 5 minutes and it was obvious their decision was pre-determined. He brought a lot of evidence with him. They looked at nothing including our wedding photos. None of us were ever on AP. In my case everything went smooth until then. No RFE needed and I already had health insurance for my husband, no help needed with AOS. Everything seemed perfect until the interview. We had already been married 1 1/2 years at the time of the interview. They would not keep any of the cases at the Embassy for us to appeal. The other 2 ppl had their cases send back within 3 months and mine took 1 year. Then one had to wait almost 9 months for their NOIR to reply to it and now is waiting 3 months already for their response to that. I received an email from the USCIS today stating they would send out the NOIR within 14 days. Then I will have 30 days to reply to that. They will then look at our case again and make a decision to reaffirm it or end it. We all still have a long road ahead of us. All of the cases were IR1. Similar has happened to Eabaas and Carolynhotstuff but they were on AP for a long, long time first. Carolynhotstuff's case was reaffirmed after her NOIR but was placed back on AP and is still there. Eabaas was waiting patiently in AP for about 18 months and then was denied and now is in the NOIR process. We will be married 3 years this month but that doesn't seem to matter or prove anything to them.

Hi Everyone! I'm still waiting to hear from the USCIS for my NOIR to see what is says. Our 3rd year anniversary is this month. I hope that we all hear something soon.

I noticed that I didn't see any info for August on the Tracker and I have been trying to keep a detailed one. It sure would help if everyone could keep their timelines up to date and fill out one if you haven't. Also if you are Male or Female/type of visa, etc. Please remember that we need your information as well. Thanks!!!

I'm not surprised that the Females were approved because that is pretty standard but there were actually 2 males that were approved in August!!

AUGUST 2013

Mrtuttie F 8-Aug K1 approved

kismat75900 F 30-Jul F2A approved

Muba F 8-Aug CR1 approved

Yushams F 18-Jul IR1 approved 1 day to get visa 19-Jul

hbk2010 F 13-Aug-13 IR1 approved visa issued 27-Aug-13

raas F 12-Aug IR1 AP

BostonLovesPakist F 20-Aug IR1 AP visa issued 5-Sep-13 15 days

ALLUneedisLove M 22-Aug IR1 AP visa issued 28-Aug-13 6 days

H&Z M 30-Aug IR1 approved 7-10 days will issue

Congrats on your Visa!

Hello Everyone! I have been trying to keep up since Eabbas ( I hope that she is having a wonderful trip) had to take care of her daughter and things. I have this in an excel format on my computer but I'm unable to post the link. We are missing information for some such as M/F , dates, type of case, etc. Please fill in what ever information you have. I don't know if this will post correctly. I'm sorry if it doesn't.

It turned out a mess when I tried to paste it into this form so I have deleted the information.

I'm sorry. I read the wrong post when I replied.

The answer to your question is that the USCIS is going to reverse (revoke) the decision they originally made to allow your case to move forward and they will be sending you a NOIR (notice of intent to revoke). You will have 30 days to respond to their concerns/reasons for revoking your case and then they will review it again. After they review it again they will either reaffirm it ( allow it to continue in the visa process) or uphold their decision to revoke (end) your case

Stay strong and hopeful.

Everyone is right in telling you to use the opportunity that you have to try to keep your case at the Embassy by sending in the proof they want. Islamabad is hard to get answers. I tried to keep my case there and was told it was too late they were in the process of sending it back and then it took 1 year for them to send it back to the USCIS, the others that were denied the same week as me had their cases sent back in about 3 months.

If it does get sent back keep collecting your proof of relationship. Nothing is set in stone but the recent cases sent back to the USCIS have taken about 9 months for them to review and then they will send you a NOIR in which you will have 30 days to reply to their concerns. After that they will review your case again and decide if they will reaffirm your case which will probably mean another interview and fresh documents.

My case was just sent back in June so I am not expecting my NOIR until around March of next year but I'm hoping for a miracle that it will be sooner.

I'm so sorry that this has happened to you and best of luck. I understand how frantic you feel right now.

Congratulations on finally having your case sent back. USCIS might surprise you and review you case way before the 180 days. What service center handled your case? Was it California or Vermont?

Thanks! Ours is being handled by California. One of the others that had their case sent back right away took 1 year and they are in their 30 day appeal process now. However, I know that their is no rhyme or reason so I can only hope that it is sooner than later.

One year and 4 days later our case that was denied has finally been sent back to the USCIS so that they can review it. The current wait time for that is 9 months. WAIT WAIT WAIT

Yesterday our status date changed on the ceac website to June 3rd and I got so excited but it was only my Senator asking about the status of our case. Some days I get so discouraged and disappointed. Only God has given me strength to get through almost 4 years of waiting.

I am feeling very sorry for myself today because I'm so tired of waiting. The embassy asked us for new documents and a medical which we sent as fast as we could only to have to wait some more. I don't think they should ask for new documents and a medical until they are ready to issue the visa. It just gets your hopes up for nothing.

I feel the people at the embassy are heartless. They are keeping families apart for years and they don't seem to care.

Carolyn,

I'm so sorry that they are playing mind games with you and others (including me). Please don't give up hope. You are one of the main reasons I'm still trying to hang in there. I tell myself that if you can do it than I should be stronger and try too.

My family won't acknowledge our marriage anymore and call me by my name before marriage. My employer has removed my husband from his extra benefits and will not put him back on until he is here and they see him.

My friends took me out for an intervention, they mean well, and gave me a hundred reasons why I need to move on. I could go on and on.

Your right that the financial burden is upon the USC usually. I have paid thousands in health insurance and other things until recently that is not even considered by the government.

When you tell them that you do it for love, they have no sympathy, they don't care, they say end it and do it for someone you can love here and at least be with. I ask them the question, do you love your husband and would you just leave him? Their answer is that it is not the same because their husband is real and they can see and touch him. He works and supports them, he goes places with them, that is a marriage they say. After a while the emotional beating is just unbearable.

I've known my husband for 5 years now and we will be married 3 this year. I never understand how we get left behind when I see someone's fiancée, not spouse, make it right in. I'm happy for them but it just puzzles me even more. It almost seems that once you hit the 2 year mark that we move into the land of eternal limbo.

It really does seem that there is no activity out of Pakistan. Only a few teases with sending in new documents. I sure hope that someday they stop judging them as a group and start giving them/us the same opportunities awarded to others. I'm just frustrated and venting.

I know it won't be me but I hope that many of you will hear great news soon. INSHALLAH I check here to hope to see some happiness for everyone!!!!!

Thank you for your advice. You are always helpful. Someone sent me this link and according to it they should not be holding our case like this.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/laws/telegrams/telegrams_1415.html

Hello,

Our CR1 case was denied at the ISL Embassy in June of 2012. Next month it will be one year and after many inquiries we finally received an email from the Embassy last week stating that they are in the process of sending our case back to USCIS suggesting revocation. That is the same response that we received over 10 months ago.

My question is how long are they allowed to hold it at the Embassy before they send it back? When talking to my congressman here they can hold it for as long as they want. Does anyone know if there is a law about this?

Also, there were two others on VJ that were denied within the same week as us and their cases were sent back within a couple of months, though they have not had the USCIS send them their NOIR as of yet.

Any info will be appreciated. Thank you!

I always thought they sent the case back right away. I don't know why they have not sent your case back after all this time. Are you working with your congressman? Have you faxed a letter to the Ambassador of the embassy?

Congressman was unable to get a reply about our case. Useless. I thought that they were suppose to send it back right away as well. The other two that were denied that week had their cases sent back within a couple of months and are waiting for their NOIR now. When I talked to the Departments that we have here last week and asked what I could do about it they said nothing but wait and that ISL can send it whenever they want. I will try faxing a letter to the Embassy. Thanks Carolyn!

It has been almost 11 months since our denial and we have been constantly contacting departments trying to find out where and why our case has not been sent back from the ISL Embassy and today we again received this email. Does anyone know if there is a time frame that they must return it? Now we will have to wait about another year. First it will have to go back to NVC and then about 9 months for the USCIS to review it and send out the NOIR. WHYWHY WHY do they keep it when they know they have to send it back????

Dear Sir/Madam,

our record indicates that we are in the process of returning this petition back to the USCIS officer where it was originally filed. This file is being returned with a recommendation for revocation. This petition will be returned to the USCIS en route to National Visa Center. USCIS, once they have received this petition will contact you, the petition in this case.

Yours truly,

Immigrant Visa Unit

Consular Section, American Embassy

Islamabad, Pakistan

Heartandsoul - just to make sure - you use this form, and not actual emailing?

http://islamabad.usembassy.gov/contact-information/visa-inquiries.html

Thank you Ridcat, yes that is the one that I'm using.

Has anyone ever had any luck contacting the Embassy in Islamabad and actually speaking to a person? If you have can you tell me what time you called and the number you used please.

I have emailed them several times and they never respond. According to the DOS and USCIS today our case has never been sent back from the ISL Embassy to the USCIS so that we can wait for them to issue a NOIR and respond to it. All the Departments tell me that it is up to the ISL Embassy and they do not have a time frame. Now I know that it will be at least another year of this torture. Just so frustrated!!!!!!

Hello and I hope that you have an easy process. Please fill out your timeline because people like to have something to compare themselves to and are more willing to help if you are sharing information too. Since you are using the Embassy in Islamabad you may want to read over the posts in THE NEW ISLAMABAD AP TRACKER. It is full of information. Good luck to you!

I would be very careful in doing that. They may just see you as being trouble if let into the States and totally deny your visa.

Please think of all the possible consequences before acting.

Last year when the Pakistani government decided to stop the US Military from passing through to get into Afghanistan all of us that had interviews that week were DENIED without any just cause. Every single one of us that are on here at least, and when our spouses were at the Embassy they said that everyone was being denied.

At least now you have hope and possibilities. Trust me when I say that the wait, the worry, the work and the expense are far much more if someone is denied. Are you willing to take the chance that the only way you can be together with your loved one is if they move to Pakistan?

I'm not telling you not to do something that you feel needs to be done. I just want to put a differnet perspective on it in a friendly and caring way.

I wish you the best with whatever you decide.

Haven't posted much lately too much going on. But in a few statements... you all know me and our case very well. You know we have red flags but ntohing that couldn't be overcome if they would have asked for ongoing proof etc.

We have been in AP for a very long time and have even made plans for the future to live in another country once the girls are old enough to either go with us or stay here on their own.

We met and were friends for over two years before we decided to marry. We married instead of K1 because it made more sense, his family would never have been allowed a visa to come to a wedding here. I was on limited time due to work related issues so we married and i came home and we filed knowing it would take a long time.

After his interview we thought he would be here within a 6-9 month time. When that didn't happen we started making plans for me to go back but then my daughters brain tumor started growing rapidly and she was in a serious health and medical issue and my bank was going thru a bank merger and i was up for a full time position with benefits and promotion with raise so we both felt with the cirucumstances its best for me to be here and near my daughter.

In the summer we knew the name checks cleared. In nov they asked for wedding pictures.In january they did a field investigation which we were excited because we know we are genuine and we know i would have lived there if circumstances were different. We were even sleeping online together when the agent came in, they talked to his family, saw our pics on the wall, talked to neighbors and everyone knows about us as one even said he could hear us talking all thru the night thru the vent.

However, the agent kept saying nobody knew about us. He wouldn't let my husband wake me up and talk to me. Then we were excited as we saw changes on our case status. hoping that within a few more months they would request more evidence or updated documents.

They didn't instead they emailed the senator they are sending our case back to recommend revocation and didn't give a reason. Just said we would be able to send rebuttle at that time.

They wouldn't look at our evidence at the interview and they wouldn't accept it when we tried to send it. We have tons of phone calls, chats, emails, online info, fb info, he's on my bank accounts as POD as he can't get a joint account until SS# and he's been on my electric bills for over a year and on our phone records as a person who can talk about the account. HE;'s also on our gas bill as a person to talk about the account just not as a payor. HE's beneficiary to all my life insurance, stocks, etc. HE's on my benefits as of my new position with full time benefits as soon as i was allowed to add him. We email, chat, call, text, talk thru viber and spend eveyr night online for the last 2.5 yrs sleeping together.

This process has completely failed us. We were the ones advocating the need for AP and allowing them to do the work and understanding why it took so long and were planning ot make a life here for a few years then move somewhere else together.

They focused on our age mostly and still to this day won't return his passport so we can meet somewhere else that is much closer to me due to my daughters health. At any time she can go into brain surgery and i can't be 2 days away from her. We even submitted this evidence showing the brain tumor and how much space it takes up in her brain.

I know they consider it a red flag if I don't return but due to our cirumstances it wasn't possible and on top of it my husband wouldn't let me risk my daughters' health to come to him saying she needs me more than antyhing right now. She is scared and still facing brain surgery as early as this summer.

I'm heartbroken and completely in shock that while we have some red flags it's nothing that couldn't be overcome if they just asked us for more information.

I have hired an attorney and we are working on some things to put together now so we don't have to do it later. I have literally over 10 notarized statements from neighbors, family and customers at my bank that have written saying they have known about us and know about our marriage. my husband also has letters showing this.

All we can do now is pray hard that we can be like carolyn and overcome this and live together here until the girls are old enough to leave.

Just pray for us and pray for my daughter and pray hard... i'm broken now

I will pray for you and all of us. I know what it feels like to have your heart and dreams ripped out. It is apparent to all of us on here just how much you love each other. If I can help by sending you a letter send me a message to my inbox. We are all here to support you just like you have been here to help so many, many of us. Thank you for sharing your advice with us when you had your own issues to deal with. You congratulated everyone that received a Visa while your own heart was breaking and that is to be commended. You, my friend, have my respect and admiration for all that you have done to help this community. Now, it is our turn to support and comfort you.

Hi everyone,

My husband's visa was denied and our case was sent back to USCIS. We appealed and won so our case was sent back to the embassy. Sense then we have been in AP for 8 months.

A few days ago the embassy sent my husband an email requesting a new medical, DS230, police certificate, affidavit of support and his passport. Yesterday I got an email from my lawyer saying the embassy had contacted her. They want to do a telephone interview with me and couldn't reach me. So she sent them my phone number and I guess I need to stay home for the next few days.

I am hopeful that we will get the visa soon because they asked for his passport. I am praying for all of us to get our visa's soon.

Carolyn,

This is FANTASTIC news!! You have waited so long and patiently. I pray that this will be the news that you have waited for so very long. This all sounds like a good sign. It would be wonderful to see someone break through this broken system. I hope that someday my case will make it back to the USCIS so that we can appeal.

This is common marriage procedure in Pakistan and in fact the embassy tends to grant visas to pakistanis who have arranged marriages more easily than those who do love marriages. Please understand there are large cultural differences when posting...

I have to highly agree with this. If you are a Pakistani male married to an American women for love they are very hard on you because they always assume first that it is for immigration purposes. For that reason, anyone that is starting this process married to an American women needs to find a way to spend as much time together as possible and document everything for proof. Arranged marriages get approved much easier because of the culture.