virgo2012

The same thing happened to me .
When I contacted my senator and asked how long should we wait to write the embassy again , they replied ..
" There is no need to write the embassy again , they will contact you when your visa is ready"
So then I asked - even if it takes 5 years, I should not write again to inquire ? The senator replied
" There is nothing you can do but wait , they are working on your case"

Once when I called the Department of State for a status update the lady on the phone was rude to me and made a comment about the fact that I had involved my congressman. I was asking why it was taking the embassy so long to return my fiance's passport . He needed it for travel and the embassy would not return it even after 10 email and 7 weeks of asking. The lady from the department of state said
" Why are you even calling me , I dont have the passport ?"
I said because the embassy keeps hanging the phone up on me saying they dont accept calls, and I have sent over ten emails. We need his passport sent back immediately.
She said " I see here that you had your congressman call on your behalf last week, if its such a big deal why don't you have your congressman ask for the passport ? I cant help you."

I can't really answer for what the embassy in Pakistan requires. An ACPO certificate will not list the charge, dates, etc if the caution had expired or been "expunged" from the general records. There is still a record that is not routinely divulged on the ACPO certificate. London doesn't want to hear the applicant's retelling of the story without some actual documentation from the law's side. Normally a court record would be required, but cautions skip a court date. A subject access report reveals the details of the "hidden from most" charge. So if you have nothing but your memory of the incident, it might be good to get some documentation of it. No LIVE trace on ACPO means there is more. West Midlands Police are hardly immigration specialists so may not be the advice to take. Before ACPO centralized records around 2007/8, the local station did police certificates. Maybe they are just thinking an ACPO certificate is the only way to go now.
Again I don't know Pakistan procedures. If it was London, the criminal charges would have been discussed and documented at the interview or the applicant would have been told as the OP experienced. London AP means all the basics are done and approved, but security checks more related to terrorism are being done, not local cautions for juvenile crimes. In Pakistan they may think the words "no live trace" in the UK means all is fine and the record is spotless. Lucky you.
Not a very good answer, but maybe some information to consider.

SJ24 .yes its the time i know every one is active but we must have some one to lead and take quick action on this and make every one aware.we have to options 1)every one have to write there letter with the detail of there case 2)as mentioned by SOCCER PLAYER we have to write the letter and signed by everyone who is in AP.
in both cases we have to post letters on the same day i think posting all letter on the same day atleast it will record our protest,as MR AMBASSADOR will see all these letters and he might take some action(hope so).other thing is this we have to contact pakistani news channels and tell them our stories because media is independent and they will contact the embassy to find out the reason atleast peoples sitting in embassy might come into action...but for all these we all have to unite.for sending the letters to mr ambassador or contacting the pakistani media atleast we need 15 to 20 members minimum,iam repeating thats minimum requirement and the maximum will help much.
finally this is my personal opinion and suggestion if some one have objection or better plan i will welcome that,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,but please its the time please unite and fight for our right dont give them time for injustice please...waiting for your kind responses.....thanks for your time..

i think they are in pakistan and they are working like our pakistani police that if something happen today they will take the action on that after few years.so i think they are just enjoying the weather and food in islamabad coz no one is there to ask them....ALLAH will punish them hard beacuse they are doing wrong to us..

carolynhotstuff they are just playing with us and with our fellings if they are not ready to issue the visa or if there intention is that keep the case in embassy for years and not working on it than why they are asking for the fresh documents its not free to get pcc or medical or mailing them everything they required,by doing this there intentions are clear that they are just playing with our fellings.please encourage every one that sign a letter and send it to MR RICHARD OLSON,so he must be aware that how his mission is working in islamabad,they are just wasting the precious time of our life keeping us far away from our spouses.i think they have no fellings for huminity they claim that they belive in huminity but they are just playing there politics.

SJ24..i researched alot to find out the email of US ambassador in pakistan MR RICHARD OLSON but there is nuthing much about him over the google or us embassy isl website,so best thing is that as you are discussing that we have to write the letter to him,i know it might work (not hopeful as got the standard reply from senetor,congressman and president house) but we have to write him,make him aware that why we are been punished for?as every time we call your DOS and email isl embassy we get always same answer that everything is ok.we dont need anything from your side,we are just doing some administrative processing.as i personally cant see any progress since march my case is freeze and all other vj members cases are frozen,what they are working on than,they are just punishing us being a pakistanis,as we can see over the tv and social media that MR OLSON has alot of time to visit pakistan than why he dont have time to work on the visa process.....please gather all of those who are in AP ask them to write him letter as much as they can....its the time we have to wake up and make them our about there justice with pakistanis.

Musashii... iam really happy with your spirit and decision please start this petition we are with you,because its the time to wake up,donot know why they are doing this to us,why there is no time frame for AP in pakistan?we will sign this petition and we will get 2500 signs INSHALLAH keep your hope positive ,start and share link with every one plz.

So just checked out the link and I believe the best thing to do would be to post the petition and then create a Facebook page where we can post our stories for people to read and request our friends etc to sign the petition. InshAllah we can do this.

This sounds really good. I like it how you keep it simple and to the point. I also think now is the best chance to grab congress's attention as they just passed the immigration reform for illegal immigrants. They make take interest in this matter as well. I'm currently pregnant with twins due in 5 days but I'm willing to help in anyway I can. I also believe we can get signatures by posting the link on Facebook. Does it have to be 100,000?

We, including myself, have been waiting for one another to start a petition. I know someone suggested that Mushashi do it (as he brought up the idea) but it seems unfair to dump it all on one person. That being said, here is my attempt at writing something close to a petition. I took the second paragraph from something Virgo posted in the other thread (plagiarism, yes). I couldn't find a way to paraphrase it as it echoed my exact sentiments. Can someone else do it?
My second concern is providing signatures for the petition. I'm afraid of giving my and my loved ones information on the Internet. Mushashi suggested that we would need 2500 signatures to grab the attention of a congressman. Is there a site for that? I found the "We The People" section on the White House website (https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petitions) but it requires 100,000 signatures which seems....unrealistic? So any one have ideas of a legit site/way to do this?
........
Administrative processing is a term used to describe a visa application that has been set aside for further review by the embassy. Most administrative processing cases are resolved within 60 days after interview. However, the majority of the applicants in the Islamabad embassy of Pakistan have been waiting for months and years to get a response. During this long waiting period, the petitioner and beneficiary go through pain and suffer as there is no time frame, access to any information, or deadlines.
While the reasons of establishing such procedure is understandable, it seems inhumane to put people in the prison of time just because they want to travel to the United States-- mostly to add to economic or/and intellectual growth of the nation. It is thus evident that the US government, especially in the context of this problem, is yet to realize the delicate balance between securing borders and opening doors.
Please bring some transparency in this process to expedite it. Provide a clear explanation to the candidates that are put under admin processing. Give deadline as to when the visa will be issued along with access to more information.
.....
Any suggestions?

Consulate's deal with Visa's.
Quite who is dealing with AP depends where it is in the process, various agencies involved.
Embassies are not involved.
My assumption is that it is extremely tedious to track things down in Pakistan, And that is why they are so slow, plus probably limited resources.

M and A .... totally agree with you.

i think they are in pakistan and they are working like our pakistani police that if something happen today they will take the action on that after few years.so i think they are just enjoying the weather and food in islamabad coz no one is there to ask them....ALLAH will punish them hard beacuse they are doing wrong to us..

carolynhotstuff they are just playing with us and with our fellings if they are not ready to issue the visa or if there intention is that keep the case in embassy for years and not working on it than why they are asking for the fresh documents its not free to get pcc or medical or mailing them everything they required,by doing this there intentions are clear that they are just playing with our fellings.please encourage every one that sign a letter and send it to MR RICHARD OLSON,so he must be aware that how his mission is working in islamabad,they are just wasting the precious time of our life keeping us far away from our spouses.i think they have no fellings for huminity they claim that they belive in huminity but they are just playing there politics.

SJ24 .yes its the time i know every one is active but we must have some one to lead and take quick action on this and make every one aware.we have to options 1)every one have to write there letter with the detail of there case 2)as mentioned by SOCCER PLAYER we have to write the letter and signed by everyone who is in AP.
in both cases we have to post letters on the same day i think posting all letter on the same day atleast it will record our protest,as MR AMBASSADOR will see all these letters and he might take some action(hope so).other thing is this we have to contact pakistani news channels and tell them our stories because media is independent and they will contact the embassy to find out the reason atleast peoples sitting in embassy might come into action...but for all these we all have to unite.for sending the letters to mr ambassador or contacting the pakistani media atleast we need 15 to 20 members minimum,iam repeating thats minimum requirement and the maximum will help much.
finally this is my personal opinion and suggestion if some one have objection or better plan i will welcome that,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,but please its the time please unite and fight for our right dont give them time for injustice please...waiting for your kind responses.....thanks for your time..

Is everyone ready to sign the written letter who are under admin process from long time?

plz send me a copy as well I ll sign it..because US embassy jus wastin our time, rather than other countries...

ایک پیپر پر سب کچھ لکھ کر سگنیچر کے لئے پہلے ایک دوست کو بیجو وہ دستخط کر کے اگلے بندے کو بیجھ دے ہو سکتا ہے کہ ہاتھ سے لکھے ہوے خط کو دیکھ کر اور اس پر لوگوں کے دستخط دیکھ کر ایمبیسی والوں کو ہو سکتا ہے ہم پر ترس آجاے
پہلے ایک دوست خط لکھ لے اور اپنے دستخط کر کہ دوسرے دوست کو ڈاک سے بیج دے اور دستخط کر کہ آگے بیج دے اور آخری بندہ دسخط کر کہ ایمبیسی کے اڈریس پر بیجھ دے.

OP, it's people like you that backlog the service centers and file illegitimate claims and visa requests for idiotic reasons. It's people like you that make innocent filers and couples like myself and the other thousands of innocent bystanders on here wait months and months going through hell and agony just to see our other halves' smiles again. It's people like you that are the reason other countries aswell as the USA are full of illegal immigrants and people wanting a free ride. You sir should be ashamed of yourself, I have also reported this post and sent off a copy to USCIS, you wanted help and I'm sure thousands of others on here will be willing to help you on your bus ride to jail, and I hope your 'FIANCEE' (pssh) gets what she deserves also, Karma is coming your way and you had better be prepared to deal with the consequences of your idiotic actions.

You're the reason "REAL" couples have to wait so long!!!

People like you makes things worst for the people in true love. Do you have any idea how or what we go through while waiting for our loved one?
Hope karma gets you.

I'm really curious to know what exactly happens when one applies for visa in a U.S. consulate (in Canada or India for example). Why some people have to go through additional administrative process, and why the process could take so long? Why do they repeat the administrative process again if you leave the country for even one day? Why no one cares about all the complaints of people who are stuck out of the country away from their loved ones? (Just search google for "221g administrative processing canada" for example!)
Administrative processing, officially referred to as Security Advisory Opinion (SAO), could be a most frustrating process for US visa applicants. The Office of the Secretary of State for Visa Services maintains, though, that it is a necessary process for sifting out terrorists, spies, and unscrupulous people that illegally transfer sensitive technologies. It also claims it only affects 2% of applicants, so if you're unlucky to be chosen, be prepared to wait 12-360 days for a response, which might be a revocation of your previously approved visa. Most times, though, you would be approved.

What they do during administrative processing is pretty much background checks. Based on your background, application data or, specifically, nationality, you will be assigned one or more categories or class:

Visas Mantis: (potential illegal transfer of sensitive technology)
Visas Bear (for foreign government officials, representatives to international organizations, and their families)
Visas Donkey (name hits, certain nationalities)
Visas Merlin (for refugees and asylees)
Visas Eagle (certain nationals of Cuba, China, Russia, Iran, Vietnam)
Visas Condor (certain nationalities e.g Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, 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,Yemen.)
Visas Hawk (for immigrant visas).
Visas Horse (diplomatic visa holders of certain nationalities)
Visas Pegasus (officials of Commonwealth of Independent States)

Afterward, your information is forwarded to the pertinent agencies for a very thorough check-- mostly FBI. Others could be CIA, DEA, U.S. Department of Commerce, Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, Interpol, and the Department of State's Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation.

This is where the delay really occurs. If everything goes well, you can have your approved visa in as little as three weeks, but if there is a problem of any sort, a delay could be anything from 30days to 360days. The most painful part is that you dont know exactly how long it's going to take, and there are no step by step updates, so you are stuck in a timeless time of waiting. Here are some reasons for delay:

1. Errors in the visa submission : The US Embassy from the country you are applying might mistakenly submit your information in a wrong format (different from what the agencies want), so the agency returns the data to the embassy. This obviously prolongs the security check and approval process. This situation happens every now and then, but it seems that the various agencies are working to standardize the submission format, which would help reduce such mistakes.

2. False Hits(Especially for Visas Mantis and Visas Condor): If your name matches that of someone on the FBI's (or any other agency's) list, you will be subjected to more scrutiny till you are either cleared or marked as a concern to security. Imagine if you are from a country with many identical names, this process will take much longer for you, and this accounts for most of the average processing time differences across various countries.

3. Visa Burden: If you apply at a peak time, when a lot of people are seeking to travel, this process will obviously take much longer. The agencies do not have enough personnel to deal with the spike, so they just do the best they can. Sometimes there are even backlogs, and this is why some people dont get their visas for more than a year. More so, the agencies prioritize certain visa classes, therefore when there is an overload, certain requests are sidelined. For example, the FBI prioritizes Visas Condor and Visas Mantis.


4. Hits: If your name and information submitted by the Embassy matches the one in any agency's database, then you might want to forget about traveling any time soon because they will resort to fetching as much information as they possibly could. This would take a long time since they might have to request information from other non-related sources-- sometimes this could require judicial approval. In addition, some agencies are yet to centralize their information storage systems, which means that it could be necessary to request
paper files from branch offices. If you are considered a security threat, the agency will write a security advisory opinion on you and then send it back to the State for Visa Services, who then revokes your visa.


The biggest problem of the waiting process is that you do not have any access to the nature of the delay. You could call the consular a million times, and they would say the same exact thing-- "your application is undergoing administrative processing..." While the reasons of establishing such procedure is understandable, it seems inhumane to put people in the prison of time just because they want to travel to the United States-- mostly to add to economic or/and intellectual growth of the nation. It is thus evident that the US government, especially in the context of this problem, is yet to realize the delicate balance between securing borders and opening doors.

Is the government aware of the pains this process causes to applicants? Apparently, they are aware, and they say they are working towards a faster and better system-- although they admit that it will always be thorough and thus protracted. But the good news is that there are signs of improvement. The agencies and State for Visa Services are working towards a more efficient partnership in order to streamline the process. The agencies are hiring more personnel and upgrading their technology tools to meet the demand for visa checks. Hopefully, things will get better in the coming years.

However, it is important for visa applicants to apply well ahead of their intended travel date if possible. This gives some cushion for the time required for the processing just in case such applicants are picked. And for those who are stuck in the timeless time of administrative processing, I encourage them to remain hopeful, and in unusually long cases, consult an attorney, contact a senator, or an organization such as the International Visa Office for individuals in the scientific community (including students)

Don't know what these embassy ppl do all day, I haven't seen any good news on VJ yet, I am shoucked that these ppl even send interview dates to us, that's good that they get free for that , anyways may ALLAH give us Sabar , that's all we can do

hello all dear friends like you guys iam also stuck in AP and dont know what to do about AP,all of us we dont know why we are in ap we dont know the reason everytime we call DOS same answer ap reason they dont know if we email to islamabad they dont bother to reply the emails but if they do luckily same answer ap reason unknown.....
Now my request is to all you please if you are facebook user than please on your fb like the us embassy islamabad page and on there wall post question as many as you can regardind AP,make them to answer our question and they need to tell us that why we are in this black whole,please this is my request to all of you please..