amrssnowangel

Well we are ready to roll..He has all my information for packet 3, and will go next week for medical, police certificate, cib to pay visa fee, he has his pics and he;ll get copies made...we'll fill out the papers included with packet 3 and God willing have it returned within a day or so of recieving it. Does anyone know...do we HAVE to have all this translated into english yet?? I just pray to God we dont have long AP after the fact. Im soo hoping our 4 years together, 5 visits, stacks of emails, phone calls and written certified testimonies will help validate our relationship. I hope God will use what time we had these last 4 years for good now.

On our way to Cairo finally...our petition left NVC yesterday Jan 7, 2008 from NVC!!! Does anyone know what the average time is from returning packet 3 to an interview date???

AWESOME!!! I was getting worried that you'd be held up!!!!!!

I don't know what the current times are like but for us it was within the week I think.

I was a bit worried to...but I still wont rest till visa in hand..I see soo many waiting these long times after the interview...I know most seem to be k3 and cr1's...but...I know there are a few K1s held up to...especially with our red flags..I guess we'll see. Any advice is appreciated...

faith

Don't stress out if you don't get the interview date in a week or two. I heard that was the timeline and when a month passed I started to freek out They were telling me they had recieved everything and were processing the info, and would inform me when they scheduled a date. We got it that week after I contacted my senator, but I really was worried... And of course they never contacted me again via email my SO just got the letter in the mail.

This is where my theory comes from about being sent for security checks before the interview, the "still processing the paperwork" part

I think in your case thats exactly what happened..they sent it for name checks first...but i can't see where that's happened much before yours. But for you must have been sucha relief to get that visa so fast after interview....did you ever check to see if it was at DOS? 2.5 months before getting your packet 3 would be about the time for a security check...have to wonder...

what a relief

Is your petition at DOS? Or sitting in cairo? Did they complete your security checks???

On our way to Cairo finally...our petition left NVC yesterday Jan 7, 2008 from NVC!!! Does anyone know what the average time is from returning packet 3 to an interview date???

AWESOME!!! I was getting worried that you'd be held up!!!!!!

I don't know what the current times are like but for us it was within the week I think.

I was a bit worried to...but I still wont rest till visa in hand..I see soo many waiting these long times after the interview...I know most seem to be k3 and cr1's...but...I know there are a few K1s held up to...especially with our red flags..I guess we'll see. Any advice is appreciated...

faith

Thank you everyone... we are thrilled...we hope to have the interview over within the next 2 months...then wait again...Some seem to be approved within the month, some 3 months, some 6 months with a few a year or more still waiting through Cairo..pray for us that we are one of the speedy ones.

On our way to Cairo finally...our petition left NVC yesterday Jan 7, 2008 from NVC!!! Does anyone know what the average time is from returning packet 3 to an interview date???

Congratulations to all those approved recently!!!

Just an update...our petition has been forwarded to Cairo finally after a month of AP at NVC....

My bank would not add anyone without a valid social security number and appearing in person.

What we did was get a prepaid visa/mastercard...i was able to add him without this information and send him the card. I simply add funds for a small fee and he can withdraw from any ATM. Saves us so much on transfer fees and western union fees. You can pick one up at most convenience stores, CVS or Rite Aide.

Any new approvals posted today??

Also are Faith and Mirla MIA??? Anyone heard anything from them?

TADAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! Im around...just needing to breath...I watch you guys from the sidelines...we are STILL at NVC in AP. So we really are still waiting with you all..Just because we got our noa2 doesn't mean we moved very far. Most others approved from Cairo are getting their packet 3's and interview dates while we sit. If you think the customer service is bad here...NVC is nicer...but they are only nicer. We still get NO information..and we still get 293874923873874 different answers to the same question...I just needed a break...

I will be leaving to go to Cairo Jan 21 for our visit...IF NVC hasn't forwarded our case by the 7th or so. By the way..anyone wishing to travel...expedia.com....iberia airlines...GREAT travel deals...NY to Cairo...$640.00!!!

Anyone heard from Mirla???

Faith

After reading the stories here on AP Processing at Cairo possibly being connected to meeting online I decided to do a poll. Please take time to answer the two questions asked. Thanks in advance for your input.

Cheryl

Hi Cheryl,

Been taking a bit of a break from VJ..I'll respond to your messages soon. But I had to respond to this post. Im not so sure about the statements validity that meeting online has anything to do with longer AP. I think validity of things that occur in the interview, or something found in the file, or something found in a name check have to do with this at this point. My understanding from DOS is that if a name hit occurs, they further the investigation..then return the file to the embassy who then has the power to decide the visa. I'd say that if a name hit occurs past a certain point, maybe the embassy feels the need to investigate further on their own there in cairo before deciding to deny or approve that visa. I also notice very very few K1's wait longer than 3 months. You can go see the immigration timelines spreadsheet for justification of these statements. Since 2006 out of 10 K1's interviewed, only 1 has waiting over a year and 1 never returned to update timeline. so 8 out of 10 were approved with visa's. In addition to that, more than half were approved in 4 months or less with the remaining over that time. So while im not in AP..hoping to not get AP at this point...I dont think how we met has much to do with AP after interview unless there is other valid reasons. How we met was addressed in the original petition and the embassy may not legally deny a petition based on that information. If disclosed at the USCIS level. I think lots of speculation occurs. But reality is that we will never know a real reason for a hold up. On God and Cairo seem to know that. I think one never even has made it to DOS yet. I can't say why these happen, but according to the numbers, its rare. Not the norm. So dont be to worried. Your interview will come fast..and Im sure you will be approved quickly. (Im not even sure if red flags alone are reason for the AP's...as they are mostly addressed in the peition at the USCIS level and at the interview...unless the one being interviewed hasn't convinced the officer of a valid relationship). Once again..K3's and CR1's are scrutenized more at embassy level. K1's still have AOS to prove that the marriage is real...more so...than any other of these petitions. So our process and security reviews are far from over at the interview level. Officers know this. So good luck...Im slowly coming back..but needed a break emotionally. It hit us very hard to get AP at this point and expect at least another 3 weeks of it..according to the numbers on VJ..seems those stuck in this AP at this level clear out in 4-6 weeks...once again, rare to be much longer than that on a K1. Good luck girl....remember that in his interview...he needs to show the love....everything should be based on his love for you. Take care...

Also, If its any help or encouragement, in checking the numbers of all those from vj approved and sent to NVC...seems that most of the ones that were on AP have been sent out between the 4 and 6 week mark. So I'd say you are just about ready to advance. If this is the norm...we are half way there...woooo hoooooo..I just pray for a speedy visa after the interview. We need it. There again.....seems MOST k1's are given thier visas within 3 weeks...with more within 3 months..a few in 6 months at most..with a rare one waiting a year. So the odds after this are in our favor...God willing..just hard to stay focused and positive..I've been staying out of the forums lately..and that seems to help..Not to focus..and we haven't called in aweek for an update...we will wait and call every 2 weeks...at this point. Take care.. God bless

Good luck to you!

I've also heard 5-6 weeks is typical of AP at the NVC stage, so I just hope that is accurate. We are at that point now, and I am thinking if there's a delay it could be because of Christmas and people being out on vacation. My lawyer says delays can happen around holiday time. I think (am not sure) that the cases that last up to a year are at the consulate level, not at the NVC level, but I am not sure about that. I will call again next week, probably on Wednesday, if I can hold out for that long.

I find myself reading the forums all the time now, but I agree with you, sometimes reading it and seeing the timelines of those who are almost finished with the process that filed in May like we did can get rather frustrating, so it is good to take a break and focus on other things. I still find it nice, though, to find there are others experiencing the same issues and that we can stick together through this wait and support each other. Best of luck! Take care!!!

Jennifer

Well thats why I finally broke and replied to your post, because we are in the same boat. For now I have to not see the others postings that were approved for Cairo with noa2's same week as me. They are returning their packet 3's, preparing for interviews in a month, and I'll be lucky to have an interview in a month. Worse...Cairo is a high fraud country, so sometimes its possible to be stuck there waiting for AP after the interview for months. We have a few red flags...but Im hoping we dont have much more than a 6 month wait after interview for our visa. We've been together 4 years with 5 visits under us and a 6th one on the way. We've had lots of face to face time to make up for the fact we met online. In shaa Allah that will help. Take care.

Hello! I need some help, and this forum has been a great source of information to me so far. My fiance is in Sweden, and we are in the process of getting his K1 Visa. Our case is now at the NVC. Here are my issues:

1. I call the automated response service to hear any updates about our case. When I enter the WAC (the CIS Receipt) number, it says our file doesn't exist. When I try to enter our NVC Case Number, it asks me to enter the first three letters on the keypad. I do so and it says those letters are not in the system (its STK for Stockholm so I hit 785). Therefore, I cannot get any information from the automated system. Anyone else having this trouble? Any advice?

2. I got mail from the NVC dated November 16, 2007 saying our visa would be mailed to the embassy in Stockholm within a week. Sweden, a month later, never received anything so I called the NVC. Apparently our case is under administrative processing in Washington and has yet to leave. They said there was no time period on how long it might take. Our lawyer says it can last from days to years. However, I am seeing this happen to a lot of people at the consulate level, not at the NVC. Anyone else have this trouble? How long before it was cleared?

I'm quite frustrated right now and this waiting is killing us. How long do I have to be separated from my love? Thanks for ANY and ALL advice/suggestions/comments about this.

Jennifer (not-so-patiently waiting for my honey to be in my arms again.......)

It can take a good couple of months before the NVC processes anything. There is administrative processing at various stages.

The time frame you listed is relatively short compared to most.

Typically at the K1 level, at this stage, she hasn't even gone to the consulate. It shouldn't take more than a few weeks. However, after the interview or in a marriage visa petition, you are right, it can take months or a year to complete. But K1's are expidited through the NVC process when it passes through on way to embassy. A CR1, or K3 does not have that luxury. K1's are subject to AP after an interview as well as during AOS. So it passes much quicker on way through to embassy.

Also, If its any help or encouragement, in checking the numbers of all those from vj approved and sent to NVC...seems that most of the ones that were on AP have been sent out between the 4 and 6 week mark. So I'd say you are just about ready to advance. If this is the norm...we are half way there...woooo hoooooo..I just pray for a speedy visa after the interview. We need it. There again.....seems MOST k1's are given thier visas within 3 weeks...with more within 3 months..a few in 6 months at most..with a rare one waiting a year. So the odds after this are in our favor...God willing..just hard to stay focused and positive..I've been staying out of the forums lately..and that seems to help..Not to focus..and we haven't called in aweek for an update...we will wait and call every 2 weeks...at this point. Take care.. God bless

We are also K1's waiting on NVC administrative processing. I've been told everything from we had a Name hit of some sort, to its just a random security check to a random quality control check. I've been told 2-4 weeks, I've been told it could take years. No one can say for sure what it is they are doing. No one wants to give information. But DOS says they do not have it. So I suspect its some sort of Quality Control and once again we are sitting on someones desk. Whats frustrating is that we will go back through AP after our interview with almost 100% certainty based on where he is from. We have just decided to wait out the ride. If Its not forwarded by the end of the first week of January, Im flying over for a visit. And a visit every 3 months till we can get our visa approved. We have a fall deadline. If things are not moving by then, we start to make arrangements to move. One nice distraction is that my oldest is moving home with her two sons. So I can spend some of my time spoiling them. Alhamdolellah.

Good luck..lets all keep in touch.

Hi everyone...

Im still praying for you all..and yes still at NVC on AP. This is sooo frustrating..I hope you all get your approvals soon and get straight to the embassy.

Well, I called NVC today...after trying and holding for 20 mintues I got a rude man. Now, I used to teach customer service, manage in a call center and developed the quality assurance department, so Im very stingy with my customer service I recieve. I called because my SO realized that they dont have his full name on the papers we got. They leave one out...now that can make ALL the difference in the world on a name check with any MENA man...so I called. This guy..had the guts to tell me that I have to get his passport, mail them a copy...now does anyone know how LONG that can take?? I said..why?? You HAVE the right information in the file and YOU have the file..just fix it...he tried to get a supervisor (after 10 seconds of looking..)..said one was not available. I stated my concern that IF we were in a name check...they may be checking the wrong name...get this...he told me their process isn't any of my concern.. I said..oh yes it sure is...supervisor please...i'll hold...he argued I said...SUPERVISOR PLEASE, ILL HOLD. He puts me on hold FIVE SECONDS...comes back says one isn't available..I said I wasn't on hold long enough for him to even check..that I'll hold while he finds one..he hung up on me. Called back...20 minutes of the same..got one of the girls I talked to before..sweet. Said she doesn't understand WHY i was told I was in NAME CHECKS..cause its a k1..its being PROCESSED. That when the files come in...if all the papers look ok..it goes back out..if there is ANY questions on the paper work..its put aside to be manually gone through..and that takes 2-4 weeks average. I said..well I personally know of someone that is on K1 and has been stuck there a YEAR. She said that would be VERY rare and she's never heard of it...I said..well obviously it does...and thats my biggest fear is that they will stick us in this for MONTHS. She stated again very nicely that it SHOULD be only 2-4 weeks. I feel a bit better...but not till we get to cairo...i was EXPECTING THAT WAIT....NOT this one....I hate surprises..dont handle these well...(can you tell???? LOL) Anyways..jsut wanted to update ya all...thats for the support and advice.....

can we just stick to the AP subject though and just ALL get along??? This is stressful enough without the bickering.... :whistle:

Thank you to those for your support..we are still in AP..I guess I'll check back after the holidays...its just been miserable with his dsl out...limited dial up..(we were spoiled..long story)...but we are managing it. I will book a flight after the first of the year for sometime January..decided not to wait around for them to send the petition on to Cairo..I can always manage to get back for a short visit for the interview. Good news is...My daughter with her two sons will be coming to stay with us for a while..so I'll have help that came from a totally unexpected source...praise God...

I remember well going through all the emotions you are going through. The anxiety and fear of flying blind while the whole process grinds out is monsterous. You have been given some good advice. Focus on your immediate support system regarding your parents. Your fiance/husband will be overwhelmed enough when he comes over here without having that on his plate too. He may not exactly understand what it is you need emotionally as well if you're all stressed. Wires can get crossed and considering the language barrier that can get messy in a hurry. Take it from someone 1 year into the other end of this now, and it has been one VERY rough year, you will need all your focus and stamina to get through your adjustment period here. Of course each individual is unique in how they handle this, but I can tell you it is extremely easy to underestimate how your SO will handle the new life/culture. When love is strong and you can keep it your focus you'll do fine. It's God's plan and He's got his reasons for everything, even if they aren't always a bowl of cherries on our end. Best wishes to you. The holidays can be a hard to time to cope with all this.

What type of issues did you have with the language barrier?

I know for us there is no language barrier...he speaks, reads and writes english fluently. Worst thing we have is in some of the "american" jargon. But that is easy to remedy..as for us...we have no issues with the language....

My case was approved on 12/2/07. I found that it went to NVC on 12/4/07 and it is in administrative processing. I don't know how long that will take. I wonder if they can ask me for more information as well, I assume that they can do whatever they want to do. I hope that it works it's way through their process quickly.

HEYYYY...im in AP at NVC to....dont know how long either...I spoke to a supervisor there..she said that there was a "name hit" on an initial security screening...some say it doesn't take long to clear up..but can also be checking document status...and other issues...any "high risk" case in K1 can also be put into AP. I know of ONE that went as K1 and after a YEAR is STILL in AP at NVC... scarey....but most are resolved I find in a month or less...atleast thats what the average "numbers" are found here on VJ... Good luck ...

(((Hugs))) I hope ur case is forwarded to Cairo soon......

Either way..we have a backup plan...thats all i needed...we'll sit and wait and see where we go from here...

THank you all...its soooo great to come and know others have been through the same. I've been trying to talk to him about the changes he will endure when here. We have decided to take it slow. When he comes...I dont wont to bombard him with so much culture at once. We talked about staying close to home a bit..he will work with me (I have a business) until he is comfy and is more adjusted to these new surroundings...I think at FIRST it will be so cool to him..new everything..but then I think the shock WILL set in..I had thought of using a digital camcorder to record lots of things from the lack of the Adhan sound to traffic to shopping and just how people interact. I love the culture of egypt and dress and live it here already. But I know its a huge step. I was just thinking how much I'd miss moving there as well..the ease of getting what I want when I want...being able to afford the "Little" luxuries that I may not have there. The inability to understand ANY arabic...at least his english is fluent and we've spent soooo much time with "american english" things he'd hear that are acceptable here but not there. I think these men get an idea of america from the movies and its far from that at times...lol.

We'll see..thank you all for the advice..I really was having a day of panic yesterday....

WEllll still in AP as everyone else is forwarded...I dont understand why US...Its just such a fear to have this take forever. Maybe Im just impatient at this point..but we are SERIOUSLY considering going a different way with this...I'd say if things dont move faster after an interview...I'll sell the house..make other arrangements for parents and move. I'd have enough to go back and forth for a few years..and just wait out a different route with him..instead of apart. I dont know how some of you have done this..maybe im just not a strong person...but...I cant do the long wait thing. Not in my personality..and stress makes me ill with my Fibro...so I just dont need this. Just to much...

I was going through our evidence that we had been together and met within the past 2 years, and it so weak. We have tons of pictures and I have stamps in my passport. The problem is that he is from Tunisia and I met him in Italy. I have tons of pictures and but I don't have enough evidence such as a lease or housing contract or anything else that gives proof that we were both in Italy at the same time. His passport was stolen while I was there and he was issued a new one a month after I returned to the states to start this petition. So that means his passport does not have Italian stamps. I don't knoe what else to use. Does anyone have any advice?

Maybe I can get an italian friend to right out a testimony that we've been together for such and such time. would that work I am freaking out again. We just found out that my SO only has fines on his police report which means that we don't have a problem wth that anymore. we go 10 steps forward and now because of the lack of evidence we'll have to take 10 steps back.

any advice?

Thanks in advance

jan

have you considered having him go to the passport office and asking for a "movement certificate"?? If they give one there, it will show where he went to and when...that may be proof enough.

I posted here also since we are keeping one another updated

I just called NVC to see if our K-3 petition was sent to Jordan Embassy yet. The rep told me that it is now held up in fraud prevention to be reviewed. I asked her what that was and why. She said they were doing this due to 9-11.......... I asked if this is normal. She said they do it to some cases and yes it had to do with beneficiary is middle eastern. I asked how long will this take, she said she didn't know but I could check back maybe once a week. She then said it was being done there and maybe it will be done at his Embassy too when it gets there but she didnt know.

So now my question is: Anyone familiar with this and maybe can help me understand it a little more. I'm really hoping it will not cause more delay and actually work in our favor somehow. Please shed some light on this for me.

Thanks-- gwen

I have to go to work right now.. but will check in again when I get home later.. hope for some good insight.

thanks to all

God bless ya

Im in the same position...we got to NVC fast...and others for egypt were approved day before and after me..and they have already been forwarded...while we are stuck in AP. Something came up in the initial screening input they do..so its forwarded to another unit there and we have been forced into a security check. No one can say how long..could be weeks, months or over a year..depends on what they find. Also, once we go to the Embassy..yes they can order additional security checks via different departments and systems....yes this can hold you and I up for a LONG time. However...once they finish this security screening...its up to the embassy weather they want more...so we do have a chance of missing AP after the interview. Im sorry the news isn't better...I was able to talk to a supervisor at NVC who was VERY helpful..very sympathetic but didn't give me news I wanted to hear...good luck...we should keep in touch...

God Bless,

Faith

as far as I can tell with my case we have never been sent in for more security checks since our case has made it to cairo and thats 7 plus months... AP covers much more than security checks especially if they want to put your relationship through the ringer.

May I ask how long you and your SO knew each other before filing your petition?? How many times did you meet? What flags do you think set this off for your case??? Im so nervous about all this...I dont mean to be..but seeing others going through so much heartache and hardship... My SO said last night he doesn't care about the visa...we will be together, here, there..anywhere...

Good luck with your case.