WonTanNara

At least the two of you are together, I'd give anything to be able to be together while we wait! Because of my job, which I need to keep to pay for my house that I want to keep, I can't.

We are entering our eighth month of AP. This absolutely sucks a$$.

Cass, how did you get that detailed information about the last of the security checks? Embassy, Congressman, Senators, and DOS all tell me they can give me no information except a status of complete or incomplete.

I asked the embassy when the last security check was requested and they told me.

Interesting... Dakar says they do not have any information except that our case is undergoing security checks. I've specifically asked if they can see any progress or updates and they tell me "we are not privy to that information, we can only see if the case is complete or incomplete." Hmph.

I will let you know. Tel3 says the cost would be 13.5 cents per min. I was also looking in to Pingo I think they are a lot less. Well I just looked and they are 13.0 cents so not much difference. lol But if I do I will def. look out for you no problm. Thanks for info!

BTW do you know if it will show up as my number calling him? Juss wondering.

Sometimes it shows up as private, sometimes it shows my number. I think it's because they have a huge network and different carriers. I've used Pingo too but they charge you 85 cents a month and I find their connection isn't quite as reliable. I also use VIP and haven't had any problems with them.

I know just how you feel, this waiting is so difficult. My fiance and I helped an acquaintance navigate through this whole process at the same embassy and he had his visa within three weeks. It took a few days after the fact but it caused my poor honey to have a bit of a meltdown. It's really hard watching other people get their visas in a blink of an eye but... nothing good is ever easy, eh?

Hang in there.

A note on calling cards; they suck. They bill you in 3 minute increments and have all sorts of hidden fees.

I use Tel3 Advantage for all my calls to Africa. I've searched the world for the best rates and this company has got them. They bill in 1 minute increments, have no hidden fees, no monthly fees, and best of all they will refund dead air time back to your account! They have local access numbers and the rate is $.1 cheaper than the toll-free access number. You can set up caller ID, so for example if I call from my cell phone or home phone then I do not have to enter in my account number. You can set up speed dial so you don't have to dial the entire international number. It's the best service!

If you decide to sign up please PM so I can get a referral bonus.

Ladies,

It sucks, I know. We were in name security checks for 11 months. It does end - really. Look at Tammy!

Cassandra - numb is not so bad, but don't let it affect your relationship. Having your congressperson's immigration liason person(in their local, not DC office) inquiry with the consulate every 3 mths is appropriate. I called the DOS line every two weeks, its frustrating and repetitive -- then one day Chris told me to have my husband call the consulate.

Keep yourselves busy(exercise, clean a closet, volunteer, study) and keep your expectations low.

Ann

Yup, it'll end. My liason is doing monthly checks, and I'm doing a monthly check with the embassy too. I am reorganizing my closets making room for my fiance's clothes. Oh yeah and I'm going to see him IN TWO WEEKS! YAHOO!

At least the two of you are together, I'd give anything to be able to be together while we wait! Because of my job, which I need to keep to pay for my house that I want to keep, I can't.

We are entering our eighth month of AP. This absolutely sucks a$$.

Cass, how did you get that detailed information about the last of the security checks? Embassy, Congressman, Senators, and DOS all tell me they can give me no information except a status of complete or incomplete.

They will let you in with just your passport, since you are a USC. . .they are not going to let you speak to anyone who knows anything though. It will just be a wait, red tape and no information. The DOS line has the most current AP information, and the consulate is not a fun place to be. Take it from me. . .even the one in Canada will treat you like you don't have a right to see anyone or talk to anyone. . .keep with Senate/House rep inquiries, emails and DOS calls. . .you'll get more information and attention and won't waste precious visit time waiting in line. . .

I agree.

Since the Guinean website does say Dakar or Accra, I say, put down Accra as the embassy and see what happens. If it is only Dakar, then NVC will just send your petition there

Yep you can try, but you will need to stay on top of things. Don't rely on them to communicate with you.

For example, the acquaintance I mentioned in my previous post was told by the Guinean Consulate that her fiance's K1 petition could be processed in Conakry. However, the NVC sent it to Dakar. She said they never let her know about that, but she was in Guinea at the time and they probably sent her a letter which was sent into oblivion. To this day, Dakar knows that mail does not reach Conakry but they still try to send things there.

Get the numbers for USCIS, NVC, DOS and the email for Dakar and put 'em in your cell phone.

When the time gets closer I can help you because I've been through this in the same places you will need to go through this.

Hello everyone, when I get back from Guinea next month I will be starting the K-3 process after reading alot of posts I am wondering which would be the best Embassy for me wife to have her interview done. I havent heard to much about Ghana but I see that there are alot of people on AP that went to the Dakar Embassy, I hope that my case/process will be straightforward but you never know about these things, I did file for the K-1 visa but it was denied because we had miss the 2 yr meeting by less than 2 weeks, While in Guinea I will take plenty of pics we will have plenty of documents, I will check in with the Us Embassy there and have all of my paperwork notorized, , have a Traditional wedding on December 20th and then on the 22dec go the MFA and have a civil wedding, I dont know if I am overlooking anything , but I am not to happy about the Idea of someone sitting behind a desk deciding my fate/future with my wife or keeping me from my family if everything is 100% legit. I am just trying to take all precautions.

If your case does get sent to Dakar, my fiance and I have lots of Guinean friends in N'gor (where the airport is) we can put you in contact with.

I dont believe that you have the choice as to where you case will be sent. The US govt is going to send your case to the embassy to where they want it to go.

I agree. I think the NVC is going to decide where to send it depending on case load. I'm 99% sure having the option of processing in Accra is new. When I filed for my fiance's K1 in January of this year, the Conakry website said the processing had to be done in Dakar.

Sometimes Dakar is not too bad. I have an acquaintance who was in and out of Dakar in the last 3 weeks with a visa for her fiance. That was fun, answering all her questions through the entire process, setting her and her fiance up with a place to stay, then listening to her fiance "show" my fiance his visa while I was on the phone with him.... But I digress...

Be absolutely ####### about your paperwork. Check it, check it again, check it yet again, and then have somebody else check it. Twice. Gather as much proof of your relationship as humanly possible. Prepare for the interview, practice practice practice. Those are really the only things you can do to "avoid" AP.

Women don't usually get hit for security clearance AP and there's absolutely nothing you can do to avoid it anyway (except not make any mistakes on your paperwork).

Make sure the birthdates and names on her passport, her birth certificate from the ministry in Conakry, and the birthdate on your petition ALL match.

Also, when the time comes for her to get the police report, make sure you get the casier judiciare with THREE signatures on it from the ministry in Conakry.

Bonne chance.

Julia, We've been on AP for over seven months too for security clearance. I've asked myself the same question, should I make a trip to the embassy while I'm in Dakar next month? I have emailed Dakar every month for the past seven months, pretty much asking the same questions again and again hoping for a different answer. Is there any update? Can you see any information about our case? Can you tell me what gov't agencies are doing our security checks? I'm certain I am annoying the ####### out of them and the answer is always the same. "It is completely out of our hands, the processing is being done in Washington, we can only see if it's complete or not complete, we cannot see if there have been any updates." They've told me that this 7+ month delay is not unique to our case and there's nothing wrong, but security clearances take a lot of time.

We've also been told that our relationship and our paperwork have all been verified and no additional proof is required. Our interview was in April and we paid a visit when I went over in July. It didn't do anything. In our case, going to the embassy won't do a damn thing except waste 1/2 a day, cost me $10 in taxi fare, and make me obsess over it instead of enjoying the time I have with my fiance.

If you feel like you can get more information, or if it will make you feel better to go, then you should go. I've heard others say they think going will speed up the AP, but if you are waiting for security clearance then based on my experience and the information I have I don't personally agree with that assessment.

Enjoy the time you have with your fiance. My fiance and I have made an agreement to not talk about his visa during our vacation, even though we are both praying we'll come home together.

Good luck!

WOW! Who quoted you that price???

I go to Banjul from Dakar ALLLLLLLL the time.

I have NEVER paid that much.

You must be getting "taxi quotes".

Just get to the bust stop in the morning. It leaves at about 6-7am. (i'll get the rate in a few)

It goes all the way to banjul.

I have a Delta pass to go and as soon as I get up $406 (my ticket cost), I will be going also. If I get it before you go, I'll travel with you and show you the way. (broke from this whole immigration process & calling hubby lol).

When are you going?

Thanks Leedah, I am leaving 12/16. I am going to PM you.

But it says "FBI background checks of potential U.S. immigrants..."

Wouldn't that include us?

Yes, it includes us but those of us that are waiting for visas are not necessarily waiting for just an FBI clearance. We could be waiting for clearance from several different gov't agencies. FBI, DEA, NSA, CIA, ATF, etc etc etc. That's why I said that clearing the FBI backlog would help us, but I don't read this to mean that we will definitely have our visas when the FBI backlog is cleared. All these articles seem to refer to name checks that are requested by USCIS, and that's not us. Our requests are originating from DOS.

My fiance is very good about reminding me that "When God is ready we'll have our visa." Backlog or not...

One thing it's important for those of us on AP to remember is that the USCIS/FBI name check processing for AOS is different than security clearance for a visa. When the DOS has to do security clearance for a visa, requests could be submitted to many different agencies other than the FBI. These articles saying that cases pending more than six months will be cleared by Feb 2009 are talking about USCIS name check requests to the FBI for AOS, but hopefully clearing up their backlog will in the long run help those of us that are on AP when an FBI clearance is required. This whole process sucks.

So it turns out that a round trip ticket from Dakar to Gambia is 125,000CFA! YIKES! For two of us that's a 3rd of my budget for the trip.

Does anybody know if the road from Dakar to Banjul is in good shape, or is it a hellish treck? Help!

Don't give up Leedah.

What about what you said before, waiting until January when you file your 2008 taxes?

Hang in there.

Another subject that he has a hard time with is the fact that I am 35 years old and my child bearing years are coming to an end. He does not seem to understand that and looks at me like I am crazy. If he wants a biological child, I am running out of time. When we met it did not seems like an issue, but time passes so quickly....

Hogwash, you have plenty of time. Women today are so much more healthy than they were 20 or 30 years ago. If you are taking care of yourself you still have a good 7 or 8 years. I know lots of women who have had beautiful, healthy kids in their early 40s.

Have a great time and a safe flight !

Thanks Omoba! I am leaving 3 weeks from tomorrow and can't wait to get out of here. I'm really crabby with our gov't now and could use a vacation. We are praying we'll be able to come home together. I can't take much more of this (and neither can my wallet).

I read that they hope to have all AP cases from 2008 completed by febuary 2009 hopefully yours might be done in 45 days just think positive. In the meantime just let him know you understand his frustrations and be your normal kind loving and understanding you know he is just venting tomorrow he will be OK. I feel like that myself at times I am a planner and my whole life is upset down right now everything is out of my control my husband handles it better than I do. Just be strong and dont stress and take care of yourself time will take care of everything I think we have the worst behind us. Good Luck tomorrow I hope you feel better and get a good nights sleep

Where did ya hear that?

I've read an FBI report where it says they hope to have all USCIS requested FBI name checks outstanding more than 6 months resolved by Feb 2009, that is for AOS and different than what most of us are facing. Those of us that are in AP for security clearance could be waiting on multiple agencies, not just the FBI, and our requests originate w/ the DOS, not USCIS. Nonetheless I'll try to find the link.

Wontonara - you are right, and I do feel that I have been pretty strong and patient, but when my fiance starts saying that he is going to cancel the visa application if he is still in AP 2 months from now, I break down. I understand that this could take a year, but he is not willing to wait that long. He wants me to come there and he wants to end this waiting game. I understand that at some point we have to make a decision if this continues to drag on, but I am not at the point where I feel like I am ready to stop waiting for AP to be done...he is. I don't know what to do. I can't keep him from calling the embassy and canceling his visa application and I can't force him to do this. I feel so helpless.

Yeah honey I saw your other post about that after I wrote this one. Take a look, oK? I'm so sorry. You're right, you can't control what he says or does. You can only control what you do. Marriage is not easy (been divorced once already myself). It takes a lot of work and above all, patience. After everything you've been through, if he's going to give up this soon, then you can't do anything about it. You know what? If it really comes to that, I think you deserve better. I said this before, you are so young and a year is NOTHING compared to how much time you will have to spend together.

I've come to realize that this AP ####### is a big test. I think God wants to see just how serious we are about each other, because he is about to leave homeland for me, and I am about to take on a huge responsibility both financially and personally. I'm so happy my fiance has handled this wait with grace. Sure he's had his meltdowns and so have I but I'm so proud of him. He's stuck outside of his home country, waiting, waiting, waiting, with no work, no ballet to keep him occupied... it's been so hard on him and yet he always says "Take courage Jen, when God is ready I will have my visa." I want you (and everybody on AP) to experience that kind of support from your SO. I am blessed.

Please Julia, take care of yourself. My heart goes out to you.

Well he is doing it again...telling me that he is canceling the visa after 6 months of AP (so in another 2 months). And I am home sick with the flu today...and crying my eyes out.

I can't handle this anymore...this is breaking me and breaking us and I don't think we can make it with those ultimatums...

I can't keep going on like this.

Ahhhh Julia I'm so sorry. <hugs> One thing you need to keep at the front of your mind; you cannot control him or how he feels or what he does. You can only control yourself and how you feel and what you do. I've been around the block enough times to know that if you beg and plead and cry to a man it does absolutely no good whatsoever. Jeez if they do that to us it doesn't help us, either. I've said this to you before.... trust me; just give him some space and let him feel what he needs to feel. I agree with others that this behaviour is unproductive, but pressuring him in return will not help the situation. Take a step back and give him some space. The absolute best thing you can do right now, is simply tell him "Ok, if that's really how you feel then you do what you need to do. I will be ok no matter what." And you will! Take care of yourself in the meantime. If he really decides to give up after all this, then pi$$ on him! you deserve better than that.

Somehow, I don't think it will come to that...

Hang in there.

I hate my life right now

Julia, here is a loving smack upside the head. Smack. I know it's hard, I really do. I'm going through the same thing and am nearly into my 8th month of AP. You need to stay positive! This is all unfolding the way it's supposed to. Trust in God, or the Universe, or whatever your higher power may be. The visa will come when the time is right. Focus on all that is good in your life right now, we all have a lot to be thankful for! Just think... you found your love across an ocean and there are many people that never find it. You are young! Four months in the grand scheme of your life is nothing!

Regarding the name checks, it's all being done stateside (verified by my Senator). The police reports from various countries cover the different places your fiance lived. Somebody with the same or a similar name did something here to get his name in some random US gov't agency database. This time is hell for us, but 4-8 months or more of AP for security clearance is perfectly normal these days. There is nothing wrong, they just have a ga-zillion applications to process and, though the process is ridiculously broken, they are trying to protect our borders.

Courage.

WanTanNara, Chaingang, I am so very deeply wishing for good news from you guys.

God bless,

Tam

Thanks Tam.

If I were you I'd be finding a lawyer and filing a lawsuit against the DOS. It's called a Writ of Mandamus. Some lawyers have told me that it will help, some have told me it will not. My fiance has only been on AP for 7 months so I'm not quite ready to file yet. The amount of time you've had to wait is absolutely RIDICULOUS AND UNACCEPTABLE.

Writ of Mandamus on Wikipedia

There is a lot of stuff out there on Google. I've seen cases that were pending AOS for years that were completed after filing of a writ but I have yet to find a case where this will help for security clearance. If I were you, I'd be searching for an attorney who has experience with this. I'll begin the search if we don't have my fiance's visa after 12 months of AP.

Good luck.

khengool--what is happening with the visa? Anything?

Call the CDC and ask questions.

Trust me.

You will be surprised.

CDC? As in the Center for Disease Control? Huh? Looks like you and my fiance have been waiting about the same amount of time khengool. Hopefully soon...

Yes you can be put into AP for relationship proof like my SO and I were - but having the proof with you won't necessarily avoid it. We had a vast majority of what was requested to be handed in by the CO at the interview but the CO stated he would not look at it at that time ... in our case the CO refused to look at what we did have - just having it with you is no guarantee you'll avoid a 221(g) for relationship proof.

It's good -- sad, actually -- to hear of a second consulate besides "mine" where this garbage happens. It's months later and I'm now married, and I remain 100% livid at the consular treatment.

My fiance has his interview the same day as yours, 4/29/08 and we're still waiting for his visa. This process is ridiculously inefficient and VERY broken.