Administrative Processing
Oct 6th 2009, 7:06 pm
#16
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 271
Re: Administrative Processing
I was once stuck with administrative processing for 5 months. I actually got a letter from Connecticut Congressman and they faxed it to the US Embassy. The embassy replied back to him that since it was a matter of national security, the process cannot be speeded up. The congressman's office sent me both the letters for proof. I agree with all the above replies that you cannot do anything to expedite this process.
BTW I had applied for a new O-1 visa at US embassy in london in the first week of July and my case is still in AP.
I wish you all the best.
BTW I had applied for a new O-1 visa at US embassy in london in the first week of July and my case is still in AP.
I wish you all the best.
Last edited by agentred; Oct 6th 2009 at 7:10 pm.
Oct 6th 2009, 11:36 pm
#17
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5
Re: Administrative Processing
Sorry. I didn’t mean to disappoint you. The reason I mentioned this application was that I actually got the congressman letter in the end which practically did not help.
I made this application for J-1 visa in 2002. Since 9/11 was quite recent I think it took much longer at that time. My nationality and name also contributed to this delay. However my subsequent application for renewal of the visa in 2004 only took 4 weeks. I heard from a lot of people that the US visa AP was getting better so they were taking less time. I am not sure why this time my AP is taking so long as I have had AP for 3 times in the last 7 years.
I hope that your AP gets done early. Good Luck!!
I made this application for J-1 visa in 2002. Since 9/11 was quite recent I think it took much longer at that time. My nationality and name also contributed to this delay. However my subsequent application for renewal of the visa in 2004 only took 4 weeks. I heard from a lot of people that the US visa AP was getting better so they were taking less time. I am not sure why this time my AP is taking so long as I have had AP for 3 times in the last 7 years.
I hope that your AP gets done early. Good Luck!!
Oct 7th 2009, 12:33 am
#18
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 271
Re: Administrative Processing
Sorry. I didn’t mean to disappoint you. The reason I mentioned this application was that I actually got the congressman letter in the end which practically did not help.
I made this application for J-1 visa in 2002. Since 9/11 was quite recent I think it took much longer at that time. My nationality and name also contributed to this delay. However my subsequent application for renewal of the visa in 2004 only took 4 weeks. I heard from a lot of people that the US visa AP was getting better so they were taking less time. I am not sure why this time my AP is taking so long as I have had AP for 3 times in the last 7 years.
I made this application for J-1 visa in 2002. Since 9/11 was quite recent I think it took much longer at that time. My nationality and name also contributed to this delay. However my subsequent application for renewal of the visa in 2004 only took 4 weeks. I heard from a lot of people that the US visa AP was getting better so they were taking less time. I am not sure why this time my AP is taking so long as I have had AP for 3 times in the last 7 years.
Three times in the last 7 years is just ridiculous, and it's a huge waste of resources for the government.
Thanks again, I hope our AP's are over quickly...
Oct 7th 2009, 4:48 am
#19
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: Administrative Processing
I know it seems ridiculous to us when we know we haven't done anything shady or to warrant suspicion but I've been thinking about this Afghani guy from Denver who they picked up in NY. As a Permanent Resident, we know he's been through all the checks etc. Maybe even lived a reasonable life in the US, but changed his ways after a trip to Pakistan.
Oct 7th 2009, 8:46 am
#20
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 271
Re: Administrative Processing
I know it seems ridiculous to us when we know we haven't done anything shady or to warrant suspicion but I've been thinking about this Afghani guy from Denver who they picked up in NY. As a Permanent Resident, we know he's been through all the checks etc. Maybe even lived a reasonable life in the US, but changed his ways after a trip to Pakistan.
I'm all for stopping terrorism, and they can shine that searchlight as bright as they want, but at least shine it at the right place! Better database management would cut down AP times drastically and free up resources to catch the real terrorists.
I don't expect anything to change, and I'm just venting, but did every Irish/Northern Irish guy go through the same bull during the IRA bombings? Does every Spanish person face the same tests because of ETA? Discrimination can be a useful tactic, but when used incorrectly becomes a pointless resource hog.
Oct 7th 2009, 8:55 am
#21
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: Administrative Processing
I know, I know.. not defending how it is, just wondering outloud.
FWIW, I do know of a couple of non-involved N Irish guys who had insanely long name checks. No one would ever say why. As for the Spaniards, well, I'd wager that depending on how their last name is spelled, there have been some delays there too.
With Zazi, what's troubling is the idea that 'we' can control people forevermore. Maybe he changed his mind about a course of action after his grant of PR. Fell in with a bad crowd. Someone blew down his ear. I doubt we'll ever get to know about the motivations of individuals but really, did he do anything that the average person would have been suspicious of? I happen to have a stock of hair bleach of my own downstairs, but it's got a date with my grey roots shortly.
FWIW, I do know of a couple of non-involved N Irish guys who had insanely long name checks. No one would ever say why. As for the Spaniards, well, I'd wager that depending on how their last name is spelled, there have been some delays there too.
With Zazi, what's troubling is the idea that 'we' can control people forevermore. Maybe he changed his mind about a course of action after his grant of PR. Fell in with a bad crowd. Someone blew down his ear. I doubt we'll ever get to know about the motivations of individuals but really, did he do anything that the average person would have been suspicious of? I happen to have a stock of hair bleach of my own downstairs, but it's got a date with my grey roots shortly.
Nov 6th 2009, 4:14 am
#22
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 271
Re: Administrative Processing
Good news everyone!
I received an e-mail from the London embassy this morning asking me to send in my passport.
But What are the odds that the italicised paragraph below applies - that is, am I just being set up for more AP or will this be the end of it?
Gracias,
AR
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Redacted e-mail below ~~~~~
Dear Agentred,
Please submit your passport as soon as possible.
There is always a possibility that further administrative processing may be required once we receive your passport, and we cannot guarantee visa issuance by any set date.
You must resubmit your passport via the Embassy-appointed courier service, Special Mail Services (SMS).
Your application will take between 10 and 15 workdays to process once it has been received by the Embassy. Once processing is complete, your passport will be handed to SMS. A further one to two days should be allowed for delivery.
I received an e-mail from the London embassy this morning asking me to send in my passport.
But What are the odds that the italicised paragraph below applies - that is, am I just being set up for more AP or will this be the end of it?
Gracias,
AR
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Redacted e-mail below ~~~~~
Dear Agentred,
Please submit your passport as soon as possible.
There is always a possibility that further administrative processing may be required once we receive your passport, and we cannot guarantee visa issuance by any set date.
You must resubmit your passport via the Embassy-appointed courier service, Special Mail Services (SMS).
Your application will take between 10 and 15 workdays to process once it has been received by the Embassy. Once processing is complete, your passport will be handed to SMS. A further one to two days should be allowed for delivery.
Nov 6th 2009, 4:19 am
#23
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: East Bay Area, CA from Hampshire UK
Posts: 88
Re: Administrative Processing
Good news everyone!
I received an e-mail from the London embassy this morning asking me to send in my passport.
But What are the odds that the italicised paragraph below applies - that is, am I just being set up for more AP or will this be the end of it?
Gracias,
AR
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Redacted e-mail below ~~~~~
Dear Agentred,
Please submit your passport as soon as possible.
There is always a possibility that further administrative processing may be required once we receive your passport, and we cannot guarantee visa issuance by any set date.
You must resubmit your passport via the Embassy-appointed courier service, Special Mail Services (SMS).
Your application will take between 10 and 15 workdays to process once it has been received by the Embassy. Once processing is complete, your passport will be handed to SMS. A further one to two days should be allowed for delivery.
I received an e-mail from the London embassy this morning asking me to send in my passport.
But What are the odds that the italicised paragraph below applies - that is, am I just being set up for more AP or will this be the end of it?
Gracias,
AR
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Redacted e-mail below ~~~~~
Dear Agentred,
Please submit your passport as soon as possible.
There is always a possibility that further administrative processing may be required once we receive your passport, and we cannot guarantee visa issuance by any set date.
You must resubmit your passport via the Embassy-appointed courier service, Special Mail Services (SMS).
Your application will take between 10 and 15 workdays to process once it has been received by the Embassy. Once processing is complete, your passport will be handed to SMS. A further one to two days should be allowed for delivery.
I think for 99% of people this is the end of administrative processing
(we were the unlucky 1% who had a further wait after we got this email but I am sure that was down to the fact my husband traveled to the US on a visa waver during the administrative processing wait)
Hope you can pick up your plans again very soon
Nov 6th 2009, 4:29 am
#24
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: Administrative Processing
agentred, great news! I agree with budleigh about the extra AP; that usually kicks in if there has been travel since they started the first one.
Fingers crossed for the good news; let us know! (ha ha, like you wouldn't)
Fingers crossed for the good news; let us know! (ha ha, like you wouldn't)
Nov 6th 2009, 4:47 am
#25
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2009
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 145
Re: Administrative Processing
Good news everyone!
I received an e-mail from the London embassy this morning asking me to send in my passport.
But What are the odds that the italicised paragraph below applies - that is, am I just being set up for more AP or will this be the end of it?
Gracias,
AR
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Redacted e-mail below ~~~~~
Dear Agentred,
Please submit your passport as soon as possible.
There is always a possibility that further administrative processing may be required once we receive your passport, and we cannot guarantee visa issuance by any set date.
You must resubmit your passport via the Embassy-appointed courier service, Special Mail Services (SMS).
Your application will take between 10 and 15 workdays to process once it has been received by the Embassy. Once processing is complete, your passport will be handed to SMS. A further one to two days should be allowed for delivery.
I received an e-mail from the London embassy this morning asking me to send in my passport.
But What are the odds that the italicised paragraph below applies - that is, am I just being set up for more AP or will this be the end of it?
Gracias,
AR
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Redacted e-mail below ~~~~~
Dear Agentred,
Please submit your passport as soon as possible.
There is always a possibility that further administrative processing may be required once we receive your passport, and we cannot guarantee visa issuance by any set date.
You must resubmit your passport via the Embassy-appointed courier service, Special Mail Services (SMS).
Your application will take between 10 and 15 workdays to process once it has been received by the Embassy. Once processing is complete, your passport will be handed to SMS. A further one to two days should be allowed for delivery.
Tis good news
Nov 6th 2009, 4:59 am
#26
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 271
Re: Administrative Processing
Thanks everyone, I'm really hoping this is it.
Haven't travelled since the interview although I really really want to go to Paris one last time and stuff my face full of macarons and patisserie and omelettes like they don't make anywhere else in the world!
Haven't travelled since the interview although I really really want to go to Paris one last time and stuff my face full of macarons and patisserie and omelettes like they don't make anywhere else in the world!
Nov 17th 2009, 1:21 am
#27
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 271
Re: Administrative Processing
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand we're done 
!
Visa issued, passport due for delivery tomorrow (not bad considering I sent it last Monday).
To summarise: Interview 28th September, e-mail from embassy Nov 6th, passport sent Nov 9th, passport returned and in my hands Nov 18th.
Thank you all for all your help, I guess this is where the fun really starts...!
!Visa issued, passport due for delivery tomorrow (not bad considering I sent it last Monday).
To summarise: Interview 28th September, e-mail from embassy Nov 6th, passport sent Nov 9th, passport returned and in my hands Nov 18th.
Thank you all for all your help, I guess this is where the fun really starts...!
Nov 17th 2009, 6:16 am
#29
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Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 1,455
Re: Administrative Processing
Yay! Congratulations!
Nov 17th 2009, 7:24 am
#30
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 83
Re: Administrative Processing
Congratulations AgentRed... you did itt...... good to see that you go it.
