ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionUnder AP at NVC?
I hope it goes quickly for you. I have passed the 4 month mark myself. I think they really have a problem with how they handle A/P and need to make some improvements.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-05-30 10:35:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionUnder AP at NVC?

Yasi is another member who is stuck at NVC for AR/AP. I believe we have 2 members who have gotten stuck even at the service center level (cander42 and the dip sticks).


There are quite a few more. I would have to dig through my files to tell you the names but there are at least a half dozen of us. There are 138,000 people in A/P at some stage of things so there are probably lots more.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-05-27 23:40:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionUnder AP at NVC?
I have talked to my congressman and many others have too and they all say the same. Their hands are tied. They can get no information and do nothing for us.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-05-27 15:49:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionUnder AP at NVC?
It seems to be happening to a lot of us at NVC right now and the delay there seems like it is far longer than when it happens at the embassy.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-05-26 14:11:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionUnder AP at NVC?
I am not sure that it will help to tell you that you are not the only one. There are quite a few of us in the same boat.

There is not much you can do but wait. I have been calling every two weeks but am about to give up on that. Your congressman can 't help and a lawyer can't do anything.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-05-24 17:44:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionage difference of couple

Danno -'It's a shame that most of the people who have posted here in the past with large age gaps rarely come back (after marriage) to share as much about what caused the break up or the struggles they have worked through, I think many of us could benefit from that.'

Our difference is 18 years. There really aren't struggles for us, we don't see our age gap as a negative, rather a positive. I don't put alot of our personal life on VJ. But I will tell you we are still honey-mooning and this year will be our 5th anniversary. (L)

Jackie (F)

I got a kick out of your wording Jackie. I understand what you meant to say but it sounded a little like you thought a break up or serious struggles were a certainty.

I am in touch with a number of people who have large age gaps and have done well with little struggles. Most are in the 25 year range, one is 40 years. The 25 year ones have as much as 8 years of wonderful marriage and the 40 year differnce one is about 3 years without any difficulites.

I have already mentioned that I have a 38 year gap with my fiancee. Maybe I am being nieve but I know my gal pretty well and we are about as compatable as two people could ever hope to be and I am quite sure we will have little if any difficulties in our relationship. (other than getting out of this stupid A/R)
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-06-03 09:43:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionage difference of couple
In theory they are not supposed to judge the suitabilty of a couple. In this world anyone can fall in love with anyone. Age difference itself is no big deal but couples with a larger age difference to get a closer look for possible visa fraud.

Actually 25 years is not that far above the norm for relationships with women from Russia. One site I go to did a poll and the average was 18 years. Just for the record the age differnce with me and my fiancee is about as big as you get, 38 years.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-06-02 18:01:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionVISA DENIED, INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
I agree, more information would help anyone to answer your question. My guess is she got a blue form called a 221-G. If she did if you mail in the information they ask for you will get your visa without another interview. Make sure you have it and in to them within 60 days or your situation will turn into a denial and your file will go back to NVC where you must file an appeal that will take a year.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-06-10 06:43:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAdministrative Review - Who else, how long
We all wish you good luck Randy. The good news is that it seems like some of the Manila A/R's have been processed quickly. I saw a couple that lasted only 30 days. Yours may be only days away.

I agree, everyone stay in touch. The more we know the better.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-05-15 20:31:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAdministrative Review - Who else, how long
Sorry to hear about your A/R situation. It is the pits. Usually A/R at the embassy level seems to go a little faster than A/R at NVC level but that is not an absolute thing. I do wish you a speedy journey through it. There are 138,000 people in A/R according to the USCIS website and 68% go longer than 3 months with 35% going longer than one year. I could say it is frustrating but that is not strong enough. Good luck.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-05-14 21:42:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAdministrative Review - Who else, how long

hang in there I know its hard. we are still on AP/AR going on 2 years and 4months.
finally our case "MOVED" a little bit. so hang in there...

Oh my gosh. That positvely, ahhh, I can't think of a word to say how bad that is. I am glad to hear it moved a little bit. I have been very patient so far but I don't think I could stay that way when it becomes years. Best of luck.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-05-10 18:51:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAdministrative Review - Who else, how long
Congratulations. That is wonderful.

I came across some statistics on the USCIS website the other day. At the time they cited, there were 138,000 people in A/R. 68% had been in A/R for more than 3 months and 35% for more than one year. One of thier goals for this year is to try to speed it up and to try to make it more transparent. I think those changes would be long overdue.

For me it is getting near the 4 month mark with no end in sight.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-05-10 07:19:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAdministrative Review - Who else, how long
There was a link in another tread dealing with Islamabad that has a lot of good information about A/R's Just in case you missed it there here is the link.

http://www.usaimmigr...tiveReview.html

I did find that very helpful. It did give me one thought of why I could be in A/R. 3 or 4 years ago I had a lot of problems with a woman I had been involved with and had a restraining order placed on her. It was nothing I had done wrong, she had actually pulled a knife on me, broke into my house, etc. I assume it might be possible both names are on it and it generated a hit. This woman was so wild that when we had our court order me to get the restraining order on her they had to keep 8 cops around her to keep her under control. If you didn't see the other post check out the link. It is really good and does give some options.

I am now past 2 months and no word.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-28 16:37:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAdministrative Review - Who else, how long
I will keep you updated. My visit was very good. We just cleaned house here on a lot of people in office so my congressmen is getting his feet wet and the immigration guy is relatively new. There were still remodeling both of his offices that I went to. Perhaps he does not know much but he did ask me every question under the sun and said he would work hard to get it moving. All I can do is hope but I will keep you informed. One of his other cases in A/R has been in it for 9 months. That did not sound good.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-26 22:02:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAdministrative Review - Who else, how long
Yes, I went there Friday. I was very pleased with the meeting. He asked me every question you could imagine and then said he could not understand any reason it should be in A/R. He said he could not promise anything except that he would work very hard to get as much information as he could and to work hard to try his best to get it out of A/R and moving.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-25 13:24:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAdministrative Review - Who else, how long
Well, I just came back from my first visit with my congressman's immigration specialist. I am not sure what good it will do but my impression at this time is that it was worth doing. I think one of the advantages is they can have phone access to people we do not.

I will add that as I went over the details of my case with him he could not understand why it was in A/R. Basically I have a very straight forward and above board case. Of course him feeling that way will not make much difference but hopefully he can make a little.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-23 14:44:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAdministrative Review - Who else, how long
Something I am curious about. Does anyone in A/R ever hear anything from anyone doing the checks. For example to they ever get a call or visit from anyone looking for information or is everything done in the background with no contact ever to the petitioner?
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-22 22:27:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAdministrative Review - Who else, how long
Thanks for the feedback Fasel. I have to admit that it is a frustrating thing to go through but even if it would only be another month which would be three months for me at least there would be an end. I am glad to hear yours is all worked out and I apprecaite the information.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-17 21:59:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAdministrative Review - Who else, how long
Thanks for the explaination. I follow the posts in the Russian Regional section and had not seen anyone else there talking about A/R but what you say makes sense.

When I said about being jealous of the couple who are on the same timeline and have their interview in a week it is more envy than jealousy. I am glad they did not go through this and wish them luck.

My case seems a little odd too that I hit A/R at the NVC level. It seems like all the cases I read about got it at the Embassy level. At least going through it now I should be clear at the Embassy level. (hopefully but then again it is the governent)

I am trying to not make a pest out of myself with them and for me it is only two months so far. I see others that are in A/R for 6 to 9 months and that is scary.

My plans are still the same. Check the status on Tuesday and if there is no progress contact my congressman on Wednesday. I don't expect it to help but who knows.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-17 08:23:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAdministrative Review - Who else, how long
Your comment about Russia being blacklisted was the first I had heard anything about that. Can you tell me more about what you mean?

I am giving them 6 more days on mine then I am going to try to follow up a bit. I am going to call again Tuesday night of next week and check on the statis. If it is still in A/R I am going to start trying to contact my congressman next Wednesday. If it does any good I will let everyone know.

Ironically enough the VJ'r with the closest time line to mine as well as the same regional center and Embassy will have his interview two days after that. I never got jealous over someone with more money than me, a fancier car or a prettier woman, but I am very jealous of that lucky dude.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-14 17:46:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAdministrative Review - Who else, how long
I agree with that. At least with anything else you can find some timelines to give you some kind of idea what to expect. With A/R it could be tomorrow or 2 years from now. If it is going to be delayed I would like to find a nice spot to spend a month or so with my fiancee but who can plan with so much uncertainty. Really sucks.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-10 13:24:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAdministrative Review - Who else, how long
Thanks for explaining it to me. I was mostly just curious since so far it does not apply to me. I do apprecaite the information.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-09 16:14:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAdministrative Review - Who else, how long
Thanks guys, mine is still in the US. I will see what I can do.

A Wang, What is a 222-F? I know from first hand experience what a 221-G is but have not heard of a 222-F. I am guessing it is a denial and it leaves you up the creek without a paddle but that is just a guess.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-09 13:53:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAdministrative Review - Who else, how long
NY Girl, an administrative review as near as I can tell is when something signals them that they need to look at an application closer. It may be the name is the same as someone who has created a problem or something to do with a prior problem such as wanting to check on a previous visa. I don't think anyone knows all the answers. It seems like it can come at any stage, whenever they find somethng that they think might be a red flag. Mine & Bins came at NVC. Omoba's came after the interview.

After you get your NOA-2 the regional center sends it to NVC. There it is assigned a case number based on the Embassy you will be using and the date it was processed. They then forward all the files for each embassy directly to the Embassy. The Embassy then of course arranges the interviews.

Sorry but after consulting with a few immigration lawyers, I found that the congressman can't influence the administrative processing much at all since it's an out of country issue. Pretty much the consulate has the final say and they seem to take however long they want to with AP process.

Sadly enough, there's no real way that you can speed up AP process especially with CP (AOS is different but I think that it can be more influenced). Found that out the hard way.


Is that also true is the application has never left the country. I can see if the ap is at the foreign embassy but in my case and Bins case we were early in the procedure and ours went from the regional center where it was approved to NVC where they put it in A/R and sent it to Washington? Just curious if you have any thoughts.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-09 11:06:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAdministrative Review - Who else, how long
If we are not out of A/R in the next month I am moving there myself. I can't say I have much desire to live in the middle of Sibera but I also don't feel like being away from her either. I can live there and come back once a month for a week or 10 days to renew my visa and run my business. The whole A/R thing is stupid. Neither one of us has anything they should need to review and I am sure you don't either.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-09 08:32:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAdministrative Review - Who else, how long
I have to say it really is a bad situation to be in. It is sort of a feeling like being in a hospital with two broken legs and two broken arms. All you can do is lay there and wait. You have no idea if it will be next week, next month, next year or next decade. Even if they said we are going to have you in A/R for two years then I would think about moving where she is so we could be together. I hope that we all get good news soon.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-09 07:37:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAdministrative Review - Who else, how long
Thanks for the encouragement and suggestions MMarlo. I am very active on a couple of busy forums for men who are seeking and married to Russian woman and have not seen very many talk about A/R. Perhaps that is it or perhaps because my fiancee was here on a K-1 once before they are checking more. Who knows. Some of the A/R cases I have seen were only a few weeks. Of course the record I have heard of the other way is 8 years. I will let them reach the two month mark and then decide if it is time to see if the congressman can help. Sure is frustrating and I feel bad for the others going through it.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-08 23:06:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAdministrative Review - Who else, how long
Gosh Omoba, that sucks. Yours was after the interview. Wow. Your interview date was my birthday and also the day I mailed in my K-1 application (My birthday present to myself) Good luck. Sorry to hear the congressman could not help. Keep us posted about how it goes.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-08 20:48:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAdministrative Review - Who else, how long
Well, I wish you the best of luck with it and I hope the congressman provides some help for you. It is hard to make plans when there is so much uncertainty. I have been trying to visit my fiancee every 6-8 weeks and hoped to time the next visit to be there when she has her interview even though I am not allowed in. Right now it looks like I will have more trips to see her than I hoped.

I am sorry it is ruining your plans and I hope it just turns out to be a bump in the road for both of us.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-08 20:44:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAdministrative Review - Who else, how long
I am just curious how many others find themselves in that big black hole called Administrative Review, how long you have been sitting there and what courses of action you have been taking?

Mine has been there for 6 weeks. I am giving it 4 more and then going to contact my congresman's immigration specialist to see if they can help. I know of no reason for it. It is the second K-1 for both me and my fiancee (not to the same person). I am guessing they are checking to see what happened on her last K-1 which she stayed here for 30 days and returned home well ahead of the 90 day period she was allowed. Other than that we have a clean slate.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-03-08 17:21:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionUPDATE TO visa denied, insufficient evidence
It sounds to me like a typical 221-G. You didn't get a blue slip of paper listing what you need to furnish? That is not usually that bad even though it does make your blood run cold. Yes the offical title of the paper is "Intent to Deny" but if you furnish the information then the denial is usually turned into an approval. If you were denied they would not be asking for more evidence. You will be fine, just get them as much as you can of what they ask for.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-06-22 07:02:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAR thing....
I have to agree, you never know. I too have seen A/R last a few days and as long as 8 years. I have been in A/R for over 5 months now at NVC but the A/Rs at the Embassy usually go a little quicker than the ones at NVC. Statisically 35% of the people in A/R have been there over 12 months.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-06-29 16:47:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAnother I-134 question ?
I have always read that three years returns were required if you were self employed and one if you were an employee. I have a feeling they look much harder at the information supplied when the fincancial situation may be in question. If you are showing a good income and a sound financial picture they will hardly glance at it. If you have an income bordering on the minimum then expect some close examination of your proofs.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-07-09 11:28:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionreschedule interview.....?
Generally you are allowed to reschedule the interview up to two times without a problem.

The other option would be to go ahead with the interview. You would get a 221-G for the birth certificate and once you provided that your visa would be issued.

You probably could have used something like DHL and had it there in time.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-07-10 17:33:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionapplication status is undergoing the administrative procedure
There is no way to know how long A/P will take. The whole process is a mess. There are 325,000 people going through the name checks. Some get completed in a week or two and others can go years. 30% take a year and 10% take 3 years. I have been stuck in it at NVC for 5 months now so I know how tough it is. I hope your wait is not much longer. My understanding is when the new fee's go into effect next month they are going to try to use some of the money to speed up the process. The FBI is doing the checks and they just don't feel it is important.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-06-20 22:32:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionMy Medical Exam Experience in Moscow!
There is a lot of information about the interviews in Moscow in the Russia Regional section in the lower part of the forum. There is also a sticky that covers some of the questions about the Moscow embassy. I am sure you will find that to be a good spot to get your questions answered and to share your experiences.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-08-11 06:32:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionadministrative procedure
Your congressman won't be able to do a thing to help. The only option you have is once it goes on a really long time you can file a writ of Mandimus (I may be misspelling it) and it forces them to take action on your case. Usually you should be at least a year before you try that.

The whole process does stink. I am all for making the country as safe as possible but A/P is a waste and does nothing good.
TurboguyMaleRussia2007-08-31 21:49:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionHow long to wait to apply for Citizenship
Three years from the date on her 10 year greencard.
TurboguyMaleRussia2008-09-21 09:50:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionMotivations for citizenship.
QUOTE (NickD @ Sep 23 2008, 09:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
With a republic for over 221 years, Blacks are still being oppressed, so the republic is not the answer either. With our immigration laws, the Irish, Italians, and the Chinese for years were able to enter this country, especially the Chinese until 1946 when 105 Chinese were finally permitted to immigrate into this per year. That was certainly generous. Our current president certainly does not like the Blacks, that biased southern hick, as governor, had a rather long list of Blacks on death roll and look at New Orleans, had hired guns called civilian security guards shoot them on the spot. Nancy is certainly his gal, won't even permit congress investigations of these allegations on the floor, this is vast misuse of power that I object to when you have essentially just two people controlling millions. So much for the republic.


A cousin of my daughter-in-law was in college taking advantage of joining the National Guard, was pulled out, sent to Texas for seven weeks to MP school, given a gun and sent to Iraq, this same thing happened to two friends of my daughter recently out of high school. So we have three tiny little girls that can't even open a jar of pickles defending us. How low can our government stoop? Our own president and the one before him are both draft dodgers, but can certainly send our boys and girls into battle, that is really getting low.


There are some interesting points raised here. Hopefully your daughter in laws cousin will make it back from Iraq from Iraq ok. It is always a worry. My son has been there twice and it does make for some sleepless nights. Should young ladies be out there killing the enemy? The feminists fight for the right to be equal.

I agree blacks are opressed yet. Being older than many of you when I grew up blacks were a lot more oppressed than now. I still remember vacationing with my family in Virginia and being a bit shocked when we stopped somewhere and they had bathrooms for whites and bathrooms for blacks. Sammy Davis Jr had to enter the casinos by the back door and was not allowed out with the customers. All of the riding in the back of the bus things and school things were standard. It has changed a lot. Perhaps not as fast as it needs to and there is a long way to go, but it will get there someday.

As far as the things you say I am not informed enough to know if you are right or wrong. Were the numbers of blacks on death row in Texas because the then Governor hated blacks or because more blacks did things that got them to death row? Was it really that the juries or police hated blacks? I have a feeling that in most cases there were blacks on the juries and it only takes one to hang a jury but I don't know that for a fact. Perhaps the juries just really did look at the evidence and do thier best to convict someone they thought was a criminal and guilty? Personally I don't have enough facts but I don't think the Governor has that much to do with who ends up on death row.

It seems to me that to want blacks to be treated equally is a good thing so should not you want young women to be treated equally as well? I will add on disclaimer here. I am saying that but don't really like to see women in combat. That just goes to my old fashioned values and not believing men and women should be equal in all ways. It sort of comes from growing up in a time when men provided for and protected women coupled with a knowledge that the world is changing.
TurboguyMaleRussia2008-09-27 06:18:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionMotivations for citizenship.
There is an awful lot of good about this country but a lot of bad as well. I don't seem to have any dealings with the government that runs smooth and is handled by people who seem capable of doing their job. I would hate to have my life in their hands. Along the war injuries one relative who was a vet used the VA hospital for his medical care because it was free, by the time they were done with him they had him so messed up he ended up blowing his brains out. Sad.
TurboguyMaleRussia2008-09-24 19:26:00