ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionHOW LONG IT WILL TAKE BEFORE YOU GET PACKET 3 AFTER CONSULATE RECEIVED IT FROM NVC?
QUOTE (belovedbyme @ Feb 1 2009, 07:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If you have the case # for I129F, then you can call 202-663-1225 .
Option 1
Option 0

They would be able to tell you whether the petition / case has been received by the consulate . If "yes" then has the consulate generated packet 3 and has it been sent to the beneficiary.

Good luck !


confirmed docs were received here in dubai. 2 weeks ago (estimated)... i am waiting.. i am just worried...

Edited by kriszel, 01 February 2009 - 06:59 PM.

kriszelMaleUnited Arab Emirates2009-02-01 18:58:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionHOW LONG IT WILL TAKE BEFORE YOU GET PACKET 3 AFTER CONSULATE RECEIVED IT FROM NVC?
just curious about it. been waiting for 2 weeks now. thank you.

Edited by kriszel, 01 February 2009 - 05:57 PM.

kriszelMaleUnited Arab Emirates2009-02-01 17:56:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussioni have an appointment date without receving any packet or letter?
currently waiting for packet 4 but i got an interview date on march 29... haven't got any letters from dubai embassy. how come?
kriszelMaleUnited Arab Emirates2009-02-04 15:33:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionanybody from uae on a k1 (fiance visa)
just want to hear from you guys. i have an appointment without any packet. probably you can share the process you've been through. thanks for future replies.
kriszelMaleUnited Arab Emirates2009-02-04 16:33:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionWhat is "Verification of Unmarried Status"?
QUOTE (ochef @ Feb 4 2009, 12:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
From Instructions for "K" Applicants (Bangkok Consulate) it asks for "Verification of Unmarried Status"...what is that and where to you get a form certifying you've never been married?


for philippines, national statistics office (census) issues CENOMAR (certificate for no marriage). this is to prove that you are not married at all.
kriszelMaleUnited Arab Emirates2009-02-04 16:31:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionaffidavit of support (form i-134) U.A.E.
hello everyone. we need help. we dont have specific instructions about singing the AOS form I-134. uae consulate mailed me form i-134. then i mailed it to my fiancee (petitioner) what is the next step? whos going to sign? ive read notary public but i wasnt sure bout it. thank you for the future replies.
kriszelMaleUnited Arab Emirates2009-02-18 00:34:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionNBI CLEARANCE
does us embassy require an authenticated NBI clearance?
kriszelMaleUnited Arab Emirates2009-03-04 18:05:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussioncredit card bills
does immigration from my point of origin hold me if i have pending credit card bills?
kriszelMaleUnited Arab Emirates2009-02-07 19:30:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussiontranslation of non english document
QUOTE (chili74 @ Mar 16 2009, 08:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
There are people from the country working at the US Embassy (there were Russian people working at the US Embassy in Russia and the people who conduct the interviews know enough Russian to do that).


i am not in russia. im in u.a.e.
kriszelMaleUnited Arab Emirates2009-03-16 19:48:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussiontranslation of non english document
QUOTE (johndecka @ Mar 16 2009, 08:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (kriszel @ Mar 16 2009, 08:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
does it include evidence of relationship?

eg. greeting cards, e-mail, letters, etc.

thank you.

no, no need to translate ur greeting cards, email, letters.


but how can they understand what is written on emails, cards, etc?
kriszelMaleUnited Arab Emirates2009-03-16 19:33:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussiontranslation of non english document
does it include evidence of relationship?

eg. greeting cards, e-mail, letters, etc.

thank you.
kriszelMaleUnited Arab Emirates2009-03-16 19:13:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussiondo they require to translate evidence of our relationship?
i have tons of everything to translate if the answer is yes. whew.
kriszelMaleUnited Arab Emirates2009-03-17 12:47:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionDID YOU BRING ENGLISH TRANSLATED EVIDENCE OF RELATIONSHIP?
WERE HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING TRANSLATION OF OUR EMAILS, LETTERS, ETC. CAN ANYONE ADVICE ME ON THIS?
THANK YOU
kriszelMaleUnited Arab Emirates2009-03-19 14:56:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionProof of Singleness
QUOTE (lorelie @ Mar 12 2009, 10:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi. I'm from Philippines but I'm going to take my interview at the embassy here in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday (Mar 17)
I did not receive the notice from the embassy but my fiance in the US received the copy and he just sent it to me. I've been trying to contact the embassy here but it was hard to get through. but this is not my concern...

Here, I was doing my own research and found out about "NSO Single Status" certificate. In that website she was just telling what she did when she was preparing for K1 interview (year 1999-2000) and she was in Manila. She clearly indicated that the NSO Single Status thing was only applicable if you were coming from the Philippines...............Then, that got me a bit worried because I have no proof that I am Single and Never Married!

I have no children, never married but I have no proof! Though it was NOT on my list of requirements, is it compulsory or a rule of thumb for the requirements?

If this is needed, then I won't have enough time. I would have to need 2 weeks max to process that...my interview's on Tues.

Am I just worrying too much?
Is there any other way I can prove I'm single never married?

Thank you...



HI,

CAN YOU UPDATE US WHAT HAPPENED ON YOUR INTERVIEW? I AM ALSO SCHEDULED FOR INTERVIEW (ABUDHABI) THIS COMING MAR. 29... THANK YOU

kriszelMaleUnited Arab Emirates2009-03-16 20:44:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussionsuccess
i had the interview at abudhabi UAE. it all went good. the idea to be with my fiancee in the interview is all good. the consul asked my fiance (petitioner) more than they ask me. after 10 mins "congratulations" wow! were like "omg"! lol. were both now here in america spending times together (forever) dreams do come true so dont lose hope, stay focus and keep praying. good luck yall!
kriszelMaleUnited Arab Emirates2009-04-17 12:03:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)K1 Visa Overstayed for less than 2 years.

they do not have record for that that i left the country? i still have my passport and still the one i am using now that has stamp on immigration that i left US. would that be good enough?


TDqueenNot Telling02013-12-18 04:29:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)K1 Visa Overstayed for less than 2 years.
Good day! I am not sure if i am writting on the right section. If not please advice me with your kind reply.
 
 
I came Last February of 2009 in United State on K1/Fiance Visa. I overstayed my visa while I was there for the reason that my Ex-Fiance showed me no support and no clear answer whether or not he was planning me to stay. We did not get married, and he only given me empty promisses that one day he will if i could wait for him longer. I could not also send my self home because I do not have the money to buy my ticket to come back to Philippines.
 
I am a holder of Philippine passport. I am aware that fiance/K1 visa is good for only 90 days stay. But i stayed untill aprill 2011. So i over stayed 1 year and 10 months.
 
I am now working in Dubai UAE, holding an employment/Resident Visa and wanting to come back to united states to visit and thank the people i build friendship with, the people that helped me with my struggle, the people that donated their own money so i could come back in my own country.
 
Now my BIG question is If i want to come back just to visit, what are my possibilities? what are the steps i should do? Is it going to be hard?
 
There is a ban i know. is it 3 years for less than 2 years over stayed? I am now out of US for almost 3 years. i am trying to call the embassy but they are not entertaining any inquiries... whom can i speak with that will give me a clear answer?...

TDqueenNot Telling02013-12-18 03:37:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPolice Clearance from Dubai & Philippines
Thanks payxibka and Angelforever07

Ms. Angel, so i dont need a (local) police clearance from philippines? NBI Clearance will be enough?
S&A23FemaleUnited Arab Emirates2011-03-20 06:59:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionPolice Clearance from Dubai & Philippines
For a Filipino living in Dubai, and interviewing for a K-1 visa in UAE, it says we need police clearance. Anyone know if that would be NBI in Philippines, or local police, or both? Also, do we get local police clearance in UAE or something else?
S&A23FemaleUnited Arab Emirates2011-03-18 17:03:00
PhilippinesSingleness Certificate Required? From whom?
Does anyone know if a Filipino living in Dubai UAE needs a certificate of singleness from the Philippines, if we are interviewing in UAE for a K-1?
S&A23FemaleUnited Arab Emirates2011-03-18 17:06:00
PhilippinesSingleness Certificate Required? From whom?
Do we need a certificate of singleness from the Philippines, if we are interviewing in UAE?

Background: Filipino living in Dubai UAE, K-1 Petition for Finance

Thanks.
S&A23FemaleUnited Arab Emirates2011-03-18 16:59:00
PhilippinesDS-156 expiration date
Based on the information on the Dubai Consulate's website, I think you do indeed have to create the form again.

What happens when I fill in the DS-156 General Application Form and click ?submit??

Clicking ?submit? does not transmit your application to the U.S. Consulate. It simply generates a barcode, which is visible above the photograph square when you print out the application form. The barcode allows us to quickly data enter your application, which reduces the time that you have to wait for your visa interview. The U.S. Consulate does not receive or accept any paperwork in advance of your interview, so please bring your application form to the visa interview along with your supporting documents.

http://dubai.usconsulate.gov/dubai/faqs_visa.html

So apparently all the online form does is create the barcode and help you fill out the form. If that is the case, the embassy is probably expecting a non-expired form, especially since it clearly says "Previous Editions Obsolete" at the bottom of the printed form itself.

You may want to ask the embassy for sure, but based on this, I think a new one needs to be created if the one you have is expired.

Scott

Edited by S&A23, 10 July 2011 - 01:24 PM.

S&A23FemaleUnited Arab Emirates2011-07-10 13:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsApril 2013 I-130 Filers

Hi All,

 

Just updating that we had our NOA2 approved earlier this month. We have just come back to the UK (we filed from Dubai) and so we haven't received anything by post yet but we are getting our stuff together for NVC at the moment. We filed from abroad so I guess that has made it quicker.

 

Fingers crossed for everyone!


flambyNot TellingUnited Kingdom2013-07-29 11:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsApril 2013 I-130 Filers

Hi Chon 1125,

 

We sent our paperwork on the 8th and didn't hear anything for ages. We called and they told us we had to wait 30 days before they would release our case number. We did that and we eventually got given our case number and found out it had been received on the 9th April.

 

I'd just wait until 30 days are over and then call. We live abroad too and it takes forever to get through to someone at USCIS but we spoke to them eventually. Now that we have the number we can check online which is much better.

Good luck!


flambyNot TellingUnited Kingdom2013-05-16 07:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsApril 2013 I-130 Filers
I'm the beneficiary. I'm from the UK and I live with my husband in Dubai. We sent our packet at the very end of March (from Nepal, where we were on holiday) and the package was delivered to the Chicago Lockbox on the 8th April. We got married in the UK just after Christmas and we've been together for 2 years.

Here's hoping it'll be a nice easy process for all of us!
flambyNot TellingUnited Kingdom2013-04-13 08:11:00
VietnamDS-230 Package - Vietnam

Hello VJ Members!

I hope everyone is enjoying their holidays. Hopefully this will be the last holiday season in the US I'll have to spend without my wife. :)

They finally accepted our DS-3032 (Choice of Agent) via email for our I-130 and we're nearly ready to send in the DS-230 Part I but I'm not sure of the following:

A. Where to send the package
B. What exactly to include

After reading various webpages, searching the forums, and referring the actual instructions at http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov I'm a bit confused as there's no consistent answer. :blink:

The instructions package found at http://photos.state....INSTRUCTION.pdf state to complete and send the following to the actual consulate address of 4 Le Duan Blvd., District 1, Ho Chi Minh City:

  • Form DS-2001
  • Form DS-230 Part I
  • 2 50cm x 50cm Visa Photos
  • Copy of my wife's passport
The document I found at http://travel.state....T-0001-1204.pdf states something else. I also noticed that some of the forum members have posted they had their spouses mail a signed DS-230 Part I form to them to the US and they put together a DS-230 package for the Petitioner to send directly to the NVC with the following:

  • Form DS-230 Part I
  • Beneficiary's Birth Certificate (original and copy)
  • Petitioner's Birth Certificate (original and copy)
  • Court and prison records (if applicable)
  • Deportation documents (if applicable)
  • Marriage certificates and Divorce documents (if applicable)
  • Military record (if applicable)
  • Passport (copy of bio page)
  • 2x 50cm x 50cm Visa Photos
  • Original Justice Record Check
  • Original Foreign Police Certificate
I understand that there are certain country specific requirements for some of these steps and I'm a little confused on What I need to send and Where to send it. I've tried searching the forums and the internet but cannot find anything definitive in regards to procedures for Vietnam. Anyone able to shed a little light on this?

Thank you for your response and have a safe and happy holiday season!

-T


First of all you need to pay IV fee at Payment Centre. Then you need to print out the cover letter. You will find the mailing address in the cover letter.

For further information, i would recommend following these link: LingChe Shortcut

List of documents: List
Country reciprocity: Vietnam
BA & MGMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-12-31 10:56:00
USCIS Service CentersReturning your Green Card because of USCIS error. Form i90
.

Edited by BA & MG, 22 May 2014 - 12:48 AM.

BA & MGMaleUnited Arab Emirates2014-05-22 00:46:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)visa approved
congratz :dance: :dance:
BA & MGMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-09-30 16:55:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)Interview Experience at US Embassy in Abu Dhabi
I went to Abu Dhabi a day earlier. I checked-in a hotel near embassy. Next morning, woke up and left for embassy. I reached embassy at 7:15 am. There were 15 to 20 people already sitting on benches. There were more people in IV than in non-immigrant visa queue. I was the first non-Iranian there and after that few other nationalities came near 8:00 am. Security guard came and asked everyone for their interview letters. He dividing the IV queue in to two and asked us to move to a screening room near the waiting area.

They asked me to put all the things and empty my pockets in a basket. Then they asked me to walk through the metal detector. They took my cell phone and asked me to take my things after they did airport style X-Ray scanning. The guard asked me to go to the next room and then another guard directed me to the main building.

After entering the main building, was greeted by the security personnel and given a number and then asked to sit and wait. People were coming in one by one and the hall was getting full. Around 8:20 am couple of officers opened their windows and then started calling the numbers.

Around 8:40 my number came up on window 8. The officer was female (Iranian) asked me for my appointment letter and then she asked me to sit again and went inside to get my file. She called me again, she was holding my file. She asked me for my passport and then asked me following questions:

1. Who is calling me?
2. For how long we have been married?

Then she gave me my original documents that we sent to NVC but then she gave me my original police certificates and the wedding pictures back that we sent to NVC. She asked me to sit and wait for my number on Window 11. I was called on window 11 in 15 minutes. The officer took my finger prints and asked me to sit again.

As I was waiting, I saw only one approval and rest were put in AP.
At roughly 9:10, I was called to windows number 7 where an American CO (female who was in her late 30’s) took my interview. She asked me to raise my right hand took oath from me and gave me the DS-230 to sign. Then she asked me following questions:

1. Who is the M (Petitioner)?
2. How long we have been married?
3. How did we meet?
4. Who arranged it?
5. Where is she now?
6. Where does she live?
7. Where does she work?
8. What is her job?
9. When did she move to USA?
10. How long I have been in UAE?
11. What do I do?
12. Where is my family?
13. Do I have any relatives in USA?
14. Have I ever been to USA?

The whole time she was looking at the computer screen. Then she gave me my passport back and she then turned around and took a blue sheet(221g) out of a folder at her back. She wrote my name, case number, category and date on the sheet and tick mark the ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING box. Then she said that “You are done for the day. Please visit the website mentioned on the sheet for the next steps. She closed my file and wrote “OO” or “00” on the file and put it aside. Before I left the window, she said, “It is going to take a while to complete the process and she can’t predict how long.”

I was out of the embassy by 9:30 am.
BA & MGMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-10-03 09:56:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)Admin. Processing
15 days and counting
BA & MGMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-10-17 04:22:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)AP now 5 month no updates yet

So here i go again, after 5 month from the interview date at the US EMBASSY IN RIYADH and nothing new, we submitted the missing documents on june,17,2012 and they took his passport, i thought its a good sign but here we go 5 month after whenever i email them they say still undergoing AP.
very frustrating as my fiance's employer called him saying that he isnt comfortable not having my fiance's passport and that its taking to long so i called the embassy today asked them to send us our passport and they said it will be sent by fedex today.
now how much longer am i going to wait? its not fear having us all being treated the same way as terrorist takes 5 month to check on his background and god knows how much longer we gatta wait, we both are so stressed out the rules are so stupid because if some one wants to be bad or a terrorist he wont apply for a k1 visa and wait all this time, not everyone comes to america wants to be a terrorist or running awya from something, its just STUPID.
i contacted my senator and all she did is contact the embassy and say that the case is still going AP well NEW NEWS is it? should i contact her again to investigate whats going on at the department of state? and help? any one ever speed up their AP by contacting senators? and any one with experience at the us embassy in riyadh and AP? :crying: :help: :help: :help:

First of all I am sorry to hear about AP.
If you look at the my signature, you will notice that i got AP as well but its been a week. They have been putting almost all Muslim males in AP specially if he is from Middle East or Pakistan.

I agree with you that it is wrong that we are being treated like terrorists and we know how important is the national security. If someone want to spread terrorism then they wont wait that long. they don't apply for visa and wait for years. I think that this whole process should be transparent. At least the beneficiary and the petitioner should know what going on with their case. What is delaying this process or there should be a time frame.

I would suggest you to contact your senator again and this time contact your congressman as well.
BA & MGMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-10-10 11:21:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)how do i know that my AP is over.

hello all dear friends iam in AP in islamabad from last 2 months.iam the beneficary(male) and my wife is the petitioner USC.she was with me during the interview and she is still here with me.she is calling twice in a week to DOS and islamabad embassy,but still my case is AP.she emailed to isl embassy aswel and they replied very next day that,we dont need any thing from you,as your case is in PENDING AP.now i have 3 questions?

1)when we had interview we got blue refusal sheet 221(g),that states that we need to do additional administrative process,but now embassy is saying pending AP.any one know the difference between these two?
2)how do they inform us that our AP is over?by e-mail or phone call.
3)is it ok to call or contact to ISL embassy or DOS as much as we can?

if any one have idea please share with me...i will appreciate that.
thanks to all in advance...


Answers:
1. Blue refusal sheet 221G means that they need to complete administrative processing on your case. Pending AP means that your case is still in administrative process.
2. Usually they do both. Otherwise they just send the passport with issued visa if they had kept your passport at the time of interview.
3. In my personal opinion, dont call embassy. You will get the same information from DOS. Just keep checking with them once a week.

I would recommend to involve Senator or congressman.

:time: :time: :time: :time: :time: :time: :time: :time:
BA & MGMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-11-19 09:26:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)regarding pending AP

hello all dear friends iam in AP in islamabad from last 2 months.iam the beneficary(male) and my wife is the petitioner USC.she was with me during the interview and she is still here with me.she is calling twice in a week to DOS and islamabad embassy,but still my case is AP.she emailed to isl embassy aswel and they replied very next day that,we dont need any thing from you,as your case is in PENDING AP.now i have 3 questions?

1)when we had interview we got blue refusal sheet 221(g),that states that we need to do additional administrative process,but now embassy is saying pending AP.any one know the difference between these two?
2)how do they inform us that our AP is over?by e-mail or phone call.
3)is it ok to call or contact to ISL embassy or DOS as much as we can?

if any one have idea please share with me...i will appreciate that.
thanks to all in advance...


Answers:
1. Blue refusal sheet 221G means that they need to complete administrative processing on your case. Pending AP means that your case is still in administrative process.
2. Usually they do both. Otherwise they just send the passport with issued visa if they had kept your passport at the time of interview.
3. In my personal opinion, dont call embassy. You will get the same information from DOS. Just keep checking with them once a week.

I would recommend to involve Senator or congressman.
BA & MGMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-11-19 12:06:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)What Is A-Number ????

What is A-Number A000-000-000

Alien registration number.
A unique seven-, eight- or nine-digit number assigned to a noncitizen at the time his or her A-file is created. The 9-digit U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services number listed on the front of Permanent Resident Cards.
BA & MGMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-12-12 10:49:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)Please No AP!!!

What my phone number are you all calling to get ahold of the DOS?


+1-202-663-1225 (Monday to Friday)
BA & MGMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-12-14 04:18:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)14 months still in AP

Hi everyone.. am still in AP after 2nd interview in mumbai consulate, whenever i send email i get the same reply that Your case is still pending for mandatory administrative processing thats it. What should i do now any suggestions????

If they are saying that its MANDATORY ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS then it means that they are doing the process in DC. It could be because of name hits.
BA & MGMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-12-14 04:14:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)DOS Visa Case status
thanks. it also shows the last update date.
BA & MGMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-12-20 20:31:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)God has answered to my prayer!
congratz :dance: :dance:
BA & MGMaleUnited Arab Emirates2012-11-29 01:29:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)is it the embassy or DOS????
http://www.visajourn...ationality-act/
BA & MGMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-02-08 06:52:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
It is often the case when an applicant for a visa is told that a final decision cannot be made on his visa application immediately. In doing so, the consular officer invokes Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act and informs the applicant that the case will be put on hold until the applicant’s eligibility for the visa can be determined. This processing “time-out” is taken frequently: approximately one million visa applications were subjected to 221(g) during 2010. Technically, 221(g) is considered a denial; in subsequent visa applications and registration in the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, this must be disclosed. Nevertheless, the overwhelming majority of 221(g) denials are overcome and visas issued.

There are, in essence, two types of 221(g) cases:

Washington-related “administrative processing”, in which a clearance or approval is required from an interested agency or agencies in Washington, D.C.
Post-related, in which the consular officer requires additional time, information, or documentation before making a final visa decision.

Clearances from Washington are required when the applicant presents issues of security, criminality, legal questions, technology exports from the US, other admissibility problems, or is from a country of concern. The question of a security “hit” can arise in a variety of situations, such as potential terrorists, individuals who previously worked as military or other attachés in the US for an unfriendly country, even if that work took place decades before, or even individuals who spent time in certain countries (e.g., Iran). To resolve these issues, a Security Advisory Opinion is needed. Often the “hits” arise because the applicant has a common name: other individuals with the same name are blacklisted, causing cases of mistaken identity or prolonged delays. Suspected criminal activity or ties (e.g., Russian mafia) can also lead to prolonged processing to allow for an investigation. In addition, consular officers refer some legal issues, such as certain material misrepresentations made in a visa application, to Washington for a legal advisory opinion. The application will be held in abeyance until receiving guidance from the Visa Office Advisory Opinion section.

A widely applicable phenomenon has been administrative processing for applicants, usually scientists, researchers, and businessmen, who may be exposed to technologies in the United States which fall under the Technology Alert List. The US does not want sensitive technologies to fall into the wrong hands. In such cases, the applicant is requested to provide an English-language resume, list of publications, and description of the proposed work to be done in the US, which is forwarded to Washington. Individuals who hail from certain countries, such as Iran, Syria, Sudan, must be cleared by Washington. Quite often, these clearances are a formality and simply a question of time to run through the interagency gamut. However, for certain types of clearances, the visa validity period may be limited.

Post-related issues can also be broad in scope. They may include investigations or verifications in the home country of the applicant or requests for information or documentation relating to the qualifications of the applicant for a visa. A consular officer may seek to investigate or verify issues such as:

the legitimacy of a marriage (e.g., send an investigator to the home of the couple applying for a visa);
employment of an applicant (e.g., calling an applicant’s company to verify that he does work there);
tax filings or information (e.g., confirming with the tax inspectorate the tax number of an entrepreneur);
pension fund payments; authenticity of an education document (e.g., sending an inquiry to the Ministry of Education or a school or university to confirm that such a diploma was issued);
intentions or existence of a sponsor (e.g., calling the United States to speak to the signatory of an affidavit of support);
or authenticity of a statutory document, such as a marriage, birth, or divorce certificate.

Additional document requests may include:

a police certificate from a country in which the applicant lived after the age of 16;
certified copies of court dispositions (arrests, convictions); confirmation of the date of a past departure from the US (e.g. visa overstay);
employer tax documentation; additional affidavit of support (e.g., consular officer does not believe that the submitted affidavit of support suffices);
job offer (e.g., a Lottery winner); financial documents (e.g., if the applicant will undergo medical treatment in the U.S.);
and additional information about the job to be performed in the United States or the employer.

Sometimes, the initiation or outcome of these investigations can be erroneous. For example, a consular officer may mistakenly believe that an applicant has a background in a technology that is on the Technology Alert List; a consular investigator may visit the wrong office address; a secretary who picks up the phone at the applicant’s place of employment may tell the consular caller that no such person works there when in fact the applicant does work there; a consular officer may be attempting to re-adjudicate a previously-approved employment petition by requiring additional documentation or sending it back to USCIS.
BA & MGMaleUnited Arab Emirates2013-02-04 11:48:00