The timelines from petition filing to visa interview date, tend to be pretty consistent for all countries, depending on whether it’s spouse or spouse and child or children or fiancé and fiancé and child or children. There are exceptions though and we’ll deal with this honestly and directly here.
There are two major factors that cause delays based on country. The first and best known, are the delays from countries in the Middle East that were identified as sources for the September 11 terrorists, and similar countries where training activities and the local culture continue to require additional scrutiny of all visa applicants, whether visitor, student or family based. The extra scrutiny comes in the form of additional, extensive and expensive security checks, conducted on the ground, in country. During this time the visa applicant and their loved ones are simply told the application needs more “Administrative Processing”.
Particularly for male applicants, but even sometime for female applicants this “AP” can go on for weeks and even months, with no word. We are told by immigration officials in the Department of State, that in some countries, the circumstances on the ground, make it very difficult to safely and reliably complete these background checks.
A second factor that causes delays, is less connected to terrorism concerns, and focuses on the great amount of immigration fraud seen coming from people in these countries. While it is sad when one of our clients’ loved ones falls into this unavoidable scenario, it like the first example, is because of the wrongs of some who abused the system in the past, that good honorable people in genuine bona fide relationships, have their reunions delayed. Even in those countries, the same difficulties related to circumstances on a the ground, also make it difficult to safely and reliable complete these background checks. Nigeria and Ghana are the most common of countries where we see these delays but it can impact almost any case from a Country in sub-Saharan Africa.
If the extra Administrative Processing goes on for an unreasonable time, after a few months, there are things we can suggest doing that may speed it along, but initially, you wait as patiently as possible, under the circumstances.