Timeline for State Dept background check Ukr

[James B]

Hello friends,

Does anyone know what the average time is for the State Department to do their background check after approval at INS and then return approval?

I am not using INS for my marriage package, but am in the U.S. Navy and using NCIS because I am stationed overseas.  The process is similiar, just a different agency screening my package for correctness and then sending off to the State Department for their background check and approval.  It's been a long and frustrating experience so far as NCIS let my package sit on their desk for six months before I finally got irate and used some higher military officials to call attention to their lack of attention.  My package was sent to the State Department and confirmed that it was recieved on Jul 3rd.  Have not heard anything about it.

Another question.  Where do these background investigation take place and is there a telephone or email contact that I can make to check on the status?  I am sure that the same people do my background check as do the packages from INS.  Any help would be great for this sailor that has waited over 8 months now to receive word that my wonderful fiancee and I can be married.

[wsbill]

... in response to Timeline for State Dept background check..., posted by James B on Jul 27, 2002

To be forgiven, rather than ask for permission.

What I'm saying is you dealing with a company that is afraid to make decisions.

What is the wait time for getting a house on base ?

Is Iceland you sea duty ?  Hey, try and get Millington your next shore duty... Bupers is always looking for people.

I'll be there this weekend 03/04Aug02.

I know alot of people that work for the MWR and work closely with the MCPON.

[James B]

... in response to Timeline for State Dept background check..., posted by James B on Jul 27, 2002

I know that many of you have experience or knowledge that might help me and I would appreciate greatly anything that you can provide regarding my first post about timelines for background check by the State Department.  I am experiencing an extremely difficult and long wait of over 8 months at this point and a little discouraged.  Thanks so much.  Jim

[Dan]

... in response to Re: Can anyone help me with this questio..., posted by James B on Jul 28, 2002

I *wish* I had the ability to answer your question - but I don't think I do.

Unfortunately, my experience with the "background check" was little more than a name check the FBI runs - at the behest of the Embassy - to make sure the person is not on any known terrorist/criminal lists. It takes all of about 2 weeks.

It sounds like the process you are going through is vastly different than what most of us experienced, hence, the hesitancy to offer comments on a process that is 'foreign.'

I sure hope all works out well with your situation - and hope your wife is able to join you permanantly real soon now.

Best of luck.

- Dan

[James B]

... in response to Jim, I *Wish* I Knew More, and . . ., posted by Dan on Jul 28, 2002

Thanks for all the help provided.  It confirms my understanding that the background check is a quick process and long and delayed like the work done by NCIS or INS in their approval process or the waiting for interview in Warsaw at the end of the process.

My situation is not much different than what is done through NIS.  The only difference is that the Navy uses NCIS overseas to do the work of NIS and we are not required to do the Warsaw interview.  We can be married after the Embassy does their FBI check and then I do some additional paperwork with the American Embassy in Iceland after marriage to obtain a visa for my wife to travel to the U.S.A.  It seems that my process should be shorter than those that use INS, but the bureacracy is more complex unfortunately.

If I were in the U.S.A., I could have gone through the same process as all of you are doing, so us military are not held to a different standard, except when we are living overseas.  Thanks for your help in all of this.  Respectfully, Jim Boughner

[Rags]

... in response to Re: Can anyone help me with this questio..., posted by James B on Jul 28, 2002

I feel your pain brother and all I can add is that now that it in the State Dept's hands you should be better off. As best as I can guess, the background check should take 2-3 weeks. There is no real way to tell but based on recent reports of time spans between INS approval and Embassy actions, this would be my guess.

With you being in the military, it might be a more thorough check depending on your clearances and duties.

Good luck and hang in there. You've got a good woman who will wait and suffer with you. She will be by your side (soon we hope) for the long haul to be sure!