I've been up since 3 am. Mohammed called. The Embassy called him and requested he bring $85.00 and to give his fingerprints. I only remember hearing of one other person getting this and that was Ahmed a while back. He did get his visa, but please I am a mess and I need some help and information.

They told Mohammed Washington is requesting his prints and they won't give him information on the status of his visa until after they receive his prints. As you will recall, the Embassy had just told me in an email (and I quote) "we assure the visa will be issued soon." Well, so much for their brand of "assurance".

Can anyone shed some light on WHY the Embassy is not only milking me for more money but needing his fingerprints? Yes, he has a common name but they said his checks were complete.

Also, can you give me some advise on which other thread to post this question on? I'm such a damn mess this morning after all my emotion yesterday, the phone call, the worry/confusion and no sleep... I just don't know which way to turn.

Thanks. I would also ask for not a lot of speculation. If anyone has some hard cold facts they would be much appreciated. (Be gentle, I'm really losing it here.)

Jean,

I am so sorry to hear about this.

My understanding is that a name check hit can result in them requesting a full set of fingerprints. I tried to Google to find where I had read this, and this is the best I am coming up with (the terms they use can vary so it may be I am not searching on the right words):

"Many visa applicants with common names with those in the database get a "false hit": the refers to when a visa applicant's name matches a name in the datebase but is NOT actually that same person in the database, just a person with a common or very similar name. This places the case into what is called "Administrative Review". Under current rules, the Consulate is required in this circumstance to receive full clearance from FBI (via the NVC) before Consulate can issue the visa. It may require a full fingerprint check and customized investigation. Full clearance from FBI (via the NVC) in most cases can take 4 to 6 weeks, but in some cases much longer and even months."

http://www.usaimmigrationattorney.com/Secu...tiveReview.html

If you refer to the article, it lists the different checks and what they mean.

I would try to look at this positively. With a full set, they can clear up any false hits and get to the business of issuing the visa.

Rebecca

That's what I tried to tell him, but he's inconsolable. He said he feels like a criminal and I guess I can understand his feeling. I don't dare tell him it's "review" or I fear for what it will do to him. I would presume this won't take much longer then the 6 weeks (can't even go there). To be honest, I had feared this from the beginning because of his name. Doesn't make me feel much better...

I don't mean to be a butt, however I don't think I can handle a lot of "so sorry" responses. I love you all, but I just cant handle this. If this goes for months... well no one here knows the story or what the implications of this are for us. I'm sitting at my desk trying not to cry. I just can't believe the sh*t luck.

Sorry this is happening hun. Now I'm just sitting here waiting for Khallid to call me and tell me the same. Just more of the little games they must play. I keep telling myself it has to get better, right???? hang in there, we will get through this.

Jean tell him to return to the embassy, pay the fee and submit the prints. He had a name hit in one of the data bases and to overcome it they must submit prints to Washington DC to clear his name. Good luck.

Mary

I hope you guys didn't take my request about no "sorry" posts the wrong way. I didn't mean to scare anyone away.

well just give them what they want cos if yoou dont he doesnt get to come here.

Yes. I'm well aware. Obviously he will be returning to give them what they ask for.

As usual, they gave him the call center number in Cairo to get his appointment and clearance to enter the embassy. As usual, they put him on hold for an hour, gave him a huge run around, and then just hung up on him saying "we can't help you." This prompted his second phone call to me at 4:30 am. I then got up and emailed the embassy explaining that yet again the call center is utterly useless and ended up costing him a wad of money and that we need their assistance to do what they require because the call center wouldn't cooperate. (This has happened on 2 other occasions... so head's up to any newbies going through Cairo.)

So, it's just Cairo sh*t as usual. But thanks for the obvious.

D'oh. Pay em the money I suppose.

Hopefully, once he's here, inshaAllah ta'ala, your processing time for the AOS will be less because the FBI will have already checked him out 10 times.

For clarification purposes... i was not complaining about paying. I was just frigging CONFUSED about what was happening. I was awakened at 3 am by a tearful SO who was in a panic. That's all I know. I somehow doubt AOS will go any shorter. Sorry I'm touchy as hell right now. I'm really hurting.

The security clearance for this part of the journey is through the DOS, totally different from during the AOS process where it lies with the DOJ and DHS. This is why after 8 months of AR for me, we are BACK on name check clearance after the AOS interview. It can happen.

Hi just_waiting,

As people have pointed out, yes its a name hit, etc. The only cold hard fact story I can give you is that my husband also has a common last name and was asked to come back and submit full fingerprints and $85USD after his initial interview. I was so upset, this was the first I had ever heard of fingerprints (everyone else I knew got their visa the day of the interview!).

I can only tell you that in our experience, it took exactly 4 week for the prints to come back and then another two weeks for the embassy to contact us and issue the visa.

It is embassy protocol but I completely understand that it does not make it easier.

Im a newbie here goin through Cairo I HOPE if they dont want my husnband in military here for 2 years (please pray for us)..my husbands first name is so common but not his last name...will this make a difference or do u suspect that we might also have this same 'false hit' problem when we go through the process? Just wonder THnks

Jean, wish you and your husband the best of luck

Aslamo alikom Jean,

first of all i would like to express my happiness with you and mohamed, and i can assure you from a practical prospective that inshallah Mohamd will get his visa, INSHALLAH, its just a matter of time.

me and my wife feelings were the same like you right now when the embassy called me one day in April 2006, and asked for fingerprints. although they told us before this that my adiministraive check has done.
and then i took appointment and they took my fingerprints, and after 3 weeks they clreared it. Once my prints were clreared, they put my case back in another adminsitrative checkm because they said that the first once was expired. 2 months later, i got my visa allhmdulelah, all of a sudden i got a call from my home that there is a TNT guy by the door having my passport. The embassy didn't call or the TNT , just they went to my home with the passport, and allhmdulelah i got it. So inshallah, i hope it will be the same like or less inshallah.

best luck for you and your husband and good american people (including my wife...lol)
salaam

walaikum asalam Ahmed.

I was going to send you a private message because I knew your situation was the same, but of course I hesitated. You voiced my greatest fear... that the security checks will expire and we will have to start again. Time is a bit a problem at this point. Thank you for your information and your good wishes. It's appreciated.

Jean I hope this gets resolved quickly after he gives his prints.

My thoughts are with you,
Sarah

Jean,

This must be so difficult.

Just think this way, they're working on your case. You're making progress. And soon he will have the visa. It's taking some time but at the end he will have the visa...

Be well... I'm praying for you.

Hang in there Jean - we were upset when were called in for prints so long after the interview - it took almost three months after that for us to get the visa - i'm not saying this to pour salt on a wound but just as an FYI... ultimately it pushed the case through and the consular officer had told me that at that point the embassy was satisfied and it was being forwarded to DC for clearance to issue - so Insha'Allah it means the same for you - that you're done at the embassy and in a matter of weeks you'll have the visa insha'Allah.

Thanks. I've been trying to prepare myself to tell Mohammed we could be looking at another 2 or 3 months if security checks expire. He is already in such a state for other reasons that tie over into this... I can't even talk about it or I'll break down at my desk. This is going to really upset him. It has really upset me. I don't know what we will do to solve his other trouble now. I guess all things for a reason, but I have not yet felt this sick during this process as I do now.

I requested the Embassy respond to why they told me they "ASSURE his visa will be issued SOON" when it obviously will not be. I asked nicely but I want to break something. This is just going to kill him.

I swear to god I can't this anymore .....................

i wish you a speedy process...enshallah the prints will move quickly

I know you said you didnt want any sympathy but being that I have went through so much waiting myself I thought I would try to encourage you Jean.

Take a DEEP breath and let it out *s l o w l y*. Save your HEALTH my dear. STRESS is a big time killer.

OK, now **take another DEEP breath**. Tell yourself this is just a delay and ask Mohammed to go and do as the consulate asks.

This is just s bigger bump in the journey. Hang on, dont let go, it will get smoother.

WHEN you ask, I dont know, but it will.

Keep in mind why you are going through all of this...this is the man you love. He sounds like he now needs your support. I know my husband was in real bad shape after we were denied the visa. He felt like he was a criminal!!!

This visa process can make us all mad (like in loco) and cause us to lose our health. This you do not want! If there ever was a time to be good to yourself it is NOW!

What can you do to be good to yourself today? What worked for me was to stay busy. Find what works for you. I can tell you it was torture when I kept dwelling on all the whys and howcomes.

Here is a very good thought>>>

You know why there is a delay, I did not know anything for several months. This is good. Just a similar name that will be cleared up shortly.

We are all here to support you while you support your Mohammed.

Let lose of all the stress, I am sure we can take it!

I am praying this will clear up quickly!

{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

chi

Thank you. I cried all the way home... 25 minute drive. Still crying. Trying to dry up before Mohammed calls. I don't how to face him with this. We could be waiting another 3 months... You don't know what is happening to him there. He needs to travel NOW. This will just kill him. I'm just not looking forward to this evening at all. It's just too much. We still don't even have his time to go give the stupid prints. No response from the Embassy. In Egypt they make you call a call center... but the jerks just play around and don't give out appointments. They just suck the caller's money. THey've done this to us 3 times... and all 3 times I had to write frantic emails to the embassy to let Mohammed back in to do what they requested.

I don't know. This gloomy voice has been telling me all day this has the potential to stretch into a very long nightmare. We are already to breaking point. Not our relationship, but personally. It's not a simple matter of just going about our lives while we wait. There's some heavy stuff going down.

I need to just shut up. I don't know what the hell to do with myself.

You are right Jean, I do not know what is going on. If this is going to be so horrid for him can you not tell him your fears? After all no one knows how long it will take. Telling him your thoughts on a long drawn out process does no good for him or you. I am not saying to lie. I am saying not to tell him your fears at the moment.

Try to be positive. I know it is difficult. But try. Negative always wants to win over positive. Dont let it. In this situation it is easy to let our minds think the worst. Try not to, I know I know, easier said than done. Sometimes we have to force ourself to do something that is difficult. There are times when we dont need to tell all we know at the moment.

If you find you cant withold your fears from him, be prepared for him going off the deep end. I dont know it can help him right now telling him but if you really feel you need to...

I so understand Jean. There were things I did not volunteer info to him. However, I did not lie to him if he asked me.

I feel for ya my dear.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

chi

Keeping you in my prayers Jean

So sorry this is happening....this should make you feel better:











Did I miss anything?

yummy!

You're mean JP... I want some of that now..

But seriously.... Jean I'm sorry for all you're going through... I have to agree with Chi try not to show him your fear... you don't know for sure what's going to happen. The check might not take that long. Hang in there my dear. I'm praying for you.

P.S. I know it's easier said than done...

All for you Yasi....

NOW you're cruel...

Wow JP. I've been so good lately but after seeing all those delicious deserts posted, I have got to blow tomorrow!

Just waiting, I hope the best for the two of you. My husband was approved for the visa and received a letter that he'd receive it in 5 days and he has not. He has received no call about AR or anything like that and I am praying this does not happen. He will just flip. I am praying for the two of you. I know how you feel having to face your SO with this news. I completely understand.

This just blows!

On the bright side, so far everyone has gotten the visa.

It will happen for you Incha Allah.

No response to my email to the Embassy. He can't even get back in to give him damn prints without their help. The call center wouldn't give him an appointment even though he was told to call them. So now we sit until Sunday hanging in mid air. Why has the worst of everything just happened to me?

Off to another meaningless day of work and an evening of god-knows-what. If god meant for me to pay for my future in blood I feel I'm doing it and more. This has gone beyond brutal. Sorry for all my stupid words. I just don't know what else to do to get through the days.

It's going to be ok.

Do not be sorry for expressing yourself. VENT VENT all you want!! If it helps you in any way we are here to listen my dear.



chi

it is ok to vent here .. that's one of the main reasons for this place... if we couldn't vent to friends, we'd just blow up ... (and that's not very fun to clean up) so vent my dear and i'll even offer my shoulder if you ever need it. all will work out in time enshallah.

amal