DCF in EGYPT! :)

[Sarsoor 8]

Hey everyone, I have to say that this is an AWESOME forum to get help .. I just need all the help I could get to make sure my husband and I are on the correct path. I am an American with Egyptian background "masrya" Egyptian parents! I meet my husband 3 years ago and then finally got married in June 2012. I have been in Egypt since May 2012. I need to be in the US with my husband some time in February/March 2012. I will be going through the DCF at the US Embassy in Cairo in November (so I can complete the 6 month residency period) ... However, I want to get ready to go in and submit the I-130 form at the first appointment. My question for now is what exactly is needed for the first appointment at the embassy? Do they approve the I-130 the same day? How long will it take to receive packet 3? What is in packet 3 so I can prepare from now and not waste time? and how long does it take till I get my packet 4? and what is the approximate wait for the interview? is it a packed embassy and I have to wait months to get an appointment?? So many questions, but I would appreciate if you sbare your experience so you can help two young couples :) I read all the guides on VJ but still, life-experience is the only way to understand what is going on? oh, last question, what about the military documents! did any of you had to get delayed for that?

[Ihavequestions 419]

I thought Cairo stopped doing DCF?

[NY_BX 397]

Hey everyone, I have to say that this is an AWESOME forum to get help .. I just need all the help I could get to make sure my husband and I are on the correct path. I am an American with Egyptian background "masrya" Egyptian parents! I meet my husband 3 years ago and then finally got married in June 2012. I have been in Egypt since May 2012. I need to be in the US with my husband some time in February/March 2012. I will be going through the DCF at the US Embassy in Cairo in November (so I can complete the 6 month residency period) ... However, I want to get ready to go in and submit the I-130 form at the first appointment. My question for now is what exactly is needed for the first appointment at the embassy? Do they approve the I-130 the same day? How long will it take to receive packet 3? What is in packet 3 so I can prepare from now and not waste time? and how long does it take till I get my packet 4? and what is the approximate wait for the interview? is it a packed embassy and I have to wait months to get an appointment?? So many questions, but I would appreciate if you sbare your experience so you can help two young couples :) I read all the guides on VJ but still, life-experience is the only way to understand what is going on? oh, last question, what about the military documents! did any of you had to get delayed for that?

No DCF from Egypt, sorry

You need to apply for a spouse visa. It may NOT be completed by February or March 2013. If you file now, it may. You need residency in the US and he needs to stay in Egypt for his interview. DId he finish his military? If he did, I don't think it'll be a delay. If not, he must do his research and check how to handle that.Do more research here and check with the US Embassy in Cairo. But no, no DCF from Egypt anymore...

130 must be submitted. Once approved it goes to NVC and it sits there until your husband gets an interview date- yes, months. In the meantime you must be ready. If you do not make enough money under the US requirements, you'll need a sponsor. Know the process takes aprox 10-12 months from filing to interview. Yes, it is a PACKED embassy, no USC allowed at the interviews anymore.

Again, check all the guides and ask the US Embassy in Cairo. My experience was hectic and stressful, yet faster as I apply for a K-1. I petitioned him in April 2011 and his interview was in November 2011. You can check my timeline. Go to the Egypt portal and embassy reviews.

Good luck!

Edited September 6, 2012 by NY_BX

[Sarsoor 8]

Wait, I thought I needed to have a 6-month residency to do the DCF and the website for embassy in Cairo says that here: http://egypt.usembassy.gov/consular/iv003.html

Based on the website, I think the DCF is still provided in Cairo...

[NY_BX 397]

Wait, I thought I needed to have a 6-month residency to do the DCF and the website for embassy in Cairo says that here: http://egypt.usembassy.gov/consular/iv003.html

Based on the website, I think the DCF is still provided in Cairo...

http://egypt.usembassy.gov/consular/iv002.html

All intending immigrants except for Diversity Visa candidates must have a petition filed on their behalf. For immediate relatives of US citizens please find more information here.

As of August 15, 2011 all petitions must be filed in the United States with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS sends approved petitions to the State Department’s National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC will contact the petitioner when the case is ready to be processed (see the State Department’s Visa Bulletin for more information on how this is determined) and will request documents in preparation for the visa interview. The NVC will then schedule the visa interview, mail an appointment letter, and forward the file to the Consular Section.

I don't know how old is the information you received, but this is the latest. However, you may want to double check and call them directly prior to starting a process.

[Sarsoor 8]

NY_BX thanks! I will mae a phone call ASAP to check that. However, did any one else file DCF in Cairo this last year?

[Ihavequestions 419]

NY_BX thanks! I will mae a phone call ASAP to check that. However, did any one else file DCF in Cairo this last year?

I'm pretty sure nobody did because - as has been pointed out - complete with a link to the Consulate's web site and pasted details - Cairo stopped doing DCF.

[NY_BX 397]

I'm pretty sure nobody did because - as has been pointed out - complete with a link to the Consulate's web site and pasted details - Cairo stopped doing DCF.

There was that case from 2 or 3 weeks ago where the lady even came to the US to continue procedures and then returned to Cairo because her husband was put on- what appeared to be- a lengthy AP.

NY_BX thanks! I will mae a phone call ASAP to check that. However, did any one else file DCF in Cairo this last year?

No one did since the revolution. The embassy closed for some time which overwhelmingly delayed the processes for most of us.

[NY_BX 397]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/356937-is-direct-consular-filing-dcf-suspended-at-the-american-embassy-in-cairo/

You'll find more information in that thread.

[meno-is-mine 37]

No more DCF in Cairo, BUT I've heard that if you live abroad and put ur international address as ur current address, then ur USCIS wait may be shorter... i don't know this for sure and havent followed ppl's cases too carefully to know this for sure, but i have heard several couples file "from Egypt" and claim a shorter wait for NOA2... but officially, there is no more DCF as NY_BX mentioned...

Edited September 7, 2012 by meno-is-mine

[Sarsoor 8]

Thanks for your reply! So If I start the process reguraly in October, when would be the average time to finish and have visa in hand based on your experience? I need to be in the US by June, MAX, for Dental School!!! will it be possible!!

Thanks again!

[meno-is-mine 37]

Thanks for your reply! So If I start the process reguraly in October, when would be the average time to finish and have visa in hand based on your experience? I need to be in the US by June, MAX, for Dental School!!! will it be possible!!

Thanks again!

Well, I can't tell you for sure, but I suppose we can estimate. USCIS wait can be 5 months on average (give or take a month), that puts u in March/April timing for an NOA2. The NVC stage CAN be completed in a month or two. That's mid May-June already. Interview date for me was assigned 1 month after NVC completion. Then you must factor in AP time. This is all based on average wait/processing times. My opinion is that under normal filing circumstances, consider a solid 10-11 months from the initial filing date for visa to be in hand.

If filing fom Egypt will reduce your NOA2 wait to 1-3 months (I'm not sure), then it seems like a visa in hand by June is possible. It'd be cutting it really close and it would assume an AP of no more than 3 months (AP times are unpredictable, by the way). But you never know. One couple I know of filed and had visa in hand in just 8 months total. He didn't get AP but don't bet that your spouse won't either.

I wish you luck, but Octobet to June for filing to visa in hand seems a bit unlikely from Cairo Embassy with the AP and all. Keep us posted though! one more question, why file in October, start filing ASAP if you have your documents ready. If I was hard-pressed for June, I'd be filing yesterday!

[Sarsoor 8]

Meno-is-mine

Thank you for all that info! it really made me more aware of the average timeline I will be facing. However, what do you mean by "file from Egypt"?? I am currently in Egypt now.. do you mean send my papers to the embassy? I have all my papers ready expect for the Military papers and my husband's passport. Are these needed to be submitted now or after the I-130 is approved? I have all my papers ready and want to do it right now, but I am not sure if these two things will delay me for now!

Please let me know thanks a lot!

[meno-is-mine 37]

I meant file to the US address of course, but using your current address as your address in Egypt. You still send the petition to the US lockbox address. I was writing you a long private message when u sent this. I'll respond there for everything else. Lol

[Youssefhussein 0]

Hello everyone , i think u can. Help me alot

I am an egyptian my wife is a us citizen we got married 4 month ago , we both live together in cairo , my wife went to school and uni in cairo ,

Her last visit to usa was 5 months ago .

Inwant to send the i 130 form , can i do the check from CIB bank in cairo?

Is there any advices u can help with

Thank u