Louza

I applied for my SSN before receiving my GC. Just make sure you take your passport with you, they need to see the visa. Good luck

Where did you guys get this from? On their website it only states about today August 15th.

Wow, it only took until post #10 before someone gave an answer to the actual immigration question without adding their own personal opinion of how relationships should work.

Hi all...I was definitely wondering the same thing as we just had our interview too a couple weeks ago. I do know that the press release saying that the embassy was evacuated is false. The embassy posted on Facebook one hour ago updating saying this:
"Update on the Status of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo. Press reports indicating that the U.S. Embassy in Cairo closed yesterday are incorrect, as are reports that the embassy has authorized an evacuation of personnel. The embassy had staff working throughout the day and evening yesterday. In response to clashes between rioters and police in the vicinity of the embassy, the embassy reduced staffing and closed for non-emergency public consular services in order to minimize the risk to people who might have been trapped inside the chancery by demonstrations.The embassy intends to open for normal operations as usual on Sunday, although previously scheduled appointments for consular services are being rescheduled"
SO, I am assuming this will be good for us, in that some personnel were still working, and most likely with limited distractions, so they were able to process things faster than on a normal day with appointments. Here's to hopeful thinking!

I'm so sorry this happened, I know the waiting game is a nightmare. You can call the DOS to get updates on your case. I hope you get to talk to Matt he's a really nice guy lol.
The phone number is 202-663-1225 (press 1 than 0 to talk to a visa specialist)
They work from Mondays to Fridays from 8.30 a.m until 5 pm EST. On Wednesdays they don't take calls from 11 a.m to 12 p.m
Good luck

I'm so sorry this happened, I know the waiting game is a nightmare. You can call the DOS to get updates on your case. I hope you get to talk to Matt he's a really nice guy lol.
The phone number is 202-663-1225 (press 1 than 0 to talk to a visa specialist)
They work from Mondays to Fridays from 8.30 a.m until 5 pm EST. On Wednesdays they don't take calls from 11 a.m to 12 p.m
Good luck

I'm sorry but a spousal visa is your only option. They have accused him of immigrant intent. he is unlikely to ever be permitted to get another visitor visa.

AP is a very lonely desolate place where your hope is beaten down. But somehow we stay strong and have faith that we will be together soon. Not really sure why the last two years we see so much longer time in AP than the years before... the years before 9 months seemed to be the longest. We recently had an update on our case that gives us hope that we are beginning to be at the end of this but still we sit and wait in this purgatory. For us, it's been 17 months and still counting. This will be the third year we are apart for thanksgiving. It's not fair and it's not right but all we can do is stay strong and have faith that one day our time will come. Good luck to you all...

Also, I should probably share my experience. After having gone through the process, I'm sure these things change on a case by case basis. Money isn't the end of the world. They take into account several factors.
Employment history - have you ever been unemployed for a long period of time, or do you wait and secure new employment before leaving your current job?
Education - Do you have a bachelor's degree, masters, PhD? In what? What is your earning potential? Do you have a job offer?
Family Status - How much do your family members make a year, or are they unemployed? Are any family members divorced? Married?
Age - If you're 45 years old and still barely making ends meet, they may take that a little differently than a 25 year old in the same situation.
Also, a little kindness goes a long way, and confidence is good too (confident, not cocky).
Sometimes it comes down to gut feeling, how does the CO feel about you.

then i suggest you start your own thread about that topic rather than hijacking this thread with your own agenda.
charles
vj moderation

It seems that people send things that are not asked for, ie: mostly photos. The DS230 asks for original documents and if you want them back at the interview also send a copy. The only photos asked for are 2x2 passport style photos. Save your photos for the interview.
Think about it the people doing the DS230 see photos that are not asked for and just throw them in the trash, you are wasting your time and money and their time seeing they do hundreds of documents each week.
Seeing that the DS230 asks for a small amount of paper work and documents just put everything in a folder with a plastic slide on the side to keep everything in order. Save you ten pounds of pictures for the interview.

So! 15 months after starting this process, and 2 weeks of AP, we have finally had confirmation from DoS that our visa has been issued!
For all of those that are stuck in AP, and I know there are many, know that there is hope. We have been beyond lucky that ours only lasted 2 weeks, but it involved a huge amount of disappointment, air fare changes and stretched hearts and souls.
The point of this post however is that for the brief time I was in AP, I truly felt and sympathised with the persecuted fraction of visa applicants that get put through this. It is truly the last, but the very worst hurdle that you will all have to jump. There is no time frame and there is no information. It's an unfair and brutal part of the visa process, but the strength and resilience it will build in all of you will serve you forever. The knowledge that you fought, and waited and pushed and cried and put all of yourself behind something that you believe in will be unbreakable.
You all have my utmost respect and admiration. Keep the faith, keep your patience, and remember that it is love that is behind all of this, and that is the most powerful force of them all.
I will send up positivity and belief for you all.
Mike x

Believe me many of us have been there my dear. We get it! On the night of my husbands interview at the American Embassy in Cairo I had loads of support from friends on here and else where that joined VJ just to come wish support. We all met up in the chat room feature to talk in real time and they offered best wishes and kept me company. Looking back it really meant a lot and still does. Since you're the one going through the interview I hope you have a way to communicate with your loved one to share the news immediately because I'm sure he'll be waiting to hear from you. I'm also sure it will be good news and you have nothing to fear. From what I've seen females have a much easier time than the men do and are approved and go through the process more rapidly than men. Some of the females from VJ MENA that have been through it like yourself can also testify to that. You'll be here in no time and with your husband starting your life and working on your USMLE Steps and starting a family. I'll be there with you in spirit and remember there is help there if you ever need it or a sympathetic ear from a female doctor whose been here. All you need to do it call. KWIM?
Big hugs Sis!

I tried calling, but the number for the Juliana Hotel appears to be disconnected. It's too bad, too, because I stayed there before and it was decent, especially for the price.
http://www.asiarooms.com/en/egypt/cairo/garden_city.html
My advice? Disregard their advertised rates and negotiate. Hotel occupancy is very, very low at the moment.

I was advised to schedule the medical at least 3-4 weeks before the interview (which I did), so mid November should be ok for you

Agreed. The comment about the CO's breasts shows the lack of respect for women and general inappropriateness that, I think, we've all grown to expect from Zagray.
Zagray, while I've tried to be supportive of you, I can see that you really aren't taking this visa seriously. Not only that, I don't feel you take your relationship very seriously either. But it's your life and if your fiancée finds your egotism and misogynous ways charming, well I can't say that I pity her for how this will all play out.

Zagray,
I guess the lesson well learned here is your poor fiance that you claim to love and miss while having the nerves to say you were "looking at the CO's breast" I hope she finds a man to love her and not a man who is a womanizer. You have showed your true colors here today and I hope others don't find your topic cute and funny.
That was your interview by the way...... Don't expect another one

Totally inappropriate....
- looking at her breasts - when she had paid you respect and you do this to the interviewer?

People are hijacking this threat. It's not about gowon or rosaline or anybody else, it's about the OP. If you wanna talk about your problems and stories, open your own topic!!!
To the OP: how do you know it was fraud and not just a marriage gone wrong at the wrong time?

I understand you, as my fiance is from Yemen. But the important thing I hope people will realize is that there are over 1.2 billion Muslims in the world. And only at most a few thousand have participated in these acts of anti-American/western aggression and protests (some of which have been fairly standard protests - just saying). A few thousand out of 1.2 billion is such a small percent that it cannot possibly be a representative sample of the beliefs and sentiments of the whole population. Just like radical factions of fundamentalist Christians and Jews also do not reflect the actions or beliefs of all Christians and Jews. There are always a few "bad apples" in the bunch in every religion and culture. The key in overcoming this is for the majority to denounce extremist and divisive acts entirely and to instead promote value systems of mutual respect and love of humanity.
I don't know how recent events will play out for those of us hoping to bring our loved ones from the region to live here. But based on the twitter comments and statements from the Egyptian embassy before and after the siege there I would say embassy staff in that region know the local people very well and try to be respectful of their host communities as much as possible. Background checks will still be thorough, as they should be. I say it's safe to expect delays in case adjudication - I imagine the consular staff are all feeling the strain. Hoping this will all die down soon and that no more lives are lost.

and you say you aren't passing judgement? *eyeroll* the OP asked a question, a simple answer would have sufficed. She didn't ask for you to put in your 2 cents. I am sure she is well aware that she has to support her SO until he finds a job and help with finances.

Well some of us are hoping to have our husbands here to work and help the family. So in the meantime USC can get all the help they need from the government. You need a chill pill.

VJ Moderators... Seiously??
This OP has got to be a troll...

If the story here is factual...it sounds as if there is no innocent party in this relationship. Niether is showing respect for the other.
In my opinion a true loving relationship requires "respect" for your partner.

Wishing everyone a Happy Eid