visaqueries

Terri. I'm going to be real with you.
Granted you may not like a single thing I'm going to say here, but here goes.
I don't really care if your story is legit or fake, okay? I'm not one to question whom one falls in love with and the differences they may encounter.
You have consistently posted misleading and evasively contradictory statements. As this is a site where people generally care about each other and want to help: there are things that YOU need to clear up or this will not continue in a positive manner. Help people help you. Or don't. If you don't then no one will be able to help you or continue taking you seriously.
I can guarantee to you, that the United States government does not care one iota about your hardships or difficulty, how good you think your photos are (real or photoshopped), or the circumstances regarding why you can't be in the same room or have to stand below a balcony with a person you say you want to be your husband. They don't care about roses or towels or love stories. They do not care how much you think you love him and how much you think you can make this work. They don't even care about the money you sent with your application either.
What they care about is fraud, people becoming a burden to their system, and the protection of their citizens.
Under the theme of fraud - many things you have stated raise red flags. Severe red flags, that I don't believe a person viewing your petition would be able to overcome positively without more information. Reality can be painful and harsh, but that's the way things are. The people who have sent petitions in here, and have been waiting for months and years to be with their loved ones, they have endured extreme hardships, painful separations, differences in cultures, and scrutiny. Don't think for a second that people don't understand the reality of hardship, because they do. This is something we take seriously. No one here wants to be hostile with you, but you're making it impossible for a person not to react that way.
I've had my say now, and I think what I've said is fairly reasonable and polite, if you are willing to calm down and actually start answering questions that do in fact pertain to if your case will be successful or not. Because trust me, it isn't about who's uncle ran off with whom right now, or even religious differences that you even need to be concerned about at the top of the list -- it's a whole host of other things. As it stands now, there is a high likelihood your case will not be successful. Sorry, but that's how life is.

This was my consulate review:
My fiancé had a very tough interview. He said that while he was interviewing, the interviewer beside his interiewer finished interviewing two people with a third getting ready to interview.

The interviewer had really read all the information I submitted in the first packet. He did not seem to have reviewed any of the packet my fiancé sent in before the interview. However, there was enough information to create quite a lively exchange of information.

I'll provide red flags, so it might help: 11+ years difference, different religions, and he'd been married before to a citizen of another western country. My fiancé said our interviewer asked every question he could think of related to his previous marriage, our friendship turned relationship, family...

I think that sometimes when the interviewer senses red flags, they question hard to see if there is a chink in the armor. That's what happened with us. Thankfully my fiancé speaks English well. I say that because there was no confusion as to what was being asked, and my fiancé didn't have to really concentrate on the language part; he could just talk.

Types of questions included: Why when you tried for a visitor visa did you say that she was just a friend, but you were beginning the relationship before that time? My fiancé explained that when we applied for his visitor visa we hadn't seen each other in three years. He knew we were meeting to determine the extent of our feelings. My fiancé said, "How could I have even written she was my girlfriend when I hadn't seen her? I can't call someone my girlfriend when I've not even seen them. After we saw each other, yes, I could say that. Not before." Incidentally, his visitor visa was denied, and I ended up travelling there.

My fiancé talked about our traveling together, and the interviewer questioned how such traditional families would be okay with us traveling together. My fiancé explained that though our families are very aware of our engagement, they don't question us about the extent of our relationship. Without them discussing their feelings with us, we don't know what they think. The interviewer then stated he felt our European trip was actually our honeymoon and we are probably already married.

Concerning his previous wife, he asked about how it could be that he was friends with me and married to someone else. My fiancé explained that both of us knew about the other (my relationship was not romantic at that point), and I was providing input regarding their business plan. Additionally, we only communicated until the business issues were resolved. Then communication ceased and resumed once his marriage was dissolved (her decision). The former wife had planned to move to Egypt then decided she didn't want to move or be married, so the interviewer wanted to know why all of a sudden he wanted to move to America. My fiancé explained that we haven't fully decided that we will spend our lives in the US, but the best decision for us now is for him to move here. Our plans might change, but we are determined to start our lives together here.

There were more questions, but because the interviewer was truly convinced our relationship was authentic, they were specific to our lives. In the end, he stated that the only lacking component was he still felt we were married. He told my fiancé he'd be going to the Department of Justice to determine if his divorce was recorded, and if he had no marriage on file. If that turned out to be the case they would, "go forward with our visa". It would be a few weeks before we would know. My fiancé tried to hand him the original divorce decree, but the interviewer told him he can't trust it as those can be bought anywhere in the city.

As a side note: one thing my fiancé forgot to do was to highlight some paperwork that would determine our "not married" status. We traveled last year and this year to places in Egypt. By law, an Egyptian man is not allowed to stay in the same room with a woman to whom he is not married. We had receipts for our hotel stay with two rooms last year 2012 and reservations for our two rooms this year as well (I was arriving three days after his interview and we then took the trip). We know it only proves that we had purchased two separate rooms, but we felt it would help with the case. We debated what to do about that, and in the end we sent the receipts via DHL the day he interviewed. The good outweighed the bad when we debated if we should send them. In our cover letter we stated that they already had a copy of the receipt from 2012 (so they wouldn't think we just generated a fake receipt).

At any rate, we determined the name of our interviewer (written at the bottom of the paid receipt), and we now smile and ask ourselves "What would D do?" Interviewer told fiancé after fiancé called me a girl that he was actually marrying a woman. So, when we talk about each other my fiancé says, "Now woman, according to DP, I think we should go to the Mall of Arabia." I am sure an interviewer has never been referred to as much as we affectionately refer to him. He was tough. We are grateful for him working diligently to do his job, and we just hope through his diligence he determines we do indeed qualify for a visa.
By the way, we were approved on February 4. It was very hard, and my fiance had to stand up for his ideas and thoughts. We are looking forward to his arrival May 2.

We went to the nearest CBP for them to fix my husband's. His first name was listed as A. His last name wasn't complete, so we had to call CBP and explain the situation. They fixed it and we were able to get a corrected I 94.

When I went to visit Egypt to see my now husband, I wish I had known we were going to petition for the I 129F at the time. I didn't go prepared with certain papers that required original signatures. So, after I left Egypt and returned to the US, I had to have my fiance mail his paperwork with original signatures to me. They got stuck in New York for a while, and arrived about a month or two later than we wanted. Everything worked out for us, but if I'd armed myself with good information beforehand, I'd have saved a lot of time. The guides above are great, and they have really good information. So, I'd make sure you review those before your trip to Egypt. Best wishes!

I am a little over 11 years older than my now husband. We had that red flag, along with others...different religions, he was previously married to an Australian...The interviewing officer was very, very tough on my husband (I posted a review of his experience), but there really was not much brought up regarding our age difference. My husband called me a "girl" once, and the officer said, "She's not a girl. She's a woman," but that would be the only comment really. My husband's English is great, and he had no trouble understanding or answering the officer, and I think that helped. In the end, the officer did not doubt our relationship at all. He ended up thinking we had already been married (we had not). The application was approved and visa issued less than 2 months after the interview.
So, my suggestion would be to prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you two know each other well. I'm sure that was what convinced the officer for us...my husband really knew who I was, and he was able to express it.

When my family moved from Texas to Missouri in the 90s I remember how hard making friends was. It actually took three years before I found a friend whom I felt comfortable calling and hanging out with . Most of that difficulty was because I was not in school any longer, so being in a place that naturally brings people together wasn't a part of my life. And going without some form of support is very hard. Eventually things got better because I started to force myself to be more active. I joined a gym then found a house team for soccer to play on, and I began my Masters program. All of those elements made things much better.
All those items above are things that helped me personally...independent of a spouse or significant other. When I was spending extended times in Egypt, however, I was left all day in an apartment alone. I had my computer and the dvds I'd brought with me to keep me company. I knew no one, didn't leave the apartment, and didn't speak the language. So, I talked to my then fiancé about my struggles. He didn't really get my perspective at first, but I continued to patiently explain my situation. Finally, he got it. We went out and got me Internet for my computer so I could communicate with family and he started looking for friends who had wives that knew English. He began to understand that loneliness I felt. It turned out that one of his friends lived 3 minutes away so his wife and I spent many days together. Another by product was he started coming home earlier and spending time with me. I was happier and he decided he wanted to spend more time with that girl.
The thing I discovered out of all this was that communication was the key. I had to make sure that what I felt was expressed in such a way that he heard my struggles and not just my anger. Thankfully for me it has worked out well. He's here and I now have to do all those things I expected him to do for me when we were in Egypt.

When my family moved from Texas to Missouri in the 90s I remember how hard making friends was. It actually took three years before I found a friend whom I felt comfortable calling and hanging out with . Most of that difficulty was because I was not in school any longer, so being in a place that naturally brings people together wasn't a part of my life. And going without some form of support is very hard. Eventually things got better because I started to force myself to be more active. I joined a gym then found a house team for soccer to play on, and I began my Masters program. All of those elements made things much better.
All those items above are things that helped me personally...independent of a spouse or significant other. When I was spending extended times in Egypt, however, I was left all day in an apartment alone. I had my computer and the dvds I'd brought with me to keep me company. I knew no one, didn't leave the apartment, and didn't speak the language. So, I talked to my then fiancé about my struggles. He didn't really get my perspective at first, but I continued to patiently explain my situation. Finally, he got it. We went out and got me Internet for my computer so I could communicate with family and he started looking for friends who had wives that knew English. He began to understand that loneliness I felt. It turned out that one of his friends lived 3 minutes away so his wife and I spent many days together. Another by product was he started coming home earlier and spending time with me. I was happier and he decided he wanted to spend more time with that girl.
The thing I discovered out of all this was that communication was the key. I had to make sure that what I felt was expressed in such a way that he heard my struggles and not just my anger. Thankfully for me it has worked out well. He's here and I now have to do all those things I expected him to do for me when we were in Egypt.

The dates are just an estimate based on the people who have filled out timelines on VJ. It is not a sample of all the people who have applied for the visa. My dates never fell within the time frame, and luckily I wasn't counting on them to do that. If you can imagine how many people have applied around the same time that you have throughout the world, you'll know the estimate could not be 100% accurate. It's just a nice frame of reference.
And...the dates you asked about would refer to the petition being approved and you receiving your NOA2.

When my husband and I had applied for our fiance visa, we decided we would go to Europe before his acceptance and arrival to the US. We did not go to Spain, but we went to other Schengen Visa countries. Our POE for Europe was the Netherlands. As a result, my fiance scheduled an appointment with the Netherlands Embassy in Egypt. During the interview, he had to provide itinerary and length of stay, and travel dates. He also had my information and a letter from his company's boss (who happened to be a Dutch citizen) explaining his ties to Egypt. The application was approved and they issued him a Schengen Visa. His visa was valid for about a week longer than what we said we would be gone. It gave us a few days before the date we anticipated leaving and a few days after we said we would return home.
Both of us flew out of Cairo and returned to Cairo (summer 2013), and we experienced no problems.

Just as an FYI, Missouri has no wait for marriage licenses. You can get married on the same day as you get your license, and you can get the official certificate on the same day you turn in the paperwork from the officiant. In theory it could all be done on the same day. If you are on the border between MO and KS, it's another option if you want to marry without delay.
http://jacksongov.org/content/3310/3356/3358/default.aspx

Just as an FYI, Missouri has no wait for marriage licenses. You can get married on the same day as you get your license, and you can get the official certificate on the same day you turn in the paperwork from the officiant. In theory it could all be done on the same day. If you are on the border between MO and KS, it's another option if you want to marry without delay.
http://jacksongov.org/content/3310/3356/3358/default.aspx

My case wasn't really updated until they were about to make a final decision on it. My husband's interview was December 18 (I think that was the day), and he wasn't approved until February 4. The last two weeks prior to approval was when things changed on the CEAC. I have heard that updates to the CEAC aren't always consistent or timely. So, I wouldn't worry.

My husband has adjusted nicely to the US, but Ramadan has been much different for him. We have a mosque about 25 minutes from our house, and we try to make it there every Friday. I was in Egypt for Ramadan last year, and I can tell it is very different from being in the US. Here, my husband doesn't hear the call to prayer coming through the loudspeakers, and we just use our cell phones to help us determine when to have Iftar. I am not Muslim, but I am fasting with my husband. The hours here are longer than they are in Egypt, but the time difference has not been that big of a deal. He keeps mentioning that it will be very different when Ramadan is over and the three day feast occurs. I'd like to find a group of people who will be celebrating the feast, but I don't really know where to go for that.
This is the first time in his life that he has been out of Egypt's borders for Ramadan, and I imagine he has a bit of longing to share with his friends and family of like faith. I can understand his unstated longing. Last year, when I was in Egypt, it was amazing to go to the mall and watch everyone get their food at the food court just as the fasting was concluded. It brought a sense of unity, and I loved that feeling. I wish there was that same experience for him here.

My husband has adjusted nicely to the US, but Ramadan has been much different for him. We have a mosque about 25 minutes from our house, and we try to make it there every Friday. I was in Egypt for Ramadan last year, and I can tell it is very different from being in the US. Here, my husband doesn't hear the call to prayer coming through the loudspeakers, and we just use our cell phones to help us determine when to have Iftar. I am not Muslim, but I am fasting with my husband. The hours here are longer than they are in Egypt, but the time difference has not been that big of a deal. He keeps mentioning that it will be very different when Ramadan is over and the three day feast occurs. I'd like to find a group of people who will be celebrating the feast, but I don't really know where to go for that.
This is the first time in his life that he has been out of Egypt's borders for Ramadan, and I imagine he has a bit of longing to share with his friends and family of like faith. I can understand his unstated longing. Last year, when I was in Egypt, it was amazing to go to the mall and watch everyone get their food at the food court just as the fasting was concluded. It brought a sense of unity, and I loved that feeling. I wish there was that same experience for him here.

I'm glad it is working out so well for you! My husband and I have been spending June exploring the east coast, and we've had a nice time just being together. Continued wishes for a happy life for you and your family!

We had our interview December 18, 2013. The CO thought we were married when interviewing, and he told my then fiance (now husband) that he was going to check to make sure we weren't married. If we weren't, he'd go ahead with the visa. The visa was issued February 4, 2014. So, our AP was about 1.5 months.
Also, my husband said that at the time there was a paper/receipt he received that actually had the signature of the CO on it. That's how we knew his name.

We were married in my back yard 5 days after his arrival. Missouri gives immediate marriage licenses, so he arrived Friday, we got the certificate Monday and were married Wednesday. We contemplated a courthouse wedding, but all my friends wanted to come and the courthouse only allowed 12 people. So, we asked the courthouse official to come to my house to marry us. He obliged (it's two blocks from the courthouse) and we were married in front of 73 people.
I am not one who wanted to spend a lot on a wedding, so I got a dress from Dillards, ordered pizza and Egyptian food (most expensive part), borrowed tables and chairs from my school, painted my old window sashes gold (I replaced my windows a few years back and kept the sashes) and put pics of my now husband and me in the "windows", made a step pyramid rice krispie cake (and got two cakes from Costco), got a few tablecloths, and found my cousin's fiance was willing to bring his sound equipment to my house. There were so many others who had had outdoor weddings, and they gave us things to use, but for an Egyptian the green of the backyard was the best part of all!

We were married in my back yard 5 days after his arrival. Missouri gives immediate marriage licenses, so he arrived Friday, we got the certificate Monday and were married Wednesday. We contemplated a courthouse wedding, but all my friends wanted to come and the courthouse only allowed 12 people. So, we asked the courthouse official to come to my house to marry us. He obliged (it's two blocks from the courthouse) and we were married in front of 73 people.
I am not one who wanted to spend a lot on a wedding, so I got a dress from Dillards, ordered pizza and Egyptian food (most expensive part), borrowed tables and chairs from my school, painted my old window sashes gold (I replaced my windows a few years back and kept the sashes) and put pics of my now husband and me in the "windows", made a step pyramid rice krispie cake (and got two cakes from Costco), got a few tablecloths, and found my cousin's fiance was willing to bring his sound equipment to my house. There were so many others who had had outdoor weddings, and they gave us things to use, but for an Egyptian the green of the backyard was the best part of all!

I know the feeling. It was exciting to know the interview was finally happening, but there was always that element of...stress. I have another friend who has an interview at the end of May (Philippines), so I'll definitely be thinking of you guys.

Congrats on your interview! I hope it goes well.

Thanks for all that information.
If it weren't me in this quest, I'm sure I would also wonder why complicate things. If I continue on the path of discovery, it might be that I spent a ton of time just to find out that we should get married at the courthouse and let it be done. I can live with that. However, if this is important to him, I'll still check it out. After all, putting me on this mission has done a lot for keeping me from sitting around wondering, "Where in the world is my NOA2?" Thank you as well for your thoughs and ideas. It's much appreciated.

I really appreciate all the work so many of you are doing to help me find the answer to my questions. It feels great to know that others could become "invested" in the queries of a stranger. Thank you, Capri, for looking at the AOS guidelines for me. And thanks also, "Togetherforever13" for posting the Arabic Marriage information coming from the Chicago Consulate. I will continue the research, and if something definitive arises, I'll share it here.

Thank you for that information. I really appreciate it. I'm sure I knew at one point that those embassies weren't really part of our country, but somehow along the way, I'd forgotten that.
Aaron2020, I see you mentioned that as well. I must have posted the post that appears directly under yours at the same time. I just now saw your original post which states the same thing. So, thanks to both of you.

No, I have a lot of time on my hands right now to start investigating what will and won't work. That is all I'm trying to do is gather information, so we can make an educated decision. Here is my research strategy:
1. Find out if what my fiance is asking about is possible. I will contact the Egyptian Embassy/Egyptian Consulate to determine if what my fiance is saying is actually valid--that we can get married in and Egyptian Consulate/Embassy. I have read that as long as the marriage is done following the requirements of the US, it would be considered a valid marriage in the US. I believe the Consulate/Embassy might even provide the appropriate paperwork that I would need to file with the state where I will be married.
2. After I find out if it is indeed possible for a wedding to take place, I will figure out who I need to contact in the United States to verify that the wedding would indeed be valid. I imagine I have to register my marriage license in the state where I'm married for it to be valid (I've never been married before, but I'm sure I can find out who to call to find out how to file my marriage documents). I can't even apply for AOS from a K-1 if my marriage isn't recognized. So, say my marriage at the Consulate/Embassy isn't recognized. I then have the rest of my 90 days on the K-1 visa to rectify that situation by getting married at a courthouse.
3. Once I determine what is accurate infomation, as well as a feasible plan, I will report my findings to my fiance. At that point we will decide how and where we will marry. We will leave the when up to the American Consulate in Cairo.
As for the man in Juarez, he had a lot of issues I don't have. I have a valid passport (which isn't really applicable in this case). I am applying for a K-1 Visa and waiting for the entire process to be complete before I try to get my foreign fiance into the country (We are not trying to get my fiance inside the borders of the USA by obtaining a shopping visa). My fiance has not received any kind of ban, and I don't think that if we decided to marry at a Consulate/Embassy inside the borders of the United States, where he will legally be allowed to be, he will receive a 5 year ban (I don't believe marrying at a Consulate/Embassy constitutes breaking any laws in the US).
All I'm asking of this forum is, "Does anyone have any experience with this kind of situation?" Gathering research...not trying to do anything more than that.

Don't worry. Airport "officials" are pretty clueless. I was checking in at the check-in machine, and one of the airline ladies came up and she was like, "Let me do that for you, ma'am." When it came to scan my GC, she put it in the credit card slot??? Even I, who'd never done it before, knew that was wrong. Of course it didn't "scan" and so she said, "You'll have to check in manually." I replied, "Well, the scanner is actually right there where you scanned my passpo___" "No, you'll have to check in at the desk."
Anyway, I'm glad I got that off my chest after four months of holding it in.
Also, my travel agent [in Australia] informed me that they no longer do one way tickets, only returns. It could vary per nation?