LizzieBee

I am new to this forum, I've been asking questions and getting some anwers...thank you so much! I am also browsing through many other threats to see what information I can use and I have come across to many , way too many sarcastic replays. Why? are they necessary? why moderatos allow that? who gives power to who here? isn't this place to ask valid questions without being made fun of? is this a safe place to get some real help to go thru such hassle process? please please do not make offensive remarks to others, they don't help. If you don't have the answer to the questions just don't post anything. Thank you

www.momondo.com
That is the website I ALWAYS book on. SUPER cheap airfares. Was able to go around the world to 7 different countries on that website for $2,100 a couple years ago.

FYI, the Cairo embassy is speeding up! My fiance just got his interview date and it is 3.5 months after he submitted all of his forms. He submitted the second week of February and his interview is the last week of May. The wait time was a solid five months in February and they've been working really hard at the embassy to process family visas since then. THANK YOU, CAIRO, FOR MAKING US A PRIORITY!!

Hey..that's cool, I appreciate the criticism. This is a learning process for me, which is the reason I'm asking questions. I'm not naive, and this isn't my first rodeo.
I'm interested in the process. Not personal counceling.
Thanks again.

No.
A lot is done at the local level. This is why countries that haven't invested in digital records have longer AP times - someone has to go pull a file off of a dusty shelf or conduct an interview - or, possibly, an investigation.

Yes, that's the thing to hold on to... despite apparent complications in your relationship or status, you qualify for the visa and you both have sincere intentions. I'm sure you will be approved.
Isn't it crazy how complicated immigration law makes our lives?

Rana, I just want to tell you how much I love your profile photo. It's a perfect picture of love. I'm glad you posted. My fiance is also in Alexandria. I am so excited to be going to see him in 12 short days! When was the last time you were with your sweetheart?

Hey ladies and gents,
Miss me? Haha probably not. I'm divisive, I know. Figured I'd update my peeps on my long I-129F petition saga. That chapter in my life is now sadly, regrettably, painfully closed. It's nothing my former fiance did wrong. I was the one who was weak and faltered. Waiting over a year and a half for the petition approval with no end in sight, being apart for over 3 years, it proved too much I guess. So my mind and my eye started to wander. I made mistakes and originally resolved to continue forward, but I couldn't hide the truth from my fiance, that after so many years of being my best friend and love, I had doubts and I betrayed him. I told him and he was understandably crushed and wouldn't forgive me. I respect that. He asked me to revoke the petition, so I did. My lawyer dropped off a letter at the New York USCIS office. It was easy, process-wise, I guess. In doing so I realized moving forward with him wouldn't have worked out well in the end anyway, so it was all for the best. There are many reasons for this - cultural and religious differences played a role, but him living apart from his family would have been a tremendous struggle. For us, it wasn't maktub. Maybe one day I'll find the one I'm meant to be with. Not sure if I buy into that idea of pre-determination though.
I could have walked away from this forum without saying anything, but I wanted to take this opportunity to say to all those on here who press on for the ones they love despite tremendous odds - I admire you so. Many of you have built a relationship on a strong foundation of love and commitment that you can bear the distance and also the trials and tribulations of being together long term - there's something so honorable and tremendous in that. Stay true to what is in your heart, it will serve you well. I aspire to self-love and self-reflection in this new chapter of my life that's just beginning. Thank you all for your support and for your inspiration.
Peace and joy,
Sarah

This might be an overly idealized way to look at things, but when my fiance was gearing up for the interview and nervous I just kept telling him that as long as we qualify for the visa, we will get it. We are indeed in a real relationship intending to marry in the US in the required 90 days, we are both legally free to marry and neither of us are criminals... and we have provided evidence to those things. So why should we not be approved?
I realize there may have been cases where visas were unjustly delayed or denied even though the couple qualified according to those requirements, but I think it's good to just focus on presenting your qualifications as well as you can to the interviewer.
I also told my fiance that it we were for some reason denied, they would have to tell us the reason and give us a chance to answer it, and that there would be channels to attempt to overturn the decision. Worst case, we would just end up marrying and refiling for the CR1.
I know the system is far from perfect, but the idea is that everyone who meets the qualifications would be approved (even if it takes an agonizingly long time). That should encourage you!
(And from a purely academic standpoint, everyone is well aware that the MENA region has a relatively higher rate of denial because of a mixture of things...but I hope as an American citizen that this is primarily because of a higher rate of fraud in the area rather than racism or stupidity on the part of the embassy workers although that can exist too... Actually, I remember seeing real denial statistics somewhere, but I don't think it was VJ... I think there is a page floating around the USCIS or DHS website that has bona fide approval and denial statistics by country. You might try searching there. If I find it again I'll post a link. )

WHATS THE RUSH ANYWAY?????? I have a man on another continent ....home alone.....alone sad and depressed!!! He goes to work without iron his shirts... lol
Pffff.... I want to close my eyes and when i ll open them again this nightmare to be over!!!

Congratulations!!! My daughters fiancé got his interview date today!! it's on April 28, the embassy received package 4 on December 18

Would any of you engaged/married to an Egyptian be interested in starting a Facebook group for support and conversation more privately?

I meant "enlighten me about the misogynistic interpretations" but on second thought, I think we'll just let it slide. This thread was meant as a gathering cry from someone looking for a community of people in a similar set of circumstances, and I don't really want to derail that. I'm sure that I'm not the only one here who gets lectured, warned, and judged by people all the time for being in a relationship with an Arab man and it's nice to find a place where other people can be supportive. I'm sorry if my lighthearted tone struck a nerve. It's very difficult to express tone online and I can assure you that I'm not flippant or ignorant in any way whatsoever about women's rights or human rights in general.

I feel overwhelmed just reading this, I can't imagine experiencing it. I'm also a mother of 4 so I know how challenging that can be in and of itself and I don't have special needs kids. Try looking at the situation as a blessing in disguise. By the time your fiancé gets here you should have something figured out as far as child care and employment, hopefully. That way when he gets here he isn't immediately thrown into the Mr. Mom role to 4 children that aren't his own. That could certainly put a major strain on your relationship and you don't need that on top of everything else. I hope things settle for you and aren't nearly as bad as they appear to be. You're a mom, you can do this!

As a mother of one special needs child and another prone to seizures, I also feel you. Recently, I had to seek full time employment as well as put the boys in care, too. There are childcare centers that accept special needs children which was a surprise to me so consider this as well. Sending hugs and prayers; if you ever want to talk to someone PM me. I've been through what is happening to you.

LizzieBee, I am so sorry! Waiting and waiting is a maddening process as it is, but add the circumstances you are facing, and it is worse!
I'm waiting and waiting too. I'm worried that because my fiancé was married when we started our relationship, that is will hurt us. He was in a "traditional "marriage, basically an Upper Egypt conservative, arranged marriage. He is divorced now, and was divorced before we submitted packet one, but I hope this does not hurt us.
He was denied a visitors visa in March of last year, and he said the experience at the embassy was "atrocious". I know he is going to be nervous wreck going in this time.

I am truly saddened to hear about your terrible situation. I have been thru similiar situations over the last several years but the one thing I know is that you have your children to keep you strong. They need you and your time will come to be with your love. He will then help you rebuild and regain what material things you may lose. In the end, your love together can rebuild a better fresh future for you and your family. I have children with disabilities also so I can sympathize with you in many ways. Its not easy being a single mother but you are strong and Im sure, and I pray that you find what you need soon. Take care and feel free to vent anytime. VJ was created for exactly this reason and many more great things.

Six years ago we met....Today we share together our three year wedding anniversary. What an amazing journey it's been. Would I do it all over again? Yes, a million times over. When mohammed got here to the states, he embraced America as if he had lived here his entire life. The most challenging part was the food. Mohammed was intrigued with our grocery stores as I was with Marjane in Morocco. For the first year, I only worked part time, which made his days shorter and less boring. Every Friday, I would take him to the mosque, where he met many Moroccans. I was amazed how many friends he made and all the nice married couples, and some just like us waiting for immigration to finally be over. We have made a joyous life together and we are always preparing for our future, and making the big move out West is our goal now. As others here, we are a pretty laid back couple. We enjoy going to movies, camping, picnicking, fishing, traveling and just chilling out at home cooking some good Moroccan dishes. I couldn't ask for a more compassionate and loving husband, and a wonderful step father if I may say so. If there is one important thing my husband has taught me, it's the importance of patience. As I learn more and more about Islam, I learn more about him as a whole person. I love hearing him pray when the house is silent, I tell him it's like music to my ears.
In the end, each and every moment we share together, we find peace, love and respect, and if that's what my future holds with him, I look forward to each and every day.

I love this thread - I was just thinking it might be a good idea to have 2 pinned threads - one about relationships that didn't work out (what is most commonly posted), and another about relationships that are working. It would be a good way to show both, and have some balance. This way, if someone is concerned for any reason, they could read the 'warning' thread, but if they need to read something positive (the journey is so difficult, and hearing negative things is sometimes a little too much) they can read about the success stories.
I'm one of those who rarely makes an appearance, because my husband got his citizenship more than 2 years ago. We celebrated our 7 year anniversary recently, and people who see us with each other are surprised we've been together so long because we're so happy! We like to hang out together, even if it's just sitting on the couch, or shoveling snow (like today). He sometimes surprises me at work by showing up to spend my lunch break with me - that always brightens my day. We made it through the entire immigration process, from being in different countries, all the way up through citizenship, and beyond. We were totally different people - on paper - when we met, but our hearts are very similar, which is why I think we've made it despite the odds. We also take good care of each other, and make our marriage a priority.
venusfire

Been married to my Egyptian now American husband for 7 1/2 years. He's been in the USA for 6 and been a US Citizen since Nov. 2012. We live near Houston Texas.

im half moroccan and married to the love of my life from morocco we have been married for almost 5 years this june and have know him for almost 8 years we have a great relationship and of course we have our moments but communication is key!!!!

Been together for nine years, married for 4 years. He became a citizen last year and he's still hanging around. I guess we must be doing something right

The problem with good stories is usually after citizenship people don't hang around if they are happy. You get a slanted view.

Sorry- if you take what someone says at face value and use it to perpetuate stereotypes, you aren't just an innocent messenger.

Whew..... I made it to the end of the thread can I just say, "I love my Moroccan husband!!! Even with our differences we always work to understand each other and with understanding and respect comes love. I have Love and respect for him that come what may I would never say an unkind word towards him. Bottom line I love him for who he is and will always wish him the best. No regrets!! I know someone will say oh that is corny, or wait until you get scammed, etc... I view our relationship as blessing in my life. Life has so many lessons, for me it is about truly understanding your partner and having no regrets it all about our choices.
Good luck to all the new relationship and amen to the ones that are still working all I can say is "understand him or her" regardless of their country of origin.