Super Uber

1 minute ago, Mohd Al Said said:

Inshsllah bro i hope its something good ya rab i will be so happy for you

Thanks bro. Honestly, at this point, I'd be happy if they even deny it.

At least I'd know what's going on then.

Well, I wanted to tell you guys that I have news but something is still cooking (in progress) .. So make duaa for me.

I also wanted to tell you that I recently recalculated my total wait time.

Turns out it has been over 9 months since interview.

So bad, isn't it?

2 minutes ago, CurlyCutie said:

sorry that happened to you. I hope this wont discourage you from pursuing your dream.

I am a U.S. citizen and my husband was giving the green paper last Monday with request to upload his travel ticket. they kept his passport so I am hoping he will get it soon. I am just worried that it will take that much long.

Thank you, I appreciate the sentiment.

Any news @E.Amr or @C.ezz?

Just now, db2016 said:

so insane! we have a lawyer as well and spent thousands on him. This is so unsettling, i wonder if their is anyone here that has had a positive experience and not been put on AP. 

There are few cases, and all of them were approved during the interview. So that's the only common thing.

3 minutes ago, db2016 said:

That really scares me. I can't imagine after waiting 8-9 months for our NOA2 to now wait that same amount of time after the interview. Do you have a lawyer?

Yes, and a very good one. But guess what: all lawyers will tell you that this is out of their hands. Once you're in AP, you're at their mercy, in a sense. That's why I said make sure you get approved because K1 applicants will be scrutinized like never before. You will even be asked "why didn't you not get married here? (meaning if you're serious about the relationship)"

So be prepared for anything and everything. Expect the unexpected.

Just now, db2016 said:

Thanks so much! Have you seriously been on AP since November of last year? How does that even make sense?

Go figure. I've just calculated it yesterday, and it's been over 9 months actually.

27 minutes ago, marmoh said:

Islamic marriage, I understand, but I don't want to do anything to void our k1 visa at this point. I think they should give us reasons right of a wait that is longer than their quoted time? lol since the quote is wait several weeks not several years lol, so u gave them new medical and send the passport and has nothing and heard nothing for 4 months?

Islamic/shar3i marriage does not void the visa (assuming you didn't even want to tell the embassy). But even if they knew, it's technically legal. Because, as I mentioned before, religious or traditional marriages that are not legally documented are recognized by U.S immigration law. But then again, there's no need for them to know, and they'll never know.

Also, I mentioned before a couple on this website who have applied for a K1 visa and stated in their petition that they're "Islamically married (orfi) for the sake of being halal" - guess what they were approved and they're in the U.S now.

With the U.S embassy in Cairo, there's no "should" or "must". They want to do things their own way without having to answer to anyone. And they rarely give a reason to anyone.

And to answer your question: Yes I have never heard for 4+ months, since the so-called approval.

But, alhamdulilah for everything.

24 minutes ago, marmoh said:

Do not give up hope, Inshallah Khair, my fiancé he is there in Egypt too, we text and talk everyday, I am here in the states too, no matter what, I plan to see him every year whenever I am able to because lol it is hard for me not to see him at least once a year, I want to see him everyday, but for now I can't so at least once a year I am thankful. We are both busy working so it will keep us from not thinking negative things or feeling depress. I have faith in us, How is it that they told u u r approved, u sent them ur passport and new medical exam and till now u still get nothing? how is it that they can't explain that to you? it doesn't make any sense, I thought they say if u don't receive it within 10 days u had to contact them again? did you contact them, what did they say? i rather married here in the states, i heard marriage in Egypt isn't easy and it took us forever to figure out where the US embassy was lol so i wont marry in Egypt, will marry here in the states at least i will know where to go and make sure everything we do here is all final and good, other people's marriage experience in Egypt, i heard it was so much running around and getting stamps and validations from many places and people etc lol we almost didn't find the US Embassy to get to our interview.

Thank you for your kind words.

I think you missed the part about the difference between legal and Islamic marriage, which I tried to clarify.

You don't need to jump places for an Islamic marriage, all you need are an Imam, your wali/guardian and 2 witnesses. That way the relationship is halal. It only needs to be verbal, so you can also do it over the phone or Internet. This is called establish a contract (كتب كتاب)

Other than that he has to pay you a dowry before consummation. No hassles needed.  Simple enough?  

And it is my sincerest advice to you both as my brother & sister in Islam, so that Allah blesses your union - to be Islamically married. You can read more on this on any fatwa website such as Islamqa.info or Islamweb.net

What you're going to do in the U.S is legalize the marriage in a court house, that's all.

Also, 10 days time is only when the status becomes "Issued".

I and others on this site were told through a phone call from the embassy that we're approved and requested passport and a NEW medical.

This is steps was new to me. but it is what happened.

Ever since, they have no issued any visas and they didn't give a single reason other than the typical response you already know about.

Just now, marmoh said:

yes, I understand the dreadful wait, but I am prepared to wait 10 years if I have too lol. so your ceac status says ISSUED, but you still waiting for your visa? now that doesn't make any since? but I heard the orfi marriage isn't legal, nothing is legal unless it is paper done with the Egyptian court and American embassy? where are you and where is your fiancé? you guys must be devastated, do u guys see each other often?

My status is AP not Issued. I was called to send the passport and a new medical after 4 months, because I was approved (they said when I asked).

Legally, Orfi marriage in Egypt = being married on (sometimes sound) Islamic terms without lawful/legal registration. (The importance here is it MUST be Islamically acceptable, that way the relationship becomes halal (permissible)).

I've seen a couple on this website who stated this in their I-129f petition, during filing with the USCIS. (This is a huge proof for a bona fide relationship).

This is allowed by U.S laws, because Muslims are required to be married in order for them to be in proximity of one another in a halal manner.

I'm in Egypt and my fiance is in the U.S., We speak every night and we text. But I actually haven't been with her since last year.

She cannot come because she has to keep her job for her medical needs. And soon, this delay will cause us to lose something extremely important to us but I cannot say because it's too personal.

Devastating is an understatement, whatever is happening right now is surely negatively impacting our lives in many ways and the worst is yet to come if this situation is not quickly resolved.

In shaa Allah  khair.

2 hours ago, db2016 said:

Yes absolutely, my fiance has already begun gathering all our photos and going to get them printed on photo paper today. He also is going to do the family and personal (registry) that you guys mentioned. Thanks for all the advice, anything else you recommend would be great. We are not married yet either, so that shouldn't come up for us. My previous marriage and divorce took place here in the US and I have documentation for both. We were one of the very delayed NOA2, it took us 9 months to get our NOA2, I am praying that means we wont have to wait longer when our case gets to Cairo. 

I will give you another golden advice. If you have been married religiously (Islamically) because you want your relationship to be halal. State exactly this at the time of interview (better also have a letter/statement signed by both of you ready just in case), and also state that you're not legally married, and then present your individual registry. I believe it will be a plus for anyone who applies for a K1.

It will prove a bona-fide relationship. But also play this card last (especially if you have good face-to-face time).

So to summarize:

-Good Face-to-face time.

-Solid evidence (chats, and many photos, with family too) - photos are somewhat more important.

-Petitioner and applicant should be present during interview (highly recommended).

-If you're Muslims, and you were married Islamically without legally registering (this is fine), just make sure you prepare to state it either during i-129f filing or at the time of interview. Also, be prepared to show a photo of the Islamic wedding with family and friends.

2 hours ago, marmoh said:

Super Uber

 

So you or your fiancé is already approved correct and here in the states now or not? Thank you for sharing so much information, you do know a lot it seems on different level, so k1 visa in AP are lowest paper works for the embassy to look at? How long did you waited again?

@marmoh,

I have been approved after 4 months in AP (once on AP, your case is on a low priority, remember), and still on AP since last year. I didn't get the visa yet (like many others) because of an unknown reason and it's the embassy's fault for this delay. It has been OVER 8 months, I'm actually close to 9 months of waiting (and this is horrifying for some people).

But you should expect the worst in the trump era.

I see that you and other recent K1 visa applicants have valid concerns about the waiting time.

My best advice would be to get yourself ready mentally for a very long waiting period. If  you're Muslims, your fiance would better marry you Islamically (shar3i, but also called Orfi in legal terms), and him/her would stay close to you while this process is completely over with.

If you're not prepared to wait, then it'll hurt the both of you badly. I'v seen it happen more than once.

Other than that, I wish no one any harm or even to wait a single day. It's truly a very bad bad experience to go through.

6 hours ago, hy2016 said:

but is this mandatory for every applicant??? so is everyone going through AP or select cases?

It is currently unknown. So far the evidence shows that if you didn't get approved during interview, you might be subject to AP. So my advice is to be fully prepared with photos and have the petitioner present as evidence. Be ready to answer ANY and all questions truthfully. Have all documents prepared.

21 minutes ago, E.Amr said:

they have a lot of numbers and that is confusing 
that one is from embassy website " Telephone: (20-2) 2797 3300 " 
and this one was included in the emails the Cairo IV unit sent me before " For Assistance, please call: +20-2-3531-1460 or 16872 (from within Egypt)." 
and those are the contact information of US embassy in cairo , that are mentioned on this website " Visa Issuance Inquiries only through 090070600 
(Call Service Center in Cairo) from 8:00 AM to 11:00 
Immigrant Visa unit : 27972301 
or from the United States:011+20+22+797+2200 1pm-3pm (Egypt time) Sunday - Thursday except the last Tuesday of every month and holidays.1 pm - 3 pm " 
 

I don't know which one we should use ?

 

the one ending in 3300 is the number for the embassy itself, an Egyptian answers. If you ask about the case, he tells you to call the number ending with 1460, which is for the call center I already mentioned before (ustraveldocs) and these ppl are totally useless.

I asked before to connect to the IV unit and he said they don't have a direct line he call or to connect me to.

The rest of info on this website are old and not updated.

31 minutes ago, E.Amr said:

@Super Uber , did you contact the embassy after you got the new information ?? 
and please give me the phone numbers you used to contact the NVC supervisors and tell me how did the conversation between you go ? 

What we need is a number for the embassy IV unit, that's for sure.

1 minute ago, E.Amr said:

@Super Uber , did you contact the embassy after you got the new information ?? 
and please give me the phone numbers you used to contact the NVC supervisors and tell me how did the conversation between you go ? 

Hey Amr, I know you're in the same boat as me.

The numbers are the same one we always used before, you just talk to the agent and ask for a supervisor to speak regarding your case.

You can have em do the same thing: Find out why the case is not updating or whether it was approved or not. Why there was a delay etc.

As I said before, I emailed the embassy several times last week, and they didn't respond at all!

I called the embassy's call center (ustraveldocs), they give you typical responses and nothing new, and I don't think they can do/see anything other than send an email on your behalf to the embassy, which they did but I don't think the embassy even got the email.

1 minute ago, Mohd Al Said said:

Ok what you gonna do now?

Not entirely sure yet. But this has been the worst experience ever.

3 minutes ago, Mohd Al Said said:

When was the last update on ur case?

April 12

Just now, Mohd Al Said said:

Im so happy to hear that bro as i told you before ur case at the embassy and the delay from them but u didnt believe me

That's not the point bro. The point is that they're slacking and lazy to issue a visa for me, you and others too although we were approved and no AP required!

Hey Everyone,

I wanted you all to learn about my recent interactions with the NVC.

I called supervisors at the NVC and they called me back several times too for follow ups. They say that the case is fine and everything is OK. It's the embassy's fault for any delay and that we should "call" them to know what's going on.

Looks like this is the new norm, extra delay in Middle Eastern embassies.

4 hours ago, hy2016 said:

No age difference, we are both Egyptians and j am Egyptian American, same religion. Do you think there is a better chance we get approved if I go with him? Does it make that big of a difference?

I personally believe being present is essential. Especially if you have short face time (visited for a year or less).

It certainly isn't required but having gone through this myself, it could make all the difference in the decision.

Unless you have a perfect case: no red flags, several visits across several years, front-loaded petition (during USCIS filing), many evidence of chats and in-person face time (photos with various dates). etc.

My policy is better safe than sorry, because the regret afterwards is what hurts the most and you'd be blaming yourself for not doing this and that.

6 hours ago, Yasser&Neveen said:

Hello,

was your fiance married before? when my fiance asked why he needs the family registry she was told to know her marital status because she has been divorced 16 years ago even though we submitted her divorce certificate. it's just frustrating that no one is giving any information when you contact them.

29 minutes ago, marmoh said:

No he never married before, but we provided them his family registry. I would think it would just take a couple clicks to figure the marital status out. Yes frustrating and not giving any info. What did they say when u call them?

Guys, simply note this: family registry and individual registry is merely because you have red flags on your case and they want to queue your case in AP, and/or they just want your head to spin. It's true.

But, every case is different too, so all you have to do now is wait.

All of you here are on K-1 visas, just like me. And I've been on AP for 8 months since interview. It's baaad.

So just be patient.

4 hours ago, hy2016 said:

Hi guys, any advice on what my fiance should bring with him to the interview? he has his soon. 

 

So far I am seeing that he should bring a family history document and our viber log, should he screenshot it or is there another way they want it? And I am assuming he should print the log. We are also going to print conversations we have had through whatsapp, facebook messenger, viber, etc. 

 

Any other items that are not "known" that they ask for. 

 

I am divorced, he isnt but I am the petitioner, he will have my divorce decree with him, I don't know if there is something else we should include?

To be prepared is the best thing you can do, indeed.

It's not required but better be prepared for sure, get these 1~2 weeks ahead of the interview:

1-Family registry and

2-Individual registry.

3-Photos (this is the best proof), chat logs (or screenshots)

Is there a big age different? If yes, or you have short face-to-face time/visits, then you will surely need to prove your true intentions to marry for real.

Note that the CO will not necessarily look at any evidence or ask for any, so be prepared to present to him (especially the photos).

You can extract the text from WhatsApp and any other platform, if you have computer skills. But screenshoot several pages and you'll be fine.

If you can compile 1000 pages of emails, chat logs and phone logs. Pick 10~30 pages of most recent (keep a variety of dates) logs from each, and print up 100+ pages of those.

If you can attend the interview with him (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT AND HIGHLY RECOMMENDED), he has to notify the embassy after the interview is scheduled that you're going to accompany him.

Note that you want to minimize all red flags, being there with him will help. It might be difficult but I'd say suffer a little now so you don't suffer much later (with the AP process).

Enjoy =)

Welcome to the club, @Yasser&Neveen and @marmoh.

I hate to be the barer of bad news, but it is true that this delay is affecting everyone.

I think I'm the first to face this since my interview was back in November 2016.

AP: Yes, it might be very true that your case will not be looked at until 4 months pass. And the reason is simple: AP is a very low priority at embassy level, and delaying helps to decrease work load (this is merely strategic).

Medical exam: After 4 months, if they approve your case during AP, medical exam will expire, and they call you on your cell phone to renew it (and probably send the passport with it, just like they did with me and others here), and of course you'll have to repay.

The only good thing about this is that you will receive the second and final dose of vaccination (which you were supposed to receive in the states, and probably pay for in USD, and it's considerably cheaper than in the US).

Your vaccination record will include this update, and will conclude that you no longer need any further examinations/vaccinations.

(This is probably limited to K-1 applicants, because the vaccinations record is required for the Adjustment of Status petition)

We have several topics about all of this that will have several information for you to get through this and understand the entire process. See the links below:

1- Starting at Page 80:

2- Our K-1 AP related thread.

Please, update your timeline here so that we're able to see the progress of your cases.

If you have any questions, you can also post there and/or message me directly.

3 minutes ago, Hq1987 said:

I'm sorry, but I've never heard of any COs at the embassy requesting the applicant's phone or social media account. Maybe at POE but not at the embassy. I also have an Egyptian friend of mine who lives in Kuwait who applied for a B2 visa back in April. He got his visa in less than a week. 

It's not all the same for everyone, or all countries. Search the forums here for example for the form DS-5535 and you'll see what I'm talking about. It wasn't even a male.

Also, in April not all administration staffers were replaced - it happened more like mid to late April.