NMHayek

I am sponsoring my husband for the IR1 Visa and we are both living in Egypt. I am preparing my husbands DS-5540 Public Charge form before our interview at the consulate in Egypt.  I would like to have a insurance quote with the document. Has anyone researched insurance plans that a new arrival to the USA can purchase? All the information I have found online seem to indicate that all he can get is short term travel insurance. Anyone purchased insurance yet or gotten any quotes for insurance regarding this?  And which insurance provider did you use?

Since I am located in Egypt, do not have access to employer health insurance in the USA.

I have a few reasons I would like to do this and maybe someone can give me additional advice:

Unfortunately, due to COVID closure we no longer have income here in Egypt! Our entire industry has closed here in Egypt (tourism/ Scuba Dive). He has past income but not currently since March. We have used all our assets here in Egypt to support ourselves during COVID, the assets we have in the USA are to support his Affidavit of Support. We are originally from Dubai but came to Egypt to await the final steps of immigration so we could pursue a few goals we had (getting advance scuba dive training in Sharm El Sheikh, working in the dive industry for experience for future business in the USA). He has excellent work experience from Dubai, bachelor's degree and Occupational Certificates. I am just worried about the income and assets portion so I am trying to check all the boxes I can on this form.

We are making my mom a joint sponsor so we can have that form ready if they ask for one in the interview. Does anyone think it would be beneficial to transfer a couple thousand dollars from the USA to beef up his bank account in Egypt?

This form is really giving me a lot of anxiety, I just found out about this form yesterday because all our documents were submitted and approved before this form was implemented. 

Just now, Punisher said:

in my opinion hving health insurance is very small part of the ds5540 equation. Current income, assets, education, skills, ability to work etc are main determining factors that should be focused on the most. If you can't meet these criteria then I'm afraid having health insurance will do you no good.

 

after all, you need job and/or assets to be able to pay health insurance and even if you lose all of that you still need to get sick for it to become financial burden.
 

depending on whether you are already DQ at NVC or not, you should post either at NVC or Embassy sections.

Ok thank you. 

15 minutes ago, Punisher said:

You are posting in I-130 processing section while you are clearly past that stage.

 

regarding insurance from your employer, make sure the plan allows adding spouse coming in as immigrant or otherwise, or you will have to wait until next "open enrollment" window to be allowed to make such change. While getting married is a qualifying event there might be a time limit to add him outside of "enrollment" window. 5540 asks about insurance within 30 days, if I recall, so make sure you are not claiming something that might not be possible to happen.

 

in my opinion health insurance is very small part of the equation. Current income, assets, education, skills, ability to work etc are main determining factors that should be focused on the most.

Ah I am sorry! Ill see if i can move it. Total accident on my part!

Unfortunately I few factors are against me:

1. I am not located in USA so no employee health insurance

2. Unfortunately, due to COVID closure we no longer have income! His entire industry has closed here in Egypt (tourism/ Scuba Dive). He has past income but not currently since March. We have used all our assets here in Egypt to support ourselves during COVID, the assets we have in the USA are to support his Affidavit of Support. We are originally from Dubai but came to Egypt to await the final steps of immigration so we could pursue a few goals we had (getting advance scuba dive training in Sharm El Sheikh, working in the dive industry for experience for future business in the USA). He has excellent work experience from Dubai, bachelor's degree and Occupational Certificates. I am just worried about the income and assets portion so I am trying to check all the boxes I can on this form. It is really giving me a lot of anxiety (I just found out about this form yesterday).

We are making my mom a joint sponsor so we can have that form ready if they ask for one in the interview. Do you think it would be benificial to transfer a couple thousand dollars from the USA to beef up his bank account in Egypt?

I am so worried. Maybe unnecessarily. 

PLEASE NOTE: I am not located in the USA, I live in Egypt with my husand at the moment. So employee health insurance is not an options for me. Thanks! Unfortunately It doesn't seem I can edit my post.

23 minutes ago, Luckycuds said:

Get a quote from your job/HR of what it would cost to add him to your plan and print that out. Your other option would be to visit healthcare.gov and research plans.

Short term travel insurance would not work as he is immigrating not traveling. 

Sorry I wasn't clear, I am located in Egypt with my husband. I do not live in the USA at the moment, so employee insurance is not available to me. I will amend my post. Could I get insurance from Healthcare.gov while living abroad? And how would that benefit him? Sorry so confusing

On 3/20/2020 at 11:56 AM, KAYA said:

Read my message again , my interview was on 16 March 2020 , you will found all details above   

Hi Kaya and @Mayam, In the interview did they have you fill out the DS-5540  Public Charge form? I just found out about this form yesterday and now am scrabbling. Did you have any health insurance arrangement or quote before the interview. If so which insurance did you have? I am so confused by this form and a little freaked out. Any help or insight would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Hello all, 

I am preparing my husbands DS-5540 Public Charge form before our interview at the consulate. I would like to have a insurance quote with the document. Has anyone researched insurance plans that a new arrival to the USA can purchase? All the information I have found online seem to indicate that all he can get is short term travel insurance. Anyone purchased insurance yet or gotten any quotes for insurance regarding this?  And which insurance provider did you use? Thanks!

2 hours ago, 1MARLEN said:

My guess is that since exceptions were made within the EO that would allow certain visa types entry even though the desire was to stop ALL entries there was a very effective way of preventing entry into the U.S. 

Close all of the embassies and don't reopen them until after the EO expires.

This is just my opinion but it does accomplish exactly what could not be written into the EO. When the order expires we will begin to see embassies reopen.

 

This is not correct and the closure has nothing to do with the Executive Order, US embassies are closed to ALL - even for US Citizens. I am a US Citizen and I cannot even go to my embassy or make an appointment for citizen services.The State department closed the embassies globally due to the COVID/Corona Crisis. I am asking if anyone has heard any news when the embassies might open.

Please no guesses because this is how misinformation is spread, I am asking if anyone has had any news. Thank you!

Just now, NMHayek said:

Hello, has there been any news on when the State Department might allow Embassys to reopen?

My husband case is DCF in Egypt and we both live here and I’ve had a hard time finding any information on what progress or steps or even discussion the State Department is taking/doing to approve reopening.

 

Has anyone heard anything?

 
P.S. I hope I put this in the correct thread, please move if not. 

I should mention I’m not asking when the Egyptian Embassy will open but when the State Department will allow all embassies globally to start opening 

Hello, has there been any news on when the State Department might allow Embassies to reopen around the world?

Just for clarity: I’m not asking about a specific embassy but when the State department will allow embassies to reopen around the world .

My husband case is DCF in Egypt and we both live here and I’ve had a hard time finding any information on what progress or steps or even discussion the State Department is taking/doing to allow embassies to reopen

Has anyone heard anything?

P.S. I hope I put this in the correct thread, please move if not. 

4 hours ago, Paul & Mary said:

State Department has an outline about the Embassies.   I posted a link to the MSNBC story about it somewhere.

Hi Paul and Mary, thank you! I did a google search and I also did a quick search through ur old posts (ur very active! Thank u for sharing your knowledge) but I couldn’t find the link. If you can remember anymore details or know where to find the link please let me know and I’ll try to find it.

thanks! 

Im just putting this out there. Has anyone heard any news about when the state department might reopen reopen operations at the embassies? I’m located in Egypt with my husband. We had his immigration interview schedule for May 17 and it got canceled. Just imagine being at the finish line and it cancels and in the middle of a pandemic! Ahhhh! I can only laugh at this point. Anyways, I’m assuming there is no news but maybe I missed something. Thanks! 

51 minutes ago, virgie6810 said:

Did they notify you that your appointment was cancelled?

Oh and btw If the calendar is not showing dates on the website that means those months are filled. So don’t worry about it. If they are going to cancel they will tell u a few weeks in advance 

49 minutes ago, virgie6810 said:

Did they notify you that your appointment was cancelled?

They scheduled the appointment through email - I did not do it through the website. They called us on the phone To cancel . I am sure u will get a phone call or email if it is canceled 

1 hour ago, Jody and Misho said:

I would like to know why the calendar for scheduling interview is currently open with September, October, November.....etc.  We have an interview scheduled for July 1.  I check this every day.  When we scheduled that date, the calendar was showing July, August, September, etc.

 

If our interview is not intended to happen, wouldn't they cancel it officially?  Someone please advise on this.

That canceled my schedule appointment 3 weeks in advance. The thing that really sucked is we just paid all the money for the medical exam the day before. If we had know we would have waited since finances are tight. But just keep it and wait to hear from them. 

2 hours ago, SETETA said:

They called us and said they will call again with the nearest appt time as soon as they reopen. So at least we know they got it! Now we just wait for the COVID closures to end. Keep me updated if you hear anything.  

Oh that’s awesome! They haven’t abandoned us haha. Thanks for telling me Bc now I have a little hope that we haven’t been forgotten haha. I will keep updated too! Please do the same  

8 hours ago, SETETA said:

Lol-that is the question indeed! Glad you at least got an appointment. I will just need to wait until I hear from  them. I don't think I am in the system yet. Stay strong and be safe! 

Yes I think it takes about 2 weeks for them to receive it and process it. I forgot to mention that. But idk if anything has changed. Hopefully they won’t call u and make an appointment and then cancel it. 😑😑😑😑 I was so mad lol

Following this. I’m stuck in Egypt With my husband. We had an interview scheduled for May 17 for his immigration visa but it got canceled. Hope for good news soon

3 hours ago, SETETA said:

Have you tried to reschedule via the website? This K1 applicant Jody and Misho  has for July. Is this where you scheduled your first appt?

 

Also, which e-mail are you using to contact the embassy? 

 

They are supposed to schedule it for you Via email. I first scheduled it for July on the website and then they contacted me via email for an earlier date... so idk if the online appointments is valid. Doesn’t hurt to make one then cancel it later if they contact you. Which I have done.
yes there is someone - somewhere reviewing things but whether they are in Egypt or not is the question. 
yes please keep me updated thanks!! 

7 hours ago, SETETA said:

  Hi How long did it take from your approved expedite to your interview scheduling? I just received my expedite approval and my case is in transit from NVC to the embassy. Also how long until you receive your interview letter with instructions? Thank you so much and congratulations!

They embassy canceled all the interviews for May , including my expedited cases. We received a phone call Mid April, a day after doing ‘my husband’s medical exam 😑, from the embassy with 0 explanation and that we would be contacted for rescheduling. I haven’t heard a word from them since  and my phone calls to the embassy were not successful. I talked to an officer In the embassy and she promised to look into it to get back to me in a week but she never bothered to call or email us - it’s been about a month now since I talked to her.

 I also talked to other people who had interviews and they all confirmed their appointments for May were canceled with the same phone call. 
It seems that they are not even operating anymore. Tho I cannot get any clear answers, a lot of online researching seems to indicated that most embassy employees around were sent back to the USA. The immigration office in the USA embassy doesn’t even answer emails anymore. I was told by the embassy operators That was the only way to contact the immigration department and I’ve sent many emails and no one has answered.

I have no answers and apparently no one else does either. But I expect the backlog to be starting in April after the initial halt in immigration appointments. So you maybe looking at least 3 month more AFTER the embassy starts operations again - because they do appointment I order of received, so any expedited appointments in April will go first, in theory. And we have no idea when operations will start again. 
Those are my predictions from my experience and research. 
I’m still in Egypt with my husband and neither one of us have work or any type  of income (we are from the tourism market). I’m really praying for them to open operations again asap

39 minutes ago, KAYA said:

Hi , 

you don`t need to pay any thing on embassy if you are paid all fees on NVC  , only after approval they will give you a doc to pay 220 USD for IV fees for Green Card 

 

 

that all , good luck for you inashllah , do you receive your IL  ? 

 

Regards 

 

Hi thank you so much! Yes today I received a scheduled interview from from the Cairo Embassy. I requested NVC to expedite my paperwork, the request was approved and they sent all my paperwork directly to the Cairo Embassy and the embassy made my appointment for us for next month.

I had valid reasons and strong documentation that allowed my case to be expedited. If anyone needs information they can google NVC expedite and there is a lot of information on who may qualify

thank you for the info! 

On 3/20/2020 at 11:40 AM, KAYA said:

Hello , my brother and sister`s 

 

let me share my experience to help each other 

 

DQ Date : 27 Sep 2019 

IL : 27 Feb 2020 

Interview Date 16 March 2020  

interview Status : APPROVED 

 

Interview Day : 

Interview by young lady ask me the following Q

1- what is your marriage date 
2- when did you meet 
3- who is attend your wedding and how many person 
4- what are you doing for living 
5- what you wife doing for living 
6- where she live 
7- Do you have a photos 
8- do you remember your first met with your wife & when & where 

and she returned back to me the original document , and she told me Ok your visa is approved 

 

that`s all she did not  ask for  a copy of any thing just take 3 original doc ( marriage Certificate , Birth  Certificate , criminal  record )  , 

 

about medical examination it`s Online i make it in AL Shrouk hospital and they upload  the result online  no need to take it , 

about Packet that embassy will give to your with your passport ( there is no Packet only your passport you will take it and the packet become online also now 

 

Notes : have to make a album photo for your and your wife or Husband it`s very important  make some one nice to bring it with you in the interview 

 

 

please make sure that all of you complete your timeline on your profile to help each other it`s very important for all of us  

 

goo luck for all of you inshallah and i hope every thing become great for all my brother and sister inshallah ,,

 

 

 

thanks alot for all of you 

regards 

 

Hi Kaya and everyone, May I ask you if there was any additional fee you had to pay at the embassy on The day or before the day of your immigration interview at the embassy? I am making a budget for all expenses and trying to avoid surprises  I am already aware of the medical exam fees of course. 

thank you! 

13 hours ago, George George said:

The only thing i would think of is that you were very close to get your interview date But it was cancelled. When was your DQ ??

Nov 22, 2019! So you maybe right! Oh could they send me a more torturous email? 😭😭😭😭😭😭  I just want to go home , I’m not leaving Egypt without my husband, esp now. Thank you for your response 

Hello all, did anyone get an email like this?? I know the Cairo Embassy is not holding interview now. But NVC never sent me an appointment date! Believe me I just searched all my inbox and spam to make sure. Maybe it’s just something automatic they sent to everyone? Appointment or not? How confusing! Now I’m worried I’m not getting emails. Let me know if anyone else recieved this

Dear S.......,

We previously notified you of the date and time of your immigrant visa interview at the U.S.Embassy/Consulate General in CAIRO, EGYP.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have to cancel this interview. We will schedule a new interview appointment as soon as possible and notify you of the date and time. There is no need for you to take action at this time.

If you have any questions, please contact us by following the instructions at https://nvc.state.gov/inquiry.

Regards,
National Visa Center,
U.S. Department of State
https://nvc.state.gov/ask

On 2/21/2020 at 7:57 PM, ny to la said:

Just received interview letter for interview at US embassy in Egypt. The interview is less than two weeks from now so I need to act fast, Tried to register address for passport delivery but couldn't create an account. How long does it take to be able to create account after IL was issued?

Also how long does it take to get medical exam results after the appointment?

 

Thanks,

Hi! Congrats on your interview! How did your process go? I just saw this topic while searching on this site. Were you able to register for site? I was having issues too. I haven’t received IL yet but trying to be prepared.

Im surprised they only gave you 2 weeks notice! I thought it was 30 days notice. When was your DQ date?

Thank you!!!