Ahmed & Sue

Annie,

Your father, and your family are in my prayers. God be with you.

Sue

Hello All,

It's been so long since I've been online. I hope all is going well for everyone.

Things are slow here, but Ahmed has been hired as a substitute teacher's aid. He is in the process of updateing his bachelor's degree so he can teach here. It's been crazy, and we constantly go through a learning process. Everything takes so much time. However, I feel confident he is headed in the right direction.

Oh, and he had told the superintendant that hired him he was worried about his accent. Turns out the superintendant wasn't. So folks.......never let the little things stop you.

I wish you all the best. And again, thank you for everything. I couldn't have held it together so long without you.

As a note........I spoke with Deb of Deb and Ali, and she said her fiance had another interview today. It's been well over 3 years for them. Let's all send some mojo her way.

Many, many thanks,

Sue

Thank you to everyone who has helped us through this visa process. Ahmed arrived in Chicago on Aug 7th, and we married in our yard Aug 16th. Short, simple and beautiful. Having 2 and a half years to plan made things easier, and we were more than ready to marry once he arrived.

Since marrying, we have stayed extremely busy both working as well as totally remodeling our rental property. That renovation was completed the second week of November, and we are now starting to remodel our primary residence while looking for another property to purchase and redo. There are times I have wanted to pull my hair out wondering how we were going to complete the current rental by the Dec. 1st deadline we had, but we managed to do it ahead of schedule.

At the same time, Ahmed has learned to drive. He was working and having to wait for me 2 hours in the afternoon. He used this time to study the rules of the road and pass his test. He drove on a permit until last week when he went and actually got his drivers license. This is the first time he has ever driven a car. There was no need for it in Egypt. We have spent night after night the last two weeks driving around the local town's drivers license facility so he knew the area and felt comfortable taking the test.

Doesn't sound like much, but he has done alot in the short time he has been here. Not only has he gotten his license, but he had to assume the job of electrician, plumber, carpenter and general repair man. Not bad for a 3rd and 4th grade teacher that's learning.

We just received his college degree back from evaluation by the international school transcrip system. The plan is to get him registered at Illinois State University in Bloomington, IL so he can update his bachelors degree, and resume teaching here.

Everyone has been extremely helpful to guide us along the processes. I want to especially thank all you VisaJourney people who answered all our questions, kept us in your prayers, and check in to see how things are going.

To those of you still waiting........

Sometimes it is forever, and the depression can get overbearing. But when you finally get your loved one here with you, it is all worth it. Never give up. Do whatever it takes to keep going.

Again, Thank You to Everyone, and may they speed this whole visa process up!

Take Care,

Sue

Thank you all. It is a crazy process, and I sure appreciate all the support you all gave me along the way. I pick him up next Thursday night from Chicago, Ohare. I can't wait.

Let's see the rest of these visa's that have sat for so long moved. I know there are others besides me waiting longer than me. Let's all continue to keep them in our prayers.

Again, Thank You!!!

Sue

Ahmed finally received his visa! He is in the process is acquiring all his college transcripts and getting things translated. His flight is booked for Thurs. Aug.7th.

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!! Over 2 years since we first filed, with a year of that spent in AP, but we are finally gonna be together.

Thank you to everyone who sent mojo our way. Also thank you for keeping my spirits up in the process.

I am gonna continue to pray for those of you still waiting.

Sue

LOL...........it's only when I diet that I get crabby and fight.

We all must be eating good! Either that or Amal let us all use that messageing squirrel and we are just too relaxed to care.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!

Questions???????

Like what? Ok, I'm thinking of buying a motorcycle. Actually, I am bidding on one on ebay right now. Any suggestions?

Sue

The Forum Interview Cheerleading Thread Vol. 2, All those waiting for interviews/results

I tried taking you to the forum, but am not sure how to do it. I put cheerleading thread in a forum search, and looked it up. Wife of Mahmoud keeps up with all the people in processing, and with visa's issued. I only posted the two I talk to and know for sure are still going through AP.

Thanks for the support, and congratulations on your approval.

Sue

Lynn.........

Deb and Ali have waited far longer than us. I think Tammy is still waiting too.

Thanks for the prayers,

Sue

Best of luck to you......

We are going into our 6th week of "review for issuance". At one point we were put back into administrative processing. All I am saying is that it ain't over til the visa is in hand.

And yes, it drives you nuts. Join the club. Hey, they formed an "I'm married to a hot Arab" club, why didn't we form an "In AP/AR and going nuts if you want to join us" club???? Maybe we need a separate column just to vent. Might help. Maybe having somewhere to vent on the really bad days would relieve some of the stress. And let me tell you, dealing with the Cairo embassy is ALL about stress!

Hope things happen fast for you.

LOL Charles.........make mine 3 scoops. Think I deserve it!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!

Finally!

Sue

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! Best wishes to you both

Sue

Estadia,

DOS.......well, it's good you call, but at the same time frustrating. Monday I called and they told me we were back in AP. I was a wreck. 2 years of processing, to be in review and thinking they were close to a conclusion, and we're put back into AP. And let me tell you, the person on the other end was not friendly at all. She answered my questions, but vaguely.

Today, I emailed Cairo and was told we are in review. Again, stupid me called DOS, wanting to clarify what "review" meant. The lady today was extremely helpful, explained things to me, and told me the case is waiting one security clearance and when that is complete, the case will be processed. She told me to call next week, because from the embassy's notes on the case it looked like it would be soon they would have an answer.

So, only saying, it seems when I call, the case at least gets touched. Someone takes notice of it. And actually, I had one operator tell me the last date I had called and inquired about the case. They keep track. If I was you, no matter how hard it is, I would still continue to call weekly and ask about your case. It always seems to be after I email or call we have some type of movement with our case.

I am very sorry you are going through this. I really don't see how they can give you a time frame. I would take it as someone who was having a bad day and did not want to deal with anybody. Don't let it get you down. If you do, it will destroy you. I know. It is very hard to bring yourself out of the rut it puts you in. When it gets really bad for me, I think about the others who have been in AP way longer than myself. Some have had 3 and 4 year waits. I wonder how they did it, and then I think to myself.........if they could do this, why can't I?

Stay positive.

Sue

LynnandAhmed,

It is harder some days than others. The past few days have been the hardest. Just hang in there.

I am at the point I just want this whole thing to be over. I am not handeling it very well at all anymore.

Sue

Ali Kahn,

Best of luck to you, but we are going through the exact same thing. DOS says one thing, the embassy says another. After being told our security checks were done, we were told today he still has security clearances, and we are back in administrative processing. It is very disheartening. And yes, we submitted an entire new package with a new physical, and Affidavit of Support, as well as the visa they asked for. 5 weeks now since he has had a second interview(and after being told a couple weeks and the visa should be issued) we are still waiting a decision. Cairo tells us the case is in review and pending issuance, DOS tells us we are in administrative processing with security clearances for him to go through. Yes, it is frustrating to say the least. Over 2 years of frustrating.

I really hope for a speedy journey for you because this visa journey will drive a person insane.

Take Care,

Sue

I agree to all ....age really dnt matter till you know whats in ur heart.I am 56 and he is 31...so theres a 25 yrs age difference.Somepeople look at us when they hear of it. So long our compatibility goes its fine and great.It may cause some trouble when we get more elder say after 15 yrs or so ...but then you can decide future from today.Yes so long Love is concerened age doesnt matter.

*************

Hope you don't mind if i ask you >>>How do you deal with your young partner when it comes to his personal needs...like you know what i mean? don't need to reply if you feel not to ok...

I'll answer that for you.........I am 42, my husband was 76 when he passed away 3 years ago. All 3 of our children are his, the oldest being 22, and the youngest being 11. Wish the rest of you the same.

Sue

LynnandAhmed,

Good luck with this one. My fiance had a second interview June 2nd, and left with the case being in review. We were told this means they are ready to make a decision on it. Anyway, next thing we know, Cairo tells us we are back in administrative processing, and it should take a couple weeks. After 2 weeks, Cairo again told us there was further administrative processing to be done, but they hoped to have it completed in another 3 weeks. Well, this is our 5th week since the interview. We have emailed Cairo last week, and they told us we are in review, pending issuance. We emailed them today, and they tell us the case is still being reviewed. I called DOS today hopeing to get a good response, only to be told, as of June 23rd, we are still in administrative processing, with security clearances needing to be completed for him. I might add, the letter from Cairo stating we are in review was written before June 23rd. Now I am wondering are they just trying to shut us up or what? I am so upset about all of it.

I really hope you have better luck than us. But to answer your question, yes, we have been told we were pending issuance, and then put back into administrative processing.....with the assurance it was nothing personal to my fiance. That sure put my mind at ease!

Sue

My fiance is in Egypt, and my cell phone provider does not cover that country. I use www.ipipi.com and purchase 50 or 100 international text messages at a time. I think 100 text messages cost me $12.50. I use my phone to send the message to ipipi, and ipipi forwards it to his phone for me. I might add, there is no contract I need for this. It is a US number the message is sent to, so I get charged the .05cents to sent to ipipi, and the .125cents for them to send it for a total of seventeen and a half cents per message. I like this because the messages do not have an expiration date.

The service this past 2 and a half years has been very reliable for me. Most messages are delivered immediately. I might add, my mobil phone knowledge is very limited, but the instructions on the site were very easy for me to follow and start useing it. For me, doing it this way is less expensive that paying a monthly charge for international service, and then a per message fee. You might check it out.

Best of luck to you both,

Sue

From what I have seen, there is no "average time" for MENA SO's. It seems to differ depending on each individual case. You can add it all up and come up with a number, but what I think you are looking for is a time frame cases are processed through the embassy. From what I have seen, there is a wide range of variances.

Sue

Best Wishes For You Both!

Sue

WOW!!!!!

You are almost there. Don't get impatient now. At least you know it was issued.

Hope for a speedy process,

Sue

What's the difference between AP and AR?

When I called the Department of State, she told me we were in Administrative Review. Apparently Administrative Review means they are ready to make a decision on the case, at least that is what the assistant on the phone at DOS told me. Administrative Processing means they are still processing your paperwork and information.

I can say, after being in Administrative Review, we are now put back into Administrative Processing. So, although AR sounds more hopeful, it really doesn't mean a thing.

Hope I answered your question.

Sue