Laura and Taha

19 minutes ago, Mahmoud Kassab said:

Congratulations on getting approved,
if you don't mind me asking, do you know how much does it cost for the medical in Egypt?
thanks

Thanks! It will depend on the hospital you choose to go to. If you message them on Whatsapp they can let you know. I think total we paid was around 3000 pounds which included a large tip for the nurse.

16 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

As crazy cat says "Wait till after the 2nd year anniversary"

but watch the 6 month from medical exam date as that is when visa expires

September is only 3 months away /hold off as it will save u from going thru the ROC 

He had to redo his medical as we have been in administrative processing since December 2022. He just did his medical today so should be good for September.

Hello,

We are pretty sure my husband's visa will be issued soon as the embassy has requested we send them his passport. My question is, our 2 year wedding anniversary is September 10th. 

Should we wait and have him enter the United States after September 10th? Would it then change to an IR1 visa at the time of entry? Or is it based off when the visa is issued?

Thank you!

3 hours ago, MeG@Am said:

We are actually applying for the spousal visa just yet, because of family medical issues and he can’t leave at this time.  
Do you think we can use the marriage certificate if we book a hotel in Egypt or do we need to register it first?

The larger hotels and all Airbnb have accepted it just fine. We usually do Airbnb if we are not staying with family but have also used it with Hilton, Marriott and Intercontinental.

1 minute ago, MeG@Am said:

Oh that’s awesome!  If you don’t mind me asking, how did you register your marriage to Egypt?  
I have plans on going to Egypt in July and maybe we will just do it together because he’s not so good with technology.  If we do the online wedding, I wonder if we can register our marriage to Egypt and maybe if we can use the marriage certificate booking a hotel?

thank you for your reply.

You are able to register in Egypt after. However, we decided not to as it was so much to get stamps from different places in the USA and then also register with the ministry of justice over there. Maybe we will some day, but haven't yet. It hasn't affected our visa journey.

On 6/7/2023 at 11:30 AM, MeG@Am said:

Hello!

Did anyone have an experience with difficulty on getting an appointment for notary in US Embassy in Cairo?

My fiancé and I are now planning on getting married instead because of family medical issues. 

I will be in Egypt last week of July and first week of August, and we were hoping to get married through civil ceremony.  However, there are always no opening dates to schedule an appointment.

How did anybody schedule their notary appointment?

There was one day opening in May, but because it was a really short notice, it is hard to schedule it because of work.

Hope to hear your experience.

Thanks!

This is one of the reasons we married through the state of Utah online. We could never get any straight answers or appointments with the Embassy in Cairo.

1 minute ago, Boiler said:

Medical is only good for 6 months.

Yes. I'm more so wondering if it's a good sign since we have been in AP.

We have been in AP since last December. Received this message on the CEAC website today although haven't received any emails. Has this happened to anyone else? 

"Please be advised that you are requested to Re-Undertake Medical evaluations."

Hello,

We filed for CR1 and have been in Administrative Processing since our interview in December. I (petitioner) received an unplanned phone call this morning from an officer at the embassy asking a few questions (none of which were very invasive or about our relationship aside from when we met/married). We are going through Cairo, Egypt. Has anyone else experienced this?

18 minutes ago, Inveigh said:

Here is an excellent resource for you friend:

The 221(g) global guide : r/self (reddit.com)

 

 

Thank you. Never knew the colors had meanings. 

3 hours ago, Newcitizen said:

I checked your timeline and it says the beneficiary had their interview on December of 2022. That's around 6 months ago. I think that is too early to file a lawsuit. I think the 6 months in AP is still considered "Reasonable" from what I am seeing. I could be wrong though.

It's actually not too soon. Recommended time to wait is 18 months from the time of initially filing, not from the time of the interview. Reasonable time from the interview is 180 days. 

1 minute ago, Inveigh said:

Greetings friend,

 

I am replying because I would also like to know the answer. Also were you told that you were under 221(g) and given a paper slip? If so what color was it? And were you also issued a DS-5535?

 

Thanks

We are under 221g yes. It was a yellow paper. We did not receive a DS-5535.

Those who have filed a Writ of Mandamus during administrative processing, how long after the summons was issued did it take to see movement on your case? 

28 minutes ago, Beth & Achraf said:

Isn't it a bit early for a Writ of Mandamus?

A/P can take a while,  even if others have received their visas from Cairo, each case if different like a fingerprint.

 

I know first hand how the Embassy is in Cairo,  completely unorganized.  Been there, saw it, done it.

 

 

According to our lawyer, no, it is not too soon. It is recommended to wait 18 months from the date of filing which we have. 

3 hours ago, Essam Mabrouk said:

Guys is there any update ?

Unfortunately not. Our lawyer is filing the Writ of Mandamus next week. So hopefully we will have an answer by August one way or another.

Anyone else currently stuck in limbo with administrative processing with Cairo? If so, how long? Our interview was 12/12/22 and been in AP since. Have watched many others get their visas approved in the meantime. Anytime we email for an update, we receive the same generic response. CR1 visa. Frustrating.

Hey Everyone,

Does anyone know what these writings might mean? We are currently in administrative processing for Egypt. The officer gave his passport back at the interview and had written (in red) on the registration receipt.

1 hour ago, Mike E said:

Your timeline says the interview was less than a month ago.  
 

I am surprised any lawyer is willing to take the case after so little  time.  I don’t see a judge granting WoM yet. 
 

 

The lawyer stated they go by the priority date. Not the interview date. As it's been more than a year, they can file.

Also, they stated it rarely gets to court. Basically it puts pressure on the embassy to make a decision as the embassies usually want to avoid court. 

Hello,

We are looking into filing a Writ of Mandamus suit against the embassy in Cairo, Egypt. I have consulted with an attorney who quoted about $6000.00. 

If anyone knows if that's average or has any recommendations of another attorney please let me know.

Thank you!

3 hours ago, AfroKing said:

On paper, yes but with USC physical presence, things could be swayed a bit. These are just office sections within the same premises. Although they play different roles, USC could literally be offered help to speak to someone at the other section or directed to someone. We all know how this works is just to fulfil some official protocols and all that. If a USC gets into the USC service centre and tell the official their ordeal, they don't get turned away. 

 

Its happened in my consulate severally. I'm not saying it would change any outcome, but its worth a shot since the USC is in the country. if i'm in this shoe, i'll go all out for it

Thank you. I did try, however they are refusing to see me at this time. The embassy in Cairo is not very USC friendly.

1 hour ago, pushbrk said:

Yeah, it would be difficult to highlight or explain her past in a way that would be helpful.  They will know about them and see a pattern.  The pattern is there no matter the explanation.  If it walks and quacks like a duck, they are going to see and hear a duck, particularly if the immigrants were men of means and she is not a woman of means.  There's a lot we don't know, that the Consular office knew.

 

I have a well established career and net over 100K per year. I do not need a man for money. The first man I sponsored, I lived with him and his family in a tiny village in the Sahara desert for one year. Why? Because I loved him and I was hoping to continue living with him there. However, the climate and lack of AC and living conditions proved to much for me which is why I petitioned him to come with me to the states. Unfortunately the marriage ended due to him coming out as homosexual. My second marriage, we were together for two years before filing for the fiance visa. We were then married for almost 8 and had a daughter together. His culture caught up with him (Afghan) and he began to resent me and take it out on me. I stayed with him hoping it would get better but it did not.  Neither men had money or any tangible thing to offer. 

My current husband, although he has a good job in Egypt and I'm very proud of him, the money doesn't exchange well into USD. We were together 2.5 years before getting married.

I would think the CO would be able to see all of this. Unfortunately life happens and it's good not to judge the "duck" sometimes.

55 minutes ago, Ladystarlight said:

I just want to say and this might not be the case with you but I have had zero good experiences with anyone at the US Embassy in Cairo. I’m sorry this has happened to you and I hope it gets resolved very soon. All the employees I’ve had direct communication with have been useless. Good luck to you

I've heard the same as well. Seems the only ones it's easy for are those couples who are both Egyptian.

Just now, Crazy Cat said:

Were you at the interview?

I am here in Egypt now but no, they did not allow anyone in for the interview except those being interviewed.

Just now, Yasmen said:

Yes but in order to help you would need to know why they asked for more . I would ask for more letters from family members . More pics. More hotel bookings 

I've uploaded 200 photos of us and us with family from the start of our relationship (2019) until now, Airbnb/hotel receipts from 9 separate stays and affidavits from my family and his. 

1 minute ago, Yasmen said:

I’m sorry. Is there an age difference between you? 

Yes there is. I do realize there are many red flags. However, that was not spoken about at all in the interview and they are requesting additional proof. I've uploaded everything I can think of already so am looking for suggestions of maybe something I haven't thought of or if I should just reupload everything.