emilybug

wow Emily! that is great news now you have a time frame now. It's amazing how whenever you feel all the doors have closed; one opens

It's always possible that she was calling me "fishing" for bona fides due to our age difference---but it's not THAT much of a gap!!!

And she was nice and all, but I still worry about the AP time frame, these people on here are not just making it up when they say it was one year or 7 months or 8 months.....

What if she was not satisfied with my answers and still denies us?

All of these things go thru my head...

OK guys....I have some news.

This morning when I was at work, the CO that interviewed my husband called me. She's American, sounds about my age, and was soooooo kind. She laughed and joked with me, and she said that she likes to talk to both people, the petitioner and the beneficiary, to feel confident about the visa. I just told her our story, and she was agreeing with me as I talked, and she asked me a few questions, and it was interesting, because the tone of her questions was like.....making sure that I feel sure about our relationship. She asked me if I have any concerns about our age difference. (I am 32 and my husband is almost 26, but if you look at our pics you would never know I'm older). I told her no, that it's never even been a topic of discussion, and that we love one another for reasons that have nothing to do with age. She asked me if I have any concerns about religious differences. I told her no, that I was initially drawn to my husband BECAUSE of his moral character and kind heart, and that qualities like that are impossible to find here. She laughed and said she understands. She asked me if I had any concerns that my husband was just marrying me for a green card. I laughed, and told her no, and I said "you don't know my husband very well". I proceeded to tell her that he has to come here because it would be impossible for me to move there, due to language barriers, economy, and that it would be hard for me to work there. She agreed, and told me that she studied Arabic for a year and a half, and that she still can't speak it. She told me that she did not mean any offense by her questions, and nothing personal towards my husband, just these are questions that she feels she needs to ask the American citizen. I told her it's fine and I do not take any offense at all. We talked about my family, and his family, and my daughter, and I told her that he and I have code words and phrases that we use with one another that no one else would understand, just normal things between couples. She laughed. She told me that he was very well prepared for his interview, and that she was looking at our pics, and that we have really nice pictures. We talked for 21 minutes, very pleasant conversation, and at the end, she told me that everything is fine, and that it sounds like the two of us will be really happy together, and that all they are waiting on is his security checks to come back. (I called DOS this morning and was told that they are working on it). She told me that it can be anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 or 3 months, but that they do not have a current high incidence of cases taking longer than that. I told her that I have read 7 months or more, and she said currently, that is not the case. She said if a case pends for 6 months, then they have a right to make an official inquiry to Washington for an explanation of what the hold up is. She told me that they check their system twice a day for cases that are "in que" which means they have been sent back with completed security checks, and once his is clear, they will call him to send his passport.

I feel such a relief after talking to her, because now I know exactly what is happening and that we have nothing to worry about as far as denial. We just have to wait for the security checks.

Hope this info helps anyone who is pending from Cairo.

Emily

LISA-----

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!! I'm so happy for you, and I know you must feel so nervous. I know I will be when it's my turn. I was a little thinner the last time my husband saw me.....

OK guys....I have some news.

This morning when I was at work, the CO that interviewed my husband called me. She's American, sounds about my age, and was soooooo kind. She laughed and joked with me, and she said that she likes to talk to both people, the petitioner and the beneficiary, to feel confident about the visa. I just told her our story, and she was agreeing with me as I talked, and she asked me a few questions, and it was interesting, because the tone of her questions was like.....making sure that I feel sure about our relationship. She asked me if I have any concerns about our age difference. (I am 32 and my husband is almost 26, but if you look at our pics you would never know I'm older). I told her no, that it's never even been a topic of discussion, and that we love one another for reasons that have nothing to do with age. She asked me if I have any concerns about religious differences. I told her no, that I was initially drawn to my husband BECAUSE of his moral character and kind heart, and that qualities like that are impossible to find here. She laughed and said she understands. She asked me if I had any concerns that my husband was just marrying me for a green card. I laughed, and told her no, and I said "you don't know my husband very well". I proceeded to tell her that he has to come here because it would be impossible for me to move there, due to language barriers, economy, and that it would be hard for me to work there. She agreed, and told me that she studied Arabic for a year and a half, and that she still can't speak it. She told me that she did not mean any offense by her questions, and nothing personal towards my husband, just these are questions that she feels she needs to ask the American citizen. I told her it's fine and I do not take any offense at all. We talked about my family, and his family, and my daughter, and I told her that he and I have code words and phrases that we use with one another that no one else would understand, just normal things between couples. She laughed. She told me that he was very well prepared for his interview, and that she was looking at our pics, and that we have really nice pictures. We talked for 21 minutes, very pleasant conversation, and at the end, she told me that everything is fine, and that it sounds like the two of us will be really happy together, and that all they are waiting on is his security checks to come back. (I called DOS this morning and was told that they are working on it). She told me that it can be anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 or 3 months, but that they do not have a current high incidence of cases taking longer than that. I told her that I have read 7 months or more, and she said currently, that is not the case. She said if a case pends for 6 months, then they have a right to make an official inquiry to Washington for an explanation of what the hold up is. She told me that they check their system twice a day for cases that are "in que" which means they have been sent back with completed security checks, and once his is clear, they will call him to send his passport.

I feel such a relief after talking to her, because now I know exactly what is happening and that we have nothing to worry about as far as denial. We just have to wait for the security checks.

Hope this info helps anyone who is pending from Cairo.

Emily

Oh boy. Reading all of this has depressed me further.

My husband is under A/P from April 23. That's only 2 weeks and I'm already stressing. I would be ok with all of it if I just knew exactly what the problem is and had a date to look forward to.

To the only other person on here from Egypt....I feel your pain, I really do. Looks like you are on almost the same timeline as my husband. Feel free to contact me if you need to express your feelings. I understand completely.

Congratulations Moh!! I really am so happy for you. I wish so much that my husband was getting the same call.....(Cairo embassy)

I really need some encouraging words I am so down, and so discouraged with this whole situation. I can't find anything that brings me joy now. I feel like I was so pumped when we found out that his interview was scheduled so fast after he sent in his paperwork. (I need to create a timeline). Then he had the interview, and we were so expecting they would keep his passport and that he would receive his visa maybe after a couple of weeks. Didn't happen.

The thing that makes me feel so bad is that EVERYTHING I have read about Cairo depicts them as the slowest consulate for processing. I honestly don't know how I will go this indefinite amount of time without him. I feel like I want to give up my home, pack all my things and just go to him, but I know that is not the answer. He has a good job, but you know the economy is different there, and he would never be able to support me. He has no A/C in his home, and I would die. Also, I have an 8 year old daughter who requires special care, and has been in and out of psychiatric hospitals for the last 3 years, so I can't just leave her and there is no way I can move her to Egypt.

I just feel sick about this, like I want to cry all the time. I have an attorney, who is paid in full and offers no help or suggestions. I basically could have done this on my own. I just feel so bad, and when I talk to my husband every day I am reminded of what terrible working conditions he's under, and that makes me feel worse. He doesn't complain, but I know him well enough to know he's miserable, going to work at 7am and sometimes not getting home until 11pm.

I just feel so helpless, and feel like this nightmare will never end.

He has no criminal record, and fingerprints came back ok. I just don't understand.

Emily

I know what you're going through I'm so sorry it happened to you but honestly you are on the VERY final step!! Trust me time flies by even tho right now it seems like each day as long as a month...but try to be positive and have faith....keep yourself as busy as you can and think of him coming very soon but he is only taking care of things before he gets here...and I swear suddenly you wouldn't even know where the time went!! If you don't have anything to keep you busy; start anything to occupy you as much as you can. Remind yourself everyday you're almost there to motivate yourself

CONGRATULATIONS MOHAMMED!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for your kind words. Sometimes I feel like I am a big pity party.

I hopped over to another thread all about A/P and felt even worse, but none of them were from Egypt, so maybe ours will be different.

But...I did get concerned about something else.....how do I know if the 221g means they are sending our case back to the USCIS and requesting revocation? I've read some horror stories about that too. I think I need to call DOS.

Congratulations Moh!! I really am so happy for you. I wish so much that my husband was getting the same call.....(Cairo embassy)

I really need some encouraging words I am so down, and so discouraged with this whole situation. I can't find anything that brings me joy now. I feel like I was so pumped when we found out that his interview was scheduled so fast after he sent in his paperwork. (I need to create a timeline). Then he had the interview, and we were so expecting they would keep his passport and that he would receive his visa maybe after a couple of weeks. Didn't happen.

The thing that makes me feel so bad is that EVERYTHING I have read about Cairo depicts them as the slowest consulate for processing. I honestly don't know how I will go this indefinite amount of time without him. I feel like I want to give up my home, pack all my things and just go to him, but I know that is not the answer. He has a good job, but you know the economy is different there, and he would never be able to support me. He has no A/C in his home, and I would die. Also, I have an 8 year old daughter who requires special care, and has been in and out of psychiatric hospitals for the last 3 years, so I can't just leave her and there is no way I can move her to Egypt.

I just feel sick about this, like I want to cry all the time. I have an attorney, who is paid in full and offers no help or suggestions. I basically could have done this on my own. I just feel so bad, and when I talk to my husband every day I am reminded of what terrible working conditions he's under, and that makes me feel worse. He doesn't complain, but I know him well enough to know he's miserable, going to work at 7am and sometimes not getting home until 11pm.

I just feel so helpless, and feel like this nightmare will never end.

He has no criminal record, and fingerprints came back ok. I just don't understand.

Emily

don't know what it is, but lately I have been feeling really sad. I'm not sure if it is hormones or what. I feel like crying. Nothing really seems to make me happy. I keep trying to figure out what is wrong with me.

I don't know if it is the waiting game. the uncertainty of approval. being tired of my current life. I know I haven't been waiting as long as others and that I have a long way to go. But I am really tired of all this.

Things haven’t exactly been easy for us. Frustrations have been the name of the game lately, but like we’ve made it through before, I know we can keep making it through. I know we can get everything we want out of

life. It might take a while, but we can do it.

God I miss my husband every minute

:crying:

Jackie))))))))))))

I know you feel depressed and feel like this is never going to end......but try to remember all you have accomplished so far: at least you have your first approval!!! From here it will get transferred to the Consulate and the next few steps go quickly. Hopefully you will not have the dreaded AP like most of us here have gotten. That's what my husband and I are caught in now.

Just try to be positive, and think about where you were a year ago. Not yet married, not yet filing the petitions. That's what my husband reminds me when I start feeling like this, he tells me to think about how far we've come and everything we have completed thus far. I know it's hard, and it's awful to be without your husband.....sometimes I put my husband's cologne on my arms at night before I sleep so I can smell him as I drift to sleep.......

Hang in there.

Emily

Hi Moh,

Looks like you and me are in the same boat at about the same time-----AP!!! My husband's interview was on April 23 and when he left they didn't even tell him anything about AP, just gave him the white slip with NO BOXES MARKED, so I emailed the consulate and was told AP, we will contact you when completed. SOOOOOOOOOO frustrating.

I don't know about your fiancee's consulate, but I think my husband's is super slow (Cairo). I think all we can do is sit back, try to relax, and keep reminding ourselves that AT LEAST we are on the very last step, and try to remember how much we have accomplished so far. Just remember that after the AP is done, it's done, and then we will be reunited with our loved ones.

Inshaallah it will be soon, because I really miss my husband more than I can ever say.

Jackie, I think your hubby needs to book the next flight out and come home to you. I know you are going crazy missing him and not knowing from one day to the next what will happen or what he will decide.

Thanks everyone for your support.

Emily

Fortunately, we are able to keep things alive and I'm grateful for that. We each talk about our day, our families, the little things that happen. He and I share the same sense of humor, and that really helps alot. It's an odd day that he doesn't make me laugh, even when he doesn't mean to. He and I have decided to expect the worse, yet hope for the best in terms of AP. I don't feel very encouraged, and the reason is because I see more people saying that Cairo is notorious for slow processing. I've been there, I see that they don't get in a hurry for much of anything other than driving

I just wish I knew what they were doing that takes so long......

Thank you EVERYONE for welcoming me.............

I think it's going to help me tremendously to have a place to vent, where others know EXACTLY what I'm feeling. It's so easy for family and friends to sigh and say "oh well, he'll be here before you know it..." and things like that, but that is no comfort at all! I honestly feel that I cannot focus on ANYTHING other than this situation. Same for my husband. We talk twice a day on the phone, and we take turns being strong for one another. For the first few days after his interview, he barely got off his bed...his dad kept urging him "Yousif, you HAVE to get up, you can't stay like this..." so I was the strong one. Then it shifted and I fell apart, as the reality hit me that we are in a time frame now with no specific end. I have a serious lack of understanding how it's even POSSIBLE that AP can take longer than the wait for the initial approval from USCIS. The whole purpose of this visa is to REDUCE the time you are away from your spouse. I have contemplated moving to Cairo, but there are so many obstacles that make that not a wise choice for us.

I truly feel he is my soulmate, and I know you girls know exactly what I mean. You know that feeling.....the one where when something happens in your daily life, be it big or small, no matter what it is, HE is the person you want to tell first. And you think, Oh I can't WAIT to tell my husband, he'll love this! And then you remember that you are separated by 8 hours and he's probably in bed and you can't call him and wake him up to tell him the silly thing your co-worker did. (Sigh)

Jackie----I have been so intrigued by your posts on here.....I feel like I can sooooo relate to your hourly agonizing over the AP. I'm the same way. It eats me alive. I feel I don't care about anything other than WHEN I'M GOING TO GET TO BE WITH MY HUSBAND AGAIN.

Another girl here, (sorry I don't know everyone's names yet), whose AP lasted over a year......I feel SICK in my stomach when I see that. How did you ever survive it?

And another, 7 months of AP thru Cairo, where I see that your file sat on the CO's desk for 2 months post interview before they even sent the background checks to Washington to begin. It's heartbreaking.

The CO's don't care about us, we are just a number to them. They go home to their husbands and wives every night and don't think more about people like us. I realize that there are mandatory security checks that have to be done, but I was under the impression that those were done at the USCIS and NVC levela, prior to ever reaching consulates abroad.....?

And maybe I have run out of things to feel excited and to hope for. First it was NOA1, then it was the approval notice (I remember my husband and I were on the phone on a Sunday afternoon when I randomly checked the website and saw that we were approved), then it was the NVC notice that our case was sent, then it was packet 3, then it was the call about the interview..............now it's nothing. Endless waiting. My phone bills are eating me alive, but we have to talk to each other every day. We are like oxygen for one another.

Does anyone know anything about these security checks? Is it Condor, Mantis, and IBIS?

My kudos and sympathy and congratulations to all of you brave ladies on here (and men) who are trying to get through this mess of separation. It's the hardest thing emotionally I've ever done.

Emily

Hi everyone!

My name is Emily, from Tulsa, Ok and my husband is Egyptian. We got married in Cairo June 2, 2008. I filed for K3 with the help of attorney, thru VSC in August of 2008. Both the I129F and the I130 were approved at the same time, on Feb 26. NVC sent our case to the Consulate in Cairo right away, and my husband just had his interview on April 23, one week ago today. We have a perfect case, from the start. He took with him to his interview tons of proof, but the CO didn't keep anything, and barely looked at any of it. He said that she was very nice and that he answered all the questions perfectly. In the end, she said to him "everything looks nice and good, but..." and he said "but?" and she said "we will call you" and gave him back his passport along with 221g paper, with NONE of the boxes marked. She said maybe 10 days, maybe a month. I have been emailing the consulate every day, and unfortunately, we are in the dark hole of AP and I am so discouraged. I have been up reading this forum for 2 nights now, and finally decided to join. I can't believe how this AP can drag on forever. I really thought we were at the end of this journey, and really am so disappointed now.

My heart goes out to each and every one of you here. I understand how completely awful this situation is, no matter where you are in the journey.

I am married to a wonderful man, and have no doubts that we will survive this separation, but I haven't seen him since last June, and hope and pray this will end soon for all of us.

Emily