Questions about Cairo Consulate Packet Requirements

[Ahmed N Cheryl 0]

Karmella follow your instructions on your Packet 3. Use the online forms to make sure you have the most recent forms. And if you are concerned about anything email the embassy yourself.

Different people get different answers from them. As I said the only thing consistent with Cairo is that they are ALWAYS inconsistent. It is not as hard as it seems.

The photo copies of your passport will be fine. I have seen it both ways. Some follow the packet 3 instructions and send the original some email and are told the copies are fine but bring original to Interview. But they were still scheduled an Interview without problems.

Some did the translations and others left the translations out. Both still got Interview scheduled without problems.

I am not saying one way is more right than the other or one is more wrong than the other.

But with Cairo you never know. So just follow your Packet 3 instructions carefully and if you have questions ask them via email. But I think either way is fine as long as you bring the originals with you to the Interview.

Good Luck!!

Cheryl

[Ahmed N Cheryl 0]

Yes this is a pretty good comprehensive list by Faith.

As I said before we CHOSE to include the translations of the papers they were not requested from us. We also CHOSE to include the Original Passport as the instructions in Packet 3 said because we emailed them and they did not respond to us in a timely manner. Therefore we used the information available to us at the time.

We also received an Interview date without problems or request for additional information. During our Interview the only thing we were asked for was the original of my divorce decree.

So either way will be fine. Do it the way you prefer.

Cheryl

[KHPerfectMatch 1]

Thanks a BUNCH Cheryl... I'm sure we called both of these and didn't get any answer, but now it looks like our "translatin'"days in egypt are over. I have much better luck getting it done here and actually if I was there we'd do it together since my husband is fluent and English and Arabic, but just doesn't have the computer skills to write it up in a neat way (like I could do...) and he isn't the stickler for detail that I am!

I'd be most grateful if you could give me the doc's name and number. That would help Hesham alot! He has so little time for fooling around doing all this and I'm so tired of waiting for him to get here. I've made 3 trips to Alex in the last 12 months and I am exhausted. Don't think my obligations here will let me make another trip any time soon.

What part of Alex do you live in? Will you be going again soon? We live in Ibrahemia near Mena Mall, do you know it?

Best Regards,

K

There are only two in Alexandria listed.

ALEXANDRIA:

Gizelle George Habil Ibrahim

(03) 5496842 - 012-2967 419

Email:gizellegeorge6@yahoo.com

NADOURY & NAHAS

71 Sultan Hussein Street

Tel: (203) 487-3609

Fax: (203) 487-5136

Email: nadourynahas@soficom.com.eg

[KHPerfectMatch 1]

I have emailed the Consulate, but based on what I'm reading here I'm going to go with the copy of the passport, the documents untranslated and see what happens. Now if I can only get my income taxes prepared (self-employed) and get them off in the mail to H to add to his packet we'll be good to go. He should have all his stuff done by time mine arrives... I thought about sending last year's taxes but decided I have to do them pretty soon anyway and better to give them the most current... UGH, why did I procrastinate! (probaby because I PAY rather than get a refund! hahahahahahaha)

I was happy to find the instructions on the Embassy's website in Arabic..

Thanks again for everyone's input! You're LIFESAVERS!

K

[KHPerfectMatch 1]

Oh MY Cheryl I just read another of your posts and I'm in shock... they asked for YOUR divorce papers at HIS interview????? They said NOTHING about this in the packet! I sent them all my stuff with the I-129F application.. Why does the CO in EGYPT want to see MY divorce papers????? And if so, why don't they MENTION THIS in the paperwork they sent H?????

I'm also glad to see your mention of the question about the Orfy marriage... we did the Kitab in January 2007, did the Nikah in May of 2007... during the time when Americans could not legally marry in Egypt. Of course I found out the DAY I CAME HOME (Feb. 9th) that Now they can! If I had known maybe we would have done it while I was there Dec to Feb... but even so I didn't know how it would affect our K1 Visa application so maybe I wouldn't have done it...

Any how, good to know it didn't effect the CO when Ahmed told him. I will be sure to let H know this. I am proud that we are married in front of Allah and our families, and well, everyone else who knows us... And will be even more happy when we can be married LEGALLY.

I assume my most recent divorce decree is all they need...(see what happens when you're older than dirt!)

Glad I read your other posts!

K

[amrssnowangel 0]

Oh MY Cheryl I just read another of your posts and I'm in shock... they asked for YOUR divorce papers at HIS interview????? They said NOTHING about this in the packet! I sent them all my stuff with the I-129F application.. Why does the CO in EGYPT want to see MY divorce papers????? And if so, why don't they MENTION THIS in the paperwork they sent H?????

I'm also glad to see your mention of the question about the Orfy marriage... we did the Kitab in January 2007, did the Nikah in May of 2007... during the time when Americans could not legally marry in Egypt. Of course I found out the DAY I CAME HOME (Feb. 9th) that Now they can! If I had known maybe we would have done it while I was there Dec to Feb... but even so I didn't know how it would affect our K1 Visa application so maybe I wouldn't have done it...

Any how, good to know it didn't effect the CO when Ahmed told him. I will be sure to let H know this. I am proud that we are married in front of Allah and our families, and well, everyone else who knows us... And will be even more happy when we can be married LEGALLY.

I assume my most recent divorce decree is all they need...(see what happens when you're older than dirt!)

Glad I read your other posts!

K

Your SO should have an original of ALL papers you had sent to USCIS. They can request at the interview to SEE ANY originals of any documents, including your birth certificate, past marriage and divorce decrees, boarding passes, original photos and so on. Its not a requirement of packet 3 and is requested on a case by case basis.

As for taxes, Im self employed as well..i filed through Turbo Tax and they just scheduled the payment online to be made to IRS by April 16. You can file for payments to. And in exchange, you can immediately print a copy of your complete income taxes including all worksheets. I'd attach any documentation you may have as well and once again, send your originals to your SO and copies to the embassy..(except for the 2 I134's notorized) Turbo tax will also allow you to print a reciept that you can MAIL to the IRS for payment as well, if pre scheduling your payment isn't an option. This way you get your tax proof and can mail your payment in later. SWEEEEEET.

Faith

[KHPerfectMatch 1]

Thanks for the tax tips Faith, My father is an accountant and does my taxes so I know I can get an appointment... And like you said I'll just send my payments on April 15th.. It's a matter of entering all those receipts for business lunches, etc. into Quickbooks... and figuring out all my mileage, etc. etc. that is bogging me down. It's really a necessity to figure out all your deductions when you're paying about 35% or more of your income in taxes! UGH.. H will never get used to this!

When will we know if they want to see all my papers? I have NO INTENTION of sending all that stuff to Egypt. Why not just invite identity theft over for dinner and be done with it!

I think I will send my most recent divorce decree... that seems safe enough. H has all our photos in the laptop and he can take that with him to the interview. It has most of our documents in it too. Scanned, or saved. I took 650 photos this trip, 300 in May and about 250 last January... I think we should FORCE them to look at ALL of them!

Back to the itty bitty pieces of paper I saved all year...

K

Your SO should have an original of ALL papers you had sent to USCIS. They can request at the interview to SEE ANY originals of any documents, including your birth certificate, past marriage and divorce decrees, boarding passes, original photos and so on. Its not a requirement of packet 3 and is requested on a case by case basis.

As for taxes, Im self employed as well..i filed through Turbo Tax and they just scheduled the payment online to be made to IRS by April 16. You can file for payments to. And in exchange, you can immediately print a copy of your complete income taxes including all worksheets. I'd attach any documentation you may have as well and once again, send your originals to your SO and copies to the embassy..(except for the 2 I134's notorized) Turbo tax will also allow you to print a reciept that you can MAIL to the IRS for payment as well, if pre scheduling your payment isn't an option. This way you get your tax proof and can mail your payment in later. SWEEEEEET.

[Ahmed N Cheryl 0]

Yes Karmella if you remember the I129-F Instructions it tells you to send a copy in the packet to USCIS but to send all originals to your SO. I took Ahmed all my originals in October when I visited. My Birth Certificate, my Divorce decree and a new letter of intent to marry.

What to send to your fiance(e) once the I-129F is approved (Receive NOA2):

1. A copy of the entire I-129f package (that you made when you sent the petition in) and a copy of information that you sent back due to an RFE (if you received one).

2. Send all originals of the documentary proof that you submitted for the I-129F to your fiance(e) for their interview at the embassy.

3. Send an original letter affirming your desire to marry your fiance(e) and your continued support of the K-1 Visa. Sign and date the form. This will be similar to the letter you provided with the I-129F, but dated much closer to the interview (it will have most likely been several months since you submitted your I-129F).

4. I-134 Affidavit of Support form. Ensure it is notarized (by a US Notary Public), with all required supporting evidence. Begin collecting the required information ahead of time, as it can often take several weeks to collect it all.

5. You will likely need at a minimum (for the above form) two to three of your most recent pay stubs and a signed letter from your employer listing you job title, start date, your salary, and the status (full-time) of your position. Begin collecting these ASAP after your NOA2 arrives. You will also probably want to include other evidence such as your banking information and other assets as required by the I-134. Specifically you will need at least 2 of the 4 options mentioned in Section II-Supporting Evidence of the I-134. See this FAQ for more tips and ueful information on the Affidavit of Support Form.

6. A copy of the NOA2 that you received in the mail.

7. Proof of your ongoing relationship. This needs to be taken to the interview! Include photos, travel documents, emails, etc from between the time you filed and present (NOA1 date-now).

Examples: Copies of phone bills, cell phone bills, emails (you can edit personal info with a marker), letters (edit personal info also), stamps on the letters (to document the date they were sent), and other written documentary proof. Provide a reasonable amount; two to four of each type. Pick a range of dates up to and including the present. You can also include a copy of engagement ring receipt (this is something that is a big optional -do not worry if you do not have a ring yet!)

Ahmed just back said yes Mr. Hani is first one on Alex list and the doctor he used was:

Dr AMr Maher 97 Abd El salam Aref - Geleem - Alex beside El sherooq Hospital

003/5862323

from satrday to wednesday from 6 to 8 pm

Oh we are not from Alexandria..........Ahmed is from Damanhour which is an hour from Alex....we jus always rent flat there to stay in when I come. I am sure I have been to the mall you speak of.

Hope this helps you Karmella.

Cheryl

[Ahmed N Cheryl 0]

Karmella

unfortunately you will not know until the day of the Interview if they want to see your papers or not. It is the Embassy's right to request the originafor any form you submited during either process.....the I129-F petition or Packet 3.

If you are worried the papers will get stolen send them Fed EX or by DHL.l But it is risky to go for his Inerview without them.

Cheryl

[KHPerfectMatch 1]

Update.................

Via Email I got all my questions answered by the Consular Staff in Egypt.

1) Yes most of the info they sent my fiancee/husband was incorrect... and what you all told me here was MUCH better than what they had told him in the packet...

2) None of the documents need to be translated.

3) The forms should be done electronically and sent in the DHL packet, he can sign them or WHATEVER when he's there for the interview.

4) Copy of his passport, not the real deal....

As for what I have to send... I went to the most recent instructions for the I129F and there is nothing in the instructions that says I need to send him all my original documents for him to show them at the time of the interview. It says if original documents are needed they will REQUEST them. Maybe they figured out how STUPID it was to have Americans mailing every document needed to steal one's identity half way around the globe when if they need to put their grubby hands on it they can simply have me bring it to the local INS office for "inspection".

I will send him a copy of my divorce decree just in case... and of course the I-134 and a copy of this year's tax return to take with him. But there's NO WAY I'm sending my original passport, birth certificate, divorce papers, etc. Can you imagine if they got lost and I could hardly prove I'm an American!

Oh well, just thought I'd end this by letting anyone following this thread know how it turned out in my quest for real information from the folks in Cairo....

Salaam to All