AR/AP processing times in EGYPT

[JElsafty 0]

First, I want to say I do not want this to because a ranting thread. I am very happy that Salwa received her visa so easily today. I guess I'm just a bit {really very} confused as to why some of us going through Egypt have this administrative review/process that lasts so long? I have seen people get approved 4 weeks after their interview, Jean has been waiting over 4 months and Amy and I are quickly approaching 6 months. Salwa, I love ya girl, but how did you do it? Please do not take this wrong, but are only men placed on AR/AP? My head is just spinning out of control today. Wael is still "pending checks." I've contacted my senators, but they cannot do anything till Wael is off the checks. What to do, what to do?

[Omid 0]

I can't speak for Egypt but almost all Afghan and Paki men i know going through Islamabad had AR/AP of varying lengths and i don't know of any women who had... good luck and hang in there.

[sarah and hicham 3]

I am sure it has to do with that Salwa is a woman... I had heard that makes a difference.

[jordanianprincess 0]

I'd have to say that the fact that she is a female beneficiary has alot to do with her quick approval , Go Salwa!!! . There are several reasons why I believe so. First of all, its quite common for a women in the Middle East to marry and come to the USA. Culturaly thats normal. Also when a man comes from the USA and asks for a womens hand, he usually does so with the permission of her family. Most men don't need their families blessings to get married. When there is family involvment, things seem more legit to the embassy.

I am not trying to offend anyone, but I am only posting my P.O.V. which even really applies to me since I am divorced.

Men in the Middle East and their families tend to want a bride that has never been married, has no children, and the families ofcourse want one of the same race and religion although. Obviously with new generations these things are changing. But from a Consular's perspective it really has not. They look at things from a general perspective and not that of the beneficiary.

Women also go through less backround checks than men do. There is obviously alot profileing done for certian relgions and backrounds, they can deny that all they want but you know when your name is Mohammed or Ahmed, etc that you are gonna go through some scrutiny.

Salwa didn't have very many red flags in her case. She is a woman (never married?), Full blown wedding with family pics, 3 visits, no big age difference, same religion, etc.

Again, I don't want to offend anyone, but these are just the general views of Middle Eastern people. I honestly never pictured myself marrying a Middle Eastern guy, especially after my divorce. I never even thought it would be acceptable, but I guess our new generation is changing.

[LaL 418]

It has more to do with the directive b y the consulates of the T26 countries to perform the necessary checks on males from these countries between the ages of 18 - 45. This is well documented. If you get a name hit, your wait will be longer because often you have to be manually verified.

Women generally have no difficulties getting through.

[Together4ever 1]

First, I want to say I do not want this to because a ranting thread. I am very happy that Salwa received her visa so easily today. I guess I'm just a bit {really very} confused as to why some of us going through Egypt have this administrative review/process that lasts so long? I have seen people get approved 4 weeks after their interview, Jean has been waiting over 4 months and Amy and I are quickly approaching 6 months. Salwa, I love ya girl, but how did you do it? Please do not take this wrong, but are only men placed on AR/AP? My head is just spinning out of control today. Wael is still "pending checks." I've contacted my senators, but they cannot do anything till Wael is off the checks. What to do, what to do?

First I want to say again... I am thrilled to death for Salwa. I know how she suffered and for her its almost over. Enshaa Allah and alhamdulellah.

Now... the truth. I have cried myself sick today. I am depressed and upset. Seen all my silliness earlier in the threads? Covering for the fact I want to break furniture. Yes, being female skates you right the system. Again Salwa PLEASE know this is not intended against you or in any disrespect. It's your good fortune and you have to say alhamdulellah.

Two years ago while I was in Egypt, a tourist bus was bombed by 2 FEMALE terrorists... muslim women with bombs under their dresses. This was infront of the Cairo museum. But I guess they forget that. They target only the men, and yes historically I suppose they have reason to do so. However I have read all the "rules and regulations" and such and such twaddle about how they have to view all equally. Well, we know the reality.

I realize I'm leaving myself open to be flamed and that maybe my views aren't so rational right now. I have good reason. Life for my SO has gone to hell and he really is between a rock and a hard place. We really need him to be able to travel asap but there is not one F*CKING thing I can do to help him and its tearing me apart.

I don't understand the logic in Egypt. I don't understand any of this F*CKING process. I just know what its costing my life and Mohammed's life. And all I can do is sit and wait............... and wait........... and cry some more... and drag myself through my life every day with this pathetic hope that *my country* won't let me down. It makes me want to vomit.

I apologize for my language but I'm finding at the moment I just don't care...

Edited August 2, 2006 by just_waiting

[Aymerlu 3]

Then I found my solution! I'll put a wig and a dress on Khallid!

Seriously, I am happy so Salwa, but I do understand Jasmines point of view. She and I have been talking for a while. She does not post here much because her son is very, very ill with leukemia. I did speak with Jasmine and she said I could tell all the girls on the the forum here because her son is in need of a lot of prayers. His cancer was in remission only for a year and came back even worse than before. She has tried expediting Waels visa for emergency reasons, but because of dear ol Cairo, they won't see to it. Wael wants to meet her son, her son meet him and they all have a little time together before her son passes. Yes, his cancer is that bad. Jasmine has always been a quite one on the boards here. I can't even begin to imagine how or what she is feeling right now. Being separated from the man you love, knowing your childs time on earth is very limited and knowing that the 3 of them won't be able to spend time together as a family. As much as I want Khallid here with me now, if I knew Khallid was getting his visa tomorrow, I would rather Wael get it so they can have a little time together.

I do understand how differerent families in the middle east are. I'm divorced, the only red flag I really know of. Oh yea, I suppose kids are a red flag too. I can't forget that woman asked Khallid why'd he ever want to marry a women with 2 kids! (HAG) Khallids family could care less what religion I am or the fact that I've been married before and have 2 kids. As far as names go, I'd love to see how many people in the U.S has my name! LOL! MILLIONS! In all seriousness, I just wish things were black and white across the board. No "oh you get your visa today, you get yours in 4 weeks, you in 8 weeks and who knows when they heck the rest of you will get them."

Let's all pray for Jaz and her son.

[blueblue 0]

I know how you feel. I hope we can all get through this in one piece, mentally, physically and with still a marriage to come back to. It is criminal what this process does to familes.

[LaL 418]

Red flags have to do with the validity of the relationship. This has very little (if at all) to do with the AR/AP our guys face. The AR length is based on the checks that have been ordered, as you all know. I just wanted to make the distinction because if red flags were holding up your visa, then they would request action to be taken (additional info/RFE) or your petition would be sent back for verification.

[Together4ever 1]

Jasmine, my most solemn prayers are with you, your son and your SO. I pray to god things move for you as soon as humanly possible. You deserve this.

And I apologize for my outburst. I'm not handling things so gracefully presently. Sorry.

[jordanianprincess 0]

Red flags have to do with the validity of the relationship. This has very little (if at all) to do with the AR/AP our guys face. The AR length is based on the checks that have been ordered, as you all know. I just wanted to make the distinction because if red flags were holding up your visa, then they would request action to be taken (additional info/RFE) or your petition would be sent back for verification.

So would it be accurate to say that a consular could put you on AR/AP because of red flags?

Two years ago while I was in Egypt, a tourist bus was bombed by 2 FEMALE terrorists... muslim women with bombs under their dresses. This was infront of the Cairo museum. But I guess they forget that. They target only the men, and yes historically I suppose they have reason to do so. However I have read all the "rules and regulations" and such and such twaddle about how they have to view all equally. Well, we know the reality.

These are many female terrorists and suicide bombers, but when its looked at from a big picture, the men outweigh the women.

[LaL 418]

So would it be accurate to say that a consular could put you on AR/AP because of red flags?

All I am saying is it is more appropriate to ask for further information/rfe or return the petition, vs using AR/AP to review red flags. At least I have not seen that used, but sheesh, we can only guess I suppose.

[goldenheart 0]

Two years ago while I was in Egypt, a tourist bus was bombed by 2 FEMALE terrorists... muslim women with bombs under their dresses. This was infront of the Cairo museum.

In the eyes of Department Homeland Security the FEMALES were victims of the irrational teaching of a MAN. Please do not get me wrong , because I understand your frustration. However, we can not change the sterotypes that are place on the middle east man. Do I think the process is fair??? NO

Do I think that our government is trying to protect the country from another attack? Yes

Do I think they are doing it effectively? NO, they are actually causing more people to hate us than love us.

Do I think the immigration process is fair? NO

We should understand that Allah has a purpose for everything. I'm in the same position you are in because my fiance got his visa in May (after waiting for 2 years) and we planned to have our wedding shortly after his arrival to the USA, unfortunately he was denied entry and had to return back to Germany. Needless to say, he quit his job and gave up his apartment before his travel to the USA. He returned back to Germany the next day homeless and unemployed and I could not help him.

It is human nature to wonder why me. Instead, focus on the fact that Allah knows all and there's a reason we have to wait a long time to be with our SO and just maybe we are going through this test to be a better wife, friend and companion for our future spouse. The entire process is very difficult, however the end is near and soon you will hear some good news. Inshallah

[jordanianprincess 0]

So would it be accurate to say that a consular could put you on AR/AP because of red flags?

All I am saying is it is more appropriate to ask for further information/rfe or return the petition, vs using AR/AP to review red flags. At least I have not seen that used, but sheesh, we can only guess I suppose.

Please don't take it the wrong way, I am only asking. In my opinion, certain "red flags" can encourage them to put the case on AR/AP instead of 1. denying it without viable proof or 2. issueing a visa. You know the "get it off my desk" mentality? I mean I know for certain that the Consulars have to have an understand of the culture and traditions of the countries they work for. So maybe when they see something "unusual" in their P.O.V., it may just push them to do that.

[M+S 0]

let me explain since Iam Egyptian and that was my case ...The Co wanted to make sure to see my family approval in my wedding JB it's not common at all for ME women to marry Americans " who are not from Egypt originally" My husband is a native American citizen so that's very rare in my culture and that's why I get chased with a lot of stares from people when Mark and I hang out..

Second I think My job has to do with approval to Iam a physican n and doctor get a good life in Egypt any way and they can easily travel around the world so that somehow excluded I married my husband for a visa! that's why I didn't get AR ..

for the AP I didn't get because Iam a female and as I said before it's very rare for women to marry western men because of cultue and women can't marry here without their family approval ...another reason that Egyptian men has very reputation of marrying American women for Visa ..everytime i went to the embassy for something I see Egytian young man marrying an American woman or American woman asking for help after her Egyptian husband has dumped her ..the Economy in Egypt is fallin apart so lots of Egyptian men do that to escape thier bad circumstaces..But of course not allof them is this way but Most are this way ...That's why MEn esp. FROM EGYPT will go through this...

Another reson I speak English very well that's why the CO was comfortable and smiling all the time becasue she can see I have no problem talking and communicating with her in English...

I am sorry for all those who Go through AP/AR I hope it will finish soon

Amy and Jean ..I am praying for you

Salwa:)