Any ladies going to Cairo

[Aly174 9]

I am in the first steps of this long but happy journey! My Sameh wants so badly to come here and "speak with my father" about our intentions before we marry in Cairo. He has an interview date for a visitor's visa on 7/25/11, but I don't know how good his odds of getting it are. I know getting a visitor's visa is like panning for gold. But he is determined to try, and it means so much to him to be able to come speak with my dad, so he is going to give it a try. The plan was for me to come visit in Cairo for 2-3 weeks this summer, but the problem we are running into are that his mom is very conservative, and so staying with them while we are unmarried is not an option. Does anyone know of a good, safe, and importantly inexpensive place for a single American woman to stay for 2-3 weeks in Cairo? (hotel, hostel, rental, etc?) I would loooove to join a group to talk! We will marry in Cairo in September, and after I come back to the USA and graduate in December, then take boards, etc, I want to come with my kids and stay in Cairo until his spousal visa is approved. (Figure I'll relocate in late Jan/early Feb) Just wish September wasn't so far away!

First off I would like to extend a welcome to you and to say "Congratulations on your upcoming marriage plans"

I am not sure how difficult the visitor's visa is to obtain, my sister in law got one with no problem about 4 years ago but she also had very strong ties that would guarantee her return to Egypt such has secure, stable job and all her family. Not sure what your fiance's situation is like although I assume since you are planning on moving there with your children after the first of the year that he must be in a similar situation. If he gets approved for his visitor's visa then, this is a very good idea him coming to meet your family and ask your dad's blessing on the marriage as well as spend some quality time with you and your children. I am a little worried for you though because IF he is not approved, the fact that you are going to marry in September and then move there a few months later and begin the immigration visa process all in less than 6 months from the visitor visa interview could cause some issues with the immigration or consular officer who eventually handles your case. Please don't take my words the wrong way, they are in no way meant to be alarming or accusing...from the sound of your post, I truly believe you both have the best and most honest of intentions. The only reason I bring it up is because there currently seems to be a few other cases right now where couples are experiencing issues with obtaining their IV due in part to the fact their spouse previously applied and was denied for either a visitor or student visa shortly before their marriage.

I completely understand the conservative nature of his mother and reason for you not being able to go there for 2-3 weeks unmarried. However, if you can manage to go since it doesn't sound as though you two have actually met in person yet, that would be extremely beneficial to you. I am not sure of places for your to stay on your own in Cairo..You should speak with Longroadhome, as I know she has made a few trips to visit her fiance and stayed on her own there in Cairo and I'm sure there are lots of other helpful ladies from Cairo here as well that would be happy to help you out on this part. We live in Alexandria so the only time I am in Cairo is coming or going from the airport or if we go to visit his family.

You will find lots of good information and help here, as well as many very nice people. I wish you the very best, if you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me and I will do my best to help.

[Aly174 9]

That's what I was thinking about doing, but it was just too darned frustrating to try to make sure I could get the flights into JFK to hook up with the flights out of JFK. I wanted to do the flight to JFK then a separate non-stop flight into Cairo. Ended up with a flight with 2 stops... I'm not thrilled about it, but I'll live.

Donna, in case I miss you before you leave...Have a safe trip and a great time visiting with your fiance! I think I am going to take AA to JFK and then royal jordanian to Amman then to Cairo, so 2 stops for me too , but it's worth it! How long will you be staying for this time?

[Aly174 9]

Hmmm, well I might possibly be visiting Cairo next Summer (2012), because I want to marry my Egyptian sweetheart there. So if you are still there at that time... In that case, I would LOVE to!! Or any other American women who will be there during that time.

I do have some questions for you though... I heard that the American sponsor has to be working a job where they are earning at least double the U.S. poverty level for at least 3 years, to sponsor an immigrant. But I'm also reading about a lot of American women moving to stay with their husband in Egypt, while they wait for the Visa to file. So... How can a person maintain a job earning that much while living in Cairo??? Also doesn't moving to Cairo mean giving up any U.S. jobs? Is there a way around that income rule? Have I been misinformed?

Melissa

Hi Melissa!

Where did you hear "the American sponsor has to be working a job where they are earning at least double the U.S. poverty level for at least 3 years"? As others have already pointed out, you have to earn at least 125% of the US Poverty level for the current year in which you apply. In filing your application, you are only required to submit the most current tax records and earning statements that you have..however you may choose to submit for the past 3 years if you feel it will help your situation, but it sounds like you don't have that worry since you make enough.

Yes, many of us do choose to go and stay with our husbands for extended periods or until they receive their Visas. This is a personal choice, there is not really any good way to maintain a job meeting the sponsor requirements while doing this even if you manage to obtain a position in Egypt similar to what you would do here in the States..the pay scale is going to be much lower than you would get here, so you may still require a cosponsor for the immigration visa. I have worked there as an English instructor and as a teaching assistant and made good money for the standard of living there. You may want to look into applying to an American company with branches there in Cairo, that might be your best bet.

I absolutely loved my time living there and miss it dearly when I come back to the US, mostly I'm sure because I am without my husband.

[NeedInfo3839 2]

Hi Melissa!

Where did you hear "the American sponsor has to be working a job where they are earning at least double the U.S. poverty level for at least 3 years"? As others have already pointed out, you have to earn at least 125% of the US Poverty level for the current year in which you apply. In filing your application, you are only required to submit the most current tax records and earning statements that you have..however you may choose to submit for the past 3 years if you feel it will help your situation, but it sounds like you don't have that worry since you make enough.

Yes, many of us do choose to go and stay with our husbands for extended periods or until they receive their Visas. This is a personal choice, there is not really any good way to maintain a job meeting the sponsor requirements while doing this even if you manage to obtain a position in Egypt similar to what you would do here in the States..the pay scale is going to be much lower than you would get here, so you may still require a cosponsor for the immigration visa. I have worked there as an English instructor and as a teaching assistant and made good money for the standard of living there. You may want to look into applying to an American company with branches there in Cairo, that might be your best bet.

I absolutely loved my time living there and miss it dearly when I come back to the US, mostly I'm sure because I am without my husband.

Thanks for all the info everyone! In another thread, I got a lot of my income questions answered.

Since Khalid (my sweetheart) works in Saudi as an English teacher, and is only in Egypt during the summers, we decided it would be best to marry in Egypt, in summer 2012. I'll spend the whole summer there with him. Then I'll come back to the USA and file for a marriage visa for him, so I can maintain my required income, and my required "domicile" / apartment in the USA.

We would just do a fiance visa.... But again, he works in Saudi Arabia. You can't enter Saudi Arabia, unless you have a Saudi sponsor (an employer, or family member), or you are married to someone who does (which he does, because he works there ). I can't get a job in Saudi to live there with him, because I would lose my "domicile" in the USA, which they say you have to have. So if he and I are not married, I will not be able to visit him in Saudi for most of the year... I want to be able to visit him

But yeah, looks like I might be in Cairo, or at the very least Suez Egypt, during summer of 2012