Engagement Band in Egyptian Culture

[Just_Me00 15]

My fiance's interview is tomorrow and I have a quick question.

As part of the Egyptian custom, engagement bands are exchanged during the engagement party and worn on the right hand. Those bands are then switched to the left hand after marriage and are the couple's wedding bands.

My fiance is taking pictures with him tomorrow to the interview that show us putting the engagement bands on each other (his band is silver and mine is a simple gold). I am assuming that the Embassy in Cairo is aware of the Egyptian culture and will recognize that these are engagement bands since they are worn on the right hand.

Is that a safe assumption or should I be worried that they might mistake our engagement bands as wedding bands?

[Mithra 1,185]

Are there any other photos he can bring aside from those? I don't know if the CO would give him a hard time or not but I would not bring any photos that you have to explain or worry about being misconstrued.

[together4evr 360]

Are there any other photos he can bring aside from those? I don't know if the CO would give him a hard time or not but I would not bring any photos that you have to explain or worry about being misconstrued.

I agree

If it causes you a little concern then the CO will have ALOT of concern. Keep those photos at home

[NY_BX 397]

My fiance's interview is tomorrow and I have a quick question.

As part of the Egyptian custom, engagement bands are exchanged during the engagement party and worn on the right hand. Those bands are then switched to the left hand after marriage and are the couple's wedding bands.

My fiance is taking pictures with him tomorrow to the interview that show us putting the engagement bands on each other (his band is silver and mine is a simple gold). I am assuming that the Embassy in Cairo is aware of the Egyptian culture and will recognize that these are engagement bands since they are worn on the right hand.

Is that a safe assumption or should I be worried that they might mistake our engagement bands as wedding bands?

Do not show those pictures, just to be in the safe side.

[Peace.... 281]

i am so glad you asked this question..... the guy before my fiance at the time in Casablanca was given a really hard time for not being married and wearing what appeared to be a wedding band on his left hand. Mohammed worn his ring as always on his right hand at interview as well in all pictures. Mohammed also noticed the CO looking down at his hands. I am sure many have interview with bands on their left hand and have had no issues, but......you never know if your gonna get that cranky CO who disagrees with this.

I read to many horror stories on here....about showing or saying your married when your not.

Edited January 10, 2013 by foreverwaiting

[Just_Me00 15]

I was really worried about his engagement rings on his right hand but I didn't want to make him nervous on the day of his interview and I was 100% sure that this is the normal custom for engagement between Egyptian couples (since I am originally Egyptian).

My other concern that if he did take it off for the interview (and leave the engagement party pictures that show us putting them on at home), it may look like we are trying to hide something. Also, our engagement rings shows in many of the pictures from my second visit.

After reading reviews for other consulates that have the same customs in terms of engagement ring for men(e.g. Moroccan), I decided that it would (hopefully) be okay if he didn't take it off or remove any pictures that might possibly show the engagement rings from our photo album that he was taking with him. He went to the interview wearing his engagement band and there was absolutely no problems (alhamdulillah). They never asked him about it or even hinted any kind of concern about it. Also, they didn't look at a single picture he brought with him.

[together4evr 360]

Congrats!! Please post your review soon. How long did they say it will take to get the visa delivered?

I am glad the rings were not an issue for your CO.

You asked for advice and we gave you the safest answers. You did not follow the advice so I am unsure why you asked for it. But, I am glad it worked out in your favor.

[Just_Me00 15]

I was getting worried before the interview and asked to see if others had any experience or advice with Egypt specifically.

I really appreciated the advice and everyone who kindly took the time to respond. I may not have followed the advice but I definitely appreciated it.

I posted a reply just to provide my experience for others who may have the same question in the future.

My fiance and I plan to post a review as soon as we have a chance. The CO told him that everything looks good but his petition is in administrative review and that he should check the website after a week. He asked him if he needs his passport and my fiance told him that he doesn't so they kept his passport. My fiance mentioned that they did not look at anything that he brought with him (papers or pictures) and that it was a comfortable interview.

[Mithra 1,185]

Isn't that usually the case in this forum? People ask for advice and either don't follow it or get pissed at what they hear lol. Anyways, I'm glad the visa was approved. I don't have any personal experience with engagement rings worn on the right hand but I do know how funny COs can be about this sort of thing. Heck we don't even wear our wedding rings at all and we've been married 7 years so...

Congrats!! Please post your review soon. How long did they say it will take to get the visa delivered?

I am glad the rings were not an issue for your CO.

You asked for advice and we gave you the safest answers. You did not follow the advice so I am unsure why you asked for it. But, I am glad it worked out in your favor.

[together4evr 360]

Did they say how long he will be in administrative processing?

Administrative review is when they need more time to review documents

Administrative processing is a big word that covers AR/AP both

Good Luck I hope for a quick AP