Cairo Embassy

[ya falaha! 0]

I have not bothered with congressmen and senators. Yet another waste of time.

[LaL 418]

I guess the obvious question would be why not have these useless time consuming meetings BEFORE the security checks are sent out. I mean once they're done it should be an automatic thing to give the visa. Nothing more to discuss!!! I think maybe the congressmen should step in but of course I'm so naiive and I'm sure everyone going through Cairo has already voiced their displeasure to their congressmen about this.

i would think because the issuance of the visa is dependant mostly on a favorable result of the security checks provided everything else is satisfied.

just speculation but my guess would be since these cases can take so long, the file is brought back out, clearnces discussed, and the file is reviewed to make sure everything is there and current. if they didnt review the files, how would they know if based at that time the visa can be issued? for example, if the medical is over a year, you will need another one to have visa issued.

[m&n 0]

They shouldn't take forever to issue the visa once security checks are cleared....I really wonder what they do the whole time....it's frustrating....just thinking about he wasted time. Maybe a petition or something should be started to let the Cairo embassy workers know that we know that there is no reason for the unnecessary delays.

[LaL 418]

sorry - I don't mean to play devil's advocate, but does anyone really think that the consulate is simply just pushing your applications aside? I mean, AFAIK they are BUSY! And even though we see it as slow as moleasses, it's hardly the case as it appears on their end.

[ya falaha! 0]

I understand that Cairo is a busy embassy and they take care of visa applications for several other countries but it doesn't take away from the frustration. The frustration is compounded by the fact that consulate workers in Cairo are very rude for the most part. Some of them treat their customers as subhumans. Very unnecessary IMO.

[m&n 0]

Exactly....and if they aren't able to keep up with the number of applications coming in then perhaps they need to hire more workers. In comparison with other consulates, it just seems that they aren't very efficient.

I understand that Cairo is a busy embassy and they take care of visa applications for several other countries but it doesn't take away from the frustration. The frustration is compounded by the fact that consulate workers in Cairo are very rude for the most part. Some of them treat their customers as subhumans. Very unnecessary IMO.

[LaL 418]

I understand that Cairo is a busy embassy and they take care of visa applications for several other countries but it doesn't take away from the frustration. The frustration is compounded by the fact that consulate workers in Cairo are very rude for the most part. Some of them treat their customers as subhumans. Very unnecessary IMO.

frustration with the process and being treated poorly IS definately unnecessary, I was commenting on the fact that it appears people feel there is unneccessary wait time/idle time on the consulate's part. I did not mean to denigrate your frustration with the process.

[ya falaha! 0]

I agree. If they can't keep up with the workload perhaps they need to hire more effecient workers or perhaps create different departments for different types of visas. Like I've said before, Cairo seems to be the MOST ineffecient embassy/consulate in the Mid East. No offense to anyone here but it gets really frustrating to see ppl dealing with Casa or Algiers or whatever go from security checks cleared to visa in hand in a matter of days. That is if they get AP at all but whatever. Thank you, Mohamed Atta.

[Together4ever 1]

Well, I am not one to sing this Embassy's praises. We've had one of the longer APs out of there. However, I too will play devil's advocate. Cairo is one of the largest Embassies in the world and the volume they deal with is staggering. I've been under the impression that they may be making some changes, but even the smallest change is a gargantuant feat when you deal with so much business on a daily basis. I do agree their "customer service skills" are greatly lacking and there are definitely inefficiency issues. Just hiring more people means upping their payroll budget, and where do you think that money comes from? I understand Casa had this very same issue about a year or so back if I'm not mistaken. No one understands the frustrations better then I do, but I highly doubt there will be any major changes any time soon simply because of the enormity of the undertaking.

[ya falaha! 0]

How about cutting down the amount of DV lottery applicants? Cairo handles loads of those. They really need to put family immigration visas, student visas and work related visas first.

[m&n 0]

I agree....they told us we would have to wait 8-10 weeks for an interview date due to the DV lottery interviews.....there's so many of them in March....and they got their interviews scheduled a lot quicker than beneficiaries of petitions filed by the USCIS... a lot quicker.

How about cutting down the amount of DV lottery applicants? Cairo handles loads of those. They really need to put family immigration visas, student visas and work related visas first.

[ya falaha! 0]

Yep, in Dec when my husband had his interview half the schedule was DV lottery interviews. #######?

[doodlebug 3]

I just don't think it's fair that the people going through Casa get to get their visas right after the AP check is done. If a meeting is necessary after the check, how come Casa doesn't have these meetings? And I agree....staff more people if the load is so much. I mean here they send the forms off to another service center if one is lagging....so do the same for the consulates then.

I do think though that the other place in the Mid East worse than Cairo to go through is Amman. Looks like they take much longer in comparison, unless maybe those peeps just have longer security checks to go through.

And yeah, those lottery visas should just be outright stopped until they get the manpower to do this right.

[m&n 0]

I heard the diverstiy lottery applicants were getting scheduled for interviews within 2 to 3 weeks of sending in their packets. we sent in our packet 3 weeks ago and I don't know if we'll even get an interview in April.....and the 129F approval notice expires April 14th.......as if any more drama is needed along this journey!!

I just don't think it's fair that the people going through Casa get to get their visas right after the AP check is done. If a meeting is necessary after the check, how come Casa doesn't have these meetings? And I agree....staff more people if the load is so much. I mean here they send the forms off to another service center if one is lagging....so do the same for the consulates then.

I do think though that the other place in the Mid East worse than Cairo to go through is Amman. Looks like they take much longer in comparison, unless maybe those peeps just have longer security checks to go through.

And yeah, those lottery visas should just be outright stopped until they get the manpower to do this right.

[JODO 2]

How about cutting down the amount of DV lottery applicants? Cairo handles loads of those. They really need to put family immigration visas, student visas and work related visas first.

I wholeheartedly agree with this! I said this to myself when I checked Cairo's interview page and saw all the DV's. Hell my future FIL and MIL won the visa lottery in Egypt and he has a green card before his son can even come meet his AMERICAN wife.