Egypt AP list....

[sarah and hicham 3]

Come on, you all are grown women, save the tears and keep your dignity.

hmmm fake tears work so well on the male population in Egypt though...heheheeheh Or yelling loudly..either will work...dignity? AFter waiting alll those months...i'd give up dignity for a visa anyday...but you are right.....it probably wont work.

Wow. That's unfortunate.

[mybackpages 0]

I agree reform is needed across the board. How manyof you are for increasing taxes or cutting other expenses to fund the consulates properly? How many Americans do you think are willing to do this for a system that they see no benefit for themselves?

Do you really want consulates acting the same across the board? Most americans like a decentralized political system?

There are just a lot of factors involved here that need to be addressed and only then will we see the much reform happen.

[Caladan 19]

I agree reform is needed across the board. How manyof you are for increasing taxes or cutting other expenses to fund the consulates properly? How many Americans do you think are willing to do this for a system that they see no benefit for themselves?

Do you really want consulates acting the same across the board? Most americans like a decentralized political system?

There are just a lot of factors involved here that need to be addressed and only then will we see the much reform happen.

This is a good point. Suppose you get all the exposure: what specific things do you want to have happen? What do you say when Oprah's security expert says that they're not delaying, but it does take that long to sort out Usama ibn Labib from Osama bin Laden? (And points to couples that get through quickly as evidence that they're not biased, and then horror stories to show why they're doing their job.)

You'll look more reasonable if you can say 'we need X amount of funding, and the benefit isn't just to my husband, but to [blah blah blah security blah blah] so the average American can be sure that their borders are protected.'

[amrssnowangel 0]

Come on, you all are grown women, save the tears and keep your dignity.

hmmm fake tears work so well on the male population in Egypt though...heheheeheh Or yelling loudly..either will work...dignity? AFter waiting alll those months...i'd give up dignity for a visa anyday...but you are right.....it probably wont work.

Wow. That's unfortunate.

Ummm maybe i should have used a wink??? I wasn't being serious....

I agree reform is needed across the board. How manyof you are for increasing taxes or cutting other expenses to fund the consulates properly? How many Americans do you think are willing to do this for a system that they see no benefit for themselves?

Do you really want consulates acting the same across the board? Most americans like a decentralized political system?

There are just a lot of factors involved here that need to be addressed and only then will we see the much reform happen.

This is a good point. Suppose you get all the exposure: what specific things do you want to have happen? What do you say when Oprah's security expert says that they're not delaying, but it does take that long to sort out Usama ibn Labib from Osama bin Laden? (And points to couples that get through quickly as evidence that they're not biased, and then horror stories to show why they're doing their job.)

You'll look more reasonable if you can say 'we need X amount of funding, and the benefit isn't just to my husband, but to [blah blah blah security blah blah] so the average American can be sure that their borders are protected.'

This is exactly what is needed..people like yourselves that have great ideas...look at it from other perspectives....Im not saying AP/AR should cut corners if needed....but I am saying the Process should follow the same flow. Anyhow you raised great questions...you'd be perfect in helping to address reform.

[sarah and hicham 3]

I agree reform is needed across the board. How manyof you are for increasing taxes or cutting other expenses to fund the consulates properly? How many Americans do you think are willing to do this for a system that they see no benefit for themselves?

Do you really want consulates acting the same across the board? Most americans like a decentralized political system?

There are just a lot of factors involved here that need to be addressed and only then will we see the much reform happen.

This is a good point. Suppose you get all the exposure: what specific things do you want to have happen? What do you say when Oprah's security expert says that they're not delaying, but it does take that long to sort out Usama ibn Labib from Osama bin Laden? (And points to couples that get through quickly as evidence that they're not biased, and then horror stories to show why they're doing their job.)

You'll look more reasonable if you can say 'we need X amount of funding, and the benefit isn't just to my husband, but to [blah blah blah security blah blah] so the average American can be sure that their borders are protected.'

Those are very good points.

I just don't see who this is going to appeal to other than those waiting for their fiance's/husbands to get here who are going through Consulates. I can't imagine the funding needed for that especially since we're not just talking about one Consulate, but every Consulate that processes fiance and spousal visas throughout the world. On top of that, this process is temporary. Once you get through the Consulate you're done with them forever. I personally would not be willing to pay taxes in order to fund efficiency in Consulates abroad to bring over other people's spouses.

[Jenn! 918]

I think that the visa fees should vary by consulate. (do they already? ) Just jack those up to whatever level necessary to get things done more efficiently. One of the reasons stated for sending petitions back in Casablanca so often is lack of funding to do proper "investigation". If that's true, I think people would be willing to shell out a bit more when paying the visa fee at the interview if that meant that fewer petitions would be sent back.

[doodlebug 3]

I wonder if the mods could perhaps make a new thread with the posts that aren't regarding the list that I update? This thing is getting huge.

[Caladan 19]

I think that the visa fees should vary by consulate. (do they already? ) Just jack those up to whatever level necessary to get things done more efficiently. One of the reasons stated for sending petitions back in Casablanca so often is lack of funding to do proper "investigation". If that's true, I think people would be willing to shell out a bit more when paying the visa fee at the interview if that meant that fewer petitions would be sent back.

It's $100 worldwide, as far as I know. One would wonder, though, if it would be possible to change it, and if tying it to country of origin might not be ethically tricky. The other worry is where is the delay? The department of state? USCIS? FBI? What does AP/AR specifically entail?

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

I think that the visa fees should vary by consulate. (do they already? ) Just jack those up to whatever level necessary to get things done more efficiently. One of the reasons stated for sending petitions back in Casablanca so often is lack of funding to do proper "investigation". If that's true, I think people would be willing to shell out a bit more when paying the visa fee at the interview if that meant that fewer petitions would be sent back.

I would be willing to pay crazy fees just to not have to deal with this.. Someone made a really good point in another thread ( I cannot remember who) about the difference between Morocco and Egypt.. there seems to be all kinds of ar and ap in Egypt where Morocco just shoves stuff out the door and bye bye... Seems to me that I would much rather deal with AP AR than a denial and no chance of appealing.. But then again.. I AM STILL NOT EVEN OUT OF USCIS.. so what do I know?

[sarah and hicham 3]

I think that the visa fees should vary by consulate. (do they already? ) Just jack those up to whatever level necessary to get things done more efficiently. One of the reasons stated for sending petitions back in Casablanca so often is lack of funding to do proper "investigation". If that's true, I think people would be willing to shell out a bit more when paying the visa fee at the interview if that meant that fewer petitions would be sent back.

It's $100 worldwide, as far as I know. One would wonder, though, if it would be possible to change it, and if tying it to country of origin might not be ethically tricky. The other worry is where is the delay? The department of state? USCIS? FBI? What does AP/AR specifically entail?

That's the problem- we have no idea exactly which entity is causing delays.

[deadbird 2]

That's the problem- we have no idea exactly which entity is causing delays.

And we should. It's total BS that those who are still in AR/AP are still in the dark with no end in sight and DOS is no help whatsoever.

I mean...come on. At your job, you're expected to have something to show for the time you spend at your desk. For those on AP the end result most of the time is the same--you get the visa. If you're not going to get the visa you know that up front at the interview (right? Someone correct me if I'm wrong). Was there anyone on VJ who has sat in AR/AP for months only to be denied in the end? I don't think so. So why were they left waiting 2 months to a year? And why don't some wait at all? (BTW, when I called DOS during time we were in post processing, they told us we were in AR...so I think the two terms definitely are interchangeable.)

Note that what I said above does not apply to those who actually got the paper with the 221G checked. It only applies to those who had the interview, were told something and not given a paper at all like many in Cairo who were told they would be contacted in x weeks/months and hear nothing.

Most customer service reps at real companies would be fired if they treated us the way DOS phone operators do--I had one woman answer the phone with her mouth full who just started interrupting me and not listening and all the rest. Give me a break, what the hell are we paying such high fees for for such poor service?

[jpaula 20]

A group formed about a year+ ago to try to address some of these issues through lobbying. It has calmed down since immigration has been put on the back burner in Congress for a while. But, it is gearing up for more. Its lobbying goals have largely been shaped by its members so I am not sure if AP/AR is one of the target areas at the moment, but if enough of you speak up I am sure it could be. Anyone who is interested: www.americanfamiliesunited.org

[mybackpages 0]

I think that the visa fees should vary by consulate. (do they already? ) Just jack those up to whatever level necessary to get things done more efficiently. One of the reasons stated for sending petitions back in Casablanca so often is lack of funding to do proper "investigation". If that's true, I think people would be willing to shell out a bit more when paying the visa fee at the interview if that meant that fewer petitions would be sent back.

It's $100 worldwide, as far as I know. One would wonder, though, if it would be possible to change it, and if tying it to country of origin might not be ethically tricky. The other worry is where is the delay? The department of state? USCIS? FBI? What does AP/AR specifically entail?

That's the problem- we have no idea exactly which entity is causing delays.

Right and I suspect it varies from consulate to consulate.

[Caladan 19]

That's the problem- we have no idea exactly which entity is causing delays.

And we should. It's total BS that those who are still in AR/AP are still in the dark with no end in sight and DOS is no help whatsoever.

I mean...come on. At your job, you're expected to have something to show for the time you spend at your desk. For those on AP the end result most of the time is the same--you get the visa. If you're not going to get the visa you know that up front at the interview (right? Someone correct me if I'm wrong). Was there anyone on VJ who has sat in AR/AP for months only to be denied in the end? I don't think so. So why were they left waiting 2 months to a year? And why don't some wait at all? (BTW, when I called DOS during time we were in post processing, they told us we were in AR...so I think the two terms definitely are interchangeable.)

Note that what I said above does not apply to those who actually got the paper with the 221G checked. It only applies to those who had the interview, were told something and not given a paper at all like many in Cairo who were told they would be contacted in x weeks/months and hear nothing.

Most customer service reps at real companies would be fired if they treated us the way DOS phone operators do--I had one woman answer the phone with her mouth full who just started interrupting me and not listening and all the rest. Give me a break, what the hell are we paying such high fees for for such poor service?

Not that I want to defend USCIS, but I hardly think the problem is that people in Cairo could be working faster but they're sitting around playing tiddlywinks. They have other things to do besides 'process' AP/AR, like all the extra countries' visas who go through Cairo these days. At a consulate like Montreal, where there is practically no risk of fraud, it is taking six months to *schedule* an interview just out of sheer volume. When people go in to interview, there are many people there. It's not like they're just sitting around.

So add to that a need to wait on a namecheck (which might 'hold' the process until that information comes back), the extra processing required, home visits (surely they have to visit, write a up a report, evaluate it), plus whatever time the package spends in transit, and you could have people working 12 hour days and it still taking that long.

[doodlebug 3]

I wonder if the mods could perhaps make a new thread with the posts that aren't regarding the list that I update? This thing is getting huge.