home visits

[doodlebugg 10]

I know we've gone over this before but I'm lost as to what the purpose of the home visits are? Seems like it's a normal step these days in cases from Egypt who are in long Administrative Processing cycles. What exactly do these visits prove? Anyone?

My husband had his home visit a few weeks ago. The man asked the surrounding neighbors if they knew he was married "from a foreign one" and if he really lived there.

What does that prove in terms of our marriage? My next door neighbors know nothing of my life, why should his?

And for the ones that actually have their families interviewed normally the question is, how do you feel about the marriage. . . . What does that have to do with anything? So if the family dislikes the new bride the visa is a no-go?

Someone please explain this part of our journey to us because it is making NO sense whatsoever to me. Seems like a flippin' waste of time in terms of what they discover to prove the relationship.

Oh and while I'm at it...what about cases like cheryl who already had a home visit and had ANOTHER one a long time after? What did THAT prove?

Edited February 5, 2008 by bridget

[Jenn! 918]

I think they're seeing if someone is going to slip up and give some sort of indication that the marriage is only for papers. I don't know if Egypt is like Morocco in this way, but it seems like neighbors know each other's business much more so than here.

[ya falaha! 0]

I agree.

Yes, Egypt is like Morocco in that way. You can't even pass gas without the neighbors knowing about it there. Really invasive society. Personally, that would drive me insane.

I think they're seeing if someone is going to slip up and give some sort of indication that the marriage is only for papers. I don't know if Egypt is like Morocco in this way, but it seems like neighbors know each other's business much more so than here.

[tenderheartusa79 14]

well yeah the home visit is an option the USA embassy in Cairo use it to prove that couple really have a real relationship

and its so different in Egypt people know everything about each others

at least they don't hide anything when they get married of engaged cause they want to share that happiness with all of their neighbors

and thats what the USA embassy doing

they try to find out if your husband hide that of he share that with all of his neighbors its kinda good prove to the embassy that its a real relationship

and the USA embassy don't make that home visit to all people but they do that when they looking for more prove to the relationship

like there is a gap between the couple age or when the spouse didn't do good at the interview like he/she miss some of the interview question .........things like that

just be patient and everything will be OK inshaallah

my best wishes for ya

have a blessed day

[doodlebugg 10]

well yeah the home visit is an option the USA embassy in Cairo use it to prove that couple really have a real relationship

and its so different in Egypt people know everything about each others

at least they don't hide anything when they get married of engaged cause they want to share that happiness with all of their neighbors

and thats what the USA embassy doing

they try to find out if your husband hide that of he share that with all of his neighbors its kinda good prove to the embassy that its a real relationship

and the USA embassy don't make that home visit to all people but they do that when they looking for more prove to the relationship

like there is a gap between the couple age or when the spouse didn't do good at the interview like he/she miss some of the interview question .........things like that

just be patient and everything will be OK inshaallah

my best wishes for ya

have a blessed day

I guess I kind of understand it but what if the neighbors hate the person who petitioned for the visa? Not in my case but seriously with all the evil eyes and such going on over there what if a neighbor sought out to sabatage it by saying no I know nothing about a marriage and no he does not live here. That means the couple's fate is in the hands of some neighbors? That just doesn't sit right with me. In our case the neighbors said yes he is married from a foreign one and answered all questions truthfully but moreso because they were scared sh!tless that they were being questioned by the police and that they'd be tortured if they didn't answer the right way. Seriously. I don't agree with this at all. And I've never heard of people going through Cairo who are coming from the Sudan having this home visit. Why just people from Egypt?

[morocco4ever 63]

I agree.

Yes, Egypt is like Morocco in that way. You can't even pass gas without the neighbors knowing about it there. Really invasive society. Personally, that would drive me insane.

I think they're seeing if someone is going to slip up and give some sort of indication that the marriage is only for papers. I don't know if Egypt is like Morocco in this way, but it seems like neighbors know each other's business much more so than here.

OMG......

This is soooo true! My husband is amazed at how no one here really cares about stupid things like they do there. I think it is because there is no work giving each other too much time to "entertain" themselves with other peoples lives. What a freaking waste of time.

[~~~water~~~ 0]

I also think home visits are a way of checking that your husband/fiance does not have another wife and kids... especially its not formal marriage between them

[doodlebugg 10]

I also think home visits are a way of checking that your husband/fiance does not have another wife and kids... especially its not formal marriage between them

Interesting point. I never thought of that one. I mean what if he did have another wife, or even three other wives? It's accepted in Egypt and legal but what would they do, even if the petitioner knew about it and was ok with it? (totally NOT my situation btw. lol. )

[Jenn! 918]

I also think home visits are a way of checking that your husband/fiance does not have another wife and kids... especially its not formal marriage between them

Interesting point. I never thought of that one. I mean what if he did have another wife, or even three other wives? It's accepted in Egypt and legal but what would they do, even if the petitioner knew about it and was ok with it? (totally NOT my situation btw. lol. )

If the marriage is recognized in the U.S., then the beneficiary would be ineligible for a visa as polygyny is unlawful in the U.S.

[~~~water~~~ 0]

I also think home visits are a way of checking that your husband/fiance does not have another wife and kids... especially its not formal marriage between them

Interesting point. I never thought of that one. I mean what if he did have another wife, or even three other wives? It's accepted in Egypt and legal but what would they do, even if the petitioner knew about it and was ok with it? (totally NOT my situation btw. lol. )

I read it somewhere don't remember where

Edited February 5, 2008 by ~~~water~~~

[doodlebugg 10]

I also think home visits are a way of checking that your husband/fiance does not have another wife and kids... especially its not formal marriage between them

Interesting point. I never thought of that one. I mean what if he did have another wife, or even three other wives? It's accepted in Egypt and legal but what would they do, even if the petitioner knew about it and was ok with it? (totally NOT my situation btw. lol. )

If the marriage is recognized in the U.S., then the beneficiary would be ineligible for a visa as polygyny is unlawful in the U.S.

Even if the first marriage (or second or third) wasn't in the US? I know I'm getting technical but this has always made me wonder...if the Egyptian had not married the previous wives at the Ministry of Justice then the marriage(s) are not recognized by the US, which would mean the polygamy factor wouldn't be a factor right? Maybe this is too legal for this board but it fascinates me. The way people who practice polygamy in the US get around it is by not registring the marriage and instead only having a mosque thing instead.

Edited February 5, 2008 by bridget

[Aymerlu 3]

I also think home visits are a way of checking that your husband/fiance does not have another wife and kids... especially its not formal marriage between them

Never thought of that. Makes sense though

I agree.

Yes, Egypt is like Morocco in that way. You can't even pass gas without the neighbors knowing about it there. Really invasive society. Personally, that would drive me insane.

very true!

[Jenn! 918]

I also think home visits are a way of checking that your husband/fiance does not have another wife and kids... especially its not formal marriage between them

Interesting point. I never thought of that one. I mean what if he did have another wife, or even three other wives? It's accepted in Egypt and legal but what would they do, even if the petitioner knew about it and was ok with it? (totally NOT my situation btw. lol. )

If the marriage is recognized in the U.S., then the beneficiary would be ineligible for a visa as polygyny is unlawful in the U.S.

Even if the first marriage (or second or third) wasn't in the US? I know I'm getting technical but this has always made me wonder...if the Egyptian had not married the previous wives at the Ministry of Justice then the marriage(s) are not recognized by the US, which would mean the polygamy factor wouldn't be a factor right? Maybe this is too legal for this board but it fascinates me. The way people who practice polygamy in the US get around it is by not registring the marriage and instead only having a mosque thing instead.

If the marriage isn't recognized in the U.S., then I don't see how having multiple wives (Islamically only) would make one ineligible for a visa. In fact, I'm sure it happens all the time - many times probably without the USC wife's knowledge.

[polarbear 0]

I also think home visits are a way of checking that your husband/fiance does not have another wife and kids... especially its not formal marriage between them

Interesting point. I never thought of that one. I mean what if he did have another wife, or even three other wives? It's accepted in Egypt and legal but what would they do, even if the petitioner knew about it and was ok with it? (totally NOT my situation btw. lol. )

If the marriage is recognized in the U.S., then the beneficiary would be ineligible for a visa as polygyny is unlawful in the U.S.

Even if the first marriage (or second or third) wasn't in the US? I know I'm getting technical but this has always made me wonder...if the Egyptian had not married the previous wives at the Ministry of Justice then the marriage(s) are not recognized by the US, which would mean the polygamy factor wouldn't be a factor right? Maybe this is too legal for this board but it fascinates me. The way people who practice polygamy in the US get around it is by not registring the marriage and instead only having a mosque thing instead.

If the marriage isn't recognized in the U.S., then I don't see how having multiple wives (Islamically only) would make one ineligible for a visa. In fact, I'm sure it happens all the time - many times probably without the USC wife's knowledge.

That's why they require the certificate of celibacy or soemthing like that (can't remember the exact name) before the interview. It must state that they are not married to be eligible for the visa. The only way around it would be if he was married Islamically but not legally. From what I understand it is frowned upon to do it this way as it usually hurts the woman in the long run (there are islamic reasons too, but I can't quote them now or look them us since I'm at work) It does happen though.

[amrssnowangel 0]

I think the home visits are for multiple reasons.

1. to find out if the marriage/engagement is hidden

2. to verify where the SO lives, that he DOES live there, and he is who he says he is

3. to verify if there are other wives or fiancees

4. to verify if the family is supportive or if anyone has a slip of tongue

5. to verify who the neighbors are...to see..investigate if there are associations that are less than honorable (terrorism wise)

I know for us...his parents know of us. We have chosen NOT to have a formal engagement in Egypt as its not acceptable in our case (for reasons I'll not disclose) and i know his neighbors will not know of me...but his entire family does. If parents dont know of the relationship or an age gap thats a flag im sure. If he was married in Egypt and neighbors dont know...flag...marriage in Egypt is a huge deal. Im sure there are many reasons...but none of which I can say are worth that long of a wait as some of you have gone through. Just my opinion.