Hey African Crew,


Has anyone successfully helped an elderly inlaw get a visitor's visa to the US? We are looking to try to get my mother-in-law over for a visit, and need some advice from successful petitioner's who went through the AWFUL Lagos embassy. We hope her chances are good since she owns her own home and gets a retirement pension there. Her youngest son is still there who she is putting through school, so that is another definite tie. So she will take all of that info in addition to photos of our home here and all of our documents. So give me feedback people. Sonya

Wow,

No one with a successful visitor's visa from Lagos. That only speaks to the obvious racism and discrimmination that goes on in that embassy. Makes me very angry but what can you do when the root of it starts with our own government. Oh well, prayerfully God will give us success, and I can share with others so you too can get A relative maybe two, over for a visit. Keep us in your prayers. Sonya

Nani and I are in the process of prepping a visa application for her mom. We want for her to be here when our baby is born. Can't say yet what the Consulate will do. It's a toss, I guess. All depending on who she will deal with and what mood that person is in. We've got a pretty solid case, I think, but that means little if the CO feels differently.

We should know something within the next month or two. I'll share our experience.

Thanks Reinard,

How is Nani doing with the pregnancy? Hope not too much sickness. Please post your experience. I will too. We will be praying like crazy that we get a decent fair officer. Take care. Sonya

Nani is doing great. She gained almost 10lbs thus far (16 weeks along). No more sickness, no complaints. She's eating good and taking her vitamins and fluids. We're going for walks most evenings. Just gotta go and get some of that maternity wear now. Her stomach really starts to grow. She's so excited about that little baby inside her. As am I. Can't wait for the baby to arrive.

And yes, we're hoping for a fair shot with her mom's visa. It would just be the greatest thing to have her here for when the baby is born and the first few weeks after that. It would be so much help...

Cheers!

We have not done this yet and I have heard from others how hard it is, but I have a friend from Nigeria that is a US citizen now. He got both of his parents visitors visas from the Lagos consulate.
Best of luck

Hi,

Its my first time here at this forum and it feels like I am amongst friends. To help you with your question, my grandmom who is about 75 was approved for a visa last month to come during the summer. Fortunately for her her children are quite well off and they did not bother her at all.

The catch however is that her visa is valid for only one month. Of which I heard she was quite lucky that they do not issue visas to adults over the age of 65.

The reputation of the U.S Embassy is horrendous, so horrendous that there was an article about them in the NY Times last year. I will join you in praying that the Lord grants you a miracle in this situation.

As long as she has property back in Nigeria and can show that she has the financial resources to sustain herself throughout the duration of her stay, I don't see any problems. (I doubt that the American Embassy will agree)

All the best.

Besangin, i spoke to my husband about your posting and he said that your mother in law shouldn't encounter any problems with the visitor's visa. He also went on to tell me that if a woman over the age of 45 goes for a visa to the USA, she is more than likely to get it. They feel she has ties back at home and will not want to stay in the USA at her age. He also told me that even for the visa lottery, the older women are automatically granted the visa. They do have to go to an interview, but nothing is really asked as opposed to someone younger going for the same visa.

Now as to your posting about "the root of it starts with our own government." I know i will get so much flack about this but i have to state my opinion on it. I don't feel it starts with OUR government. I feel it starts with all foreigners that come here and do corrupt things and they are the ones that make it bad for everyone else. At our AOS interview, the CO told us that normally when we file to lift conditions within the 90 day timeframe as they give us, most people do not have to go thru an interview, but when they see that the foreign spouse is a NIGERIAN citizen, a red flag goes up and some are asked to come in for an interview. Now to be honest with you, nigerians, make it bad for a lot of people. Do u realize how many countries does not want Nigerians there? I can't say much for other foreignes, but being married to a Naija man and discussing these things with him, I can see why the embassy does some of the things they do. We all know that Nigeria is one of the most corrupt countries in the world. And most of them will do anything to be able to get out of that country even if it means faking a legal document. Fellow VJ'ers please note that this is my own personal opinion and am not trying to bash Nigerians.

Sweetee,

Thanks for that info. Your point is true and valid. Yes, they do bring it upon themselves, absolutely no arguments there, but I think there should be better policing there to make sure that they are adjudicating fairly and not denying those who should get one and approving the the vile, cunning, and manipulative ones who should be buried under the jail. I guess it's that way everywhere. You have evil people no matter what there nationality or color of their skin. Sonya

Ya I agree. I always hear alot of bad stuff about Nigerian's. I don't know how true it is. It seems like a few bad apples have made it bad for the whole barrel. It actually makes my heart hurt, whenever someone reminds me about some Nigerian that they know that did this or that. Anyway I see your point Sweetee. I guess there is not much anyone can do eccept to live the best life we can.

And it ain't just Nigerians either. Ethiopians are just as suspect in these matters. And there are more. And not just Africans. It's a problem that exists all over the world.

Okay, the papers are on their way over to MIL. Should arrive mid next week and we hope the fund transfer has worked by then as well (this is the first time I sent a USD wire to Africa via my employer). Should work fine and @ $40.00 flat rate is much cheaper than using WU or MoneyGram since it was a rather large transfer. Anyhow, once both funds and papers arrived, it'll be showtime at the Consulate.

May 3 is showtime for my MIL's visitor visa.

Wish us Luck!

I too would like to apply for a visa for my mother-in-law to come and visit me and her grandson, I haven't really started looking into yet, she said she'd like to come in about 2-years. So if someone finds out the procedure please share.

Great news Reinhard!!! Prayers and BEST WISHES!!! My MIL is 5/22. We will see what happens.

Good Luck to you as well!

We did it. My MIL received her visitor visa today. She'll be here in September when the Baby arrives to help this pair of new parents out a little. We're so happy!

Wow really? That is great news.

What did she show as ties to her own country? We'd like Re's mother to come for a little while after we have a child as well, but she has no money and basicallly owns nothing. She does however have two "children" (16 and 20 years old) living with her.

She had nothing much to show for ties to Ethiopia. Nor was she asked for much. All they wanted to see (besides the invitation package that I put together for her) was her employment letter. We actually transferred some money into her account a few weeks back to boost that up a little for the interview but the Consulate wasn't interested in her bank statement at all. My MIL also has some real property in her name but wasn't asked for the documents in that respect either. She doesn't have any other children, nor does she have a husband. We just seem to have a lot of luck with these visa matters in Addis Ababa. Nani's folks over there sure couldn't believe it. Only the Lord knows...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!

That is GREAT news!!!. I know Nani must be thrilled to be able to share that time with her mom!! I am so happy for you guys. I we have the same blessing with my MIL. Sonya

A VERY BIG CONGRATS TO U GUYS!!!! WELL IT WON'T BE 2 LONG B4 THE BUNDLE OF JOY COMES!!!!!!!!!!

Yep, just over 4 months until our little girl is born. We found out today that we will have a girl.





Best of Luck to you guys!