Hi, I was wondering if those that have gone through the Embassy in Ghana can tell me how long it took for their fiance/spouse to get their visa once they were approvedat interview. I can't take too long a vacation from work and I am praying my husband will get his in time to come home with me. I would be heartbreaking if he didnt. Thanks.

I think ours took about a week, but I've heard of others taking a month. It depends on how busy they are.

ours took exactly one week...

Hi Efia,

From what I hear it takes anywhere between the following day to one week

My husband had his interview on a Monday, he was told to come back that Friday to get the visa. They didn't have it ready and told him to come back one week from that day. It was ready then, that was 11 days after the interview. I guess it depends on how busy they are and as always they take their time in Ghana. It's pretty unpredictable how long it will take, everyone's case is different. Best wishes, are you going to be there for the interview?

Yes, I will be there. Our lawyer who prepared our papers said that it is always good when the spouse or fiancee could be there, but she said it would be a 50/50 chance of getting in. I think they will let me in, but at least he can say im there with him when they ask how many times i have visited. which was only once for 2 weeks. Its been so hard without each other for a whole year. nov 11 will be our anniversary and we wont be together, even now it brings tears to my eyes. this year has been the worst in my life and I didnt have him with me. He hasnt met my family although he has talked to them all but my brother michael was murdered in february and it hurts knowing they didnt get to meet. his death and my mothers grief prevented me from going on my scheduled time to visit my husband. It will be so wonderful to see him and hold him again.

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. It's very hard waiting and going through this process. I find it even harder because Bassi is really my rock and so when I'm going through something difficult it's nice to have him to support me. Now going through this is hard and we are appart so it makes it feel harder somehow. Like I just really wish we could sit and hold each other and worry about how long they are taking together. Sometimes I feel a little sad when I listen to others using the waiver program to come and go often to see each other and I know that I've got to come up with $1000 to fly over there minimum and they won't let him come over here at all. I miss Bassi very very much. I pray God speeds the days of waiting by so we can be together in the blink of an eye.

Efia, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. I am sure your brother is looking over you and has already seen the man you married in Ghana...

I know exactly how you feel Efia and Zainab...having gone through this process and completing it earlier this year,I definitely felt like all time we went through the visa process was one of the hardest time for both me and my hubby.
The Ghana embassy does not make it any easier but I pray that both of your interviews go well. I have read from others who went through the Ghana embassy that the fiance being present, although she may or may not be permitted in the building does help out alot so its nice you will get to be there Efia. As other vjers have already stated, I have heard it takes about a week after the interview but it also depends on the time of year..I have heard that sometimes it can take up to 2 weeks or more but I think for most people who went through Ghana it was about a week.

Hang in there Ladies, I know when we went through the visa process, it was especially stressful for my hubby because he had to go trekking all the around the world to obtain his police reports. At times, I felt the visa process nearly broke both our spirits but we got through it shedding tears but stayed hopeful with prayer and being on this site for moral support!

Thank you ladies. My brother Michael did get to see a video of my husband saying hi to him Michael is younger than me but he was the one to grill my husband on the phone when i told him this man wanted to marry me. I was very discreet about our relationship up until that time. So his murder and the ongoing investigation has been hell. They know who did and were afraid the same killers would come after his family so my husband was in great fear for me and my family. Imaging that! It was so hard for him as it was for us. My mom loves my husband and had told him not too long ago that God had replaced a son with another for her. I am hispanic so all my nieces and nephews cant wait to meet their tio (uncle). Especially my niece maleena because her mother is black and although she has 6 other siblings she is the one born with a soft fro and has always hated it, but after finding out my husband used to own a hair salon she said she cant wait till he comes so he can do her hair I LOVE her hair , its golden brown and mine is not too far from hers in texture so i always try to get her to look at it different. However, I remember being a kid and being jealous of girls with straight hair. Haha now I have a husband who tells me "I agree that you can color your hair whatever you want but DONT STRAIGHTEN IT OR CUT IT" funny how life turns out sometimes

Wow, I pray that you and your entire family stay safe from this person(s) who murdered who brother..I cant imagine how that would feel for your mother especially losing her son in this way....Its nice that your mom can look to your husband as a good addition to your family..Although he can never replace her biological son, Michael, its wonderful that your mom can look your hubby as another son. Your niece Maleena must be a lil gorgeous thing..Biracial children from what I have seen are always so good looking, taking all the good features from both parents.... I have always had straight hair and always kinda hated how flat and boring my hair would look. I have always admired those with curly/wavy hair because they hair has so much volume and with all the new technology now (cermanic irons, etc..) it seems to me that most people with wavy or very curly hair can have the best of both worlds, too....LOL I know when my hubby and i have kids one day they will more than likely have wavy/curly hair so I will need to learn the ins and outs of how to take good care of my kids hair....
I have many friends who are African American and they have told me how much time they need spend getting their hair done in the hair salon. I admire them and their stylists who can go hours braiding and getting their hair all done up! Its great that hubby loves the way you wear hair natural.....To me thats love, when your loved one loves for just as you are!

I also heard that it looks good to accompany your significant other to the interview. In most cases I heard they do let you in, especially at the Ghana Embassy. I also heard that they tend to speak mostly to the petitioner than the beneficiary when the petitioner is present.



Efia, I am so sorry for your loss. It is always that much harder when the passing is untimely. I will pray for you and your family.

Try your best, no natter how hard, to keep a positive outlook. God will bring you through this and much more. Just remember that He has a plan for all of us, and your time for peace and happiness is near.

That sounds really scary. Are you guys safer now? I pray God's blessings on your family that you are protected from those that might wish to harm you. May you always walk in peace.

My daughter is biracial. Her father is asian and I am west indian american (black). She loves her crazy, bird's nest hair. It's really funny. Most of the time I don't know what to do with it, so I just wet it and brush it to get the tangles out then put braids in it. I only use shampoo once a week and use conditioner alone the rest of the time. But she loves her hair and all it's chaos. She's only 5, but won't let me cut it, even to trim it, but likes to see it get bigger as the day wears on. It pleases me that she is so proud of herself. She's not insecure about her mixed heritage at all, and if she's questioned in a negative way, she'll put you in your place in a hot second. I never taught her that, she just had it in her from birth. She's also excited about future brothers and sisters even though they won't look like her, she still knows they are her brothers and sisters and has plans for all the things she's going to teach them. I think I'm blessed because I live in a very mixed area. There are A LOT of biracial and multiracial families and children in my city. It's more the norm than not the norm. Now, when we visit my mother in Georgia, we get stared at a lot more. I remember when she was a baby, a woman in Atlanta came up to me in Best Buy and said, "Where did you get that baby?". I said, "God is giving them away in the comptuer section." and walked away. The south is still not friendly to mixed race relationships. They're not always friendly to mixed nation relationships, even when the race is the same. And Bassi has his heart focused on moving us down there to be closer to "his" mother. (my mom)

God brings people into your life for a reason. You and your family are going to be just fine. Trust and believe it and you will receive it!



I love the naturals!!!! . I have locs. Its a struggle for many people to embrace their curls/coils.

Well said!

What borough do you live in?



I like you that much more!

What island are your family from?

Me too. But they're only a year old. I'm loving them. I used to sport a scalp 'fro, if you know what I mean. I'm adjusting to having this much hair on my head, but it's good for winters up north, that's for sure!

Poor New Yorkers, always so confused to find out that there is more to the state beyond the GWB! I used to live in Brooklyn and then in Queens, but now I live upstate in the Capital District. I live in Schenectady which is about 3 hours from NYC, 2.5 hours if my friend Steve is driving.




My mother is from Guyana (South America) and my father is from Trinidad (right off the coast of Guyana). I lived in Guyana until primary school then we all moved to Brooklyn.

its a good feeling...very empowering!!!!

AWWWWWWW come on I know there is more to the State of NY than NYC and Long Island...I went to school in Buffalo for a total of 4 years. I am just always surprised that people who originate from warm climates/countries like the caribbean and Africa live upstate. I always ask them, first "Are you going to school here?" If yes....I say "OH...I thought as much!" If they no.....I say "WHY on earth are you here then??????"

There are hardly if any in some areas, any decent caribbean and African restaurants....and not to mention seasonings and other ethnic products. I always had to buy my stuff in NYC on break and bring it to Buffalo with me. Most people would travel to Canada just to get these things. You use to live in NYC...I'm sure you know what i mean .



Girl u don't have to tell me where Guyana or Trinidad is. You know us coconuts know all about our people. I definitely enjoy my cheese straws and my raisin rice. And don't forget about the Mauby, the bake, currants roll...... mmmmm.... let me stop now. My family is from Jamaica and I have close friends from all over the Caribbean.

We are as safe as anyone in this world I suppose. They people responsible havent messed with us. Its sad because my brother was set up. We are all so outraged by it because there were so many involved and it was planned for days and at no one at any point thought they shouldnt do it. not one voice of reason. My brother lived a fistful life and it seems it cought up with him in the worst time because he had tried to leave the past behind behind him and start new. He loved to fight, he was strong and tough. I always worried about him, the whole family did but he was changing ant the ones who killed him knew they couldnt beat him one on one so they shot him in the back of the head while he was driving them all to a "party". My brother was not a gun slinger he saw it as a cowardly way to fight. was very careful and never drove with anyone he didnt know. but the ones who set him were all "friends" he felt safe wtih. I know I will see him again but for now its hard. I remember all the little things about him. I dont condone his gangster past because I believe if you live by the sword you will die by it but people all have a chance to repent and turn around and he was trying to do that. I dont hate the killers.......they are a product of this world as my brother but they are still walking around free facing no consequence (that they fathom) and my brother is lying in the ground leaving a wife and 4 little kids. All going through counseling.........anyways...Let me stop, Jehovah will take care of it. I will see him again, in happier settings.

As for my husband.......he is all excited about the information Im getting. Im glad because he was getting such horrible advice from those that he knew...to the point that he would argue with me about the info the lawyer was telling us. Like his police clearance report from cameroon. people were telling him he didnt need it that since he is in ghana now that is what the embassy wants only. I kept telling him why he would believe others that never even visited the states and not our lawyer but I see his point a little. It is a diff world in ghana, government isnt so much involved in every single thing like here in us. I told him he is dealing with Us gov now and even if stuff dont make sense they are the ones running the show. I told him we need to do EVERYTHING they ask for and more just in case. Cause even if they are the ones to make a mistake they will not apologize they will say "Reapply and come back later, NEXT!" But since I have being relaying info from this forum he is listening more and getting excited because I am telling him names of places there and how much it will all cost and im getting advice from Ghanaians actually there and going through it. So, thank all of you for your support and knowledge.

"She loves her crazy, bird's nest hair. It's really funny. Most of the time I don't know what to do with it, "

bassi I just learned how to take care of my hair and I am 38! I found a book called "curley girl" by lorraine massy. It teaches the specials needs of curley hair and even names like three types. im a corkscrew style. I have learned to wash my hair with conditioner and never use shampoo anymore. I rub my scalp clean with conditioner. She says if you look at ingredients anyways it has the same solvents as shampoo without all the useless bubbles that overdry and damage curls. my hair is gorgeous now. I learn how to put gel in right. People just want to play with my hair now. and the book is filled with stories of girls who hated theirs hair and tried to straighten it all their lives but now that they know how to take care of it they embrace their curls. I sound like im actually making a profit off it huh? haha but its just that this book has finally taught me how to "do" my hair. and there is a special section for african american hair and stories of moms and daughters and sisters. One I remember was of a white mom who didnt know how to take care of her bi-racial daughers hair and the daughter grew up not knowing how to anything with her hair and hated her hair and always wish she had hair like her moms. Its a good book, I highly recommend it. get the book if you want to try it. I tried doing the just the conditioner thing but didnt have her techniques down and my hair looked really greasy but after learning the techniques, it looks great. Its funny not all salon type info. its more about liberating and embracing your curls and having a new attidude. Its a really cute and informative book.

Sorry to interrupt the flow of the conversation, but I wanted to respond to the original question. My husband's interview was on July 12, but he didn't pick up his Visa until August 10!! He had to fix a minor problem with his birth certificate which only took one day, but they gave him a return date of Aug 3. (He wasn't able to come back any earlier!!!) When he finally went back on the 3rd, he was told that the printer that prints the visas was broken!!! So he had to wait until the following week!!! We had already bought a one way ticket for him to fly back with me and my family, so we had to purchase another ticket. Luckily we were able to get our money back (minus $200). On top of obtaining the visa, there is an issue of obtaining a transient visa if your fiance doesn't take a direct flight to the US. Depending on which country he flies through, there is an additional 3-4 day wait on the transient visa which cannot be applied for until the American visa is obtained. I pray that he will be able to fly with you. One of our dreams was to fly across the Atlantic together and be together when he arrived in the states for the first time. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. With all things considered, that was only a minor glitch in the matrix... I wish you both the best

"Now back to our previously scheduled program..."

I never heard of a transient visa...

sankfofa, thank you so much for that info on transient visa.......i wil make sure our tickets go straight through. Now that means no stops even to refuel? Im sorry if that is an ignorant question but I only flew once and that was to get married

North American Airlines and Delta fly straight from JFK to Accra nonstop and total flight time is like 9.5-10 hours.

No stops, no refueling

North American Airlines and Delta fly straight from JFK to Accra nonstop and total flight time is like 9.5-10 hours.

No stops, no refueling
[/quote]


Thanks zee! so I guess I have to fly to new york from cali then to accra. wow that will probably be expensive.

I don't really know about prices from Cali since I live in Philly

But, as someone who flies to Ghana every year, I must say that the straight flight is the way to go . Definitely trumps going through Europe or elsewhere and no need to worry about transit visas (for your husband) and layovers and all other inconveniences

Oh, okay, I see now. Well, I grew up in NYC, so the sun is long gone from my blood. But Bassi and I are planning to retire in Ghana. So, I'm already looking forward to it. In Schenectady, there are alot of Guyanese, so I have no problem with markets and restaurants. I can get everything I need up here. Even fresh produce and stuff at good prices, not like mangoes in the gourmet section of the local supermarket, if you know what I mean. I haven't found any "african" markets or restaurants so I have a feeling we'll make a few trips down to Little Nima in the Bronx when Bassi is feeling particularly homesick. Luckily, it's a trip than can be made in a day without discomfort. His biggest fear is finding a mosque where he'll be comfortable. One of the mosques up here got raided for terrorist activity and now they are all under fire. So, he's afraid to even visit any when he gets here. I feel for him cause he and his family are very active in their local mosque in Ghana. His father recently moved to Amasaman and I know he already misses his activities with the mosque, even calling prayer at 4am!

That's what I like so much about this forum as well. It's very informative. If there is one thing Ghanaians know about, it's EVERYTHING! They all share opinions like fact and it helps so much to have first hand information from someone going through the process. Especially for things you can get on ahead of time, because I remember someone here saying that it took them six months to get their police certificate from Cameroon, so your SO can start the process now.

Thanks zee. So since you have more experience which one is the better airlines, Delta or NA? I flew BA and I loved it. I wasnt even afraid of dying lol That was my first choice because of the personal tvs and the crew was so nice, but I have no other to compare with but with reading online the others dont seem to offer the perks plus now I know of the transient visa

Thanks Efia. I'm going to try it, cause she's getting older and I'd love to learn some things to do with her hair, cause she's already getting sick of braids.

Many flights to Africa go through Europe and require a "transit" visa to allow you to stop in Europe and wait for the connecting flight. Since the wait is several hours (in Amersterdam its 6 hours) they require the visa for you to "wait" in their country.

I usually fly direct from JFK because I don't have the patience for those layovers. Plus, they generally occur in the middle of the night so you can't even really go see something in the city. But after waiting through this whole process, God may have taught me to be the picture of patience. Who knows?

I flew both airlines round trip. Delta is my preferred choice at this point because North American is unreliable. If North American does not have a full flight or close to full, they usually cancel the flight. Many people took off for vacation and lost one to two weeks of their time and then ended up not going anywhere.

Delta is fairly new flying out to Ghana so, they are on point for now.

If you book well enough in advance you can save almost $600 booking a direct flight instead of stopping in Europe. I've flown direct on North American for $900. And you might as well try to save money on your flight, cause no matter how you do it, the one way ticket is going to be expensive.

Delta's flights to Ghana are relatively new, like a year or two old. I've never flown them. I don't fly them domestive anymore cause of the poor customer service. But NAA is wierd because they only fly out on Sundays and they only fly in on Tuesdays. It makes planning your stay interesting. YOu have to leave Accra on a Tuesday. You can't leave any other day. I've never experienced that before. So you can either stay two days, or a week and half? Last time I went, I stayed three and a half weeks.

ME TOO! I seriously don't have the patience for a layover. The straight flight works out well for me especially since the plane takes off from JFK in late afternoon to early evening....you are able to sleep on the plane (if you can) during your normal sleeping time and by the time you get to Ghana, its the AM....it cuts down a bit on the jet lag.

That's VERY true, unless you're me, who can't sleep on airplanes. I think it's a control issue. I have the be awake in case I'm about to die and need to interceded with God for my personal survival. So I just watch three movies in a row! Bassi had his cousin fly with me last time, cause I'm not good at flying alone. Yussif fell asleep before I was even buckled in my seat! He was a great comfort! I've always flown with groups. Even when we were flown home for the summer as a child, it was me, my sister and six or seven cousins flying BWIA together. I'm such a wuss!

.

I think Delta started flying to Ghana late 2006. Delta domestic as you said, sucks...but I must say that Delta international has been on point.

I just wish more airlines would fly to Ghana so that the ticket prices will go down. Its kind of unfair that the price to go to Ghana is about the same or more than going to India when a trip to India is more than twice as long than a flight to Ghana

I use to be the same way, but flying back and forth to Buffalo on JetBlue sort of broke me in. Flying to Ghana alone to see my Fiance, totally shocked my family when I could barely breathe on one of our family trips to Jamaica!

Its hard for me to sleep on the plane too... Even when I take nyquil! But I just pray and have faith that God is going to get me to my destination safe....it's been working

Thanks for the info. I think it will be delta and so far bt-store says it will be around 1700 total for only one but I will probably go through an agent I used the first time because I dont know how to book a flight that will have me and hubby on the same plane and seats with one round trip and one one-way. PLUS if we dont get the visa intime I need to book at a rate where I can change the times (for a fee of course) Im not very savvy about it and do not know how to do all that online. I am determined to leave WITH my husband. I cant take leaving him behind anymore. If I have to live there for months, so be it. I cant take another extended time apart.

I do think that Delta is more expensive than NAA. The thing with NAA is that there are no extra perks like the TV screens or anything like that. The food was good (for airplane food). I haven't heard of them cancelling flights though. When I travelled they were on time.

Yes the prices for NAA went down since Delta came on the scene. The cancellations I remember being around April/May (a little before & a little after). This could have been due in part to the fact that Delta was doing there introductory sale of about $400 each way. I know so many people who were taking Delta instead of NAA at that time....maybe it made it difficult to fill NAA.

I haven't looked at airline prices since I got back from Ghana in May sooo....you may have more current info

I would say Delta is def the way to go!!! Yes, it's outrageously expensive, but it's a nonstop flight from NY to Accra!!! It takes about 10 hours total! Last I checked, tickets are still going for a little less than 2,000 usd per roundtrip ticket!! crazy price but I guess it's worth it for Love .... right???