Interview Scam in Lagos? Help!

[Skateman 0]

My fiancee' had all her paperwork in order when she showed up at the US embassy in Lagos, Nigeria this morning. However, they said that she applied for a B1 interview and not a K1. It did not matter to them that there was no way to select the K1 option when she made the reservation and that their website clearly stated that B1 and K1 would be treated the same for interview scheduling. They told her to reschedule. Two problems here - her account is locked out - she cannot cancel the appointment she just made this morning, nor will she be able to select K1 since that option was not available assuming she signs up again (and possibly is charged the $265 fee). Right now I can't afford an immigration lawyer. I tried most of the day calling the US state department, but the non-immigrant line refuses to help me, and the immigrant line will not take the call - they say call again later. I'm guessing that they are trying to get us to re-register and extort us for another $265. Anyone have any ideas on how to get her a K1 visa interview?

Edited March 2, 2015 by Skateman

[TagTeam 61]

My fiancee' had all her paperwork in order when she showed up at the US embassy in Lagos, Nigeria this morning. However, they said that she applied for a B1 interview and not a K1. It did not matter to them that there was no way to select the K1 option when she made the reservation and that their website clearly stated that B1 and K1 would be treated the same for interview scheduling. They told her to reschedule. Two problems here - her account is locked out - she cannot cancel the appointment she just made this morning, nor will she be able to select K1 since that option was not available assuming she signs up again (and possibly is charged the $265 fee). Right now I can't afford an immigration lawyer. I tried most of the day calling the US state department, but the non-immigrant line refuses to help me, and the immigrant line will not take the call - they say call again later. I'm guessing that they are trying to get us to re-register and extort us for another $265. Anyone have any ideas on how to get her a K1 visa interview?

Did you check out the Nigerian Embassay information page available here: http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=Nigeria&cty=Lagos

On this website there are specific instructions which state Email LagosIV@state.gov for your interview date. (This applies only to K1 Visa seekers.) At this point, if you cannot reach the Lagos embassy by phone, I would be emailing them ASAP and explaining to them your specific situation, where they will be able to further advise you on what to do.

Also, there is a forum on Nairaland where a U.S. Visa officer answers questions. You can also try to post your question to see if the officer can better advise you based on your situation. The link below is to that forum:

http://www.nairaland.com/1792591/u.s-immigration-questions-ask-u.s/110

I hope this information helps.

[TagTeam 61]

Did you check out the Nigerian Embassay information page available here: http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=Nigeria&cty=Lagos

On this website there are specific instructions which state Email LagosIV@state.gov for your interview date. (This applies only to K1 Visa seekers.) At this point, if you cannot reach the Lagos embassy by phone, I would be emailing them ASAP and explaining to them your specific situation, where they will be able to further advise you on what to do.

Also, there is a forum on Nairaland where a U.S. Visa officer answers questions. You can also try to post your question to see if the officer can better advise you based on your situation. The link below is to that forum:

http://www.nairaland.com/1792591/u.s-immigration-questions-ask-u.s/110

I hope this information helps.

In addition to the information above, this information may be helpful when it comes to the K-1 visa process.

http://nigeria.usembassy.gov/immigrant_visas.html

If you followed the instructions on the ustraveldocs website when you scheduled your previous appointment I would not consider your circumstances a scam. http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng/ng-niv-appointmentschedule.asp#

Nevertheless, I would still be contacting the embassy to ensure you don't have to repay the visa application fee. Especially since it sounds like you have to reschedule your interview. If you don't have a receipt showing that you paid the fee, then I would definitely be concerned about this being a scam.

Either way you need to be in contact with Lagos embassy to get things resolved ASAP.

[Skateman 0]

OK - I will call the embassy first thing in the morning. Thanks!!!

[Boiler 43,434]

That nairaland forum is awesome!

[TBoneTX 43,058]

*** Country-specific thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the Africa/Sub-Saharan regional subforum. ***

[abboberg 0]

Well, I called the visa center in Lagos and they told me to write an email to the embassy, which I did and already got an automated form letter back from them. My fiancee' received a letter from them this morning stating that she must reapply and re-pay the $265 fee. And the soonest appointment is April 30th, which is more than a month after the priority date expires. I just can't believe this is happening to us. I will be filing a complaint with the local USCIS office when they open here in a few minutes. I KNEW they were trying to scam us. I know that there should be some accountability here, somewhere, but this is the US government we are dealing with. Will filing a complaint with the USCIS cause the US embassy in Lagos to stonewall us altogether (worse than they are doing now)?

[CowBoE 429]

Well, I called the visa center in Lagos and they told me to write an email to the embassy, which I did and already got an automated form letter back from them. My fiancee' received a letter from them this morning stating that she must reapply and re-pay the $265 fee. And the soonest appointment is April 30th, which is more than a month after the priority date expires. I just can't believe this is happening to us. I will be filing a complaint with the local USCIS office when they open here in a few minutes. I KNEW they were trying to scam us. I know that there should be some accountability here, somewhere, but this is the US government we are dealing with. Will filing a complaint with the USCIS cause the US embassy in Lagos to stonewall us altogether (worse than they are doing now)?

That really sucks!

I know it feels like a scam, but its probably not.

It's probably due to not so intuitive web pages/instructions.

Yes, I would try to file a complain and get the money returned.

[TagTeam 61]

Well, I called the visa center in Lagos and they told me to write an email to the embassy, which I did and already got an automated form letter back from them. My fiancee' received a letter from them this morning stating that she must reapply and re-pay the $265 fee. And the soonest appointment is April 30th, which is more than a month after the priority date expires. I just can't believe this is happening to us. I will be filing a complaint with the local USCIS office when they open here in a few minutes. I KNEW they were trying to scam us. I know that there should be some accountability here, somewhere, but this is the US government we are dealing with. Will filing a complaint with the USCIS cause the US embassy in Lagos to stonewall us altogether (worse than they are doing now)?

Sorry to hear that you have to pay again. Most of us here on VJ understand how much the gov. Fees suck co pared to the service you get. I absolutely agree about there being accountability, which it seems like immigration has zero accountability when you see how much heartache families go through. If you feel like filing a complaint I would certainly do so. You can try reaching out to your congressman to see if they can help resolve things since that's what they are paid to do (represent you).

http://www.usaimmigrationattorney.com/FilingAComplaintwithImmigration.html

The embassy cannot retaliate against you because you filed a complaint. Otherwise it could very well lead to lawsuits. I would certainly be in contact with my congressman if you have sufficient evidence to prove they are in the wrong. I would also call the embassy again to see if you can get a different official. Immmigration officials are known for giving out different and wrong information. I would ask more questions to see if you can avoid paying additional fees. Sorry for your troubles. I know how frustrating immigration can be. May you be blessed on the rest of your journey.

[TagTeam 61]

That nairaland forum is awesome!

It is. It would be very helpful to actually have officers do this for the entire immigration process o help avoid so much frustration ad confusion.

[Boiler 43,434]

The answers were very standard, what impressed me were the questions, makes VJ look very tame.

[abboberg 0]

Well, I asked the Lagos US Embassy for a refund for the bogus first interview, and this is what I got from them: "She cannot get a refund; even if she made a mistake by applying for the wrong visa category. She took a spot in the appointment schedule depriving someone else from making an appointment for that date. She was rendered the service by being interviewed by a Consular officer.

We suggest she make an appointment for her K-1 visa as soon as possible, because of the short validity period of K-1 petitions.

We regret that our response cannot be more positive."

What really worries me is that they are saying the K-1 has a short validity period. I got the confirmation letter from the USCIS on November 27th, so if they are figuring four months, then that is up on March 27th - and her interview isn't until April 30th!!!! I still can't believe this is happening. What are the odds that they are going to turn her away again, even if she is scheduled for the K1 this time?

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Write again and explain you need the validity extended because of the lack of dates. They have a right to extend it.

[abboberg 0]

So, can the US Embassy in Lagos technically say the the interview is over a month past the priority date expiration and make us start all over? It isn't our fault they didn't have an appointment available.

I thought that there was no expiration on K1 Visas -it says right here, unless this is incorrect: http://www.us-immigration.com/blog/fiancee-visa-or-k1-visa-priority-date

Edited March 5, 2015 by abboberg

[KASH2011 382]

Well, I called the visa center in Lagos and they told me to write an email to the embassy, which I did and already got an automated form letter back from them. My fiancee' received a letter from them this morning stating that she must reapply and re-pay the $265 fee. And the soonest appointment is April 30th, which is more than a month after the priority date expires. I just can't believe this is happening to us. I will be filing a complaint with the local USCIS office when they open here in a few minutes. I KNEW they were trying to scam us. I know that there should be some accountability here, somewhere, but this is the US government we are dealing with. Will filing a complaint with the USCIS cause the US embassy in Lagos to stonewall us altogether (worse than they are doing now)?

This really sucks bad! I hope everything works out for you.