K1- Nigeria

[Dat_sass 0]

1 minute ago, carmel34 said:

58 K-1 visas were approved in Lagos in August of this year, based on US Dept. of State website.  It is impossible to say how many applications were made during that month, but it would be safe to assume that it was many more than 58.  Assuming 20 business days per month, they could maybe do at least ten interviews for K-1 per day, that would be 200 applications, 58 approvals.  So about a 29% chance.  That's just a VERY rough guess, it could be higher or lower than that, depending on the number of applications which is unknown.  Many VJ posters seem to think that Nigeria is a high fraud country, so it is most likely lower than 29% approval rate.  I would suggest more visits in person during the next 8 months while you wait for your interview, as many as possible.  And lots of evidence to document those visits.  Boarding passes, plane tickets, hotel receipts, photos...  If K-1 is denied, you can always get married and then apply for CR-1 spouse visa.  Good luck!

My initial petition I included everything boarding passes, photos, messages, text statistics, receipts. The issue is I only have so much time off a year, paid time off is tied in with all of my leave(sick, appointments, vacation), It’s not strictly vacation time, and I’m only giving 10 days a year. I included that from my employer in my application, do you think they’ll consider that into it as well? 

[carmel34 3,531]

13 minutes ago, Dat_sass said:

My initial petition I included everything boarding passes, photos, messages, text statistics, receipts. The issue is I only have so much time off a year, paid time off is tied in with all of my leave(sick, appointments, vacation), It’s not strictly vacation time, and I’m only giving 10 days a year. I included that from my employer in my application, do you think they’ll consider that into it as well? 

Wow!  Only 10 days off per year!  I would suggest that you look for another job with better benefits and more vacation time.  I have even read about some VJ members who have quit their jobs to be with their boyfriend or girlfriend abroad for a month at a time, or even more, then they return to the US and find another job.  Some are even able to figure out a way to live in the foreign country with their partner.  Time together, face to face, is the best way to overcome the high fraud country K-1 denials that seem to be so common.  This process is long and difficult and sacrifices of time and money are part of it.  I don't think the consular officer will care about the reasons why you did not see each other more.  They are looking for evidence that you DID see each other, as often as possible.  Once or twice may not be enough, based on similar stories from VJ members.  There are no guarantees in this process.  I wish you all the best, that it works out, and that you can be with the one you love eventually, living together.

[Boiler 43,434]

Begs the questions:

 

How long after you met did you get engaged?

 

How long have you spent together

 

Does he have no holiday?

[TM92 527]

3 hours ago, carmel34 said:

Many VJ posters seem to think that Nigeria is a high fraud country, so it is most likely lower than 29% approval rate.

Anecdote: I recently saw 1 user claim that Lagos embassy is becoming less difficult (IDK if they were referring to IR-1/CR-1 only):

 

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

13 hours ago, Dat_sass said:

I call him my Hubby, I filed the correct form. We are engaged. 

Don't and he should not call u wife

and i hope u have not done this in chats u submitted

and hope u did not send photos of an engagement party / often looks like marriage celebration to embassy

to be more positive

52 approved for K1 in July and 58 in August for Nigeria

[Eye 74]

15 hours ago, Dat_sass said:

Hey,  So my Hubby and I received our NOA 1 on July 6th. When looking on the USCIS Site it says 5.5-7 months as of now. Has anybody else submitted around the same time and heard any update yet? 

1st things first, don't call him your hubby. I know our culture permits that, but just that word alone can cause a denial. Get into the habit of not calling him your hubby.

 

I would advise that you don't spend any money on wedding planning. I did and lost all the money due to denial. 

Your wedding date can come and pass by because they haven't issued the visa yet. You can't force their hand, it's no longer as fast as before. 

 

If you have done traditional engagement, just obtain a traditional marriage certificate or do court wedding in Nigeria.

 

That was my situation. It will not be fast, it will not be easy, it will even shock you but only if you don't learn from my and others mistakes here. 

[OlayemiLoray 172]

5 hours ago, TM92 said:

Anecdote: I recently saw 1 user claim that Lagos embassy is becoming less difficult (IDK if they were referring to IR-1/CR-1 only):

 

@TM92 I was referring to the CR1, but from understanding they are also having high approvals for the K1's whereas before they were denying any or everyone who applied..Lagos is not as difficult as it once was before...

[Dimeji & Shannon 6]

California received my application in June and my adjudication date is approximately Dec 8.  I have become friends with a few US citizens that have went through the process with their partners that lived in Nigeria and all of their processes took between 6-8 months to finish.  If yours gets to the 8 month mark, you are kind of pushing it with the April date.  I wish you luck with yours, but can only speak on other people's processes, since mine is not complete.

[Greenbaum 12,258]

On ‎10‎/‎2‎/‎2018 at 3:42 PM, adil-rafa said:

Don't and he should not call u wife

and i hope u have not done this in chats u submitted

and hope u did not send photos of an engagement party / often looks like marriage celebration to embassy

to be more positive

52 approved for K1 in July and 58 in August for Nigeria

That's GREAT advice !!! So many have failed for just those reasons. That was good sound advice.

[Frozen🇺🇸 139]

Nigeria is not as hard as it seems. All you need is a genuine relationship,  learn from those who have passed through the process and pay attention to details. 

 

 

As it stands, I'd advise you to fill your ds160 form, pay for the visa fee and schedule an appointment as soon as you get your case number from nvc.

[PaulTheSheik 20]

In this immigration climate, it’s not prudent financially to set wedding dates and particularly prepay non refundable wedding expenses when everything is conditional on a petition approval unless perhaps your father is Jeff Bezos. Pump the brakes.

[Ryan H 3,790]

Moved from Process & Procedures to Progress Reports.