rlogan3030

First let me say that I (female Petitioner ) am 21 years older than my husband. Having gone through the process in Lagos and being approved I can try and give you some advice. I thought our age difference was going to be a major red flag but during my husbands interview it was NEVER mentioned. Here is what we did and what I recommend for you. 1. you stated you have been there multiple times and I believe you said for 6 days each time, but when were the visits and when was the last? I would instead of going for 6 days at a time, condense that to1 visit for 18 days. I know you said due to work u had to come home but the consulate doesn't care about that! I went 3 times in 13 months , stays ranging from 3-6 weeks each time. THEY WANT FACE TIME and a lot of it. Also the way of thinking is if you cant afford to travel there frequently then how can you support the beneficiary. 2. Next trip over get married!!!!! Make sure its not a couple days after you arrive and you don't leave within a few days after the marriage. 3. Have a civil ceremony @ the registry, which prohibits polygamy, make sure all of his family is there and get tons of pics. 4.GET TONS of evidence, I mean TONS!!!!! I had submitted so much evidence the consulate called us the day after my husbands interview and had us pick it all up. Some might have said over kill but it worked right????? 5. Have all his family and friends sign affidavits of bona fide marriage as we did. My mother and father in law wrote beautiful statements to submit. Lagos is the hardest consulate to deal with, but if you have all your ducks in a row and are prepared it will help. DO A LOT OF RESEARCH! Much of your answers can be answered here, each case is individual but I can assure you that they will definitely be suspicious of the significant age difference and the validity of your relationship. All you can do is prepare. Remember in Lagos or Abuja the burden of proof is no longer on the consulate but on YOU!!!!. Good luck on your journey!!!!!!!

My husband and I went through this in March and we also have an age gap. I am 21 years older than my husband. Of course going through Lagos I was sooo worried about this. But let me offer you some advice. I provided so much evidence. I believe after all submissions of evidence the petition reached 14 pounds by the time it got to the embassy for the interview!!!!! This might seem excessive to some but when you are dealing with :Lagos why take a chance of not having the one thing they might ask for. I can tell you FRONT LOAD FRONT LOAD. The USC IS NOT ALLOWED INSIDE FOR THE interview, you must wait outside and away from the consulate. My husband was there for 5 hours. Luckily a couple of friends went along to wait with me . They did require ALOT of pics. Went through all of our phone , chat and email records, but he was approved. They DID NOT even bring up the age difference. The IO said we had plenty of proof and the fact that I was there was a huge plus to him. They were very impressed that I was there and would be there for 10 days after the interview and not leaving the next day or 2 which is a huge flag to them. So if you would like any further info please feel free to ask. Good Luck in your journey!!!!!!!!!!!!a

My husband and I went through this in March and we also have an age gap. I am 21 years older than my husband. Of course going through Lagos I was sooo worried about this. But let me offer you some advice. I provided so much evidence. I believe after all submissions of evidence the petition reached 14 pounds by the time it got to the embassy for the interview!!!!! This might seem excessive to some but when you are dealing with :Lagos why take a chance of not having the one thing they might ask for. I can tell you FRONT LOAD FRONT LOAD. The USC IS NOT ALLOWED INSIDE FOR THE interview, you must wait outside and away from the consulate. My husband was there for 5 hours. Luckily a couple of friends went along to wait with me . They did require ALOT of pics. Went through all of our phone , chat and email records, but he was approved. They DID NOT even bring up the age difference. The IO said we had plenty of proof and the fact that I was there was a huge plus to him. They were very impressed that I was there and would be there for 10 days after the interview and not leaving the next day or 2 which is a huge flag to them. So if you would like any further info please feel free to ask. Good Luck in your journey!!!!!!!!!!!!a

The lockbox is only a routing facility. Your petition will then be assigned to the USCIS processing center assigned to the state in which the US citizen resides. You can find out which center that is by the 3 letters listed in front of your receipt number. every facility processing times are different and depending on which petition you filed. In our case from date of receipt to interview date it was 308 days.. It takes long because it is what it is A PROCESS. Good luck!

It always seems to amaze me when people ask how to speed up the process. Who in their life has said how do I slow it down. It is what it is and its a process, it takes time be glad it is in place. If its beyond processing times then approach it if not then sit back and deal with it like the rest of have done. At least look at all the information and research everything. There is no reducing of times. Sit back and take your turn as everyone else has to do.

They did the same thing to me! For the last 3 weeks they told me May 14th, I called them again last Friday and they told me again May 14th, I said to the man I have called for the last 3 weeks and have heard May 14th, he then asked me if I ever had a service request and I said no, nobody has allowed me. He then said please hold I am transferring you to someone to help you with this. A very nice lady came on after 25 mins and she asked much more details about my husband and myself and said let me check VSC processing times, she cam back and said unfortunately there is a HUGE backlog and they are currently working on May 14th , I again explained to her that I have heard that for the last 3 weeks, I also then told her " I have checked your website and gone through 100 receipt numbers from the same day as mine and there are decisions made including receipt numbers AFTER mine, she said oh really please hold. After 5 mins she came back and said Mamm you are correct and there is no reason your petition should still be pending when petitions received after you have a decision. I have put in a service request and you should have a decision within 15 days. Now if something doesnt come out of the request I will persue it more but it was so nice to her someone actually respond rather than reading me a script that I read daily on their website. So check receipt numbers on their website verify petitions on your date are receiving decisions especially after your receipt number and call them back and tell them. Our NOA1 date is May 18th,
Good Luck!!!

Occasionally on VJ you see this topic come up about putting a cost on love and the process. Some, I feel are either too young or naive in fully understanding the commitment to travel and learning a new life and culture. As with many stages of life no matter how prepared you think you are there will be speed bumps and hard issues to overcome. Many may have large incomes or savings or go into large debt. Some may think they can travel to Philippines once and meet only once before there spouse arrives in US. It takes love, patience, commitment and hard work for both, honesty and communication. Most marriages fail in US because of finances. When someone starts putting a price tag on love and life many issues will come up on both. True love will prevail in the end or its not meant to be. Both must be committed to each other for ups and downs and do what it takes.