nigerwife

No. You need to get an official certified birth certficate from a government office.

We used a Nigerian lawyer familiar with family law to write it up. His ex then took it to the local court to have it witnessed and certified by the local court.

Yep--that's exactly what it means! It's basically a residency visa for Nigeria. Kind of like the US green card. In fact, if you really wanted to, you could get a Nigerian passport. Some people on this forum have, but I don't see how that is any better than the Nigerwife visa unless you travel extensively within West Africa and want to take advantage of the ECOWAS benefits.

We did this. He will need a court-approved and sealed document signed by the mother in person that states he has full custody and that she understands and agrees that he will be moving the child to the United States. Ours also had verbiage that reiterated that this is customary practice when a relationship dissolves (as fathers are typically the custodial parent in Nigeria; rather than mothers). We didn't have any problems at all with this piece of the process.

It sounds like what you were given was the marriage license. What you need is the marriage certificate from the registry. Just go to the Ikoyi Registry and request a copy of your marriage certificate. There will likely be a fee for this.

We lived in Jos, so we got it at the local office there. We don't typically "dash" unless it is someone we know and we are trying to help out--so I can't actually remember if we did or not since it was six years ago.

I received a Nigerwife visa/residency page in my passport as well as an actual CERPAC certificate that is on an 8X11 paper. When I traveled in and out often, I always had the CERPAC but was never asked to present it. I think it may have been replaced more recently with a CERPAC card (like a laminated ID).

The visa is free and never expires and we had it within a couple days. Complete opposite experience of getting my husband residency here in the US!

Good question. I have a NigerWife visa, but received it in a new passport that doesn't expire until 2018. I would assume it can be transferred, but will take another trip to the local Immigration office in Nigeria to do so. Doesn't really matter since it doesn't cost any money anyway. You could check with the Nigerian Embassy in DC maybe.

I lived in Nigeria for a number of years and travelled in and out of the country many, many times during our time there. The only things I would add or stress are:

• I always carry tissue in my purse--trust me! Many restrooms will not have toilet paper and/or seats on the toilets.
• I always carry antibacterial hand gel. Nigeria is a dirty, dusty place in dry season and a dirty, muddy place in rainy season.
• Take malaria medication!! You can buy in Nigeria for much cheaper (just $10) than here in the US. You should also ensure you take some home with you. Malaria is a blood-borne disease and often shows up after one has returned to the US. US doctors are not good at testing for it or treating it. I have seen people near death before the US doctor figures it out! Seriously. If you fall ill upon your return--just take the malaria meds you bring back--it is always the first line of defense for any seasoned African when they are sick.
• I have NEVER paid a bribe or dashed an airport employee--EVER. Just pretend like you know what you are doing--this keeps much unwanted attention at bay. They are looking for people who they think will pay. When they ask what I brought for them; I just ask them what they brought for me.
• Skip the beach (unless you are going to Ghana). The beaches in Lagos are nasty. There are some water-side (mostly lagoon-side) food and/or drink places that are pleasant but the sand beaches on the ocean are not worth a visit.

Have fun and good luck on your first visit to a country I love!

To try to answer your questions:

1) The Lagos Consulate is unpredictable. Some people seem to fly through and others with mounds of evidence and face time in person have problems. So, best guess is 50/50 for anyone in my opinion. Not based on any scientific formula. Note that you MUST spend good quality time together (preferably in Nigeria). At this point, you haven't even met in person and do not qualify to file for your fiance until you have done so.

2) There is no such thing as a pardon. Even if an expedite was approved, you just get to skip the line, you still have the interview in Laogs and burden of proof that the relationship in bonafide and not for immigration purposes only. If you are looking for an expedite to move things along faster, I don't think this situation would qualify and I can't recall anyone on the forum getting an expedite approved for this reason. You would have to prove that the hardship is on you, the USC, not the beneficiary.

Regarding your upcoming visit, note that you do not have to meet in Yola, and I probably wouldn't suggest it for a first-timer to Nigeria. There are many "safe" places to spend time together in Nigeria. The COs know this and will not take the "it isn't safe for me to go to Nigeria" excuse as valid. Remember that the COs live and work in Nigeria--they are well aware of the situation.

Good luck on your journey!

Why would BH do him harm? Where does he live?

I would suggest doing a bank wire transfer for an amount less than $10,000 (that seems to be the magic number that raises flags) and then carrying the rest or getting out via ATM once in Nigeria.

We have US$ accounts in both Nigeria and the US and have not had any problems with wire transfers. Her bank here in the US will tell her what details are needed from your Nigerian bank in order to process the international wire transfer. There is usually a charge of $30-40 for the transfer. You have to have a Dorm Account at your bank in Nigeria that is for US Dollars--you can't transfer it into a Naira account.

Therefore, I want to put in a date after my interview, so I really want to know if the consulate has a way of finding out those names the court publishes, or whether one has done court marriage.. Pls help!

The answer is yes--the Consulate most certainly has a way of finding out the names the court publishes.

The Consulate in Lagos is well aware of the different ways one can be "married" in Nigeria: Customary, White Wedding, Court. Marriage in any of these ways means you are married in the eyes of the United States and the Consulate--and will get you an immediate DENIAL on your K-1 visa through Lagos.

There seems to be a new trend of putting people going through Lagos on AP in order for the Consulate to conduct field visits to verify the legitimacy of information disclosed in the visa application and interview. I would NOT recommend testing this by trying to falsify dates.

You may get a better response on how to get a UK police clearance by posting that specific question in the UK regional forum. Most of us in the Nigeria forum have not had to get a police clearance from the UK.

Just tell the TRUTH! Don't try to make up stories to paint a pretty picture that you think Immigration wants to see. That would be lying, and if/when it is found out could have serious consequences.

Good luck!

How old is your son? Why was his name not included on the original DV lottery application?

Please note that any advice you get on this forum is not "professional" as you request. We are simple other individuals who have gone through the same or similar immigrant visa processes. While many member are informed and educated--none propose to be immigration professionals.

Should not cause any problems. They are completely different visa types. Non-immigrant versus Immigrant. I've not heard of anyone that it has caused a problem for.

I say save your money!

Okenz--may I ask where in Nebraska you are? You can message me if you don't want to share to the general public.

We live in Nebraska too, so maybe we can connect. We have a small group of Nigerian friends where we live and there are African stores in Lincoln (Lagos Market) and Omaha (African Farms) that are both a good connecting points to what is going on in the African community in Nebraska-- yes, there is a pretty significant Nigerian and African community in Nebraska! There is a public Nigerian community group that meets regularly between Lincoln and Omaha as well. We aren't personally involved in this, but they post events like the Nigerian Independence Day celebration at the stores is mentioned above.

If you and your wife are open to attending church, that is another way to get involved in your local community and meet people. The larger the church the more likelihood of clicking with some other couples like you.

Face time for those of us going through the Lagos Consulate is really important. Face time in Nigeria is even better!

This is just my personal opinion and advice, based upon my own person experiences.....

A cross cultural marriage is no joke--it's hard. Nigerians do not think or react like Americans. Living/visiting in Nigeria will allow you to understand his culture and family in a more intimate way. Your experiences in Nigeria as a minority will be eye-opening and give you a better perspective on how he might feel living as a minority for the first time in his life. These are a few of the key reasons I recommend you going to stay in Nigeria for a short time--but there are many more.

I would also second any advise previously given that you should very carefully consider who you are marrying and be confident that you truly know them as a person before petitioning for them. I know it's hard to think clearly when you are caught up in the rush of love--believe me, we've all been there! But the K-1 is not meant to "figure out" if you want to marry someone or to use as a holiday to get to know someone; it is for those already in a commited relationship.

I wish you all the best on your journey!

In fact I think Mr. Kerry himself should have taken the stamp machine onsite to the beneficiary and stamp the passport.

Thanks Gowon! I appreciate your support. In addition to living there the first two years of our marriage, I have known my husband for 20 years. Ironically, it took us two interviews and almost two years to get approved while others seem to breeze through.

This is a good read. We don't get many folks from the north on VJ.

In 30 years in the US I have never met a Hausa person in the US.

One could argue that Jos is Middlebelt, not North. It is the intersecting of North/South; Muslim/Christian; Fulani/Indigenous in this region that is the cause of much of the violence.

Although my husband was raised in Jos and speaks Hausa, he does not identify as Hausa but rather with his smaller tribal identity on the Plateau.

You need to get out of California . My husband seems to meet Hausa people all over the place--but mostly in New York City.

You can get married at the National Marriage Registry in Abuja. That is where my husband and I got married and it is recognized. Any Government Marriage Registry should suffice.

Abuja is a long and rough drive from Kano--not sure I would advise it if he has the option to fly. There are too many local boys and road blocks between Kano and Abuja. Once you get south of Kaduna, it is better but still not smooth. You should look into local air carriers that go between Kano and Abuja--although, to be honest, I don't know if that would be cheaper than just flying from Kano to Lagos. Domestic airfare in Nigeria is different.

We lived in Jos from 2008-2010; it was not without it's scary/dangerous points. My husband was last in Jos in March and his mother and oldest daughter are still there. We drove between Abuja and Jos many, many times. Kano is another three hours North of Jos though--and I can't speak specifically to that route. I will say that even if you both can get to Jos, that may be another less expensive option for you. I have a tainted view, because I love that city and her people. I have many friends and family still there--both Nigerian and foreign. It is relatively safe if you take precautions. Some friends of ours (French/Nigerian couple) have a lovely B&B if you want to consider it. With all that being said--anything can flair up at any time--and that is a very real risk.

If you want to look at Abuja, I know some decent guest houses that will cost you half of what the big international hotels are charging. Abuja is a refreshing change of pace from Lagos. It is cleaner, more organized, less crowded, etc. when compared to Lagos. The airport is smaller and easier to get in and out of. PM me if you want any hotel details for Jos or Abuja.

Hope that helps! Good luck on your journey!

I have a Nigerwife visa. We got it when we lived in Nigeria, so I don't know if you can apply for it from the US....likely not, since it is a "residency" visa. It was free and never expires. You do not need to get tourist visas once you have the Nigerwife visa in your passport.

I also wanted to clarify that both Nigeria and the US allow dual citizenship. Meaning, you do not have to "give up" your US passport in order to get a Nigerian one. So if you want to get a Nigerian passport--do. You are still an American and protected by the embassy while in Nigeria.

Our son carries dual-citizenship and both a Nigerian and US passport. I know many people who do this.

I would suggest registering your stays in Nigeria so if something would flair up the embassy knows you are in-country and how to get ahold of you. You can do this at: https://step.state.gov/step/

So, this is happening....

http://www.tlc.com/tv-shows/90-day-fiance/about.htm

Wonder how much time they will dedicate to the approval process?

I like your style.

This pretty much sums it up.

Thanks Gowon! I typically like your style as well. Great minds think alike; as my husband would say.

Even Lagos has its "safer" areas; like VI. Like any city of 10 million people, it has good and bad people and areas and you need to proceed with caution. I have to say though that I traveled alone in and out of Nigeria and in Lagos while we lived there (I traveled internationally for work) and I never felt I was in a compromising situation. Even as a lone white woman. But I felt confident in myself and comfortable in Nigeria. I guess that confidence showed and I didn't portray myself as a possible target. Ironically, we were more likely to get harassed (by police or whatever) when I was with my husband.

There are literally thousands of non-Nigerian living and working in Nigeria which means there is a large ex-pat community there. They live all over the country but there are larger concentrations in Abuja and Lagos. There is also a large group in Jos but they are mostly missionaries and a large group of primarily oil company employees in Port Harcourt.

You can check out some expat blogs like Internations to get a feel for what it is like to live in Nigeria as a non-Nigerian. One thing outside of safety issues to be prepared for is the cost. You can live at any comfort level and get anything you want in Nigeria--but it does come at a cost--so be prepared for that.

Living in Nigeria will certainly give you a more in-depth exposure to your wife's culture and homeland. I highly encourage it! I love Nigeria and her people. Some of the most purely kind and generous people I have ever known, I met in Nigeria. Sure, she has her flaws and some of these are gaping wounds, but she wouldn't be Nigeria without them.

Hope that helps!