OgaMum

So the IV unit replied this morning saying "you will be contacted by email."

DOS still says visa was issued 2 and a half weeks ago.

A friend of my informed me she picked up her visa today. She had an interview November 2, 2012 and she went today to inquire....it was ready.

There isn't a petitioner that isn't abolutely certain of the validity of their relationship and I doubt many CO's would be prepared to deal with the reactions of the petitioner when an interview does badly. There would be little benefit of a separate interview. I think the USC is owed a more complete explanation of denied visas and not just a blanket statement.

It is peculiar that CO's have the complete story with JUST ONE SPOUSE. I can see if both parties were interviewed separately to ensure authentication...however people do prepare for interviews so it is not like they will get an honest answer from crooks. It is amazing how CO's will come up with questions without getting the gritty...okay asking an applicant...what is the name of your spouse and he/she mispronounce the name...it is consider a red flag.

I mispronounced many of my friends' names but does that mean I am not their friend?? In my opinion..interviewing both parties is fair. It would make sense if they find red flags relating to answers and documents provided....not base on prejudice and discrimination.

It is like saying we will no longer welcome those with turbans because of 9/11.

Hello everyone,

I've filled out a I130 Immigrant petition for relative, fiance, or orphan. I've filled this one for my wife since I'm trying to bring her to the US. I think i made a mistake when i filled out the form with my lawyer. I think the lawyer entered sep. 4th instead of sep. 10 for our date of marriage. I'm worried if this might cause problems to my wife's visa. Can someone please let me know what to do? How can i check if the information is correct, and what can i do if its wrong?

Please help me!

Thanks a lot

Call USCIS customer care number and follow the prompt that will key in to correct an error made. Then speak with the customer care agent to change the error. I made an error on my form by putting my husband's place of origin as mine. They will instruct you on what you need to do.

No biggie. Good luck!

Hey Guys!

I am curious to know how many people on VJ feel about this question...."do you think petitioners should be interviewed"? I have noticed in most cases petitioners are expected to do administrative work but not given an opportunity for interview.

Why do you think embassies are focusing more on the applicants regarding interviewing? I think CO's would have a better idea of what type of couples they are dealing with than make up stuff that is not true.

I can understand if the petitioners aren't able to attend the interview because of costs etc..but what about petitioners that live in the same country as the applicants? I can understand space issues and etc....but they need to follow strict appointment schedule to avoid overcrowding.

Do you support the idea of petitioners being interviewed even at their home office?

Well it is definitely a cultural thing...I am USC and my husband is Applicant.

We both live in Lagos and i have seen some strange things he does in his country but I respect his culture. I also seen some strange things people do in Lagos as well.

Men tend to look at your ring finger before talking to you. My husband always get in a fight mode when men approach me.

My husband always calls my name when I am away from him too long. One time I was on the porch talking to a neighbor and my husband came running outside with a bat. I was like what the hell?

Eat mostly everything half done. Like for instance...the chicken is never fully cooked!

Do not was not wash his hands all the time! Argggggh!!! We have antibacterial soap dispenser...use it! Okay I am calm.

He gets upset when I do "boyish" things...for instance...climbing the tree! He thinks that unladylike and lesbian! SMH.

Eat everything with peppers!!!!

Sings off-key when his soccer team wins! LOL! He also gets mad at the tv when his soccer team lose!

Okay...I stopped sobbing.

To the USCs that are with Nigerian applicants....how do/did you guys manage to combine two cultures so that it can work for you guys?

I am curious to know because I realize in Nigeria...it is easy for my husband and in America...it is easy for me. It took me some adjusting in Nigeria and I had to get used to the culture. Some things I am used to in America lacks in Nigeria. It is always HOOOOOOOT and fans are the hottest commodities! LOL!

How do you guys do it?

Well...Nigeria do not have Thanksgiving day but I was able to spend it with my family on the phone.

I miss my American food! (sobbing) If I see one more fish stew I am going to scream!!!!!!

I was approved at the interview, and the DOS has my visa listed as "issued." The embassy tells me it has yet to be sent, and that they will contact me within a week. That's all I really know.

The embassy takes fingerprints of every applicant, regardless. The same happens at the airport, the CBP takes any foreigner's fingerprints.

As for visas not being ready.. Well, the COs are human too. Some times things get botched, some times things get delayed. It's not like you can call them and say "Screw you, I'm switching to Verizon!" so their customer service doesn't need to be great.

Verizon sucks! LOL!

Let me repeat......he COULD be denied base on the denial of entry IF THE USCIS takes it the wrong way.

People can be denied for many reasons even if it is trivial. We aren't CO's and we don't have that power.

I was wondering why it took so long for some people to get their visa stamp. Do they have a machine where they can run the fingerprint card and see if there is a hit?

Do they send the fingerprint card to DC or locally? Jay Jay....were you denied the first time or approved the first time? I am asking because my husband was denied the first time and we are waiting for our second interview in December...however I am curious if they will expect another fingerprint because we are using the old one.

It is the same fingerprints so why spend more money for the same fingerprints??? My in-law told me when she went to visa collection center to get her tourist visa....several people were screaming at the workers because apparently CO gave them a date to pick up their visas and it wasn't ready.

It doesn't make sense to me...how they would give a date and it is not ready.

There aren't any issues for "immigrant intent" with a spousal visa. A spousal visa IS for immigrant intent, so being denied entry for immigrant intent does NOT affect you.

The only issue here right now is what that piece of paper says.

Something must got lost in translation...so pardon me. Let try it this way....even if the petitioner file for a spousal visa for her husband i am concern with how his denial would look to USCIS. Yes..spousal visa is for immigration intent NOT visitor visa and he was denied entry on SUSPICION of immigration intent with a visitor visa.

He could be denied base on that alone. If people can get denied for simply stuttering and sweating...THIS IS GOLD MINE!

Are we on the same page?

I know this may be a silly question..if they approved your visa during the interview...can they deny it after the fact?

The reason I am asking because I read some posts where people had to wait months for their visa to be issued....and I wonder if they can deny it through AP?

Even if she file for a spousal visa...they will have issues regarding "immigration intent". I don't think it was intention but it happened so now when USCIS investigate and ask questions this will come up. Before filing for spousal visa....you must find out the truth of what happened and compile documentation of your findings.

It is important that you keep a paper trail because it is imperative for future references. It is obvious that he overstayed his welcome in the AGENT'S eye. CBP is trained to look for things that is out of sort and they have records of EVERYTHING that is why it is important to cover your tracks until your immigration process is over!

A friend of mine was denied entry because of suspicions. She had to start all over to get it right and she was able to enter. It took her a long time but she made it. She didn't cover her tracks and she paid dearly for it.

Three months is a long time for a visitor to stay in a country and to many professionals that is a red flag. America has over a million illegal immigrants and they are cracking down hard...unfortunately your husband got cracked. I know it wasn't intentional but they do not see it like that.

I am surprised you guys didn't filed for spousal visa in those five months he was in USA. Immigration is difficult and we must cover our tracks if our intentions are good.

Good luck with the test result.

I forgot this...a normal visitor do not travel with volumes of personal documentations...RED FLAG. He is a visitor with personal effects...that is immigration intent. CBP search luggages for signs of intent and they may have found many signs. If you are going to stay for five or six months...you are basically moving to a different place. You will take pretty much everything you have in your closet and drawers.....RED FLAG.

Even if she file for a spousal visa...they will have issues regarding "immigration intent". I don't think it was intention but it happened so now when USCIS investigate and ask questions this will come up. Before filing for spousal visa....you must find out the truth of what happened and compile documentation of your findings.

It is important that you keep a paper trail because it is imperative for future references. It is obvious that he overstayed his welcome in the AGENT'S eye. CBP is trained to look for things that is out of sort and they have records of EVERYTHING that is why it is important to cover your tracks until your immigration process is over!

A friend of mine was denied entry because of suspicions. She had to start all over to get it right and she was able to enter. It took her a long time but she made it. She didn't cover her tracks and she paid dearly for it.

Three months is a long time for a visitor to stay in a country and to many professionals that is a red flag. America has over a million illegal immigrants and they are cracking down hard...unfortunately your husband got cracked. I know it wasn't intentional but they do not see it like that.

I am surprised you guys didn't filed for spousal visa in those five months he was in USA. Immigration is difficult and we must cover our tracks if our intentions are good.

Good luck with the test result.

We went to Children's Hospital to get the medicals done and they tested my husband for HIV/AIDS. They also tested for any communicable diseases that is against the immigration law. He was test negative for all...(of course winks).

He got his results about a week and a few days.

First let me just say I'm so happy to have found this site and forum, all the guides are a wealth of information and the step by step information is really helping me figure out what needs to be done as well as the people on this forum, you all are so helpful and I hope that I can pay it back once I get into my own process!

I'm a USC and I left the states 7 years ago to marry my husband here in Qatar and we've been living here ever since. We don't have joint accounts as we never needed one, our house (and elec and water) is provided by his employer so our names are not on any paperwork there and we don't own any property. We have a son, born here, and his Report of Birth Abroad lists us both as his parents, so I will send a copy of that definitely.

My question is what else can I send as evidence of our marriage? I have a plethora of pictures I can send spanning our whole time here, but I read that they won't accept pictures at this stage. I really don't want to go the affidavit route as they'll need to be certified by more agencies than I can count, I'm sure. I also don't think they'll help since there's no real concrete evidence, except for the child of course. Oh, and I'm also pregnant now with our second, so I can get a note from the doctor and ultrasound pictures and stuff if that will help. Basically the only evidence of our marriage is our child, will this be enough?

Last but not least, our marriage certificate is in Arabic, I have translated and read the statement that needs to be attached but does the certificate need to be authenticated by the embassy here or anything like that? Or will a statement from the translator himself be enough?

You need to produce anything that you have of your marriage. It doesn't matter what it is...anything related is important. You have to get in writing of the things that is not in your name and the witness need to notarize it because they are not allowed to come to the interview.

If they need more evidence...they will ask you. Trust me. Good luck!

How did you get that done?

Well...we waited until the letter came explaining why we were denied the first time. We wrote a letter refuting the decision and provided more evidence of our marriage. We included letters from families on both sides and we have joint properties. We also have wills as well which is very important because family members can fight against you even if you are married.

We take pictures of everything we do even our bed times! We forwarded all of that to USCIS and they reaffirmed our case and gave us a date in December. We want to be able to come and go as we please and not having to wait until our visas arrive...too time consuming!!!

How is your journey?

First let me apologise to you for the idiotic accusation.

Second, as USCs we need to do something, not sure what, to remind the Connoffs in Nigeria that one of the tenents of American way of life is to judge EACH person on their own character and evidence provided.

Being nervous and stuttering or using an intepreter are not valid reasons for denying family based immigration applications.

Everytime I hear oh it's Nigeria, oh it's the worst Embassy ever, oh theirs scams in Nigeria I get sick. Folks need to stop the nonsense. How can a Conoff possibly have a complete picture in 10 minutes? Especially of someone nervous and stuttering?

Yes there're are scams in ALL countries and this is why it's insulting to those of us with legit petitions who are then denied for bogus reasons like bonafide relationship or immigration purpose.

We were furious! I expected something like oh..he has a wife and five kids or he is wanted by FBI in five continents! We got our letter from USCIS explaining the reasons for denial and we were like huh? Stuttering is a form of speech impediment so when have Embassies denied applicants with disabilities????????????

For some people nervousness make them act crazy and interviews can be scary at times. They also said my husband didn't know my name....uhhhh we share the same SURNAME!!! My first name is very common and short. (screaming loud)

My husband said the guy was talking very fast and he kept asking the CO to slow down. My husband will not answer questions he does not understand and he requested a translator. It was horrible that day!

IMHO they should approve any approved petition from USCIS unless they have a clear case evidence of fraud (not just a suscpicion). Then they can add certain actions to the visa such as removng the 10 year green card, placing demand that the foreign actor MUST leave the USA if the marriage terminates and readjust status from the original country, etc

It seems to me that Embassies are not trusting USCIS' decision to approve petitions. If USCIS felt that our marriage was fraudulent then they would have never approved us. I am not saying living together or sharing kids is bona fide but look at evidence presented before making a decision to say hmmmm.

I understand CO have a job but discriminating without reason is tacky and uncouth. A friend of mine married a guy from Spain and his visa was approved less than six months but he he was cheating on her and had a child with his mistress while married to my friend!!

She found out and called USCIS and he is bye bye.

Sorry for the denial but what did the CO discover to make him reach that conclusion? It's sad despite having a fair CO he still manage to get denial anyway... Hope you both have found a way... How long did you both live together in lagos? Are you nigerian-american? If you don't mind making your post helpful... Take care

I am American and my husband is Nigerian. I decided to live with my husband after they denied his visa the first time because we clearly didn't marry for immigration purposes. They denied him in 2011 after speaking to him for 10 minutes so I been with him since then.

They said that he was nervous and stuttered so because of that he only married for immigration purposes. My husband has a thriving business in Nigeria...he doesn't need American papers to survive. I met my husband in America but I was friends with his brother so that is how we met. We didn't date until months later because I take things slow. We dated the old traditional way...you know having blessings of the parents etc. My husband was shaking and stuttering when talking to my parents. LOL. My dad threatened to shoot him if I came home pregnant. LOL.

Now my daddy can't leave my husband alone! They are like best friends and I am jealous! Grrr. They want us to come for Thanksgiving and Christmas but the visa thing is crazy.

We are together so that is important. I love his family and they are very protective of me. I can't go nowhere in Lagos alone!! Grrr!

Here is the local info for beneficiary....

Call Center no.: 09-460-1748

Email: support-nigeria@ustraveldocs.com

Website: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng

Business Hours:

Working hours are from 0800 to 1230 hrs; 1330 to 1600 hrs.

Monday To Friday except declared Nigerian and U.S. Holidays.

Thanks suga! Kisses!

Join in with me...I was denied but proudly fought for a second interview!

It puzzles me why people that don't get approved come back after their interview and say that they were approved and later we find them on the site asking about "Appeals". I guess maybe they are either in denial or they dont want people to look at them as if they were failures. We all know either by experience or by reading how hard it is, so we don't have to lie, sometime the first interview always goes bad at the Nigerian Consulate. We are here to comfort each other after denials cos we eventually get passed it (like I did) You are down but not out. After my denial we had a whole year set back but here we are a year later and happier than ever. And i soo much appreciate the shoulders here on VJ that had my back and gave me advice or i could not have made it. I recommend this site to anybody that has been denied. It helps so much.

You are right....there is nothing to be a shame about. I proudly and furiously announced my husband was denied and asked for help to refute their dumb reasons. Now we have another interview on 20th of December! I even called to have it set an earlier date but no luck so far.

There are people in similar situations that are looking for help so lying won't help you or them.

They can deny you for any reason as they deem fit. Fortunately for you...it can be refuted. All you need to have credible evidence of bona fide marriage but your age will be determined as well.

If they can deny my husband for something stupid as "looked nervous"....they can deny you base on age. Of course they won't say, I denied applicant base on the fact that he married an old bat". Come on!

Just tell your husband to have things in order and speak truthfully. If they catch him in a lie...it is over.

The first interview..we had a white guy who was fairly nice but he denied my husband stating that he married for immigration purposes....mind you we are living in the same house in LAGOS!

My husband wants to raise his children in Nigeria but pursued immigration so that he is able to travel to US without issues and if we wanted to stay in US for some time...we can.

Not everyone partake in scandalous things. Nigeria has a very bad reputation unfortunately.