Iyawo_Omo_Yoruba

I don't think the children would qualify, how could they? But having a child would qualify them to receive assistance, then the responsibility for that would fall on the USC for their portion of said help. At least that would be my guess.

Just for interest sake, what are the laws that govern government help for immigrants? Does anyone know?

I know as citizens it can be difficult, if not impossible, to get them if you are single with no dependents. I have always wondered if they get special considerations because they have immigrated here or if they face the same challenges citizens face when applying.....if they have the same rules apply to them, then I just dont see how any one of them will ever qualify in the first place, as a single person filing for benefits. But I suppose it's a state by state governing law, maybe she should check into that.

Excellent.

Good luck on the examinations.

Thank you!

Actually they are open, boo called them for hours.

Thank you souleymon!

Husband did medical last year for his first interview, now they are telling him US added shot requirements since then. I am just trying to see if they are trying to fleece us for money! He shouldn't get the same vaccinations twice it isnt healthy for him.

Quick question...for those of you who had recent medicals, did they change the shot recommendations? what shots did you receive actually? We are being told that US changed the required immunizations by adding some, we need to verify this through your answers. Thanks in advance...

Thank you Debbie!!!

My husband needs numbers for The Childrens Place Medical facility to see if they are open tomorrow as its a holiday, I cant remember where to find them, can somebody please post all and any info regarding this? Thank you in advance!

Congratulations! Nice to see another Nigerian victory!!!!

None of our pictures had the time/date stamp. Your proof of being together in time frames comes from boarding passes, travel itineraries, hotel receipts, and visa stamps from the passport. Obviously the pics show you were together, if its more than one trip, be sure to include those dates when labelling your pictures.

Well, here is my 2 cents

We have discussed this extensively, we do have a lot of plans and goals for ourselves. First, he will bring his transcripts so he can apply for the community college. They have to be evaluated by a company to see if it is equivalent to the US standards. So, then after I graduate he can go back to school. The drivers license is going to take some time as Florida has a drug and alcohol exam online before you take a written and driving test at the office. So he will have to study for that before he can even apply.

Before I started school I was selling on Ebay and making a decent amount per month. The hubby and I discussed this and we found that this may be a good option for him. He can spend time getting used to the US and earning money from home. I don't have to worry about him getting bored at home because my 17 year old can't wait for him to come and play PS3 with him lol. He will probably assist me in some ways around the house, but seeing as that is not really a part of their culture to do so, I won't be having him cook (unless we want Nigerian food lol) or do any of the "womanly jobs" and there is plenty of "manly jobs" around the house that can also keep him busy.

As far as the social aspect, I have met a few African's from my college and have relationships with them and their families. They have "African" get togethers and Kay will be able to play soccer (football lol) with the guys! They have also shown me where the African food store is and I have been there and asked if they carried his "favorite food" lol, there is also a flea market that sells plaintains nearby. We also hope to meet up with some people from VJ that live close. I will also be ordering some soccer channel for him too!

If that doesn't work out then he will just look for an entry level job. He has already made it extremely clear that he wants to be working, and for me that is a new experience!! lol

Wow! You got it going on! This thread has inspired me to search further, I have some calls to make and still waiting on email replies, but I do know boo wants to go back to school and work as well. I know there are Nigerians here in my city, but how to find them??? Hahaha. Anyone have ideas?

Well, like I said, call NVC and ask a supervisor to track it for you. At least you will know it is there, as for your Embassy, keep emailing them to check on the status.

Well you know that I am still at the NOA1 stage but here are our plans!

1. I too am going to give him a rest...and let him just take a few weeks to adjust while we wait on the ssn and what not he's been working his whole life I am sure he will like the break

2. Where I work I plan to talk to my manager about getting him on with me, they also know the situation with him coming here but of course a position must be available so until then,

3. He will be the "stay at home" parent and wait for the kids to come home, cook, clean, and all that jazz ...I know he won't mind...he said it's only right...I shouldn't take care of the home and go to work...plus to me...he will be working...coming home to a clean house, washed clothes, and cooked food will be a serious burden lifted from me for a while...I'll still do my part sometimes lol jk

4. I live close to the library, an african shop, a gym and several other things I will get him acquainted with so that he can walk to these places and spend some time there.

5. Finaally, we will have a plan in place to get him into school as soon as he can so he can further his mechanical engineering degree here in America (this really should be number one he is in love with education lol)

Well that's my 2 cents: My husband is a very home body man now...even in Naija...he goes to work, goes to church, goes home and stops by his friend's to watch football from time to time...so I don't think he will be twiddling his fingers too much...he enjoys cooking and cleaning...his grandmother and mom taught him the joys of taking care of a home lol..so I think he will be okay...I pray he will be... though I know he will miss home from time to time.

I think my two kids will keep him very busy once they come home from school and he's there with them for a little while alone...lol

oh yes and i will get the "football" (soccer that is) channel on cable for him...so he can watch his sport!

Looks like you got it figured out!!! Way to go for having such a plan is place!!!

No it isn't lost. The Embassy has it yet haven't "received" or logged into their system yet. You can call NVC and ask to speak to a supervisor and put in a tracking request to ease your stress. They will have an answer for you after the time frame they tell you to call back in. Just went through this one myself, took them over a month to receive it, because they were backlogged at the Consulate. Keep your chin up, all is not lost, just means your Embassy is backlogged and they will get to it in the order it was received.

We don't have a set plan but I was looking at classes at the community college to learn american english in speaking and writing. I also saw differnet kinds of job workshops at the college so my husband will be busy doing the classes while he wait for his ss# and green card.

Good idea! Anything to keep them busy!

What about us K-1s that don't have employment authorization? I mean, I'll be busy planning a wedding, and his family is great. But what am I supposed to do when there is downtime?! I'm going to go nuts! I am used so used to going to school full-time and working full-time. These past few months since I've graduated have been rough even with working full-time. I think I'm going to go stir crazy.

Maybe you can look into online courses? Get your resume up to date, get your name out there so when the time comes you will be ready for the work force!

That is our plan too my husband wants to continue his education we need to find out how many if any of his classes from his schooling there will be accepted. I ran into a nurse at the hospital my mom was in and she is from Nigeria and said alot of the classes from there are accepted so he is going to see how to get his Masters. He is also going to straighten out our yard lol... That will take him a few weeks right there. I have almost an acre of property and zero time to tend to it I mow the yard every other weekend but weeding and cutting back trees and such not so much. But it makes my husband crazy when I tell him that I am mowing the grass since that it a "man's job" lol. I told him get your butt home and you can have it...

Yay for help with the yard work! LOL. Yes education is a must, I agree!!!

My situation is similar except in this instance, me (beneficiary) had 2 weeks with my husband after POE and then he had to leave for work. He works overseas.

This is what worked for me:

• My immediate priority was a driver's license for independence and because we have 2 small children. My first few weeks here kept me busy with that.
  
• Initially, I joined a gym. I had never even been in a gym before. Ever! It's just not my thing. But it was an outlet for me and gave me something to do while the kids are in school. I also made my first friend there.
  
• Once I felt settled and comfortable, I started looking into school options. I am currently enrolled at a community college taking the general education transfer courses for UC. It has been tough adjusting but it keeps me busy and above all, I am starting to meet new people and make friends.
  
• When my husband is home, he likes to show me around the city, take me places and just help me see more of the city than I would on my own. This has been a huge help.
  

It has only been 9 months and I would never pretend that it has been easy, but as long as you both maintain a positive attitude, remind each other everyday why you took 'the plunge' then you'll come out alright.

Good luck with everything.

Excellent tips! Thank you so much!

When my boyfriend "lived" with me in the USA I immediately set him up with a volunteer job (was only on a tourist visa at the time), a gym membership, I let him use my car and showed him how to get to key spots or look something up on google maps, we visited my family a lot and went on little weekend trips.

When I moved to my boyfriend here in Costa Rica, he let me get a dog. With the dog I had a reason to get up and get out of the apartment every day. I met people at the dog park. I spent lots of time looking for jobs, lots of time doing paperwork for residency, and I also signed up for Italian classes. We took (still take) lots of weekend trips. Visited family, etc.

Also, internet is a pretty important part. Make sure they have a way to skype home!

Plenty to do!

Thanks for the input! Every tip helps me get better prepared!

I've been thinking about that too. We'll be moving into a new place (moving out from the place I share with my roommates). Because our wait is a little longer on the K1, my thoughts are that he will be able to work on his English while I'm gone. I'm going to get him plugged in with some people that he can practice with so that when time comes for interviewing & such, he'll be ready.

Also we are looking for a place near my school (where I also work & teach, as well as attend grad school). He will be able to hang out there and get online or practice making music (his real love), since it's a music school.

Excellent plans! Seems like a perfect fit with the music school!

It's nice reading all of this

9JAVJ, Class of 2012

YAY for Class of 2012!!! Woot woot!

Thank you! I thought that would be fitting since our interview is on Halloween! I've got to take Divine a Hulk mask. I've been looking for one everywhere and the huge Halloween store just opened today! Oh, goodie, goodie!

I think I'm going to wake very early that day, slip on a witch mask while hubby is still asleep and wake him up for interview! hahaha

Oh goodness!!! You are gonna give him a heart attack! Then he will be roaring with laughter afterwards(hopefully)

No worries honey. It's all going to fall into place and be great! I think they all need a little time to adjust. It took me a couple of days in Nigeria just to get over the awe of being in another country and looking around! I just wish American's were as nice as Nigerian's when it comes to greetings. We are so used to seeing many people from other cultures that we don't walk up and say "You are welcome" like many of my brothers and sisters greeted me when I visited Nigeria. So for of our brothers and sisters coming to America let me be the first to extend greetings and say....

YOU ARE WELCOME!

Yes, I hear that one!! And I will second those greetings!....

Welcome, welcome, welcome!!!

Well i dont have a definite plan now though, his sister said she will hook me up with something, and he already told some of his friends as well that can hook me up with a temp job, just to get outta the house, they are just waiting for me to arrive.........

But for the first two weeks am going to use it to get use to the environment, and know how things work

Boo and I don't have a plan either, conflicts arise already, lol. I am a definite planner, he is a take one thing after the other...American life will seem really hectic to him, we are the bosses of mutlti-tasking, hahaha.

Yet what you have posted is a plan of sorts. There are things lined up for you and you know you wish to take 2 weeks to explore and learn! Awesome!

Girl he gets no time to play. Also why I wanted him in this jobs workshop so he could experience job seeking and interviewing American style. I interviewed for a few jobs in Nigeria and oh its sooooo different.

The classes and the place is run by CEO's and many corporate sponsors you graduate have a ceremony, certificate, its pretty cool. I would advise anyone to check your city, town and see what kind of job workshops are available. Many of the communuity colleges and churches have them to.

Also a good place to start and ask is try the homesless shelters since many of the residents there have to complete some of these programs to get housng and extended stays. So check it out people.

And everyone needs to be profiled on Monster.com. careerbuilder.com and your states job services thingy (unemployment list).

Thanks for the great information!! Am sure many will put it to good use!!

Well I know for us Houston has a wealth of job seeking classes and networking. I went through a 8 day program. And it sure helps to be matched uo with the who's who of the city. So hubby will be in that within 30 days of arrival. This is the backup plan to the #1 priority OUR Magazine.

Than he has his own business to launch and get stablized. Interviews and such he has to go up to Dallas for radio and TV appearances all setup (been 2 years in the making). We have a publicist for that.

Another awesome plan! He is gonna be busy, busy, busy! . Thanks for sharing!

That's an awesome plan to have on hand Dana! And yes, let that man have a vacation already!!

Love your little Halloween countdown ticker, lol.

And if you haven't reached this stage yet, but have ideas of how you are going to handle it, please add your input as well! Thanks ever so much!

Okay, so I am looking ahead to the future. I won't have much vacation time when boo comes, and was wondering how others have handled going back to work/school or whatever your life entails and leaving your spouse to basically fend for themselves. I work from home yet am locked down from 7 am- 5:30 pm. He and I discussed this today, my desire is to spend as much time with him as he adjusts, but I understand he will get antsy and bored sitting here after the initial time frame.

What has worked for some of you? What hasn't worked? I know every situation is different, and we have a plan in place but I would like to expand upon it, based on others input.

This question goes for all of us here, those who have come and those who have brought their spouses over.

They will state a time frame, yet it sometimes takes longer. There are no time frames set in stone, just a goal to try and meet. I have heard of some RFE's taking around 5-6 months before any notification is given, especially depending on what they requested of you, more background checks need to be done, etc. Patience is a must on your part. Call USCIS and inquire about your case status, dont like the answers you get? Then request a tier 2 manager, they have more insight to your case, though they may not have any more information to give you either.