blessing247

I am in a similar situation where I am in the process of putting together my K1 visa petition after meeting my fiance in Nigeria only once.

Do you have any insight into the case of the person you referenced (who was approved after only one visit)? Any tips or pointers to increase the likelihood of being approved? I have plenty of pictures of the one visit, IM logs, Skype video call logs, a few emails and 1 or 2 handwritten letters sent via mail.

Let the two of them decide. No one can make the choice for them. Sure Nigeria is a "high fraud" country but what some of you didn't mention is that people are also approved daily in Lagos just as they are denied. There are good people and good cases in Nigeria. I know of someone who visited Nigeria only once and her Fiancé was approved on k-1 visa. Every case is different. Wish them the best!

Where exactly do you find the following information you referenced in your post. The country is Nigeria.

Country-Specific Interview Information (choose three letter embassy/consulate code from drop-down list)
-Sample List of Interview Questions
-Thread of Proof of Relationship Evidence Ideas
-Ideas on How to Organize Your Interview Documents

thanks!

Welcome to the New and Improved Case Complete to Interview Monthly thread.

You can view my spreadsheet Case Complete to Interview Spreadsheet

To update your interview date go here. Case Complete to Interview Form

For New people to the thread please go Case Complete to Interview Form and input your information in the form and it will be added to the form.

Everyone should be clicking on the Portal tab to visit the information for their country. If nothing is there or information needs updating. Update or add.

Its up to all of us to keep this information current, relevant and helpful to others.

Special Note: Different consulates or embassies have strict guidelines as to what type of bags/purses/cellphones etc can be carried in. And whether they provide any lockers (or not) for temp storage. As many travel from far away (by air/train/cars, one needs to specially know what they will not be able to take inside the consulate and where to store their personal belongings.

Here are some FAQ and other tidbits that may be useful to you. Be sure to visit your countries portal and click on the Consular Information and also Consular reviews.

FAQ


I just called and got Case Complete how long does it take to get the email as confirmation?
Well it has been taking 5 to 7 days to get case complete email from the date they Case Complete.

How long after Case Complete will I get an interview?
Okay this is the BIG mystery of NVC. How it usually goes is end of the month and first week of month they start scheduling for interviews for the that upcoming month. Since January they have been pretty consistent starting about the last 2 days of the month and finishing that following first week of next month

Do I have to call for my interview date?
NVC has improved greatly since March. The interview letter now comes day of schedule. So call if you want its up to you.

I know someone who got interview in the middle of the month. How is that possible?
Usually when you see someone pop up with an interview outside the bunch its usually the result of a cancellation or the embassy opening up a slot. Just because scheduling stops doesn't mean they filled up all slots. They may have more slots than appointments which is good. So someone gets case complete and immediately they get an interview. It happens.

Remember every embassy has its own slots and schedule. Some like El Salvador are very busy with a long waiting list. Some like Yemen, well it may be a few months to get in. Iceland you get interview immediately scheduled after case Complete.

I need to change our interview date what do I do?
Once you receive your interview date track your case file. Call NVC ask when your case file left than you can follow the DHL instructions to embassy. The contact your embassy (email is best) and ask to be rescheduled later, earlier just ask.

What do I need to bring to interview?
When you receive your P4 Letter (Interview letter) it will have your personalized checklist of things to bring or not. It has been suggested because things have been lost between NVC and embassy to bring everything (Originals) to the interview so if they don't have at embassy you aren't delayed. It's up to you. It doesn't happen much but it does happen.


Just to remind everyone to revisit the NVC Process Wiki, NVC Process Wiki

Important things fir Interview prep:
-How to Track Your Case Using DHL (use this to figure out what date you need)
-How to Track Your Case Using DHL (use this to figure out how to use the DHL site and input everything)

-General Medical Information
-Country-Specific Medical Information (choose three letter embassy/consulate code from drop-down list)
-Vaccination Requirements: http://www.uscis.gov...on-requirements (chooseage first at top of page)

-Country-Specific Interview Information (choose three letter embassy/consulate code from drop-down list)
-Sample List of Interview Questions
-Thread of Proof of Relationship Evidence Ideas
-Ideas on How to Organize Your Interview Documents

*******************************

Thanks to Fabian&Ross for spelling this all out. Once you get the interview letter reference this.

You must bring the following items to the visa interview:

Any original documents the NVC requested that you did not submit (refer to the document list below)If the physician gives you your medical exam results, bring them to your interview in the envelope sealed by the medical office.Two passport photographs measuring 2 inches by 2 inches (5 cm by 5 cm) with a white backgroundA valid unexpired passportPhotocopies of all civil documentsA new police certificate from your current country of residence, if you obtained the police certificate more than one year ago.Any additional documents listed in the U.S. Embassy or Consulate specific interview guidelines

The following table lists the documents requested by the NVC and whether or not you submitted them to the
NVC. Please note that even though you may have provided the NVC with a copy of a document, you are
still required to bring the original document to the visa interview.

Refer to the Document Status Code Definitions (see key below) to determine the meaning of the document status codes.

Quote

Quote

Quote

QuoteDocument Status Code Definitions:
2 - The NVC did not receive this document. Go to http://nvc.state.gov/documents fora list of required documents. You must present the original document at the time of your interview. - Obtain the original or a certified copy of this document and present it at your interview - You must bring this entire interview letter to your interviewD - The NVC sent this form or document to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate - The NVC did not request this form or document - You withdrew your I-601A, Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver, with USCIS - You must obtain two passport photographs of yourself and present them at your interview - This form is incomplete. You must present a completed form at your interview. - The NVC only received a photocopy of the document. You must present the original document at the time of your interview. - The NVC sent this form or document to the U.S. Embassy or ConsulateP - You must request this police certificate from the issuing authority. After you submit your request, the issuing authority will send the certificate directly to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for your interview. - View this website: http://www.uscis.gov...ce-field-office - You submitted the Immigrant Visa Application online - The NVC only received a scanned document. You must present the original document at the time of your interview. - You must present an English translation of this document at the time of your interview - You indicated this document was unavailable. The consular officer will decide whether to waive the requirement for this document at your interview. - View the website at http://havana.usint.gov/cfrp.html for English or http://spanish.havan...t.gov/cfrp.html for Spanish and follow the instructions. - This document is unobtainable - The NVC sent this form or document to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate - Payment received - The NVC returned this document to you per your request. Present this document at your interview.

Thank you Dragi

********************************************************
For those who want to request an earlier interview date here is a template written up by our own TeaCup.
Thank you TeaCup for the Template on how to notify the embassy
********************************************************
Petitioners Name
Petitioners Date of birth
Beneficiary's Name
Beneficiary's Date of birth

NVC Case #

To whom it may concern,

My name is *********
I am writing to you in order to request an earlier interview. I have originally been scheduled for an Immigrant interview at (name of embassy and give date)
I have completed the required medical exam and I have all the necessary documents necessary for the interview and I am ready.
If it is at all possible for an earlier interview date to be scheduled for me it would be much appreciated.
Thank you for your time

Sincerely.

****************

Address & Phone Number

I forgot to ask. Was your "engagement party" pics of an actual traditional Nigerian engagement? I was told that if the embassy sees evidence of such an occasion they automatically deny the visa due to their assumption that the couple is already married.

Thanks for sharing and congrats!

I forgot to ask. Was your "engagement party" pics of an actual traditional Nigerian engagement? I was told that if the embassy sees evidence of such an occasion they automatically deny the visa due to their assumption that the couple is already married.

Thanks for sharing and congrats!

I forgot to ask. Was your "engagement party" pics of an actual traditional Nigerian engagement? I was told that if the embassy sees evidence of such an occasion they automatically deny the visa due to their assumption that the couple is already married.

My then boyfriend now husband dated long distance for three years before he visited in 2014. We met back in college so it wasn't a first time meeting though. We filed our K1 application in July 2014 with our whatsapp chat records. Yahoo IM, copies of cards and letters we exchanged while dating, screen shot of skype chat and video call, facebook chat (2011-2014) ticket and passport stamp when he visited, pictures we took during our engagement party and during the rest of his visit. We tried to frontload everything to prove that we had an existing relationship. We didn't hold back anything, better to be safe than sorry.

Because we had only one visit, we agreed that he will be there for my interview although in Lagos you're not allowed to come with your fiance or spouse. Anyway, he stood outside the embassy waiting for me.

Prior to my interview day, we had already printed out the rest of our conversation from the day we filed till the time he left the airport. Printed the pictures we took when we went to visit some of his family members (second visit) my sister and her kids and just random pictures of us together. These were the supporting documents I took with me to the interview. We didn't use an album just a photo envelope was enough.

When I got to the interview room, saw all those people there and felt the pressure, I became nervous. But I decided to distract myself by guessing which file could be mine. Lol Turned out my guess was right. Our file was the thickest in all the files the lady brought out. When she called my number, her first comment was about how big our file was. Lol I felt a bit relaxed because we joked about my file. I gave her my financial documents and other stuff I had.

Finally when my number appeared on the screen for the interview proper, the lady there also commented on how much we had frontloaded. I told her that we didn't want to take any chances. She took some minutes to go through the file before I even swore an oath. She asked me few questions, when we met, how we met, how he asked me out, etc. Then asked me how come we had one visit, I told her that my fiance was outside the embassy waiting for me so it's not really one visit. Also mentioned how I applied for a non immigrant visa to see him but was denied. I had his passport with me but she didn't ask for it. She looked at the pictures we took the few days ago and finally told me that my visa was approved. Phew!

It was long but worth it. We mailed the whatsapp chat then printed it out on word. They didn't say anything about it so.

Sorry for my epistle. Hehe

Thanks for sharing and congrats!

My then boyfriend now husband dated long distance for three years before he visited in 2014. We met back in college so it wasn't a first time meeting though. We filed our K1 application in July 2014 with our whatsapp chat records. Yahoo IM, copies of cards and letters we exchanged while dating, screen shot of skype chat and video call, facebook chat (2011-2014) ticket and passport stamp when he visited, pictures we took during our engagement party and during the rest of his visit. We tried to frontload everything to prove that we had an existing relationship. We didn't hold back anything, better to be safe than sorry.
Because we had only one visit, we agreed that he will be there for my interview although in Lagos you're not allowed to come with your fiance or spouse. Anyway, he stood outside the embassy waiting for me.
Prior to my interview day, we had already printed out the rest of our conversation from the day we filed till the time he left the airport. Printed the pictures we took when we went to visit some of his family members (second visit) my sister and her kids and just random pictures of us together. These were the supporting documents I took with me to the interview. We didn't use an album just a photo envelope was enough.
When I got to the interview room, saw all those people there and felt the pressure, I became nervous. But I decided to distract myself by guessing which file could be mine. Lol Turned out my guess was right. Our file was the thickest in all the files the lady brought out. When she called my number, her first comment was about how big our file was. Lol I felt a bit relaxed because we joked about my file. I gave her my financial documents and other stuff I had.
Finally when my number appeared on the screen for the interview proper, the lady there also commented on how much we had frontloaded. I told her that we didn't want to take any chances. She took some minutes to go through the file before I even swore an oath. She asked me few questions, when we met, how we met, how he asked me out, etc. Then asked me how come we had one visit, I told her that my fiance was outside the embassy waiting for me so it's not really one visit. Also mentioned how I applied for a non immigrant visa to see him but was denied. I had his passport with me but she didn't ask for it. She looked at the pictures we took the few days ago and finally told me that my visa was approved. Phew!
It was long but worth it. We mailed the whatsapp chat then printed it out on word. They didn't say anything about it so.
Sorry for my epistle. Hehe

Yes, go ahead and print off some phone logs and submit several spread over time and just hi-light those numbers with a memo on the top page saying what it is. I did that as well to show that the 1-800 number was a calling card used to call him- they will understand that and should be no problem! Now that you say that I don't think mine screen shots from my whatsapp showed the date either, I don't think it's a big deal. Especially since you're sending things at the end of the year or next- it will be obvious that you've been communicating at least this entire year and you could always make a note of the year if it was previous to 2015.

Also, in reference to one of the comments, I don't think you have to mainly focus on "serious" conversations necessarily. Any snippets of serious conversations were probably only 1/4 of what I submitted. Real couples talk about the small things too- minuscule things that you would only care about/ask because you are in a relationship. I only have a couple portions of serious conversations and none regarding our future plans. I'm not saying that you shouldn't include these if you have them, but I don't think you have to focus so hard, just get a variety. I even included one of an argument because what's more real than that haha. I also did not get anything notarized- even the affidavits. Again, you certainly can and it may be a good idea. But I didn't and it wasn't a problem.

Thanks so much. this was helpful!

Anything to help! We didn't have any hard letters and our emails were from a long time ago so for more current communications I just screen shot snips of our communications from fb messenger and whatsapp over a span of time. Do you use calling cards from online? If so you could maybe screen shot your account or something. I'll do my best to remember what was sent with my original petition: I wrote a personal letter relaying our relationship history (some of it was more vague but I did put in a lot of details too. I approached it as if I was telling a new friend/acquaintance about how we met and fell in love. Remember, the people reading over all of these things are humans and it's good for them to see us in a real way and be able to relate) call logs, screen shots of communication, a screen shot each from my dad and sister showing communication between them and my fiance, scans of my passport pages showing the times I was in Nigeria, the affidavit from my dad, letters of intent (one signed by me, one signed by him), and pictures. I think that was pretty much it in regards to "proof of relationship." If you go to my timeline, I believe it will show you the review I wrote in regards to the interview process. That should help and if you still have any questions let me know!

Thanks so much! I will take a look at your Lagos Consulate review. In the meantime, a few follow-up questions on whatsapp and calling cards.

1) The calling cards I used is the temporary ones with pin numbers. I did not have an account linked with it, so I can't show that it was actually his number that I dialed. The closest I can do is show my Sprint phone bill that shows outgoing calls to the number linked to the long-distance calling card. It shows that I had long convos with someone living in Nigeria since the name of the card is NigeriaDC.

2) I know this may sound minuscule, but I have an iPhone and for some reason when I take screenshots of chats it does not show the year. Only the month and day. Is this a concern?

thanks again for your help!

Thank you so much. Can you please provide a list of things you submitted in the original petition to prove a relationship? I'm worried because I neglected to save the chat history from when we first started communicating. Also, we don't really send each other hard letters or emails. Mostly whatsapp messenger and long distance calling cards. Any insight you can offer (either from the petition process or the Lagos interview process) is much appreciated!

I submitted one from my dad (mostly because my dad is an ordained minister and said in the affidavit that he would be marrying us within 90 days of my fiance's arrival) but I also submitted some excerpts of conversations between my fiance and father and between my fiance and my sister. If your fiance communicates at all with your family members and you can show that I think that is stronger than an affidavit but can go along with it nicely. I submitted so many different things in my original packet to prove a relationship and my fiance's interviewer told him that he had enough evidence and didn't require to see anything more at the interview. I wouldn't hesitate to send anything that could add to your cause.

Has anyone included Affadavits from family members stating that they are aware of the relationship between you and your fiance?

I was told that is an option for proving a bona fide relationship. Is there a set template for this? Who should it be written by? (The petitioner's relative or beneficiary's relative)

Thanks!

Yes I did the same thing, emailed chats to myself and printed it off in the word format.

I have verizon and you can go online and print a call log of all calls made to and from that cell line. It shows time and duration.

Thanks. You were able to obtain a log of calls made with whatsapp!? How do you do that thru your phone provider?

Yes I did the same thing, emailed chats to myself and printed it off in the word format.

I have verizon and you can go online and print a call log of all calls made to and from that cell line. It shows time and duration.

My fiance and I communicate frequently using WhatsApp. Has anyone had success obtaining a K1 visa using this as a means of "proof of ongoing communication"?

If so, how exactly do you document the:

1) Chats?

2) Call logs?

CHATS: I figured out that you can email the chats to your self, and it will show the entire conversation thread on a Word Processing program like "Notepad". Is this sufficient although it's not in the original form?

CALL LOGS: As for Call Logs, are screenshots showing the date, time, duration of call, and my fiance's number sufficient?

PLEASE HELP!

There's no way the CO can be convinced, they go by what they see, there's a way to screenshot with the date..

I use an iPhone and it only shows the date, not year. How did you do your screenshot??

When I email the chat to myself using the "email chat" feature in WhatsApp, the entire conversation thread is displayed in "Notepad" form. This excerpt shows the FULL DATE including the year. Would this be sufficient, although it's in a Word Processing form?

I appreciate any suggestions....

He took recent additional evidences, but the CO didn't request for it, even though, my fiance told him, he had more recent and updated evidences. So, that depends on the CO though

2. Though, I used NigeriaDC cards, I submitted like 40copies in $2&$5, but for the trackable evidence, I used cent mobile which I store his number with his name, and it's highlighted

3.Yea, I screenshoted all our conversations e.g WhatsApp, Tango, Viber,IM, fb, but you should screenshot with the date, dat was what I did, and there was no issue. Best wishes...

My whatsapp shows the date of chats but not the year. We've dated for only one year though so they should realize the year was 2015. Did your whatsapp messages show the year?

Ok, thanks. A few more questions:

1) Did the CO request to see the additional documents that your fiancé took to the interview (chats that occurred after the original petition was submitted)

2) I heard that Lagos consulate doesn't accept Long distance calling cards. I also use NigeriaDC sometimes. How did you present this as evidence? Were you able to show that the calls were made to your fiancé specifically?

3) Did you screenshot your whatsapp convos or email the chat transcript and print it out as a word document. I heard they like to see chats in the original form so as not to appear altered.

Thanks so much ans congrats.

Yeah our distance relationship was 5 yrs almost going to 6yrs before his interview and with chats from Instant Messenger, fb, WhatsApp,Tango, viber, NigeriaDC calling cards, online cent mobile calling cards, proposal ring receipt, western union,and hotel receipt of our names the CO was overly convinced. I only went once (1) within the last 2 yrs which was last year, that was my first visit outside the States. As per the conversation evidences, I printed from 2010 (daily-weekly-monthly-yearly) till 2days before he went for his interview in 2015). I frontloaded the package, and that was very helpful, I wish u best of luck...

Hi,

You said 2010-2015. Does this mean you two dated for 5 additional years before your fiancé's interview? And did you go visit Nigeria once period, or just once within the last 2 years of the initial filing.

Also, how detailed and lengthy were the chat/communication logs you provided?

Read about Lagos in the regional forum. There you can see the experiences of many members past and present. That willl give you a far better understanding of what lies ahead than the responses that you receive here.

Do the work, be prepared, get the visa. Try to cut corners and you will likely face a lot of frustration and extra time.

I thought this topic was already in the regional forum of Sub-Saharan Africa. Is there a forum specific to Lagos? If so can you post the link or direct me to it? Thanks.

Hi, I only visited Nigeria once last year, and this didn't cause any alarm during my fiance"s interview in Lagos. The only thing was that there was an update of our conversations from 2010-2015, this will prove beyond not having a bonafide relationship. I think this will help

I went through Islamabad also a difficult consulate so I will give you what I did.

1. Visit as many times as you are able, I would say if you can at least once between now and the interview and then again if you are able go for the interview.

2. Send a selection of chats from each month (~ 4). I would provide a printout of a chat from 4 days each month. Phone bills and skype screenshots are also good to have. Also if you have some pictures together enclose those.

3. Yes everything you send to USCIS will theoretically be sent to the Embassy; however, sometimes things do get lost. As to being allowed to present additional evidence, depends on the IO. Some will allow it some will not.

Thanks! How long should the chat selection be? An entire conversation of that day? Or just a few back and forth messages?

Calling ALL with K1 Visas APPROVED at Lagos embassy!

I am beginning the k1 process and was told that Lagos is the most difficult consulate to approve k1 visas. Therefore, I am seeking advice from those who's interviews were successful there. I have a few questions regarding providing evidence of ongoing relationship:

1) How many times do you need to visit your fiance? I only visited once. I know the USCIS requires at least ONCE, but I'm not sure whether the Lagos consulate has a higher standard since it's a "high-risk" country.

2) How detailed do call logs/chats need to be? How frequent (every day, once a month, couple a month?) Do you need to provide content of chats or just evidence of contact? I'm concerned that I do not have any hard letters or emails. Are phone bills that show frequent and lengthy calls using a Nigerian long-distance calling card acceptable? This coupled with screenshots of skype video calling history?

3) Does USCIS send initial petition package to US Consular for use during interview? If so, will beneficiary be allowed to present additional evidence of ongoing relationship at interview (i.e. call logs and photos that took place after the original petition was submitted). I've heard stories of the CO in Lagos basing their decisions solely on evidence provided in the initial -129F packet, prior to even beginning the interview.

I am hoping to get as many of these questions answered as I begin this journey. Thanks for your help!

Thank you!

2010-2015 is a five year period, but I guess it would depend on the month. It was in February of 2010 that he started living in the temporary address. So, if he starts from this time period all the way up to present (November 2015) that would already be 5 years, right? That is why I'm confused about whether or not to list the third line. (birth - 2010).

I hope you understand what I mean. Also, in terms of overlapping, is it ok to write the same month for end date as the beginning date of next residence. For example, would this be overlapping if he wrote:

Permanent residence: (April 2011-present)
Temporary residence: (February 2010- April 2011)
Permanent residence: (birth- February 2010)

Someone please help!! Need answers.

Thanks. Please note that the first time period he lived at permanent address does not fall within the last 5 years. (Birth - 2010) Would it hurt to list that as well (to show that he didn't just move there in 2011, but actually resided there before) or are they only concerned with the last 5 years?

You scare me when you say the form will not submit if there is an overlap. Please explain what you mean by this. Better yet, if you can provide an example of what you mean (exactly what order he should list them) that would be extemely helpful!

Ok, so you are saying I should go with the first option. But do I still need to list the 3rd line, even though it doesn't fall within the last 5 years?

Hi Everyone,

This question pertains to section on "Addresses for Last 5 years". My fiancé lived in his permanent residence since childhood, then moved out temperarily to work in another city for one year. He then moved back to his permanent residence and currently lives there. Should he list current residence only to account for last 5 years or should he also include years he lived there prior to 2010? Please see below.

Should it be:

Permanent residence: (2011-present)

Temporary residence: (2010-2011)

Permanent residence: (birth- 2010)

Or is this okay:

Permanent residence: birth - present

Temporary residence: (2010-2011)

Thanks for your help!