solo's iyawo

Thank you all so much. This was the best birthday present ever. My birthday is today so now we really have reason to celebrate.

To those of you waiting, I know its hard but please remain patient and do not lose focus.

Congrats! I am so happy for you!

Solo made the trip back with all the requested info and then some (2004 tax return & co-sponsor) and had visa approved. He says they didn't even look in the co-sponsor folder.

I did not work a full time job most of the year last year so i made sure i highlighted the benefits (medical, dental, etc) my current job has and the difference in pay (double)

I will update my timeline soon.

First of all I want to thank all of you for your different views and experiences. As some have pointed out there are scammers all over. I have been scammed by American men simply looking for a place to lay their head to keep from going back to their momma's basement. I have prayed on my choice and I am grateful that I have friends to stick by me when I am up and have helped piece together my ego when I was left with a sick baby, no job, and no vision to see beyond 1997. I have had 3 american men leave all the raising of the children to me, and 2 be legally forced to take provide monitarily for their children which they still are slack on. I said all this to say, a man's nationality has little do with him honoring you and the promise made before God. You have good American marriages and bad marriages. Plain and simple. While a green card may be motivation for some, it is not for all.

I prayed about my decision before telling Solo I would be his wife. We had an open conversation about how his quality of life will improve as will mine by what he will provide for my household in being present. I have been honest with him about many things, the main one being I will never get a good housekeeping award. I sent him pictures of my home at its WORST after water damage to prepare him. I am honest about finances with him and what my expectations are for what we will send back to Naija on a monthly basis. We have talked about what we consider to be our "deal breakers" in the relationship. Now if he comes here and decides to leave me, I wish him well as I did the 3 American men that have left me. I know my success and happiness only make them realized what they really loss.

Thanks for your encouraging words. I actually have a much better job now but they want to see the income from the past 6 months, my first check was not received until November. I am hoping this will all work out.

Will the embassy take into consideration that my monthly income has doubled in the past 3 months when looking at my 6 months of income? I posted on the main board about this. Will they even accept a co-sponsor if my parents do this step for me? Will they approve us for a K-3 if I go thre and we marry if I we are denied because of my lack of income?

I posted last week about the interview. Getting a co-sponsor is not looking bright for me. I am going to send the paperwork requested and a letter detailing my income had doubled. If this is not accepted and I go to Nigeria to marry, will i then have the same hurdle to get over? My thought is by March I will have more time on my job as well and might work better for me. Has anyone ever been denied the K-1 based on income and then filed for a K-3 after marriage? Please advise...

I have thought about the co-sponsor issue and honestly do not know if my parents will do that for us. That is alot to ask someone to do for you. My friends are all pretty much in the same boat as me.

The interview went well. They want more proof of income from me which is going to be the hurdle. I lost my job in 2005 and only worked half the year. 2006 I had a child take ill and couldn't return to full time work so my income prior to my new job started in October might have been $10,000 put together. I am just so depressed right now I feel like crying. Off those papers I will not qualify for the affidavit of support.

Solo has gone for his interview in Nigeria. I will post what has happened once I hear back from him. I will get no sleep tonight as my heart is in Nigeria at the Embassy and my body is stuck in the U.S. I don't post much but I do my best to keep my timeline current so that will be updated before I get the time to sit down and post the results. Please keep us in your prayers.

Congrats!

On the front page it says that a notorary or person who can administer oaths can sign off on this form but every notary I have taken the form to has told me they can't sign it. Is that true or do they just not know? I have went to several banks and even made a trip to the court house to get a judge to do the oath but was told that is not possible. What do I need to do to get this paper completed?

Great topic, sorry I am so late getting here.

In order to prepare my Solo for life in America I am completely honest with him. I do the conversion for him on some of the basic things. I send him the phone records. When he heard what I make at my new job he got excited. Well I added it all up for him and then subtracted out the monthly household expenses. I am honest with him and tell him when I have no money and why I have none for calling. I have already made a budget to prepare for his arrival which means cutting back on phone calls and he has been wonderful at being respectful of it.

Nightlife - As we met due to my love of the nightlife and music we have been able to compromise. I do not go out as much as I used to prior to us meeting out of respect for his wishes. I realize that it is a big deal for him so I tell him ahead of time when I am going out and with the time difference I call when I get home so he knows I am safe. I have also let him speak over the phone to a few of my friends. He understands I will not put myself in harms way.

I think one of our BIGGEST issues is meeting in the middle of "me" vs "we". He likes to call in the morning or early afternoon his time, well it is the butt-crack of dawn in the states. He doesn't mind if I call him at 5am. However, I mind if he calls and wakes me at 5am as I have a demanding job working with people and can not be cranky. I work at night so getting too early of a start in the day is my downfall. He says its my right to call at that time of morning and I know that means its his right too. I know its hard for him but these past few weeks he has gotten better and the calls at least come at the time he knows I am getting children off to school.

Congrats!

for phone cards I us www.bluephonecards.com continental card as they offer call detail, pinless dialing, and can be purchased in $5 increments with no surcharge. They also take paypal. For $5 I get 30 minutes to Nigeria cell phone. Best deal I have found. I hope that helps you out.

Congrats!

Thanks for all the info. I am a woman, my future husband lives in Nigeria.

I know the money can not compare to the joy being together will bring. I am changing jobs and just do not want to get a bill in the mail and not be able to get that money to them overnight. I am just a bit anxious with planning a wedding and raising children. I just do not want any surprises within the next month.

I have read several different things about the total cost. We had the I-129F approved for my fiance, how much more can I expect to have to pay in fees?

TIA

thanks!

I do not start 'til the middle of the month and the paperwork has been sent to NVC. I can get a letter but will that work since I will not have a payday til the end of the month?

I am just starting a job this month that will be full time and pay me above the poverty line for my family size. I did not make enough this year or last year to be within the guidelines as I didn't work part of the year last year and didn't work full time this year. I receive child support for my two children that I claim on my tax return. Can I submit the child support order and proof of the military allotment I receive for the other child to help add to my income since I do receive support for the children?

TIA

This is a good one too--hit it section by section so as not to overload.

For Nigeria, be sure to find the other VJ users for your area--your Consulate is unique.

I will look in the regional area of the board so I can get a better understanding of what you mean by that. I have looked at others timelines though. Solo has been granted travel visas to the US previously so he is a bit familiar with the Consulate from the non-immigrant procedures.

Greetings everyone! Just registered today but have been lurking for a bit as time permits. I am wondering if there is a section that details what some things like RFE etc stand for so I won't feel so lost.

TIA

mynia