Sankofa

My husband and I went to Atlanta for the holidays where he planned to cook a few West African dishes for the family... But we left the palm oil at home and didn't realize it until we had already begun to cook. We made few phone calls and found out there was an African shop right around the corner. When we got to where we thought the shop was, we realized that it wasn't the shop we were initially directed to. Come to find out there are SEVERAL African food shops on Memorial Drive (off I-285) in the Stone Mountain/Decatur area. I think the one previously listed on Rockbridge is in the same area. We were able to find EVERYTHING we needed, plus a few extra things to bring back to Jacksonville!! PM me if you would like for me to research the store we went to. The selection was quite extensive....

I am 3 years (and two weeks) older than my husband (and believe me, there are definitely days when I am constantly reminded of this) Even though he does have a "old African soul", his true age still finds a way to peak through. It's still all love though!!

3 years doesn't really seem like a very big difference.

It's not really, but some days it is...

I am 3 years (and two weeks) older than my husband (and believe me, there are definitely days when I am constantly reminded of this) Even though he does have a "old African soul", his true age still finds a way to peak through. It's still all love though!!

Hello,

we are September filers too and just wanted to say hi:)

We have our appointment for Friday Nov 9, so hopefully after that we will be able to check our cases online.

By the way I just called USCIS custromer service line and they told me that we could have differrent biometrics appointments for the EAd and AOS. Did all of you have only 1 appointment for both?

Thanks

My husband did one appt for both...

am i insane or is this the second poll exactly the same without an option for people without middle names!!!!!!??????!??!?!??!?

I apoligize if this is a repeat poll. I searched for a poll like this, but I came up with nothing... If you can find me the link I will ask to cancel this one. It is a personal question for me. If it offends you - feel free not to answer

My husband and I offically married on October 21. I have not changed my name as of yet, because it is a source of discontent in our household over what my new name will be. I have my maternal grandmother's first name and my paternal grandmother's middle name so both of those names are EXTREMELY important to me. But my maiden name is just as important. I want to keep my name as is and add my husband's last name offically on my SS card (4 names). But on my license and other documents I will have: First Name - Maiden Name - Husband's Last Name. I didn't forsee this being a huge problem, so I just mentioned it to him in passing. He thinks I'm too attached to my family and I'm afraid to let go. On the other hand, I really think of this as a personal decison, not a joint marriage decision. It's my name. What's important is that when we have kids, all of us will have the same last name - not what's between my first and last name....

(He'd die if he knew I was sharing this information with strangers... better you all then my mother!!)

Well, thank God she hasn't taken my advice. She's just waiting until the 90 days is up to see what happens. Hopefully, she'll still want to be friends with me. Who wants a friend that gives bad advice

Bad advice. The USCIS is listing the dates that the various centers are processing the applications. California for example, is only at 8/30/07 and Vermont is still working through July applications, so if the I-130 was sent in August I would give it a bit more time before pulling the plug on the original application.

I'm not talking about processing... I'm talking about receipt of application. She hasn't received notice that the application was ever received!

A close friend to mine and her husband married here in the states and he went back to Spain to wait out the visa process. They completed the IR-1 application and sent if off the later part of August. She has not received her NOA1 nor has her check been cashed. She also misplaced the tracking receipt. She has repeatedly called the MIS-information line only to be told they would be unable to assist her until it had been after 90 days!! First, I introduced her to visajourney.com and then I suggested to her to cancel the check and resubmit... Was this good advice??

Pingo! Pingo! Pingo!! I like it because I can use it from anywhere as long as I have the access number. I have the number programed in my cell and on my home phone. Even when I was stationed in Italy I was able to use it from work with no problem. I had vonage at home, it of course it was no problem. My husband uses it now to call home. I will admit that sometimes we have to call several times before we can get connected, but I think that has to do with the phone lines in Ghana, not Pingo. We also used the spreadsheet printout for my husband's interview with no problems. We included 3 months worth of calls. There were so many calls listed that I assume they don't think we sat down and made that whole thing up.. It's okay if it doesn't have the Pingo logo, it still looks like a phone log. Just wanted to add my two cents...

My husband's original biometrics appt was scheduled for Oct. 22, but we were on our honeymoon at that time. The day after we received the appt letter in the mail, we mailed a letter to request a new date but never heard back from USCIS Jacksonville. When we returned home, we called the MIS-information line and were told to wait 90 days for a letter in the mail!! (I told my husband before he called that that would be the response!!) But, because what I read here, we took our chances and went to the USCIS Office yesterday with a copy of the appt notice and letter to reschedule and told the guards that we called and were told to come by to have his biometrics done because we were out of town on the original date. (Okay so we bent the truth a little!!) They told us they only do make-up appts on Wednesdays and to come back tomorrow. So we went early this morning and got his biometrics done. The whole process took only 20 min.!! Thanks to all who responded to this thread. We would have been waiting at home for a letter that would have never come in the mail!!

Hi, I was wondering if those that have gone through the Embassy in Ghana can tell me how long it took for their fiance/spouse to get their visa once they were approvedat interview. I can't take too long a vacation from work and I am praying my husband will get his in time to come home with me. I would be heartbreaking if he didnt. Thanks.

Sorry to interrupt the flow of the conversation, but I wanted to respond to the original question. My husband's interview was on July 12, but he didn't pick up his Visa until August 10!! He had to fix a minor problem with his birth certificate which only took one day, but they gave him a return date of Aug 3. (He wasn't able to come back any earlier!!!) When he finally went back on the 3rd, he was told that the printer that prints the visas was broken!!! So he had to wait until the following week!!! We had already bought a one way ticket for him to fly back with me and my family, so we had to purchase another ticket. Luckily we were able to get our money back (minus $200). On top of obtaining the visa, there is an issue of obtaining a transient visa if your fiance doesn't take a direct flight to the US. Depending on which country he flies through, there is an additional 3-4 day wait on the transient visa which cannot be applied for until the American visa is obtained. I pray that he will be able to fly with you. One of our dreams was to fly across the Atlantic together and be together when he arrived in the states for the first time. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. With all things considered, that was only a minor glitch in the matrix... I wish you both the best

"Now back to our previously scheduled program..."

Nevermind... I found it in an earlier post! It is amazing they let your fiance in! Getting through those guards is nearly impossible!!! They put me through the third degree and I am an American citizen!! My husband recieved his notice in the mail nearly 2 months after it was received at the embassy and that was even after they kept saying via email that they didn't even have his case. EVERYTHING there is done at turtle speed!! Patience and persistence is definitely the key. An interview date of 5 months away is better than the 6-7 months that it has been in recent times. Congrats. To all those who continue to wait, don't go through the process with the Embassy in Ghana with high expectations, because they are sure to disappoint you!! The good news is that they never fail us in consistency - Everyone gets the same slow maltreatment. Has anyone's senator been of any help?? The senator I contacted sent the same emails I sent and got the same answers I got... USELESS!! I know I'm on the other side of the tracks now, but I feel you all's pain!! Continue to press on!! I enjoy reading the updates...

Congrats!! I am so happy for you all. I know what's it's like to wait on the Embassy to do ANYTHING!! (Check my timeline!!) Sorry if I missed it, but what interview did you all get???

AOS package (I-485, I-765, I-131) sent - Friday, Sept 21

Received at Chicago Lockbox - Monday, Sept 24

Check cashed - Friday, Sept 28

Hopefully this is a good sign...

We have already discussed this over PM but we are still waiting for our package 3 too. I am thinking of maybe having my fiance drop by the embassy next week to see if he can pick it up but I don't kow if they will let him do that. It could very well be because the wait time for an interview in Ghana is 4-6 months.

I'll let you know what we do.

Zee

You jumped in right before me!! Since your packet left the NVC just last week, I would wait a little longer before checking with them. Your package may very well be there, but not processed in the system quite yet. They are EXTREMELY busy and EXTREMELY slow there in Accra. It's worth a try. I've seen it done once, but that one time the American fiancee had an email confirmation that the packet was there. I've delt with those guards there at the embassy, they probably won't let him in without a letter... But it's worth a try. Tell your fiance to keep checking his mail.

I apologize in advance because I don't know your whole story. There is no timeline in your profile for me to go by, but are you saying that your packet left the NVC on July 18 and you are waiting to hear from the embassy for your fiance to come pick up the packet 3? Once he returns the required forms in the packet 3, he will then receive a letter (packet 4) that same day with his interview date. I say this cautiously - but it shouldn't take this long, but with the embassy there in Ghana there is no telling!! We waited nearly two months I think. (Check my timeline) They said they still didn't have our packet even after my fiance received his letter in the mail telling him to come pick up his packet 3. The embassy there is quite unpredictable. Try not to get your hopes up too high. Interviews are being scheduled at least six months out. If you think you are being treated unfairly - don't hesitate to contact your state senator... I know exactly how you are feeling. Tell your fiance to keep checking the mail!! Hang in there. I promise it's all worth the trouble in the end!!

You are correct. The police report is good for 3 months... At least I know that is the case for K-1 petitions. I see no reason why it wouldn't be the same for you. Looks like your husband is going to have to go back and receive another one dated closer to the interview date. Good Luck!!

Woot!!! Congratulations!!!

Quick question...what documents did the embassy require for the I-134?

My fiance was asked to show tax returns & w-2's (04,05,06) and recent bank statements (April, May and June). I did not provide a letter from my bank.

Congratulations!! Looks like all of us October filers for Ghana made it through!! Good luck on your reunion with your fiance!!

After what feels like an eternity, my fiance was approved for his K-1 Visa yesterday. Everything occured exactly as stated from the other posts of those who went through the Ghana Embassy. My fiance got to the embassy at 6:30. He presented his appt letter as his "ticket" and was let in at 7:00. He waited for his name to be called and then presented his passport photos at one window, then paid his $100 fees at another window. Then went back to the first window to turn in his visa forms, proof of relationsip (pictures, phone records, and other items he had collected), affidavit of support along with my most recent bank statement, and tax returns. And after what seemed like long waits, he was finally called to the window for his interview (The interview windows are like prison windows where you speak through phones!) The interviewer spent MOST of the interview questioning him about specific details about his job in Ghana!! He wanted to know A LOT about his job. (He works for a tour company!) My fiance said he felt like he was on a job interview!!! He was even looking on my fiance's job's website during the interview, because he asked him to name a few of his co-workers and asked him to describe the owner and what she looks like. The entire interview was no longer than 15 minutes. He walked out of the embassy at 10:30. Other questions he was asked:

1. Tell me about your fiancee

2. Where does she work?

3. Are you married?

4. Have you ever been married?

5 Is your fiancee married?

6. Has she ever been married?

7. Do either of you have kids?

8. When did your finacee visit Ghana?

9. How long did she stay the second time she visited?

10. Tell me about her parents

11. Where does your fiancee live now?

12. How long was she stationed in Sicily, Italy

13. Do you plan on going to school in the US?

When the interview was complete the man told him that he had done very well and that he was well prepared. He asked to see my W-2's and then returned EVERTHING back to my fiance. Although everything went well, his first and middle names on his birth certificate were interchanged, so once that is fixed they will issue his visa. He received his passport back with a yellow slip inside. He got an appt to return on Aug 1st to return the birth certificate and passport. He left the embassy and got the birth certificate fixed immediately!!! He says the interviewer was not very nice, but he was able to answer all of his questions. I will be traveling to Ghana on Aug 3rd with my family for our engagement ceremony and then my fiance will fly back to the states with us on Aug. 13!!! We couldn't be more happy!! We certainly could not have been prepared without the help of our VJ family. Thanks for all the prayers. And for those who are still waiting - Keep the Faith!!

Sankofa

I just noticed in your timeline that your Engagment Party is on August 11.... SO IS OURS!! My family and I are traveling to Accra on August 3 for the engagement ceremony!! If all goes well with my fiance's visa interview on Thursday, he will be flying back with us on the 13th!! I have been in your shoes, so I know how frustrated you both are. Keep the faith and I am praying that all will go well with your case...

I am so sorry to hear that this is happening to you!! The exact same thing happened to me and my fiance back in February. The NVC said the case was sent to Accra on Jan 31, but Accra continued to deny receipt of the case. I kept emailing the embassy and kept getting the same response that they have not received it. My fiance finally recevied a letter in the mail in March dated for February 12!! When I emailed the lady to tell her that he had gotten a letter in the mail, she still didn't believe me!!! I had already contacted my Senator, who was very helpful in trying to locate the "lost case". My suggestion: Contact your State Senator's office immediately so they can place an inquiry into the situation. Tell your fiance to check his mail frequently - hopefully it will show up... I've found out in my dealings with the Embassy there in Accra that the left hand often knows not what the right had does... Also in the defense of the embassy there in Accra, they did recently move to a new office, so there may be a few delays related to the move...

Please let me know if I can be of any assistance...

Sankofa

the whole fish (or any part of the fish)

You took the words right out of my mouth. Just something about an entire fish cooked with the eyes intact looking back at me. I can deal with individual fish parts, just not the WHOLE fish at once!! In Ghana they even eat just fish heads (eyes and all!!) I can't take it!!

That is absolutely wonderful!!! Congratulations and keep us updated on your reunion!!!

Sankofa