AbenaKofi

1 minute ago, PandT said:

Okay.  Thanks.  I guess they will keep anything they don't want him to take.

Yeah,  we tried to make sure whatever we brought from Ghana (honey, pepper sauce), was labeled and the kind from the store rather than the local variety. I know sometimes palm wine can be in unmarked containers so that might be a risk.  Good lucj and happy wedding! 

8 minutes ago, rashidk said:

I am truly inspired my case also say ready but no email or call from the embassy, But i have my DS160 filled already can i go ahead and make pay for the visa fee and book for interview cause they open up a profile for me , whiles i wait for them to get my packet 3 and go for my medicals plus get ready for the main interview???

Hi Rashid,  

Congrats on getting this far in the process!  As you read, that's what we did.  It took almost 3 months from NOA2 to packet 3, so we went ahead and scheduled the interview.  If it's already been a couple of months, I would advise you to consider doing that as well - because we completed DS160/visa fee, we were checking online for a month before the interview spots even opened up!  

PM me your number if you'd like to be added to our WhatsApp group :).  

Thanks,

Abena

59 minutes ago, VictoryAwaitsUs said:

My case has been in transit for 13 days from NVC to embassy..  Can someone let me know if I should go ahead and email the embassy? Is it too soon to email the embassy regarding my case?  I have noticed that the consulate receives many cases within a week  from NVC..  Ghana members can someone please fill me in on this one. Thanks in advance.

Hi!  I wouldn't worry.  You can email them, but don't expect to get a detailed response (or any response).  The consulate in Ghana did not reach out to us until they were ready for us to interview.  We got notification that NVC was forwarding our case to Ghana on April 3, and we didn't hear from the US Embassy in Ghana until June 11.  

This is the stage where the experiences really seem to vary by country, and unfortunately the Ghana embassy isn't too clear on the process.  Have you checked your case status on NVC?  Does it say "READY?"  

Once it said ready, we decided to complete our DS-160, pay the visa fee, and go online to try to schedule interview dates.  We did this before we got the Packet 3 (a generic letter from the embassy saying they are ready to interview you).  Thankfully we got the Packet 3 on June 11, and the interview was on June 26.  We took a risk in the interest of time.  If you don't get that communication from the embassy before you go in for your interview, you run the risk of being turned away and having to reschedule.  It's at your discretion.  Feel free to PM me if you have questions or if you'd like to join our Ghana K1 WhatsApp - we have 14 members in various stages from NOA2 to married (us).  

Hope that helps,

Abena

6 hours ago, Greenbaum said:

These are all great suggestions. I've heard that those from India have to do the same and be careful of ceremonies that look like a marriage party. 

 

I help a lot of folks here on VJ with their process and problems. I've been very lucky that many have shared their Embassy P3 letters with me so I can help others. To that end I would like to ask if you would share a copy of the Ghana P3 that you recently received from your Embassy. I'm in a number of different threads and I always get the question from Ghana people if I have a copy of the P3 and unfortunately I don't have one so I have to answer them in the negative. I would like to also send them to this thread that you're in so that others from Ghana can help the new Ghana VJ members. If you can scan the P3 into a PDF and PM me here on VJ and attach it to that PM I certainly would appreciate it. Thanks

Happy to share it here as it’s quite generic.  Yes, the Ghana embassy is a bit unorganized and unpredictable; feel free to send folks my way if you things we can help.

Instructions- K1 Application.pdf

On 10/13/2018 at 3:04 PM, Pinky51804 said:

Wow. Thanks for looking out for us AbenaKofi. We have received our case number from NVC. We are now looking for appointments dates. Am soo happy for you guys for passing through the interview successfully. Any little advice you can give me concerning the interview?

 

 

Thank you!  How's the hunt for dates going?  We had success toward the end of the month so I hope the same for you.  

The interview was one of the easiest parts, to be honest. 

1) you canNOT bring in a phone.  If you have nobody to hold it for you, there's a guard there to hold it for like 20ghana, but my fiance found a woman selling food who was holding them for 10ghana. 

2) Anything they ask, you'll already know if you have a bonafide relationship.  My fiance was asked how we met, what brought me to Ghana, what I did for work, and whether we had kids (and when he said we didn't have kids, the CO asked about a photo that we submitted which included his niece and nephew).  Assume they will read the chats and go through the pictures, so be careful what you send.  

3) We know a few couples who got denied for being "too married."  Avoid sending chat records that include you referring to one another as husband/wife.  Don't include pictures or mention of any engagement activities or big family parties that could be interpreted as Ghanaian traditional engagements, because that's interpreted as marriage.  It's tricky because the US/Ghana perception of engagement is so different, so be careful.  

4) It seems like they've got their minds made up by the time you get into the seat for interview.  As long as everything is correctly filled out and your case is relatively straightforward, I wouldn't worry.  Even if there's something that needs a little explanation, better that you identify it first or risk being denied for misrepresentation.  

We have a whatsapp group going - PM me if interested!

Hi Pinky, 

Did you receive notification (email or letter) from NVC that they sent your case on to Ghana? We received that letter on 3 April (NOA 2 was March 14) and then we didn’t get Packet 3 from Ghana embassy until about June 11. 

We did the DS-160 in early April so we could start looking for interview times. It took us a month of checking online to find a date, June 26.  

Ghana takes long and the process isn’t always clear; I wish you patience and perseverance! Happy to share our experience if you have questions. 

Hi Amma,  

We went ahead and scheduled.  However, if you get to the embassy for your appointment and you have still not received the instructions, you may be turned away.  That is the risk you would take.  Our case was sent to the Embassy on 3 April, and we received Packet 3 on 11 June.  There is no set timeline for the receipt of Packet 3, however.  Sorry that this is such a hassle of a process.  I wish you patience and endurance!  Please reach out if you have any other questions.  

Abena

2 hours ago, Internaut212 said:

Congratulations!!!!!!!!    Wow.  We are so happy for you.  We filed on 11 September and were even jubilating when we saw your update.  God is good.

 

We are still waiting for packet 3 and our interview date in Accra.  Do you suggest scheduling the interview on your own?  

Aww thank you!  Yes, so thankful that the interview went smoothly.  We took a risk by scheduling on our own - it worked out for us but another couple got turned away, even after allowing a similar amount of time to pass between NOA2 and the interview (a little over 3 months).  However, since they did schedule, the embassy told them they would see about expediting the case for them, so things may end up moving quickly for them anyway.  

The embassy wants you to wait, but the process has been very inconsistent.  We decided that it was worth the risk to just go and schedule, because you may see that some couples are having a hard time finding appointment availability.  If you do your DS160 and pay the fee, then at least you can go online and start looking at dates.  Then when you schedule, you can get the medical done, etc.  In my opinion, the only thing you stand to lose is the visa fee ($265) which they may make you pay again.  So I stand by our choice to schedule and just hope to get the packet 3 in time.  I hope that helps! 

17 hours ago, bejaflora2000 said:

Thanks everyone! I have another question. Should I include our engagement photos even though they were not apart of the original application? I filed the petition before we had our engagement ceremony, I sent my petition off Dec 2017, we had our engagement ceremony Feb 2018 in Ghana (I flew there).... Should I include those pictures as well with the RFE? Thanks everyone this group has helped me a lot!

17 hours ago, geowrian said:

Describe "engagement photos". Other people from Ghana have been refused for being "too married" based on engagement photos that looked like a customary wedding ceremony.

If it clearly does not look like a wedding (formal or not), then adding in additional evidence of a bona fide relationship is fine.

Agree - better not to add them since traditional engagements have been viewed as formal weddings. A US/GH couple recently got their K1 refused for this and had to go to CR1 and wait even longer.  We are not even including our professional couples photos that we got taken on a holiday just because we're wearing matching outfits and we don't want the embassy to get the wrong idea.  Any other casual photos you have should be fine with the requested info - dates, locations, names of people in the pic. 

I'm a different country but working on the same thing - I have already purchased my own ticket (I have work so I can't stay in Ghana that long).  If he gets visa in hand in time, we will buy his ticket then, and just beg the airline to put us together :).  My fare is flexible so I could make some changes to my own reservation, but we'll see how it goes. 

14 hours ago, Wallhut said:

Abena,

 

I hope you are doing well in life. I pray your visa journey will soon be finished as ours is now.

 

My fiance picked up his visa five weeks after the interview, but not because that was when he was notified it was ready. Like so many others there was no notice the visa was at DHL, neither from the embassy nor DHL. They said it would be two weeks, and on the third week he went to DHL but they said it was not there, so we decided we should wait until we were notified it was ready, but that never occurred. Finally another member on this website said her fiance tried and tried to contact the embassy but never got through, and also called DHL but they said it was not there. He finally went to DHL in person and his visa was there waiting. Another friend of mine I met on here whose husband is already here said her fiance was never notified his visa was ready for pick up either and that he just went to DHL and it was there. So my finace decided to try again last week and this time when he went the visa was there. So once you are approved do not expect to be told the visa is ready. Wait three weeks and if you have not heard anything then physically go the DHL office to check. Sadly, that is the only way to know for sure.

 

My fiance just left today to visit his mother in Togo before coming to America. He will return to Accra in a few days, pack and them come here. I am very excited.

 

Please take care.

 

Wallace

Wow! All in all I’m glad you got it sorted out, but sorry to hear of the delay. Thank you for that information, we will definitely check. It’s not easy since Kofi lives in Kumasi but we will find a way to keep checking. 

You are almost there! Yes thank God we received the packet 3, so just getting ready for the interview now. I’m hoping to time a trip to Ghana so that we can come back to the US together, but the approval is the most important thing right now. 

Thanks again for for your continued feedback and safe travels to Jeff 😊

On 5/30/2018 at 11:35 AM, MrsJacob said:

We have trying to track visa pick up for Ghana. It has only been one day. Is it to earlier to track? Can somebody please send a link of where we need to make an account on usatraveldocs.com Ghana to make sure we are on track? 

 

Hello and congratulations! We haven’t gotten to that step yet but have you been able to track it now? Hopefully you’ve already got visa in hand!

Happy Monday all!  Popping in to report that we got our Packet 3, finally!  

Medical/police cert are done and now it's full steam ahead to the interview in 2 weeks!  I'm sending a fresh i134, letter of intent, and bank statements since the last set was current as of 3/1.  

I heard that the time from approval to visa in hand seemed to be lagging at Ghana - looks like 2 weeks to a month, but we can't worry about that yet.  

Hoping for progress for everyone, and I can't wait to report back with some happy news! 

On 5/9/2018 at 6:56 AM, Wallhut said:

My understanding is the Priority Date is the date when the USCIS first received your application. When creating your account on ustraveldocs.com to set up your interview you should select Immigrant. You will receive an email with the confirmation number after completing DS-160 online at the ceac.state.gov website. You must complete the DS-160 (which is the true application for visa, rather than the I-294) before scheduling your appointment.

 

I hope this helps, and good luck!

 

Wallace

Hi Wallace, I hope all is well! I wanted to ask how things were going for you guys.  How long did it take for Jeff to get the visa, after approval? Has he entered the US yet? 

Best wishes, 

Abena

15 hours ago, Shamrox76 said:

Thanks very much indeed we are getting there gradually though,sweet & sour but eventually all the time,resources and patience would pay off soon.One day we shall all look back and smile and beat the chest and say 'YES WE CAN.....YES WE MADE IT' after all.I would very much appreciate to hear your experience and from NOA2 through NVC et all.

Yes, every day gets us closer, and we try to keep our eyes on the prize. 

18 hours ago, Shamrox76 said:

My case was approved on June 1st........so happy and can't wait to receive the hard copy in the mail.I would urge you all never to lose hope.

Congrats! Now the fun begins haha...most of the posts here say that things move quickly after NOA2 but that doesn’t seem to be the case for Ghana. We have secured an interview in 3 weeks but still unsure if the embassy will be ready to review our case by then. Be patient and read up on the Ghana embassy - reach out to us couples ahead of you as well. I’d say don’t be discouraged by those from other countries moving a bit faster - it is what it is, and we will get there eventually! 

5 hours ago, A&Oforever said:

I was on here some time ago. I am always grateful for how much Visa Journey helped me along the way in bringing my now husband. Well since then I have also helped tons of couples online and offline however I am at a hump.

During my time, after the K-1 fiance petition was approved at USCIS. It was then sent to NVC then sent to the accra consulate. You then had to wait for a " Call-In Letter" which was usually sent to the fiance in the US.  You then sent a copy to your fiance in Ghana and they took that letter on a Wednesday to pick up what is called the packet 3/4. which was the required materials for your interview and your interview date. As my case was running through, I noticed the process had changed but never took note of it since it did not concern me at the time. Is there anyone out there who can clearly outline the new process after your case is sent from NVC to Ghana. this is for k-1 fiance visa. Thank you and i am still here for any questions regarding adjustment of status once the fiance gets here into the US. Many thanks.

Hi! That’s a great question - thanks for checking in on it, and congratulations.  

We are caught in that stage right now.  We got NOA2 a little over two months ago, and it was sent to Accra in early April. No word from them yet, no letters or emails to either of us. There was some confusion on VJ as to whether we are supposed to wait to be contacted, or schedule online once we complete the DS-160. It seemed, however, that some couples proceeded without receiving the packet 3 email - some never even got it at all. So we went ahead and scheduled online for the end of June. Hopefully we receive the packet by then. If not, at least we have the chance to get the medical done now. It’s very frustrating!

Did your process run smoothly, or did you have some confusion as the process changed?

On 5/30/2018 at 7:08 AM, h&y said:

Hello all,

 

Haven't posted in a while because we are still waiting. Seems to be a thing when your fiance isn't from a "certain" country.... I see the trend...

 

To everyone with upcoming interviews in countries that are difficult, for no reason - do not listen to everyone on here. People say don't offer too much, offer whatever you want.

People say frontload, sometimes you can't. In my case- the CO cut my fiance off a few times. I'm not giving advise nor the questions asked. Not trying to be mean or difficult

Not one piece of paper was asked to be seen. He simply read off the 134/129 and barely cared about my relationship. Hence why we are still waiting. Not giving more details

but be careful with who you listen to on here because most of these countries with approvals are pretty obvious as to why the approvals are much more simple.

 

Sorry to hear you’re still waiting. I’m hopeful for you both.  Too true, unfortunately with some countries you just start off with strikes against you, and it seems like you’re at the whim of the CO.  I’ve heard similar things about Ghana. Hang in there, dear. 

4 minutes ago, Mgdtime97 said:

 

Patience is hard to find at this stage, but we have to.  We're still In Transit, and hoping to be Ready soon.

I hope you will too!  We are nervous with all the inconsistencies surrounding the Ghana embassy but just hoping for the best.  

Everything we read before filing said that things would move so much more quickly after NOA2 - I can't say I feel that way, hahaha!  I'm just hoping that by 2 months from now, I'll be reunited with my fiance.  And you too!  

Then we can all look back on this crazy time and laugh (maybe). 

Hi all!  Congrats to everyone who's been approved thus far.   We've gotten the medical and police clearances done...now we just keep waiting   Patience is a virtue!

1 hour ago, h&y said:

I called. They said it's under consulate review meaning the interviewing officer is just going over the info again. The officer didn't even ask for any documents what so ever. Not even pictures. I just don't get it but it's not in AP and it's not denied so it's not over til it's over and I came into this with an open mind knowing K1 in Morocco was hard. Praying now. 

Okay okay.  They're just going over it again.  Of course, we know *certain countries* never make it easy for you!  Keep the faith,  *hugs*

5 hours ago, Swissmiss82 said:

Thank you @LizM and @Kswtangel

Yes, I am officially Miss K now! yaaaaaaayyyyy

it was sooo beautifullll, this is the park we picked and did it:

 

 

 

the last days have been crazy - and all i can say: the K1 isn't over yet hahahaha 

everything is sooo hard to get (at least in georgia)! getting a title and tag for the car is only possible if you have the

georgia Driving Licence, so that you only get if XYZ, and that you can't get because XXYZ! it's a neverending running

around thing now haha 

for the first time i said today that i was thankful, that i don't have a work permit yet and can't work! there is no way

on earth that a normal person with a regular job is able to run around like that hahaha

 

 

 

That’s gorgeous! I used to go to Savannah for rugby tournaments and the parks were so beautiful and romantic.  Also not looking forward to the runaround - hopefully we can go to social security just once to get him straightened out and change my name! I have to look more into that. As of now I can’t see past the interview! Congrats Mrs!

9 hours ago, h&y said:

My lovely fiance had his Medical today. Literally took ALL day. The doctor was super nice but when he went there, he basically gave him a script for the Chest X-ray, and for blood work so he had to go to two separate places and then wait for the results. Long story short, a few hours later he went back and picked up all of the results, was given 2 or 3 shots, I don't remember and he was sent off with "everything is okay" (With the records in hand, no waiting needed) lol yay! Next stop: Interview next week!!!!

 

 

Yay! What a relief - one more thing done!

13 hours ago, krawls said:

Yes he schedule it online, it's only a few available spots for  July 17, 19, 24, and 26.

Wow. I really expected the whole month to open up at once, you know? We were checking last week and happened to snag June 26, but only like 3 spots were open at that time. This embassy is driving folks crazy!