Leedah

Bocajr27,

The first time I requested an expedite, it was denied mainly because they messed up my name and it looked like someone who was not the petitioner (me) or beneficiary( husband) was requesting it.

I called back and explained in more detail.

Basically I think I got an expedite because my kids were kidnapped by my ex in 2003 and since then, I have gotten ALOT of government contacts.

I also gave them the names of FBI agents in my case,etc.

Maybe that helped.

Who knows. Its always a shot in the dark.

But I would suggest to do a second expedite request. Don't stop at just that one. Let them know its urgent.

Anyway, my expedite didn't really help much since we are STILL at the embassy going to interviews left and right and was put on AP. I even have an interview coming up this Wednesday.

DON'T put the date of your court hearing on that letter!

Trust me when I say that the interviewer will feel like your overriding his/her "Authority" and they may put you in AP just for that.

It's crazy but I have seen some folks who THRIVE on that power.

it probably is just to delay the visa a bit and do some checking.

They probably want to see more income info from you due to the economy.

It happened to us also.

Yes, stressed is the keyword of the day now. LOL.

So you say I'd need to get the current "balance" of my annuity?

How would I prove the balance to the CO? I have the paperwork and terms showing the face amount and the monthly amount, policy number and also the telephone number of the issuing insurance company, ...but who know if the CO would consider calling them while we wait in the office. Who knows.

This process is surely mind numbing.

my income wasn't enough. SO was told this at the interview.

I'm wondering what is required to show them.

My annuity is calculated at $480,000. (meaning its worth that amount on its face value). I initially was getting a monthly payment of $1000, though I got a lump sum of it awhile back to pay on a few bills.

In order to get any amount from it, I have to go to court and have a judge sign off on it to allow a settlement company pay me a preset amount we both agree on and they in exchange get the usual monthly payment instead of me for the duration of those years.

Once those years are up, the monthly payment goes back to me again.

Sooo, I'm wondering what the consular would have to see to prove income.

I'm not getting any income from this annuity now due to the previous info above. If I wanted to get another lump sum amount, I would simply need to contact a settlement company, tell them the amount I wanted from the annuity and the years I could "go out" on it (even as far as 15 to 20 years into the future), then get a judges sig (takes 30 days for court process). And Voila' a check in the bank the next day.

Hope this explains more.

Any info?

I am wondering what can be used for the affidavit of support to sponsor a spouse. Assets, etc.

We don't have a cosponsor anymore (found out the person wasn't legal themselves) and since I alternated living with my spouse half the year, my income won't help. (We did this arrangement to make it easier on us both and the cosponsor (a distant relative of spouse) had assured us he would send his paperwork.

We go to our interview (the 3rd one) in one week. (I will be attending).

I have a settlement annuity from years ago that is indefinite. Can this be used? If so, what would they need to see about it?

Thanks and any info is appreciated.

Also, will they deny without a cosponsor or does the person have to accept my assets (annuity).

And lastly, what happens to a petition if denied based on no cosponsor? Will they allow it to "languish" until more income is shown from me?

hmmm.....

well folks, i'm back in the U.S. today.

Whidbeygirl, sorry I wont be on your flight back as I had to get back earlier than expected.

But since my SO has his interview on the 25th coming up, I will be flying back again to Dakar on the 24th to attend it.

I have no idea what they are going to do. We don't have a cosponsor anymore and they said he was approved if I can bring in that last affidavit doc. I am crying so hard now cause the cosponsor we had wasn't even legal (was an overstay) and now we have no time to do a search for another person. Now I know why that person was never able to provide the required docs. Always excuses.

This can't be happening now.

Anyone want to help on this?

I totally understand what you are going through.

I am currently going through the exact same thing.

Ours situation is a little worse because my husband is due to have his immigration interview in a few days (his 3rd one) and my family members won't act as a cosponsor simply because they don't want me to be married. period. Not really to someone foreign, mind you. just married. (Only have one aunt and uncle still married,..the rest are single or in bad non-married relationships)

I actually asked my mother to cosponsor my husband and her exact words were, "If I can't get a man, why should I help you get a man!" (Yes, something is wrong with this picture).

I was floored to say the least. My husband has met my whole family (atleast by phone and webcam) and everyone knows that I go to africa every three months to see my husband. No questions on that.

However, its still like the twilight zone. We've been married over 2 years, known each other 5 years, etc. That is nothing in their eyes.

I even have to call my husband in secret when visiting my mother because if she knows he's on the phone, she will start "catchin an attitude".

Anyway, I would advise you to be around friends that have foreign spouses. It will help you cope better.

Don't try to please your family too much. That is your husband and you two are only obligated to each other.

I learned that the hard way. Also, when your family starts on you, just walk away. Its all you can do to avoid a family drama session. Wait for your husband to come to the U.S. and let them get to know him. They will probably change their tune about him.

Glad your having a good trip. I know you must be soooo happy!

I'll be coming to Dakar on the 21st from Gambia to fly back to the ATL. (have pressing appts).

Guess what,...my hubby's interview is the 25th of the same month (March) in Dakar. I will have to fly home to u.s., go to a one day appt on the 23rd,...then fly right back to dakar on the 24th...to make the interview on the 25th. Can you say "Twilight Zone"?? hahaha.

Leave Gambia by ferry- March 21st 7am

Arrive in Dakar-March 21st in the 3pm

Leave Dakar by flight-March 22nd 3AM

Arrive in ATL-March 22nd 9am

Appt-March 23rd

Leave ATL for Dakar-March 24th 4pm

Arrive in Dakar-March 25th 5am

Interview at 7am SAME DAY

Hellllllp!

If you can get to Gambia, stop by and see me.

I'm STILL in Gambia with my husband.

Interview isn't until 25th of March. (they can't reschedule).

Lets all cut the bickering.

By the way, just for information,

A K1 is not necessarily an immigrant visa until the person adjusts their status (AFTER marriage).

That's why is easier usually to get a K1. The person is not legally able to work until they adjusts status AND IF they don't marry within 90 days of entering the U.S., they get booted out of the country (unless they go into hiding somehow).

Get my point?

Each sponsor must be able to prove they make 125% of the poverty limit.

You can't combine 2 people's incomes to make that 125%. Sorry, hope I didn't bust the bubble.

Are you in Dakar?

I'm currently in gambia (next to dakar). let me know when you arrive.

Leedah

find a delta buddy pass.

$400 RT

The best hotel is the Hotel Atlantic. Its only a few minutes from the airport (maybe 5 minutes or less) and its very reasonably priced. I stayed there for two weeks and it didn't break my budget at all.

They have free wifi for your laptop and free continental breakfast every morning.

Also, I visited the hotel farid in downtown dakar. it seemed nice (be sure to look only at rooms with 3 digits ...like xxx).

I didn't stay because it seemed a bit more expensive than the atlantic hotel,..though they do have a restaurant next door and it is in the heart of downtown dakar. so I guess you get what you pay for. lol.

Leedah.

(still in Gambia)

Hey folks.

Am still in Gambia. I'm wondering if anyone has had any luck with the Dakar embassy lately. (meaning getting approved without hassles).

I'm still waiting on our march 25th interview date, but was wondering if I should go ahead and reschedule for a sooner date since. (the embassy scheduled this 3rd interview themselves and sent us an email, we didn't schedule it this time).

I will be traveling back to the U.S. on the 22nd of Feb and thought it would make more sense to get an interview before I leave so that I could attend.

(basically I'm trying to gauge the level of approvals or rather the "behavior" of the interviewing officers lately.)

Thanks,

Leedah

congratulation again.

I guess nobody is in senegal, gambia or even going. lol

Good Morning All.

Hi all.

It's Leedah.

I haven't posted in awhile. Been working and keeping warm in the cold weather. lol.

I'm heading off to Gambia on the 22nd of January and just wanted to know if anyone is going to be anywhere near Dakar, Senegal or Gambia.

Talk with you all soon.

Leedah

Sorry that I couldn't meet up with you, wontanara when you went.

I called you.

Peace.

Honestly, I think these people are just retentive.

If I could document all the stuff that married folks go through as a couple, there offices would be overflowing. hahahah

wow, this is daunting.

I wonder if me living there for a few months will even count for anything.

lol

Yes, I'm planning on going to see my husband at the end of january and trying to just stay their until the interview (if possible).

But, as far as evidence, I'm bringing the following:

1. copies of passport pages,

2. boarding passes,

3. receipts for hotel,

4. receipt of laptops purchased,

5. Cellphone bill with our names on the bill,

6. photo's

7. letters from previous months (we will be writing some more to each other also. (even though I will be living with him there. hahahah)

Any other suggestions?

Hi All,

I am trying to find out what you all did to prove evidence of relationship.

The embassy in Dakar is now asking my husband (through an email to me) to come to an interview (that they set) and bring proof of relationship.

"Please be advised that the consular officer has scheduled Mr. xxxxx for another interview on March 25 at 2:00 PM. Please have him bring all evidence of your relationship to the petitioner ( photos, letters, correspondence---)

Best regards,

Eligibility Review Unit. (MS) "

He brought photo's of us together, greeting cards, a bank card I gave for him to withdraw money on, and a few letters.

All this was given (and not returned) to them on the first interview in November.

I was then told by my husband that everything was fine, but that we needed a better I-864.

Now that we have that taken care of (I got a cosponsor who is his 1st cousin living here in the U.S.), they now want MORE proof of relationship.

This is crazy because that part of the interview was already covered and we were led to believe that it was only the cosponsor that was needed.

I email them on a regular basis to get info.

The last time I called, I heard them say in the background "is that the american?" This was heard when they were passing the phone to the CO.

I plan on going to the interview this time with my husband, but does anyone know how we may "document a relationship" when we don't even live together??

By the way, it is expensive for my husband to go online everyday and when we try to send letters.....it either comes in a month or not at all.

I foolishly sent my husband some money (their currency) once and another time a ring. Though they were not worth very much, they never got to him.

Any suggestions?

P.S. I travel to see my husband every 3 to 4 months, so my passport is FULL of stamps from his country, so what about using this as evidence also?