totes

I agree with slowlyman, both of you must provide a letter of intent but I imagine you provided yours in your package. The letters do not have to be detailed, you just have to provide statements of intent. The letters are not proof of relationship, that is a separate issue all together and will have to be provided at the Consulate and during AOS.

Girl!!! As we discussed tonight.... this is BS! I'm afraid you are going to have to do like I did and demand a one on one meeting with your actual Congressman. I met with mine twice in person and I believe that was our saving grace. You're dealing with liason's who just go thru a script sort of standard steps for inquiries. It wasn't until I met with my actual Congressman and basically thru a fit and reminded him that I am a taxpayer, a voter in this state, and an active person in politics that he finally stepped up... at first he was full of excuses about the state of affairs over there (i had to interupt and tell him not to give me the "song and dance"... I've seen the state of affairs in Nigeria myself time and time again. I had to stand firm and pull my strength from way within me and get tough! The bottom line for me was.... I'm a real American and have real rights and supported his campaign previously and that I deserve as a citizen of this country and this state to have representation. It was a fight, I'm not going to say it was easy or without frustration but I stayed on it, calling his office daily, even posting emails to his website in Washington. I finally got a call from Washington and that's when things seemed to change. My best advice is to be persistent even if it's not your nature.... pull from within.... you are a citizen of this country and your state and you have rights and legitimate expectations!

I love you girl and am of course praying for the two of you! Listen to Marc.... but also pull from within... you're a strong woman or you wouldn't be here in the first place. Draw from that and become very resourceful!

hugs,

Tess

My fiance finally was called back to the US Consulate in Lagos after almost 8 months of being in AP. His final interview was today and he was denied. Based on what, you may ask?

Last month, I took my 4th trip to Nigeria in 15 months to have an interview (at my request) with the investigator handling our case in hopes of expediting the AP. He interviewed me and my fiance separately and we believed that all went well.

One of the questions I was asked was why I had decided to file a K1 visa petition instead of the marriage visa petition? I explained, that initially, we thought it would be nice if he met my kids first and my family and friends first as my fiance and then we'd get married within the 90 day period.

The embassy denied my fiance's visa because of that reason. They claimed that my reasoning sounds like I'm not sure and that the purpose of the K1 visa is for people that are sure and committed to getting married and that the 90 day period is just a time period granted to plan the logistics of the wedding. I filed this K1 visa petition over 13 months ago and they're interpreting my initial reasoning as doubt???? At this point, we wanted to marry immediately after he got here! I'm heartbroken and angry....I feel robbed and cheated. After 3 interviews, 8 months of AP, a home visit and 4 trips to NG from me, they denied it for THAT reason????

Please....if anyone has any advice to offer on how to get this judgement overturned before the paperwork is sent back to the USCIS, PLEASE respond!!!

Thank you....and God bless....

I see both sides.... I'm married to an amazing Nigerian man but I also have/am an advocate for women who have been scammed and have much experience with women who have been scammed and also with the scammer's themselves.

I've been married just a short time, 6 weeks to be exact but.... I knew my husband through and through before I embarked on this journey.

To the OP.... my husband is adjusting very well... the biggest problem thus far is the cold, lol. We live in Arkansas so it can get pretty cold, I think 15 is our temp tonight. Food, he loves everything American except for Pizza, lol. I don't get that! That's unAmerican! He's moving from Nigerian time (a snails pace) to our time (woooohooooo!). Reading everything he can and studying the driver's manual and checking into night classes with his time until EAD. He's anxious to go to work... it's not easy for these men! They are proud and as someone said.... the head of household so they want and NEED to provide for their family!

My advice to the OP is be supportive.... he has or will be leaving his family, friends and everything he knows.. if you think that's not difficult, give it a try... I sure have. He has/will have a language barrier, culture shock and will be totally dependent on you for support and guidance until he learns his way. At the same time... be real. You knew what you were getting into when you married him. It comes with some risks, no doubt but.... you obviously loved/love him enough to marry him and go thru this BS process so.... give it 200%. IF he's not in it for the right reasons, that's his cross to bare, not yours! Enjoy your happiness and love your husband!

Sure there are many men and women in and from third world countries who are looking to get out but..... to those who are in doubt.... I say.... follow your gut even if you don't want to!

hugs!

I've read many posts where people have mentioned "out of status". Please pardon my ignorance but... I don't get that. How can you be out of status? I haven't ready anything from USCIS that says there's a time limit to file AOS. We just filed, hubby got here Sept 20, got married Dec 6 and just filed. I'm not and haven't been worried about it as everything I've read indicates that he is a temporary citizen based on our marriage. Of course he can't work until we get the EAD which sucks. I'm just curious about the "out of status" thing.. where does that come from? Is there documentation somewhere?

Thanks!

Not being paid in Africa is pretty common... sad but true. My SO had a job when we first met that he would go to day in and day out and not be paid. He finally left that job and went to work for someone else, a better place but.... once his employer learned of his plans to come here... the payment problems began. It's a sad state of affairs....

My question to the OP is..... Have you ever been to Africa? Do you REALLY want to go to Nigeria and work? I've been there and I can tell you as much as I love the country and the people... I would be hard pressed to go there to work and live (especially if my fiance/husband wasn't even from there). It's a hard life they live and even though an American citizen working for the government would be paid as expected and live in the better part of Lagos, it would be an extremely hard life!

I'm not trying to discourage anyone... we considered my moving to Nigeria and actually I considered doing the same thing but.... once you have been to that Embassy and you see how bitter and angry the government employees are.... you soon see that it's not a good life and they are only doing their time as Embassy employees have a tour of duty sorta like the military, once their tour is over... they're outta there.

JMO... I would do some serious thinking and some very serious prayer before I applied for a job at any Embassy.

hugs

I apologize, I'm late in posting.... the first time I traveled to Africa, I took $1,000, this was above and beyond my airline tickets and the hotel/food expenses. This was suppose to be "fluff". I spent two weeks and arrived back in the states with $20 and I spent very, very little on items to bring back. If I were going for 3 weeks, I personally would probably go with no less than $2000 and a credit card. You just never know what might happen. JMO

hugs

I had a huge abcess also, needed a root canal , several appointments to keep reopen and clean it ( all incl. in the initial $ 400 fee ).

It's ok for now but I will need a crown soon...........that will be about $ 1300.

I guess I have so taken insurance for granted! I was floored by the cost! As much as I hate paying for insurance every month, and as much as it irritates me that the dental insurance companies pay limited amounts... I had an abscess once and it cost me a total of $400 and that included the root canal and the crown! We'll be lucky if we get out for less than $1,000. Live and learn right.... This is something we certainly didn't plan for and certainly didn't research well enough so I hope that those who are reading do learn from our mistake!

Glad you are doing well and yes, immigrant temporary health / dental insurance is important. Did he have to have a root canal ?

Thanks for the update and best wishes for the wedding. Hope you will post a few pics.

Hey girl! Yea he does have to have a root canal, dammit! That's another $600 unless we can hold off until we're married and my insurance kicks in. I can't say I didn't know about the insurance... I just thought we wouldn't need it before we got married and my insurance kicked in.... ####### was I thinking, lol.

I'll post some pics of the wedding for sure!

I'm late in posting but thought I'd add my two cents... I travel alot for work and I can tell you I HATE going thru Atlanta. Planes are never on time.. coming or going. I have literally declined travel because the only option was to go thru Atlanta. Now my SO did come thru there and thank God everything went ok but.... I was stressed to the limit about it. As far as luggage goes... I believe most of the airlines are charging for more than one bag checked. I did however check two bags without an extra fee when I traveled to Lagos this past May.

I hope everyone is doing well and things are going smoothly! It's been a while since I've posted, I've been so busy... Tony arrived (praise God!), daughter got married and mother had back surgery all within a month! Whew!!! Just typing all that wears me out, lol.

Tony arrived safely and is adjusting nicely. I believe he was a little overwhelmed at first because he barely stepped off the plane when we had to start running around for my daughters wedding and then back and forth to the hospital from my mother's surgery but... the good thing is.... if he didn't swim back to Nigeria after all that and all the family drama involved with all of that... we are in for a long and happy marriage!

So far, he has liked everything I've cooked (a good thing, lol) and even shares in the cooking which is awesome! He does like to eat rice alot which I love but must say after so many meals of it, start blowing up, lol. He's struggling with the temperature here in our state. We live in the south and lately our nights have been in the 30's. He'll have a REAL adjustment come winter but as with everything else, I'm sure will adjust perfectly.

Biggest thing so far..... about a week and a half ago, he started having a toothache. Took him to the dentist last week and he has what the dentist explained was one of the largest abscesses she's ever seen. He's doing well now after almost a week of antibiotics and pain meds but the cost was unbelievable!!! We didn't obtain insurance.... I STRONGLY recommend doing that! Who would have thunk it? I sure didn't!

We've set our wedding date for 12/06, just a small intimate wedding at my parents house with family and close friends. Tony's best friend lives in San Antonio so he and his wife will be traveling here for our wedding. I've ordered my dress and we're making all the wedding plans. Very exciting!

We finally found a church this past Sunday.... as we had differing religions which we were clear about from the start. All is well!

Will keep you updated and I pray you all have a safe and quick journey!

hugs

I believe it is safe to post now..... Tony is safely on his way home!!!!

He will arrive tomorrow evening, God willing and no problems!

Thank you God for your constant blessings and guidance!!!!

Can you tell me which airline you used. My fiance is from nigeria also and his interview is coming soon. Thanks

We chose Delta. The unfortunate thing was we didn't give her enough to get through immigration and customs. She actually had to return to customs to give them a booklet they should have taken when she was there. Give yourself at least three hours. Also make sure she some way to contact you. Fortunately the wonderful blessed lady at the counter spoke Yoruba, and was able to clarify things to my wife. Also she let her use her cell to call us over here.

We used Delta as well but fortunately I had read about some of the trials and tribulations at the POE so allowed 3 hours. It did take him roughly 2 hours to get thru customs and immigrations. The hardest part for me anyway was that he wasn't able to call me from the time he left Nigeria until he arrived in my state... I was worried sick! By God's grace everything went as planned!

Good luck to you!

Greetings to you all.Please tell me if the embassy told u to redo/update the medicals and police reports before u went for ur interview again or during the interview.Thanks .

He did have to update the policer cert as it had expired. Good luck!

Alot of great advice given here!

I can tell you that before I traveled to Africa the first time, I changed my mind 1,000 times. Not about my SO or because of him but because of all the negative stuff I read and people told me that "happens" over there. In the end... obviously I went but I was a nervous wreck until I got there and saw how protective my SO was of me. I felt very safe. I took cash and one credit card (just in case I needed it). We exchanged money on an as needed basis and we always carried all of our cash, passports, etc., with us everywhere we went and had no problems at all. Everyone was very nice (even strangers) and very accomodating. You'll be fine and have a great time!

Good luck!

I believe it is safe to post now..... Tony is safely on his way home!!!!

He will arrive tomorrow evening, God willing and no problems!

Thank you God for your constant blessings and guidance!!!!

Does anyone know how long it takes to get a transit visa from the French Consulate in Nigeria and where a person needs to go to get it? I've seen conflicting info on how to go about getting it as I've searched on google.

Thanks!

I really am just learning trying to take this one step at a time. How do you apply for the CR-1?? And what is the cost?? Cuz I know with the USCIS there HAS to be a cost involved. LOL. I wanted to wait and interview on the I130 (in nigeria), but have heard the interviews are being scheduled way into next year and this being apart is really killing me. I miss him soooo much and its getting harder and harder. I have a friend who did the CR-1, but in her case I think it was because the petition (I129f) had been put into administrative processing. There is just so much confusing/conflicting information and I really just want to make sure I do what is right for Ademola & I and I don't want any mistakes. Any information you all can give me would be greatly appreciated!! Could you also share a little info about how it is once they are here?? Thanks

~Michelle

Hey Michelle, Welcome and Congratulations!

When my husband and I applied ( which seems like many moons ago) we filed the CR-1, and the K-3 simultaneously. We opted for the CR-1 in the end because it had more advantages. He didn't have to adjust his status once he was here, he only needed to lift his conditions.(after 2 years) He also received his Resident card and his SSN immediately.

It's almost time for him to file for Citizenship, which is awesome! I will feel better about extended stays in Nigeria once that is over. Just a few months away....

Once again welcome!

I'm sorry! I walked away for a while, I didn't realize you asked me a question. I have a 1 year old, that is running around biting everyone, and everything, couches, bowls, you name it.

I applied for the I129-F I'm not sure of the cost anymore, it was somewhere in the range of $165.00, (it has changed significantly since I applied), once I received an approval notice for the I129F, I then filed the I130. The cost for the I130 was in the area of 185.00. I did follow up with both petitions as they advanced through the system, but the I130 seemed to be moving along a lot faster than the K3, but on average they both were taking about 1 year before interviews. I figured if I was already going to have to wait that long, I might as well take advantage of the extra benefits that the I130 has the offer, Such as the immediate issuance of the resident card and ssn, in comparison to him coming here and having to wait sometimes upward of an additional 6 month for an AOS appointment. (varies by region, service center)

There are some that didn't have to wait as long as I did, their SO was in the US within a space pf 4-6 months after filing the I 129F, but the spouses were unable to work upwards of 6 months waiting for their Adjustment of Status apt.

As far as the adjustment once they get here, that varies as well. my husband was already an avid traveler before he came here,so his need to adjust wasn't so severe. He did need to get use to the cold weather in NE , where we lived at the time, and he's not very fond of fast food. He didn't adjust very well to American food. He doesn't really eat a lot of meat, so he eats a lot of fish.

The hardest part for me was the wait, my other commitments would not allow me to travel as often as I wanted, I did agree to meet him in Freetown at one point, he had to do a show,but by that time, he was already scheduled for his interview.

I hope I answered your questions, and feel free to ask at anytime.

Good point... in retrospect... I wish we would have gotten married and filed the other way. Our K1 has taken 14 months. When we met with the fraud investigator in Lagos, she told us that they have recently started to really check out all fiance' and spousal visa's. She said since there has been such a shift from the 419 scam to visa scam's they are really concentrating their efforts on these.

Welcome newbies! Ask any questions and we'll all jump in with our experiences.

Definitely check out ZeeNusah's tracking thread. You'll see there that for Nigeria, the interview dates come sooner once the process is done ont his side of the ocean than many of the other sub saharan countries. This is a long wait though. No doubt about it. Bassi's interview was a year after we filed the petition. So prepare yourself for a long wait. Maybe plan a trip after six months or so if you think you'll die from the wait. I kept putting off a trip thinking it would happen any day now.....and any day now was 12 months away. So I wish I went for Christmas like I first wanted to. Well, hindsight is 20/20 as they say.

Good Luck on your journey! We're here to help!

We were the same way... thinking it was coming very soon and putting off a trip but.. in the end ended up going as we were put on AP which seems to be happening more and more out of Lagos.

I recommend you go with your heart, if you are desperately missing him, go and see him if you can.. this process is grueling and there are no guarantees of how quick you will be processed.

I know that there are plenty of things that I do that my SO does not understand, so it goes both ways.

...

Look at all that our SOs have sacrificed to be with us. What I have listed is so small. We have talked about all of these things and more, and he tells me he will adjust. To me he is a brave man to leave all that he knows, to come to a different country, all for a woman that he loves. I feel honored. I know it will not be easy for him. I will support him and have patience while he is adjusting to life in America. It is the least I can do, after the sacrifice he has made for me.

In my experience, leaving Nigeria is not much of a sacrifice it is a welcomed opportuninty that many pray for their children. Even if it is to come here an drive a cab. Those selling on the streets would jump on it. For too many there is no comfort back home. only struggle and sacrifice.

How much of a sacrifice is it leave a place like lagos and have constant electricity, clean typhoid free water, a bus system that gives you your own seat and provides air conditioning, cops that protect you and come when you call, cars that are pulled off the road for polluting, any type of food imaginable to select from in an air conditioned store where you pay the price you see not the one you bargain for.....

Let's keep itme it is more of a win win for the couple. The TRUE sacrifice or test for love would be for a US citizen born and raised to live in Africa because their SO could not secure a visa for entry into the US.

real. I know i could not adjust to the life in Lagos so I don't think that it is so much of a sacrifice to leave it, to

Every King has his castle, it is not for us to judge if we like the castle, that is up to the King.

I agree with the King and his castle thing. I'm worried to death about how my SO is dealing with the fact that he will soon be leaving his family and all his friends. I personally love Africa even though there is alot of bs over there, it's an amazing country and the lifestyle is something we could learn a thing or two from. I would live there if need be. Plan to visit as often as possible.

From my perspective... I can see why some would think it's no sacrafice at all to leave due to the economy, lack of infastructure, etc., etc., however, I have moved to another country before and even though it was a third world country, I was clueless so I wasn't worried about the "getting by" perspective but... leaving my family, friends and everything I've known for my whole life was so overwhelming that I almost didn't make the move. It's bad to us over there but they have lived their entire life under those horrible circumstances (I'm not saying they should accept it, I don't believe that at all but they know nothing else other than what they've been told and/or seen on tv). So... it's a major deal for them, even if it is somewhat better.

The thing I'm worried about is... even though I have tried to prepare my SO for the way it really is here, I'm worried that his expectations will not be met. I live in the south... mixed couples are still frowned upon. It doesn't bother me because I personally don't give a #### what people think but... as someone just coming to this country... I'm concerned that it will be disheartening to him. I'm also concerned about the perceptions American's have in general about Nigerians. Where I'm from... most people think they are all crooks just looking for a means to an ends. I've been dealing with this the entire time we have been together. Raised eyebrows when they hear where he's from.. smart ### remarks... serious talks from friends... it's unbelievable! Even though I know exactly what they're talking about... not all Nigerian's (African's) fit this stereotype. I'm very concerned that my SO will become frustrated with the judgements.

Anyone have anything to offer on that note?

Hey guys and dolls I have 45,000 sky miles from Delta .. anyone want to talk

I have some I might be willing to part with. PM me if you're interested.

Hiring a cab to wait for you can be as dangerous as the story narrated above.The cab obviously know where u leave after dropping u off and he can arrange these guys to come at night !. This is Nigeria we're talking about. Advice him to go and keep the passport in a bank.I don't want to scare you but I am a Nigerian.And just like some people have rightly said,this happens everywhere in the world, not just in Nigeria.I have had some bad experiences with people like that in the US too(not visa-related).The best is to continue praying to God for protection.Thank God I am not going to deal with US embassy in Nigeria for my boo visa.

I guess I didn't make myself clear... my suggestion was assuming that if a person hired a cab, they would hire someone they know and trust. I disagree that "this happens everywhere". Of course we have bad cops here in the US but.... they are the exception. Sure.... there are bad people everywhere but... as a general rule.... not "police officers". I have many police officer friends and I can tell you that they and 90% of them lay down their lives for us with very little pay on a daily basis. I find it absolutely ludicrous that this type of behavior from police officer's, in Nigeria or wherever, is standard and accepted!

I realize there is nothing I can do about it but....it just simply sickens me that we are so accepting of this behavior because "it's Nigeria".

I do agree that the visa should be kept in a safe place. Good point! My So's visa is in a very safe place but I'm glad you brought out that point. Something I would have never considered until our experiences. Hell, my passport is laying on my dresser, lol.

hugs,

totes

Thanks for all of your concern, we really do appreciate it!

I really just wanted to warn those who will be getting their visa's (as I know it will be many and of course very soon!).

Fortunately... Tony is the the calm one of the two of us (he keeps me sane, lol) and handled the situation very, very well. Of course when I told him how awesome I thought he was, all he could say was "it wasn't me, it was God". As I type that.... I'm thinking how lucky I am to have found such an amazing man.

We have his flight booked, I won't be posting the date until he gets here, for the obvious reasons.

He has been so very careful and has only told his family and his closest childhood friend that we were doing the visa and thank God for that! I think it's very sad that he cannot share his happiness with all of his friends and family but... I have a very good friend who is married to a Nigerian, he is still in Nigeria (they are going thru the process now), she has made many trips over there and after their very public wedding, once she left, he was being harrassed on a regular basis by family, friends and strangers so we learned from that.

What I recommend for anyone going to pick up their visa in Lagos is to either have a friend pick you/your SO up if you know someone with a car, if not, spend the money to hire a cab to wait for you and go directly to your final destination to secure your visa. My SO did have his closest friend go with him (he has a car) to the first interview for this very reason but this time his friend was not available. It would be well worth the money to hire a driver to wait for you in my opinion. Tony could have so very easily lost his visa to these corrupt bastards. I've often wondered how visa's are being sold over there..... NOW I KNOW!!!!

Thank you God is all I can say!

hugs,

totes

I believe we all know, and have discussed here, the corruption in Nigeria (many parts of Africa).

My SO picked up his visa on Wednesday along with his necessary paperwork. He had his package on him of course and was transferring from a "bike" to a bus on his way home when a police officer, apparently off duty as he was not in uniform, came up to him and asked him what was in the package. My SO told him it was just some personal paperwork. Three more police officers then approach him, they take the package from him and are looking in it. They tell him they will have to take him to the station (for what? who the hell knows). They drive him around and around punching him in his chest. He begs them not to open the envelope that has to be presented at the POE, they tell him they know. They finally tell him he will have to pay them or he will have to go to jail. They want $50.00. He doesn't have that kind of money on him so he has to call a friend to go get it and bring it to him. He gives these a__holes the $50.00, they give him his package and send him on his way.

We don't know if this off duty police officer followed him from the Embassy (my guess would be yes) or if he was just familiar with what the package looks like but it was quite obvious that he knew where my SO had just come from and that he had a visa.

Thank God, he wasn't hurt any more than he was and they didn't tamper with his paperwork!

Please, please, be very, very careful when leaving the Embassy in Lagos, especially with your visa!

hugs

totes

Tony picked up his visa today!!!

I also recommend that you contact Marc Ellis for a consultation. My SO and I had a consult with him when our case was put in AP (with no deception I might add). He is very knowledgeable in my opinion and calls things as he sees them.

Another recommendation I have is that if you do intend to persue your case after being denied for material misrepresentation, I strongly urge you to not post any further details related to the misrepresentation as I believe it is common knowledge that the Embassy staffer's do frequent these forums.

Good luck!

It's already on the way back as I've emailed the Cambodian embassy twice already the same day her interview failed. They told me the petition has already been sent and they have no record any longer. This is where the affidavit comes in to have a chance at an appeal on this decision since she was wrongly accused. I will have to work with the Vermont center now.

If it's already left the Consulate (unusual before 60 days after the interview) then you probably won't get a chance to deal with Vermont at all. Customarily, they just close the file because the petition approval has expired. It's their cop-out way of dealing with such issues.

Again, your fiance was not falsely accused of a material misrepresentation. She lied and you conspired with her to tell that lie. You didn't meet on the internet. You were introduced by her uncle. This is a very serious matter, that could result in here being banned for live from entering the USA.