Bethany

Thanks y'all!

He leaves tomorrow!!!!! I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My husband picked up his visa this morning in Accra!!!! We are so excited!!!!! It took 17 months and 1 day since we sent our paperwork. Have faith people...it's a very long and hard process but worth the wait!!!! I can't wait to see my husband!!!

I'm sorry for the wait y'all are going through and totally understand! As you can see from my timeline, it's been tough. Stay strong, visit when you can, and expect a long wait (it's easier on the emotions that way). Good luck y'all!

I guess things are easier in Texas. I would try hard NOT to over explain the whole immigrant thing. His SSN should be huge in helping you. Have you tried simply using his SSN and passport? If this doesn't work, I would explain the situation and have them rent to just you and add him to the lease when he gets the correct documentation. My apartment knows what's going on with us and when my husband finally gets here, they're letting him be a "guest" until we have the needed docs. Good luck!

My husband got a yellow paper and was told by someone else that that's the good one. We are CR-1 and I see both of y'all are K-1, so maybe that's what it has to do with? The CO gave him the yellow paper to bring back but also gave hime a white one w/ more detail on it (he doesn't have to have the white one, it was just helpful to him). The yellow seems nicer and less serious than the white. Just my opinion.

If you're worried at all, get a co-sponsor!!! I make enough and was approved by the NVC in March (my tax returns were a little higher than the 125% requirement, but my income as stated in a letter from my employer for THIS year was nearly double the requirement) but when my husband went in for his interivew, the CO asked for a cosponsor. It didn't make our case start over, but it was a heart breaking and holiday ruining delay. Better safe than sorry, get a co-sponsor and good luck!

Congrats! No transit visa needed for Ghanaian or Nigerian citizens going THROUGH Amsterdam so long as they have a visa to the US. You can find this info on the Netherlands main visa/immigration page. I would print this info if I were you; as an American who is a part of the visa waiver program, I've been given a tough time there (nothing major, just a really nosey and rude immigration agent who was hell bent on messing with me), give your fiance something to stand on....just in case.

I am not sure but congratz!!! What's your timeline from NVC??

I'm sorry to hear this, these setbacks are especially tough when you're so close! There is nothing you can really do and considering you aren't married yet (meaning consulates are tyically harder on engaged couples), I would caution you not to make too big of a fuss, the consulate could see that in a negative light (forget that anyone in love actually wants to be together! ugh) they could see it as a rush to be in the States, not to be together or the financial stuff. I would suggest you just call the airlines and try and get the best deal possible for changing your flight, even non-refundable fares can be changed. Good luck!

I take it you were approved n your own at NVC and for some reason the CO at the embassy interview required a cosponsor anyway?

Did he say why?

I was approved with the NVC on my own back in MARCH 09. The CO did not say why we needed a co-sponsor, hubby was too shocked to ask and the yellow form doesn't give details.

Hello All!

I've had a lot of people asking me about my husband's interview in Ghana and wanting me to post a review. The story isn't over yet, but in the meantime, this is what happened. Hopefully this can help someone!

The interview went really well for the most part. We were confident and what we thought was well prepared.

My husband knew about the "your passport pictures are wrong" trick that usually ends with lots more money spent and a frazzed applicant. He made sure his pictures were right, but also brought two different sets, it worked-he didn;t have to get anymore.

Everyone he came into contact with was very nice and wanted to see our pictures. His interviewer was a man and he too was very nice. My State Reps office had told me to prepare for a 3-5 minute interview and that dh would really need to sell himself there. This was not the case. The interview was at least 15 minutes!! My husband was asked simple questions like how we met and where I live, nothing crazy or invasive. We had TONS of proof and the guy went through most of it. He also looked through the entire photo album my husband had. He laughed and commented on the pictures, and again, was very nice! He complimented us and was very sxweet about our pics and relationship. He even taught my husband the Texas Longhorns sign when he saw a pic of him with a UT shirt on. All in all, it went REALLY well. Then, out of nowhere the interviewer said, "Everything looks great, you're all set. You just need one more thing....a co-sponsor."

Then he handed him a yellow paper with a 12-30 return date and co-sponsor circled.

This pisses me off for a few reasons. 1.) I MAKE MORE THAN ENOUGH!!! I filled out the Affidavit of Support on my own and was APPROVED!! Someone should have said something before now. 2.) The interview letter said that our Financial Evidence had been "RECEIVED and APPROVED"...again, something should have been said. 3.) THE 30TH?!?!?! WE'RE GONNA MISS CHRISTMAS!!!!! Ugh.

My parents quickly agreed to co-sponsor and we had everything needed and FedExed in less than 24 hours. I've been begging the embassy to let him come in early so he can make it for Christmas, but no one will answer me!! The person I spoke to knew NOTHING!!!

So that's why I haven't posted, we're not finished.

For those of you still prepping, this is what my husband took to the interview. The interviewer was impressed by how organized everything was and said it was all great.

TONS of PICTURES-in their own album-pictures of us as well as me/us with his family and friends.

E-MAILS- all of our e-mail were printed, as well as some between he and my parents.

PHONE RECORDS-I could only get about a year of records, but it was still a TON. I highlighted calls/texts to and from my man and wrote a note about me being on my parents' plan, it wasn't a problem at all. I also included a letter about not being able to get calls from as far back as 2006.

LIFE INSURANCE- My entire LI plan with hubby's name and payout highlighted.

PASSPORT PAGES- copies of all of my entry/exit stamps, visas and visa extension. My SR's office said proving time spent together in Ghana was very important and that this would be the best way.

RECEIPTS- any receipts we had from hotels, tro-tro rides, restaurants, etc.-just anything that continued to prove how much we were together.

GIFTS/HAND WRITTEN ITEMS- there were several notes, letters, small books and other things we also included.

I think that's about it. I put it all in a huge, expandable, plastic envelope type thing and labeled each section.

Yes, yes, yes!! You write a letter/note about the ownership of the line and the owner doing so as well. I'm on a family plan and simply explained that, as well as highlighted all of our calls. It was no problem at all. ALWAYS over prepare and keep everything VERY neat and organized!! If there is anything "iffy" to you, like you can't get proof far enough back, write a letter explaining yourself. Good luck!

Thats basically the problem I have, phone since I was 14...its cheaper to stay on and 'sublease' on their bill. I guess I will have my mom write the letter- its a simple thing that could hurt us at the interview- so why not prepare it then have to wait for another interview!

His number is on the documents, the thing is in Ghana they can buy SIM cards on the street their is no way of registering his number to him, its on his forms but what does that really mean? My fiance has been trying to get something but cant find anyone who will certify something showing its his number.

(Alex and Astrid) If you can get proof (bill or something else) showing it is YOUR number it would help, I think.

YES, FINALLY SOME GOOD NEWS OUT OF GHANA!!!! CONGRATS!!!!!

I'm so sorry for your wait, but this is what we have to deal with. The Accra Consulate is VERY backed up! I contacted every single person I could who I thought would help (Senators, Representatives, NVC supervisors, Accra Consulate, military friends, lawyers, etc.). There is nothing you can do at this point. I waited 30 weeks for an interview to be scheduled. It was excruciating. Again, I am so sorry for your wait, I know it's very hard. Just keep the faith and try to distract yourself.

That's the only number for the NVC. This has happened to me a lot. Just keep trying! Try odd times as well, like early in the morning or late at night (if you only want to hear the automated part). You could also e-mail the NVC. Good luck!

AHHHHH!!! JUST GOT AN E-MAIL, HUBBY HAS A VISA APPOINTMENT FOR DECEMBER 10!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHH!!!!! PRAISE GOD!!!!!!

The NVC is not really the unfair one here...it's the US consulates in our various countries, and in my case, my Senator, who won't help me. The NVC sucks though and they certainly do not make this process any easier! I guess you know the NVC is not actually run by the government? It's been contracted out to a private company. Therefore, they don't have to answer to the general public or even tell us what's going on-they don't care how mad we are or how long we've been waiting. I've been waiting 30 weeks since case complete and they are no help at all. It's just the way it goes.

Unfortunately now it is very difficult to get an interview at the Accra consulate, especially now that the holidays are around the corner. The available interview dates seem to disappear fast in Ghana around this time of the year. I wish you and everyone else waiting the best. It's definately not an easy wait.

How did you find that out, how do the holidays effect things (other than a FEW days off)? Is there some information I'm not aware of?

The NVC is not really the unfair one here...it's the US consulates in our various countries, and in my case, my Senator, who won't help me. The NVC sucks though and they certainly do not make this process any easier! I guess you know the NVC is not actually run by the government? It's been contracted out to a private company. Therefore, they don't have to answer to the general public or even tell us what's going on-they don't care how mad we are or how long we've been waiting. I've been waiting 30 weeks since case complete and they are no help at all. It's just the way it goes.

I have been waiting since the end of JULY

Yikes! Did you electronically file with Montreal? Not sure if that was an option when you were at the NVC stage. It is insanely brutal how slow they are scheduling interviews...

Hope you get your interview date soon!

All of you seem to be under the impression that we are all in the same boat. Not True!! Montreal is not the Philippines nor is it India, etc. Montreal is now on its own planet and hard to get to.

K-1s are not CR-1s. Completely different. Not even close to the same interview scheduling. Try not to compare apples and oranges. But I wish everyone a speedy interview. Us in particular.

Rick

Thank you, Rick! Everytime people hear I've been waiting so long they compare their case and ask me questions, as if I'm not doing something right. Each embassy is very different! It's hard when someone compares their "long" 2 week wait and gives advice when I've been waiting for an interview for 30 weeks now. We are all in different boats, I appreciate you pointing that out. Good luck!

B

Hi Marcus Congratulations on your interview date. Marcus im confused, i was under the impression that the NVC assigns the interview dates and NOT the ghana embassy. Every month i call the visa center, and they tell me The ghana embassy does not schedule for interviews. the ghana embassy gives the NVC a certain number of dates, and the Visa center emails or contacts the applicants with the interview dates. only K1 visas are called by the embassy directly. your time line says youre cr-1.

My second question is how were you and your wife able to get an interview ahead of myself and others whos case was completed before yours. my case was completed by NVC in april 22. according to your timeline NVC completed your case in june. im sure you can understand my concern. especially when NVC tells us the interviews are assigned according to when your case was completed. they say its computer generated.

did you expedite your case? im just trying to understand this. im very frustrated by the wait time, as you can imagine, its nothing personal to you or your spouse. ive actually been thinking theyve lost my case or something, LOL. they say the same thing every month. that my case was completed in april, and they are waiting to assign me an interview date, according to the ghana embassy capacity.

so can you enlighten me on how you were called by the ghana embassy to come in and pick up your packet. thank you so much. Again congratulations and good luck!!!! Van

I understand your confusion. I called NVC and they told me the same thing that the embassy assigns the interview dates. However, when I called the embassy they told me the exact OPPOSITE! They said that the NVC assigns the date! I asked repeatedly to make sure I was hearing correctly. I had my case expidited, but even then I had a lot of problems. I "thought" the NVC decided the expidite request, but they said no the embassy makes the decision to approve or deny. The NVC sent my request to the embassy, but the embassy said they never got my request. It was almost 2 months before I got a response and only because of persistant inquiries. It is just very difficult dealing with the consulate in Ghana. All I can say is be persistant and don't take no for an answer. BTW, I have yet to recieve a response stating that my expidite request was approved or denied, which is what I read usually happens. Well, what I did recieve is all I needed!!

I'm really confused too. Are you CR1 or not? I've been e-mailing the Embassy and calling the NVC, basically begging for an interview for my husband-but NOTHING has happened!!! I've been waiting since April 3rd. Do you mind sharing on what basis you got an expedite?

Thanks.

I've been waiting 28 weeks and still no interview. Hold tight....it can take a while!

Please advise, At what embassy are U supposed to have your interview, Ghana or ... Dakar, .....???

This is been a long wait, since April, I can't believe it.

Sorry to take forever to respond. No, we did not get an interview date. The interview will be in Accra, Ghana. I have contacted the NVC and USEM over and over again, as well as my senator and any other connections that may benefit us. We are continually told to just wait. It's total ####### and there is nothing we can do about it.

Our case was complete APRIL 3rd!

I've done all I can do...contacted NVC, Accra Embassy, Senators and everyone I know who could possibly help. Apparently the Accra embassy just sucks. I hate this.

I would renew the work visa without any mention of marrying a USC. Once it's renewed, I would get married and adjust status. I'm not in the same boat, but had a neighbor in a similar situation. He was here on a work visa and as soon as the US govt found out he was going to marry an American, things got really difficult for him. Just my two cents. Good luck!

Hmm, that's tough. I'm in a similar situation. I would find other money making opprtunities, claiming unemployment may not be a good thing for proving you are able to support yourself and another person. Good luck!

It's USCIS and "not touched" really means no forward progress. I think it's just becuase USCIS isn't on top of things. I sent my I130 to the correct service center and nothing happened for 4 months. Then, they sent it to another center and everything moved very quickly. So I assume my case wasn't really "touched" in those 4 months as nothing happened. Fortunately, unlike the NVC, there is an Ombudsman, but that doesn't always help. It's a lot of luck...luck w/ USCIS and luck w/ NVC. We did all of our paperwork correct the first time, never had any trouble with the actual paper work or fees, but spent 4 months waiting at the begining and are now more than 7 months waiting for an interview. It's a pretty sucky and unorganized system.

I'm waiting too...hate the embassy in Ghana....29 weeks and counting...

Case complete April 3, 2009