J&N*

-If you're about to file, only your proof of citizenship (birth certificate or whatever else it could be) should be included. They'll need his at the interview stage.

- I'd suppose so but ask on country based forums (http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/89-africa-sub-saharan/)

- Lagos is his consulate

Good luck!

The same language her passport is using since many officers will be staring at it soon!

Is this the K-1 visa? Usually they send you packet 3, which includes a list of doctors they approve of, so usually after you receive all that paperwork you can go ahead and schedule!

Best of luck!

This is ridiculous. First of all, I have insurance and it covers me well and is not tied to my job. Second of all we are muslims, our wedding does not cost thousands of dollars. It is a simple ceremony where we tell our religious leader (Imam) that we are marrying and sign a contract. DONE. Its COMPLETELY ridiculous to suggest I would need to get on welfare. That is entirely unnecessary. I am not an unskilled worker and neither is my future husband. Everyone in my family has a degree and a good job. Muslims in my community help out with loans when they are really necessary. And there are not as many "necessary" expenses involved in life as so many people seem to think. Good example of this: toilet paper. A necessity? No. Its called water and it cleans better for free. Vitamin pills? Its called eating well and no its not that hard or expensive to do it. Diapers? Not a NECESSITY just easier and nicer. Necessary means that it is somehow NECESSARY for existence, not just BETTER to have. Its not an issue of can I afford a baby but an issue of proving a standard for the visa.

There is no more need to discuss on this post. My original question has been answered.

Thank you to everyone who replied.

I see you don't really need any advice, so I'll make sure to never try to give advice on any of your future posts. Good luck.

Hope we answered your question, the decision is yours and his so remember that! Good luck in whatever you decide!

I mean as a scam, why would you sleep with that person at all. There would be no "accident" either. but again I am not a scammer so I can't tell what they are thinking in the first place. Having a baby to solidify a scam is a selfish lack of consideration for the life of the baby. Where's the genuine love in that.

I think mostly, they think the immigrant is the scammer, not the petitioner. You can get into a relationship or marriage in good faith and your spouse won't be doing the same. That's how the government see it, you know?

However I do think that if you are trying to commit some kind of fraud, that you wouldn't be having a baby with that person.

Let me tell you about "accidents" that happen to couples! The US especially as a country, KNOWS this. Look at all the abortions, adoptions and single mothers here. Not all babies are planned.

Go on babiesrus and see how expensive baby things are, you'll be in shock. Can you afford it alone? Might take a year until your husband finds a job here.

The baby won't make your case (or your marriage) any stronger! Don't have a baby just to prove you're together for real. So many people have babies they really didn't want to start with so that won't prove much. Wait until he's here, get settled down and make sure everything is going fine financially and between you two and then have as many babies as you want.

Best of luck.

If he did it with you then it's fine if he does it with him, after all both of you will be on the lease right? I had to fill a bunch of paperwork when I was put on my husband's lease. The US will run background checks on him so I'm sure your landlord couldn't be worse than the government!

Good luck!

You HAVE to have met within the last 2 years and prove that you did.

Congratulations!! Hope your wifey love it here!

You do NOT have to have pictures where him and your family met, just pictures of you two are enough. If in your case they only exchanged letters then that's the proof you got and they'll accept it. K-1 visa has no requirements of families meeting. Bottom line, it's not important.

One way would be fine! Even round trips would be fine cause it's cheaper!

I don't think you have much chance, sorry!! Maybe you can move to his country and be together?

Wow a lot of people here from Alaska, now I feel like a wimp complaining about winters in Chicago! (my excuse is I'm from Africa!"

Cut her some slack please, it's not just the cold, it's also how dark it gets so early ad how gloomy it gets, she's probably used to warm days with sunlight until 7 pm.

I moved to Chicago from FL 6 months ago and it's not even winter yet but it's hard to get used to, I hear from native mid-westerns how they've lived here all their lives and still not used to the winter here and every winter they complain about, so be understanding if she's out of her comfort zone. I experience some depressed feelings because of how cold and dark it is and a lot of people go through that (Seasonal affective disorder). I know a friend who moved from LA to Chicago and after 4 years reached her breaking point and moved back to LA.

Some people are just not cut out for the winter.

Sorry, why is everyone assuming that the OP did nothing to deserve getting the restraining order? I don't think the police give that to anyone, if they did, I'd get everyone I don't like one and be happy for life.

They don't care what church you go to if you both are the same religion (they rarely care if you are from different religions) It's the US not the Vatican!

Hey everyone!!

I'm moving to Naperville, IL, only 30 miles away from Chicago. Anyone lives close to it?? I'd love to meet up over coffee or so!

I'm definitely getting an inspector, I'm not going to take any chances on our first house. Hopefully houses in Naperville aren't as bad as in central Florida!

I've researched some and I know that Naperville has very strict building codes and houses go through "double" inspection. All new houses I've seen (in Florida at least) were built very poorly because new builders use cheap material and you end up getting a home with no upgrades what so ever and if you add any you end you paying an arm and a leg. Seems like the majority of people do prefer older homes to new ones.

Great Job? can't afford a car or save for a down payment any time soon?

does your dad live in Chicago?

We live in Lincoln Park, in a high rise. Rent is very high over there and parking is $300/month, so we sold our car.

My dad lives in Egypt.

okay, update!

We've moved to Illinois and now looking for a house in Naperville, IL (voted the best place to live by money magazine in 2006), our budget is under average of what most people can afford there but the houses we've looked at are beautiful and upgraded. My father in law (controlling as he is) kept telling us that we shouldn't buy homes built in the 70es and the 80es cause they were all shady and built during bad economy, funny thing is, there are NO brand new homes or even a 10 year old houses in that area, they're either in the 70es or 80es and few in the 90es.

Is he right?? Anywhere too far will be so far from Chicago where my husband works.

I totally understand what you want, I wanted the same thing, in Egypt we love big weddings, all my relatives and friends had huge weddings and I wanted it too, plan something you both can afford, you can have your dream wedding it just doesn't have to be at the Plaza! Can you or your parents help out with the wedding expenses? That's what we did, me and him split all costs in half, if he can't afford it please understand that and be considerate, whatever he has, it can be better spent (on a house or a car OR savings).

Weddings are important, but would you rather have a wedding or a marriage? I asked myself that. A wedding lasts for a few hours and later on you'll forget most of it anyway!