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lgarris

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Posts posted by lgarris

    Eco Bank In Ghana - Trouble Paying Visa Fee

    in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures

    Posted

    Igarris,

    My heart goes out to you. We had similar problems (as well as many other difficulties) with that consulate.

    What type of fee are you trying to pay? Are you just trying to pay for the interview?

    Assuming that's the fee you're talking about, I'll tell you a bit about me and my spouse's experience 6 months ago. It's not a comforting story, but hopefully you'll find it helpful. When we had my (now) spouse's k-1 interview in December, we paid the interview fee to the Standard Chartered Bank near TUC and Accra Polytechnic in Accra Central. We received a receipt and took it to the interview. At the consulate we were told that the amount we had paid was not sufficient (even though it was the amount listed in the letter in the packet), and we were sent home to get more money and bring it back to the consulate (and not to any bank). We were also assured that the money we paid to Standard Chartered Bank (as reflected in our receipt) would be deducted from the amount we would pay to the cashier at the consulate. We were given a date to return, which was about a week later.

    When we returned on the appointed date with more money, the Ghanaian man who was always our first point of contact inside the consulate, (he would take our papers, fees, and sort things before we would see the officer who would interview us) assured us again that yes, the money paid to Standard Chartered would be deducted. He wrote the balance we had to pay on our file, and then he sent us over to the cashier (which was located in the same room). The cashier, however, told us that it was incorrect procedure to pay anything to the Standard Chartered, and that we should have paid the entire amount to him, that is, the cashier within the consulate. He then tried to get us to pay the entire amount again. We protested, and then the initial Ghanaian man who sorted our papers and wrote down what we should pay walked in to the cashier's booth, and the cashier then stopped arguing with us and just charged us the balance, and stopped trying to get us to repay the entire amount.

    I'm not sure if they've changed their procedures (and moved their accounts to Ecobank) in the last 6 months, maybe it's different. Honestly, I'm amazed that you've been able to actually talk to someone in that consulate on the phone- my lawyer and I both tried to call dozens of times and never got anyone in visa services to talk to us. My senator's office couldn't even get the consulate to reply to his email and had to go over their heads and contact the Dept. of State to get an answer to a question for us. I wish I had something more comforting to tell you, but in our experience, take no one's word for anything. For example, in that packet they sent home with you that has your interview date written in a little blank...

    Well in our packet like that, the paperwork inside misinformed and mislead us many times:

    - the paper work had us pay the wrong amount in fees (possibly in the wrong location, I never figured that part out)

    - it also told us to bring the wrong number of passport photos (it said 2 when they actually required 3, if I were you I'd bring 4 along)

    - inside they also included forms for us to fill out. our lawyer was absolutely shocked to see that these forms had expired over 6 years ago, and were technically not valid if submitted to a U.S. government agency. (Our lawyer downloaded and filled out the current forms from the internet, but one form they included in the packet has been changed so much in the last 6 years that it has a new name).

    So essentially, in this struggle you are going through, I would advise you to do tons of research on the web to know what to expect (check out VJ's consular reviews page- great resource!), and be extra extra prepared. Bring extra money, passport photos, evidence, etc. to the consulate. Dress professionally, smile nicely, and hopefully you'll get through it as soon as possible. Good luck!

    Hi JJ Moose, I thank God for the success of your process and where you guys are now...Praise God ! I have a question...I think it was last summer when they increased the K-1 Visa fee from $140 to $350. I'm wondering if this is why you had to pay additional fees??? Lord help us all is all that I can say. Again, thank you for all the information. I have not read anywhere on any of the sites that the fee for the K1 visa is $390. I just don't understand it all but I just thank God is that it is paid.

    new procedures at ghana embassy

    in US Embassy and Consulate Discussion

    Posted

    I've been trying since last Wednesday to get an interview appointment date in Ghana....Did everything they said and still keep hitting brick walls....This is all so wrong, the interview date should have been in the packet when it was picked up on March 30th as they stated it would be on the email. No body communicated this new process to us. Visa fee paid and we have the DS160 confirmation # number and we still can't get an interview date. This is so messed up and I'm tired of wasting my money on the phone trying to get people to understand what I'm saying and when they finally get it, they tell you to contact the embassy. The embassy doesn't want to talk to anyone!!!!

    Eco Bank In Ghana - Trouble Paying Visa Fee

    in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures

    Posted

    Has anyone paid their visa fee at any Eco Bank in Ghana? I knew nothing of the new process until there was no interview date listed in the packet. Returned with the paperwork at the embassy and a lady there just wrote October 11th in the blank spot...I called the next day and the lady told me there was no interview date listed in the system for my fiance. I am sick of Ghana and how people always trying to get over. I spoke with the manager name Alfred at the Mamobi branch Eco Bank and he said the Visa fee was $390 American dollars that he had spoken with someone at the embassy. I then called the embassy myself to verify and the lady said that the bank was wrong and the K-1 Visa fee was only $350. The man at the bank would not give me the phone number to the bank nor would he give me his last name. My fiance was at the bank all day long and they still told him to he had to come back tomorrow 4/05/2011 to pick up his receipt. My fiance gave them 604.50 in Ghana money I'm waiting to see how much they will say he gave them tomorrow. Why should it take all day to pay a visa fee???? He called the embassy and asked if he could come there and pay his fee and they said NO...My God what do you do? This process is jacked up! Does anyone have any suggestions? I think one of these is lerking in the midst of it all....

    Eco Bank In Ghana

    in National Visa Center (Dept of State)

    Posted

    Has anyone paid their visa fee at any Eco Bank in Ghana? I knew nothing of the new process until there was no interview date listed in the packet. Returned with the paperwork at the embassy and a lady there just wrote October 11th in the blank spot...I called the next day and the lady told me there was no interview date listed in the system for my fiance. I am sick of Ghana and how people always trying to get over. I spoke with the manager name Alfred at the Mamobi branch Eco Bank and he said the Visa fee was $390 American dollars that he had spoken with someone at the embassy. I then called the embassy myself to verify and the lady said that the bank was wrong and the K-1 Visa fee was only $350. The man at the bank would not give me the phone number to the bank nor would he give me his last name. My fiance was at the bank all day long and they still told him to he had to come back tomorrow 4/05/2011 to pick up his receipt. My fiance gave them 604.50 in Ghana money I'm waiting to see how much they will say he gave them tomorrow. Why should it take all day to pay a visa fee???? He called the embassy and asked if he could come there and pay his fee and they said NO...My God what do you do? This process is jacked up! Does anyone have any suggestions? :bonk: I think one of these is lerking in the midst of it all.... :devil:

    No Interview listed on the form in Packet 4

    in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures

    Posted

    My fiance picked up his paperwork (Packet 3 & 4 ) today and he got home and there was no interview date written in the space provided on the form. I'm sure this has happened before but not sure how it was handled. He will be going back to the Embassy in Ghana in the morning and I told him to take the letter showing he was supposed to pick up his paperwork today. Does anyone think he will have a problem when he goes back? Also they had his middle name, first name and then last name(in that order) on the outside of the package but the paper work on the inside was correct. His name was the same way on my NOA2. I did address the issue with the VSC but where they abbreviated the last name, they only spelled it out and left the name placement in the same order. I'm not sure if everything is fine or if I should check further into it or not? These things are nerve racking to me..!! If anyone have any suggestions, I'm open.:help:

    K1-Visa

    in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures

    Posted

    My fiance picked up his paperwork (Packet 3 & 4 ) today and he got home and there was no interview date written in the space provided on the form. I'm sure this has happened before but not sure how it was handled. He will be going back to the Embassy in Ghana in the morning and I told him to take the letter showing he was supposed to pick up his paperwork today. Does anyone think he will have a problem when he goes back? Also they had his middle name, first name and then last name(in that order) on the outside of the package but the paper work on the inside was correct. His name was the same way on my NOA2. I did address the issue with the VSC but where they abbreviated the last name, they only spelled it out and left the name placement in the same order. I'm not sure if everything is fine or if I should check further into it or not? These things are nerve racking to me..!! If anyone have any suggestions, I'm open. :help:

    Exactly 6 months yesterday, no word from USCIS (NOA2)....

    in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    I understand the frustration you are feeling. :crying: It takes everything I have on the inside of me to keep from getting discouraged. I've passed my 5 month mark and I've not received my NOA2 yet. This whole process takes too long and it is overwhelming at times. I will be so glad when this distance is a thing of the past because I am so tired. I've tried calling to check on my petition but I only get an automated system. Does anyone know the number I can call for the VSC where I can talk to a live person? I pray for us all that are awaiting to reunite with our loved ones. Its hard but we must be strong for one another. Keep the faith, God's gonna work it out for us all. :thumbs:

    let the games begin.....just sent 129f..whats the next step with a co sponsor

    in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures

    Posted

    hi all thank you for stoppin by..finally finished and sent the 129f thanks to visa journey and all of the members input...this site is awesome.now im gonna start getting ready for part two which i belive its the 134 which i will be doing with a cosponsor..my cosponsor is my dad and boss we have a family owned business will this be a problem i have my tax returns and he has his but i read somewhere that i would need a letter from my employer about my job status etc wont this look funny with his signature?and what will i need from my bank i have an account not with much but i got one will that affect in anyway any input is gladly appreciated and if it makes a difference i think im gonna go to juarez mexico....

    Janurary.5.2011

    in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    Hi, I understand the frustration. When I mailed my petition I added tracking so I would know when it was received. It shouldn't take more than 2 weeks but everyone is waiting now. I'm thinking they may be a little behind because of the holidays, but I pray they catch things up so we can all move forward. Good luck on your process and it helps us all to keep talking out here on VJ. I'll reach my 5 month mark on January 27th. Keep the faith and hold on.

    Lgarris

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