livindadream

I Hold the Record for Ignorant replies.. My record is unbeatable. I've seen silly questions and this is not the first.

A human typed this question and treat it as such. I already replied earlier.

Immigration is a hard matter if you don't know anything like I did. (Not knowing anything). Give Newbies a break.

What are you talking about? I didn't say the posters question was ignorant!!! There is never a dumb question....only a dumb answer and I had quoted the answer someone gave, not the question, as being ignorant. Please check what I was referring to. "mostly Philippine or black people"......what the heck!

Does that mean you are a resident of Cyprus? I could be wrong, but that might be a benefit to you not having to interview in Nigeria. So you might be ok.

The requirements for a K-1 Visa are that you have been visited by your fiancé within the last 2 years, and that will most likely get your petition approved, but getting through the interview successfully may not be that easy. Consider what other "red flags" (if any) you may have. Only having visited once and for only one week is bad enough, but if you have any other issues they would consider a red flag, then it's going to be practically impossible. Try having her visit again during the time between now and your interview....and stay longer this time. I know someone who applied for a fiancé visa a few years ago. The fiancé went to Nigeria only once, but she stayed 3 weeks. I think that helped because they were approved.

the most important is different age, and the majority of couple ahave this red flag, woman is 45 for example and the guy 27 or the guy is 50 and girl 20 mostly from philipine or black ppl, and sorry religion is not red flag cause how can uscis or embassy know religion its not automatic that u leave in cathloic or muslim country so u are in this religion, ME I SAY EACH CASE IS SPECIFIC, and lot of couples here are fake, u can see it just in pictures, thanks

Probably the most ignorant post I've read to date. Get your facts straight before you post please.

I had originally just looked at my case status online. I now checked my email and saw two emails from them. The first email was Dec 11, saying that as of Dec 11th, they transferred my case to another OFFICE for processing. Then on Dec 12th, I got another email saying that on the 12th, my case was sent to my LOCAL USCIS for processing. So weird. The recording when I called and entered my MSC number said it was transferred to Lee Summit. When I talked to someone he said he cant see where it was sent, that he doesn't have that info. I asked to speak with someone who CAN tell me where it was sent, so he transferred me to another dept, which I was on hold for 2 hours and 10 mins and then as luck would have it, the internet dropped and the call was lost. (I was using Skype to call because I am currently in Ghana). So yeah....I wasn't going to call back....will try again Monday. Has anyone heard of someone getting two emails back to back saying two different things? This process is making me paranoid. lol

I believe, by definition, that a marriage is consummated once, not repeatedly. Usually thought to be the first time a married couple have sex.

LOL...thank you for pointing that out....I, too, was perplexed by the term being used the way it was!

Although the issue of us all having to wait so long is not funny, I must say this thread has given me a much needed laugh...mostly due to the responses the poster is getting from my fellow VJ'ers.

You will probably get two more. Its not going to local office. It will go to either Nebraska, TSC or CSC. Some going to TSC in November been reporting approvals this week. A few from CSC also that were transffered. You are suppose to hear something within 60 days.

Ok, thanks. That sounds promising. I'm not home in the States, so I don't have the actual letter. But I'm going to try calling USCIS to see if they can tell me where they transferred it.

I just called and the recorded line says it was transferred to Lee Summit Missouri! Does that sound normal?

Hello VJ, I finally got an update on my case. I filed in May, NOA1 on May 20th and as of yesterday I got a message saying that on 12/12/13 they transferred my case to the local office who now has jurisdiction over the case. Can you tell me how long it takes from here to get a decision? Or where I could find that information? Thanks! My home address is in MA, so I'm assuming it will go to Vermont?

You guys are amazingly adorable!! Congrats on the fast approval, I'm sure you will sail through the rest of it!!

thanks for you guys response, but regarding to your advise do you guys think it will be easier for me to have her with me during my interview sometime next year. She will love to be there with me at the interview because she has said that to me before and I told her not to worry that everything will be fine. Age is just a number and to me she never look like a 60 years old woman even to the eyes of my family she such a sweet woman and well loved by every of my family and friend herebut like one of the poster said that no one knows what the CO will ask and may I know what CO means sorry for my question that because am new on here trying to catch up lol

Talking about a tons of evidence one of you told me to prepare for the interview like what kind of evidence should i arrange, will it be better of if she come with me for my interview or just me to show a tons of evidence.

I see no reason why i have to go rent people for my marriage only fake people do such things.......will have thousand of calls log and email exchange video call and tons of proof send to uscis and this same evidence will be show at the interview and i believe this show okay or i can have her with me at the interview which way you guys thinks

I await for replies.

thanks for you guys response, but regarding to your advise do you guys think it will be easier for me to have her with me during my interview sometime next year. She will love to be there with me at the interview because she has said that to me before and I told her not to worry that everything will be fine. Age is just a number and to me she never look like a 60 years old woman even to the eyes of my family she such a sweet woman and well loved by every of my family and friend herebut like one of the poster said that no one knows what the CO will ask and may I know what CO means sorry for my question that because am new on here trying to catch up lol

Talking about a tons of evidence one of you told me to prepare for the interview like what kind of evidence should i arrange, will it be better of if she come with me for my interview or just me to show a tons of evidence.

I see no reason why i have to go rent people for my marriage only fake people do such things.......will have thousand of calls log and email exchange video call and tons of proof send to uscis and this same evidence will be show at the interview and i believe this show okay or i can have her with me at the interview which way you guys thinks

I await for replies.

Consular Officer. (the interviewing officer) And I wasn't saying YOU 'rented' people to be family members, but I'm just saying CO's will question everything if there are any red flags. Unlike the court system where you are innocent until proven guilty...with this embassy you are basically guilty until you can prove innocent...you feel me? Frontload the petition with all your evidence, don't wait til you show up at the embassy for your interview. In most cases the CO will already have his mind made up about your situation before you even open your mouth. Very rarely they will ask to see evidence at the interview. Whatever you haven't sent with the petition, send when your case gets to NVC. Then everything will get sent to the embassy in Lagos before you sit down for your interview. Spouses are not allowed into the interview, but I've read some rare situations where they have asked to talk with the USC. But even them knowing that she's there (outside waiting) will be a bonus. You could take her passport inside to show them proof of that. Send all chat logs, phone calls, etc. To offset the age gap, your best bet at getting approved is face time. The more time she can spend with you there, the better. It's good that she added you to insurance policies and things like that, you're doing all the right things...I don't believe in things "being in God's hands"...it is all in YOUR hands and how you present your relationship. I wish you both the best!!

I once read something from someone who went through the Nigerian embassy and she is 21 years older than her husband. She said the age issue was never mentioned. So you can never be sure what could happen. It's good that she has visited twice, but as the other poster suggested, I would have her come again if possible. Maybe even plan on her being there for your interview. Supply them with as much evidence as possible. It's good that you have pictures of her and your mum, etc. But don't be surprised if they put you on AP to investigate things to make sure that is your actual mum and family since Nigeria has sadly been known to "rent" family members for the sake of wedding photos. One thing they will probably talk about is the probability that she can't give you children. You are a young man and they'll assume you're going to want children one day. It's abnormal in most cultures, especially Nigerian culture for a man to marry a woman who is as old, if not older than his mum. They're going to look very closely at this. I'm sure you married her because you love her and want to spend the rest of your life with her, so you may want to have a backup plan in case they deny you. Like maybe her moving to Nigeria to live happily ever after with you there.

Unfortunately we never know what the CO will ask, what mood they are in or If they got up on the wrong side of the bed. I am 21 years older than my husband but it was never brought up during his interview!! All I can say is be very prepared and provide TONS of evidence. Good Luck!!!!!!

LOL...I was just mentioning this in my post...I knew I had read it somewhere before!!

Thank you to everyone who has replied. I very much appreciate your time and sharing. Nigerwife, NigeriaorBust, Gowon, and AYOsGirl, thank you so much.

I definitely agree that there are many, many kind and caring people in Nigeria who make me feel very welcome and safe. I've only spent about three weeks there in total, but in that time, I met some wonderful people who I have come to know as good friends. Unfortunately, in that short period of time, I have also experienced several situations that were quite concerning to me. Two of those situations could have been very serious and involved my own personal safety. Thankfully, everything was okay in the end, but as I think back over those experiences, I realize the level of danger and risk that I exposed myself to. Beyond those two personal safety incidents, I also had two credit cards compromised and had my email address and phone number stolen and subsequently used to impersonate me. The two credit cards were used ONLY at bank ATM's, which I assumed would be safe. And the email address and phone number theft was perpetrated by someone who I grew to trust but who betrayed me once a sliver of trust existed between us. The person who compromised my identity also stole several gifts that I had brought for my wife. So all that happening to me in just three weeks time makes me want to avoid Nigeria, even to visit my wife.

AYOsGirl, the info you passed along about Ghana really sparked my interest. I had thought about looking into Ghana but never have too seriously. From what you shared though, it looks like Ghana may be a very good alternative to Nigeria. Thank you so much for your insight. Was it difficult for either you or your husband to get the approvals and documents that allowed you to live there for 4 years like you have?

It's definitely worth looking into...if you have any questions about Ghana, feel free to ask! As for the paperwork...your wife as an ECOWAS Citizen, she can come back and forth with merely a drivers license. You would require a Visa which they will stamp you for 60 days no matter how long you tell them you will be there.To extend your visa (up to three months at a time) you simply go to immigration, drop your passport and application...pay about 20 USD per month for each additional month you wish to stay. I keep doing this, because I leave every four to six months and go back to the States to do some work that I cant do from abroad. I stay home for a month or two and then come back. I've been told that getting a resident permit is fairly easy, but I don't know the specifics about getting it since that is not the route either of us has taken. Would you be working in Ghana or are you self employed like myself and will be working "from Ghana"? There are some benefits of getting a resident permit though, mainly you can Directly File your petition from Ghana as long as you both are holding resident permits. They have a USCIS field office here which allows for DCF. (don't know if you've already submitted everything back in the States). Here is a link to the immigration site. It seems to leave out the regular resident permit though, unless Im missing something. Though honestly, you may just want to extend your visa every few months...you can pretty much do that indefinitely...you would just want to make sure you apply for a multi-entry visa when coming (they will usually grant it for 5 years) and then you wouldn't have to reapply for a visa if you were to go back and forth. www.ghanaimmigration.org

Starskraper,

First and foremost, I'm not discouraging you from the option of staying in Nigeria. My husband is Nigerian and I have been to Nigeria several times. I never wanted to be apart from him for long, so nearly 5 years ago I started staying the majority of my time abroad here with him. We just recently started the process of filing for a petition so I know I will be here quite some time still. When we decided that I will stay here, we too wanted to find a place other than Nigeria. Just something safer and more comfortable. I had my share of bad experiences in Nigeria and I didn't feel ok going back. We have been living in Accra Ghana for the better part of 4 years and we love it!! The electricity is stable, water flows, internet is fast, it's completely safe here...no police harassment at all!! No area boys, nothing. Airport area Accra is on the rise, beautiful buildings popping up everywhere. There are a lot of great shopping areas and good restaurants. We rent a 2 bedroom, 2 bath house, private compound in a gated community for 500 USD per month. We can go out at midnight for a walk, or be coming home in the middle of the night and we never once in 4 years have encountered any problems. Sure Ghana is still an underdeveloped country, and there is plenty of issues that we don't have to endure back in the States, but it is a really good alternative to staying in Nigeria. We've looked into other countries that he can travel to with a Nigerian visa, and the options are not much better than just staying put in Nigeria.

Just for future reference, if you do end up having to send any documents to your husband...yes Nipost is unreliable, but you could send things through fedex and it will reach him securely. It's pricey though. I once sent about 8 pages to someone and it cost roughly 100 dollars (I think there is a minimum, so even if you send less than a pound, they start at a pound). He didn't have to pay too much on his end when he received it either.

At this point, any additional evidence you can also submit. More chat logs, if you've visited him again after you sent the first evidence with the petition, you could send evidence of that, etc. Put your best foot forward........more times than not the CO has their mind made up before your spouse even enters the room. Congrats on getting this far!! Wishing you the best!!

I filed in May, Got my NOA1 May 20th and still no word from them since. If they're currently working on April, then Im keeping my fingers crossed that by next month I will hear something.

Sorry, but I just don't understand when people say "we practiced/rehearsed what we were going to say".......IMO, if you are a legit couple and you know each other like a real couple would know each other and you're not covering anything or hiding anything...what is there to practice? Maybe it's me, but I just think it sounds weird.

I know someone who did the same thing. He left his house in in Ketu and thought he was having enough time to get there, but ended up a few mins late. They would not let him in. He waited til someone came to tell him what to do, which was not til approx. 1pm before someone would even speak to him. He was given another date that was one month away. He was given this date the day he was there when they spoke with him at 1pm. Im not sure why they didn't do the same with you.

If he is knowledgeable about the "proceedings" that go on inside the embassy, it could be because he has been there before trying to obtain a Visa, visitor or otherwise. This would be helpful to know, as it may come into play at some point.

The CR-1 can only be filed after marriage and the K-1 requires that you have met in person. The K-1 seems to be getting processed quicker lately, but the CR-1's seem to show more commitment and therefore have a better chance of getting approved. (maybe?)...If you're going there to marry him, I would strongly suggest planning on more visits between the marriage and the interview. Nigeria likes to see a lot of face time. Getting married on the first visit, and then never seeing him again before the interview usually doesn't sit well with the CO.

It's true, with a salary of 70k, you only exceed the threshold if you have twelve or fewer people in your household.

12.

:-|

Im assuming the beneficiary is the one who said he has an uncle in the states who is going to support him. I would therefore assume, the said uncle is Nigerian. How many Nigerian families do you know? I know a ton, including my husband, and almost all of them have nearly if not more than 12 members of their family. 12.

It reminds me of the Cameroon Athletes that disappeared in London during the Olympics. I feel pity that they feel the need to do that because lets face it ...life on the run, looking over your shoulder at all times, is no life at all. But on the other hand, they will be the reason for all the scrutiny the next person will have to endure.

Hello VJers! My wife is tired of waiting for the approval of I-130 which she filed on my behalf after 5 months of waiting.

She is thinking of coming back to the country to stay with me until the eventual visa approval. Can USCIS

transfer our I-130 processing to the Consulate office so that we can follow it up from there. Are there any pros & Cons

to this idea? Is it workable?

I know how she feels! I have been living with my husband abroad for the most part of the last 3 years because I just can't imagine spending all this time away from him. We just filed the I-130 in May of 2013, but we've heard nothing yet and its getting aggrevating. The time we are spending together while waiting, however, is priceless...so if she can stay there with you abroad, I would say go for it.

Actually, forget what I said. It could also be in the Kansas new place where petitions are just piling up. Oopsy.

hmm....When I read your first post, my face lit up....until I read this one!! lol I'm willing to bet at least 75% of us on this site would be willing to VOLUNTEER our time to help them process petitions so this could go faster!!

Yes, your I-797 will show where the petition was sent, at the bottom of the page.

As far as processing times at NBC, the VJ links appear to show they're part-way into March 2013, moving into April, via:

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/monthly_filers.php?form=2&visa=3&scenter=4&option=1&sortby=2

Hope you hear something soon!

The problem is, I was in Ghana with my husband when the letter came and I had someone getting my mail for me. When they got the letter, I just had him give me the MSC number from it so that I can sign up online and keep tracking it. By time I got back to the States, the letter was misplaced so I don't even have it to look at. I called the USCIS number this morning at 8am and asked them where it was sent. After being transferred to someone I thought could tell me, they just said it was at the National Benefits Center. I said, "but aren't there several places it could be?" and they said, yes but its at the National Benefits Center. That's ALL he would say. ugh. So frustrating.

Yes I know that. Look at our I-797C I am sure its at Overland Park.

All I-130's after May went there and before from August 15, 2012 they had went to Lee Summit, Missouri.

Heck we have January and February filers still waiting . Seems the center than was sending to individual local offices and there chaos reigned for many.

Glad to see you bacl AyosGirl.

Thanks! And geez how discouraging! It seems like a big mess!

Was your petition sent to Overland Park, Kansas or Lee Summit, Missouri? Cuz since May all I-130 have been held up at Overland Park it just opend September 28th so hopefully they will get through that logjam.

dwheels, I sent it to the Chicago Lockbox. That's where the USCIS site said to send it if it was a stand alone I-130 for someone living in Massachusetts. If they forwarded anywhere else, I wasn't informed about that.