knt

I wanted to know the same thing! Did you successfully do a walk-in in Elizabeth?

Congratulations!! You're all done! My husband went through the Dakar Embassy too, you just have to go and pick up your visa and packet (which you DON'T OPEN until you give it to the immigration officers at your point of entry). Although I would wait to buy your ticket until your visa is actually in your hand. Just to make super sure. I bought my husband's plane ticket the second he had his visa in hand!

^^You have been misinformed.

Your argument is based on the premise that the K-1 encourages leaping before you look. If someone is bent on immediate gratification as opposed to thinking through a scenario prior to making a life-altering decision, ain't no safeguards in the world going to stop 'em.

Totally agree!! My fiance and I LIVED together in his home country for a few years (where I was working) before I returned home to the States for work. And I think a lot of people are in a similar boat with me. Maybe the seemingly crazier stories get more attention or you remember them more, but many of us going through the k-1 process have spent a lot of time with our significant other and aren't just jumping into something we haven't thought about. I understand that there are some crazy stories or people rushing to meet for the first time just to file, but a lot of us have had significant relationships before filing.

Dear KNW

In fact today 05/31/2011 i called NVC which confirmed that the petition was received 05/27/2011

and not send yet. I also received my e-mail response from US Embassy in Bamako. Their e-mail stated what you said;

Petition are sent directly to Dakar. The Embassy officer promised to get in touch with Dakar and update me as soon as possible.

I did not get NVC number. Should i keep calling NVC until i get a number?

Thanks

You could call them or e-mail them to get a case number - you'll need it to schedule your interview. They should send something in the mail too. (The case number will be DKR2011XXXXX) If the NVC just received the petition, it might not have been sent out yet. They usually have a pretty fast turn-around. You can e-mail the nvc if you don't feel like calling, they were really quick about responding to my e-mails. And once Dakar gets your petition they should send you an e-mail confirming. Then you can schedule your interview, another feat unto itself hahahaha. You have to get a special card with a pin number to call their number for scheduling interviews, but once you get that, its super easy. And the embassy schedules interviews realllly fast, they had openings for a week after my petition got there. I ended up requesting a date a couple of weeks later to give my fiance time to get everything prepped and get to senegal to do medical stuff first (he took a bus from bamako to dakar). They only schedule interviews on tuesdays/thursdays and you pick up your visa the next tuesday/thursday, which is a little annoying. But anyway, that was a long-winded response to your petition seems to be on the right track! And you can get your case number from NVC, plus then you can provide it if you need to e-mail the US embassy in dakar, makes it easier for them to answer questions!

I thought before u said he was 32 and ur 48? And u dont have to see him a set amount of times but at least once in tge two years prior to u filing. I think u need to go and see him first and when u get back we will tell u what next to do bcuz u seem very confused and dont want to confuse u

In a previous post lovehurts started, she did say that... "my fiance is in nigeria he is 32 and i'm 48 is that going to be a problem I pray to god not for Love doesn't come that many time some please help me"

Its hard for people to help when the story is getting changed!! I think you have to take everybody's advice and slow down a bit!

After reading this a little more carefully, did you say that the petition is already in Mali? Did the NVC give you a case number? It should start with a DKR2011, and if it does, then you're good to go, it will get to Dakar. If not, then you could try calling the embassy in Mali. The embassy in Mali is sometimes really slow to respond on e-mail. I would try e-mailing the embassy in Senegal too. Have you talked to NVC on the phone?

They just tell you on the form that its going to Bamako...don't worry, its actually going to senegal! I went through the same panic, and just emailed NVC and they said it was going to Dakar, and a couple days later, there it was! I got confirmation from the embassy in Dakar.

I don't really have any advice and am in a similar type situation about my fiance being nervous about getting a job, but I just wanted to offer some support! I think we're getting through the nerves by just talking about being together, which is much better than being apart, and that eventually he will be able to get a job. Even though having to wait to get EAD is obnoxious, its also good to have that forced time to get set up in the US. I guess its just one of those leap of faith things that it will work out and that in the end, it will be ok. Especially if he's looking into getting a PHD, I'm sure that he will be able to get a job. Anyway, not much for advice, but just wanted to let you know that you (and he) are not alone in those fears!!

Start getting all the paperwork together from that email, and I'll ask my fiancé once we're done with this whole process if there is any time left on his calling card. How long is your fiancé planning on staying in Dakar prior the interview? Because when my fiancé called he had an appointment in just 6 days, which has been just enough time o get everything together, and get his medical exam (which he his actually at right now)

Thank you so much!! I already sent my fiance all the paperwork already so at least I was able to be on top of that!! I'm hoping to schedule the interview for a couple of weeks from now to give the package time to get there, and then for my fiance to actually get to dakar with a couple of days for the medical stuff. Did you make an appointment for the med stuff? or did he just show up?? I think we're planning to have my fiance get to dakar about a week before the interview. I can't wait until this is all over!!

Its so frustrating how they make him go to Senegal, in the first place, and then they don't even try to make it any easier if you're traveling from outside Senegal. These stupid calling cards are ridiculous. They have like 60 places in Dakar to buy them, and 1 in mali? And that 1 isn't really a place? And then to have the interview choices in French, English or Wolof? If they're going to let some people take the interview in their native language, shouldn't everyone be able to? Luckily, my fiance speaks some french, but really isn't all that comfortable speaking it, and rarely ever does. Plus traveling to a country/city he has NEVER been to, he's nervous enough already! And its a freaken 36 hour bus ride, minimum because they make plane tickets so expensive. Ugh. I wish they would just let me call the number and put in my credit card information. Wouldn't that be a little easier for everyone?

Sorry, I guess I needed to just vent. This whole process seems absolutely ridiculous.

I had been having the same problem, so I emailed the consular, and was sent an email with all of the forms that come in the packet (including instructions on where to get the calling card. My fiancé was then able to go out, by the card, and make an interview for only 6 days later! So, yes, you do need to call and make the initial interview. So, I would recommend emailing the embassy with your case number and a request for the packet information. They were very quick to respond! Good luck!

My fiancé has his interview tomorrow so please send good vibes

Avalon

Oh my gosh!!! Good luck on the interview!!! So I got the info from the embassy with all the forms and stuff. Well, I now have to figure out about getting this card...My fiance is in Mali, and there is only one place listed that has the cards, and we called (its a bit of a trek to get there so we wanted to call first), but to no luck. They don't seem to know what we're talking about. I e-mailed the embassy, and they said usually people get friends or family in Dakar to buy it...well thanks but our friends and family are in Mali!!! I'll have to figure something out...

Also, keep me updated on the interview stuff! I want to hear how everything went. You must be so stressed/happy/anxious right now!

I am so confused about interview scheduling at Dakar!!! Does the embassy assign an interview date and inform you of the date? Or do you need to call them and schedule an interview yourself? They have those calling cards you need in order to re-schedule an interview, so I wasn't sure if they schedule the first one for you. And if I need to use one of those calling cards, how on earth do I get one? My fiance is in Mali, and can't just go to senegal to get a card and then call to schedule an interview and wait there until the interview. I called the embassy in Dakar and tried to ask them about the interview stuff, but they didn't seem to have any idea. And when I emailed, the response I got was about re-scheduling an interview, not scheduling the initial interview.

This whole thing is so confusing!!!

Thanks for the response! I actually emailed the embassy, figuring it would take them forever to get back to me, but they actually replied within 24 hours...impressive! They said I only need to send this last years tax information so I guess that's what I'm gonna do!

So we just got our NOA2 and I'm finishing up all of the forms, but I had a question about the I-134 form...I have a co-sponsor who is self-employed and it says on the instructions to submit the last tax returns. But on the main review page for the embassy here on VJ it says to have the past 3 years. Is this true? Does anybody have experience with this? Also, I have to submit a I-134 form with my info too, right? Or just the co-sponsor's?

Thanks for any help!!

Me too!!! What a great day!!

APPROVED!!!!! Just got a text message and email this morning! I totally wasn't expecting it. We are so excited!!! And I hope Vermont keeps up the pace for all the other october-ers!

Congratulations!!!!!! That is so exciting, what a relief for you guys

But you have to understand the men... All this immigration stuff is not as important for them as it is for us.. We want them here like.. Yesterday.. And they are like: We will be together.. don't worry..

I couldn't agree more!! I am always frantically talking about this whole process and my fiance is always so much more relaxed about it than I am. I don't have any answers about the situation in Cote d'Ivoire, just wanted to lend some support... I even get worried about it, and my fiance is in Mali not CI. When I talk to my fiance about it, he doesn't seem overly concerned, he has a ton of friends that have gone to Abidjan to work, and none of them have run back home yet. But he knows I worry so might be downplaying things a bit. I do know that they are setting up places for refugees, my fiance's town has a refugee camp from back in 2002, and they are opening it back up to people fleeing. I hope things will settle down quickly and I wish you guys both luck!!!

knw,

OMG!!! I think you really are close to what I'm feeling! Thanks so much! I think too another layer is that my fiance feels like I'm so sophisticated and classy (lol) and truly I love that! He feels like I won't like all the ceremony or I'll be bored or something. I think I'm so worried about fitting into his world at the same time he's eager to step into mine! Not to leave hisself behind cause like you said he is extremely proud African man, but I think just to incorporate some modern elements into his traditional life. Am I making sense?

You're making total sense!! I think its good to be worried about all this though, because it shows you care. And I think that a good balance can be found between cultures.

I also don't know specifics of Nigeria, but have been to a ton of Muslim weddings in Mali. I know that if you have a religious ceremony at a mosque, you can't actually partake in that if you aren't muslim (or haven't yet converted). An American friend of mine married a Muslim man while I was there and the men went to the mosque and she stayed behind. Other than that, I'm not sure how much of the Malian traditions come from being Muslim or come from being Malian, I think mostly the latter. I do know though, it was hard in the beginning for my fiance to talk about customs sometimes because he thinks that I won't understand or won't get the meaning of certain things. I would ask him questions and he didn't get why I wanted to know or what the point of explaining it was. But after we talked it over and my reasons for asking certain things, he started to understand and became very open about talking about customs. I think a lot of West Africans just aren't used to people asking questions that seem like the questioner wouldn't understand the answer to. And now, I think he really loves the fact that I want to respect and understand his culture, especially because he is so proud of being African. Keep trying to ask questions because I'm sure he will eventually really appreciate you trying to understand his culture!!!

I called and talked to someone today who said that Vermont is now processing October 1st...I talked to someone earlier this morning who said September 11, so who knows. Hopefully they're updating today and are actually working on October 1st, which probably means a week or so before and a week or so after. I just can't think about this whole thing too much or I feel like my head is going to explode!!!

So I just got off the phone with a customer service officer and she says that Vermont Service Center is now claiming they are processing October 1st filers, funny because I spoke to someone this morning who told me September 11th still. Let's hope they really are working on October 1st!!

Yes, prepaid cards do work at ATMs, the thing is when you do buy the card make sure the card company knows you will be using it overseas in your S/O country. Really it cuts out so many fees, but I would recommend sending the card without a balance in case of lost or theft, once he recieves the card then load it with money. Best wishes!

Amber

Awesome! Thanks! And good advice about sending without a balance

How about re-loadable cards? I see that somebody mentioned that, has anybody had experience with that? I was going to try one so to avoid fees, but was worried about it not working in ATMs or having difficulties removing money? I was researching and found a visa pre-paid card that was supposed to act like traveler's checks but you could take money out at ATMs? Anybody ever used a prepaid type card??

Intresting concept. However, it won't load Vermont data, freezes the screen and I get warnings from Norton that it is trying to run a potentially dangerous script. Probably an artifact from Windows 7.

Nope! I'm running Windows 7 and just opened it no problem for Vermont data.