ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
VietnamAny old timers still around?
its funny i was just thinking the same thing....smiles. i spy here every week or so but rarely post. still with mine. he has been here since june 2013. been hard times in the adjustment period but still going strong......
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2014-02-19 03:40:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)K1 Visa Denied By Consulate

Becoming married usually does nothing to alleviate the reason for the denial. That has to be well understood and then corrections made in order to get beyond that. Moscow is not considered a hard Embassy but all the warnings about the possible questions and the form they may made to your fiance have to be well understood and rehearsed; answering inappropriately could be bad. But since she has been here and you guys have a lot of time spent with each other, you should be fine.

Lagos is a well known hard Embassy, especially for K-1s. Also if the USC is older than the foreign fiance, that is a red flag to them.

We were denied in Lagos on Feb 16,2012 for immigration purposes only after knowing and communicating with each other for more than 4 years. I arrived in Lagos the afternoon of his interview afterwards. I went to the embassy 3 days later and spoke to the CO who interviewed him and was told due to my not being Nigerian and our cultural backgrounds the generally deny K1 visas for that reason as for immigration intentions only. I was told it would be best I marry my fiance and apply for a CR1 and would have better results because it shows more truthful to them. SO.......marriage suggestion in this embassy may very well be the best option......
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2012-02-27 21:54:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanAnybody Here Ever Fly Arik Airlines?
I flew Arik air twice....once in Nov 2010 and again in April 2011 both nonstop fro JFK to Lagos....The flight is a good flight not usually overbooked and means are tollerable. There is onflight radio and onflight Video's and saved TV programs. The only complaint would be flying coach is that the seats don't recline very far back which makes for a troubled sleep. And yes the flight prices are good......
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2011-06-22 02:16:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanFlights to Nigeria for December

BT-store.com

this place is the best!

Go to Cheapoair.com

I flew last Nov end of month and got a round trip nonstop flight thru Arik Air for $1029 from JFK in NY.
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2011-08-25 03:16:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanHelp! 1st trip to Ibadan, Nigeria May 2012!
When I went there were a number of shots I had to get, typhoid, another hep a shot, yellow fever. You will receive a international shot record that is usually on a yellow card with dates. You should definately bring that with you. Also, yes you need a visa to go to Nigeria. As far as the bank card issue, I was able to use my Bank of America card in ATM's in Nigeria, as long as it had the VISA logo. I did not have an alert on my card. But I would definately check with your bank before leaving. My banks website told me locations of ATM's in Nigeria that accepted my card. You will be paid in naira's however.


Ok first I would not advice you to attempt putting your card in any machine. If its an ATM card issued i nNja fine but CC from here? hmmm I dnt know abt that but I would not.
You should not have problems at the airport if someone is coming to pick you up. the atmpshre is nice , a bit slow and maybe lil backward depending on what you are used to ( unless things have changes since oct 2010 when I last traveled,). The customs officer may ask you to give them something for the holidays...its entirely up to you, dnt let anyone pressure you.
you will need N100- N200 to rent one of the carts to wheel your luggage out of the airport.
The amount to take depeneds on your length of stay and what you will be doing but whatever you decide make sure you have at least $500 kept at the buttom of your luggage to be used only in extreme emeregncy in case you get stranded.
you do not need an international phone as roaming may be costly for you. with N5k you can get very basic Nokia phone and then load up calling credit to make calls.
Now hotels in Ibadan? i canot help with that..I am sure there will be but the proximty and to where you ur fiance will be may be an issue
vaccine? I dnt think she needs it but verify with your healthcare provider.


Highyella72FemaleNigeria2011-12-22 00:16:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanAIRLINE TICKETS!!!
I used cheopoair.com I flew near end of February and it was direct flight from JFK, Arik Air.... for $850 RT
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2012-04-26 21:37:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanIs it lost...... Nigerian Postal service
The part of this that sucks for me, is during Easter vacation, my wallet was stolen with the original receipt and customs receipt from USPS....so I had no way to even file a claim, I knew the number, but they still refused to do anything without the original receipt.....


OMG are u kidding me. Wow now that is something.

Okay everyone here is something the post office gave me today. Like who knew all this here it goes (typing on a phone)

Instructions to Initiate an Inquiry for International Mail

To report the loss, rifling or damage of an article, mailed to or from a foreign country after January 1, 2006, please call our International Inquiry Center at 1-800-222-1811.

You will need to provide the following information:

1) Mailing receipt number or item barcode number of the article.
2) The names and addresses of the mailer and the addressee.
3) Your telephone number
4) Date of mailing

The inquiry center will correspond with the respective post in the foreign country. Inquiries should not be filed before the following number of days from the date of mailing:

- 3 days for articles sent by global expresss guaranteed, but not later than 30 days from the day following the date of mailing
-3 days for articles sent by express mail, but not later than ninety days from the day following the date of mailing
-7 days for registered letter-post, recorded delivery or insured and ordinary parcel post sent by air mail, but not later than six months from the day following the date of mailing.
-30 days for registered letter-post,recorded delivery or insured and ordinary parcel post sent by economy (surface) mail, but not later than six months from the day following the date of mailing.

Okay hope this helps.


Highyella72FemaleNigeria2012-06-14 01:27:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanIs it lost...... Nigerian Postal service
I used priority mail, however, it is not good enough. You have to send it certified mail in order for it to be trackable past the US and to be insured.....This is what I was told my the USPS officer.....

Yep, that's the part that burns my behind too...the stealing! My brother-in-law told his fiance today that they just received the package I sent to them over two years ago (before my first visit!)

Holy Mother of Jesus...I asked her, did they have to watch the movies first and use the webcam before passing it forward? Maybe the box was not large enough and got lost! Who knows!

Did you use Priority Mail where the package has to be signed for and has a tracking number? I do hope it shows up very soon!


Highyella72FemaleNigeria2012-06-14 01:22:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanIs it lost...... Nigerian Postal service
I sent a package registered mail, but not certified, which had my husbands wedding band in it, customs had to declare it valued at over $300....It was last at the Chicago box also, I went to the post office, and was told that because it was not certified, there was nothing they could do.... I great loss on my end, any request for reimbursement of the ring has not been answered and they said it is not a certified or insured for that reason, I had assumed it was insured due to the cost it was to send it, only to find out...it wasn't. This was sent back in March, and never received, Good luck.....

I know many of you have remarked you have NEVER had issues with your packages and mail through postal service to Nigeria. But here I am again Lord help me. Small box wwith two phones sent May 16th. Last trace confirm USPS was in Chicago. Checking each day on the Nigerian Postal EMS site but nothing yet. I only sent First Class which is slow slow. But here we are June 7th 21 days later.

Any advise what to do where to go to find this if I can. Thanks :wacko: :blink:


Highyella72FemaleNigeria2012-06-10 00:57:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanThings fall apart

They understand things like animals in the house, cos in some areas of Nigeria, Dogs and cats are cooked and eaten. So Dogs and cats in the house is a shocker to them.



Well luckily for me, they don't eat cat and dog.....lol.... He actually wants to get a dog for a pet when he gets here..... Will see how that goes.....smiles
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-03-11 18:03:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanThings fall apart
Still trying to understand why you took what i wrote. Honestly don't think he will mind the herb thing not being cooked here, since he doesn't cook anyway..... I am willing to compromise some things, but other I am not, and he knows me well enough to know how stubborn I actually am......


Am sure my husband is going to find it hard adjusting to us having two cats. We both know things are a lot different in Nigeria. I can see him not understanding my relationship with our cats.

And while I was over there, they cooked some kind of herbs that made me gag every time I smelled them. So hoping he won't be expecting it to be cooked in our house. Though I'll be open to discussing alternative to find a middle ground.


Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-03-09 23:05:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanThings fall apart
Am sure my husband is going to find it hard adjusting to me having two cats....smiles.... We both know things are a lot different in Nigeria.... smiles... I can see him not understanding my relationship with my cats..... lol

And while I was over there, they cooked some kind of herbs that made me gag every time I smelled them..... so hoping he won't be expecting it to be cooked in my house...... lol

I know many relationship do not make it and that not all of them are because person A was scamming person B. I thought it would be good to share some of the problematic moments in either our own relationships or those of others that might provide insight to others merging cross cultural habits.
Food can be one. I know of a non VJ couple where the wife couldn't stand the smell of her Nigerian husbands cooking and after having his newly cooked food thrown out a few times he packed up and left. Suggestion - if you don't like it go shopping and let him cook while you are gone. Some glade can save a marriage.
Pets My husband had never seen a dog as a pet. It took some changes for all 3 ( me , him and the dog )


Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-03-09 19:31:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanCR1 Visa is approved!!!
What an awesome story....lol
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-04-16 13:22:00
Africa: Sub-Saharanlagos Interview Dates

Thanks guys but did you call them everyday until they assign an interview date or they just automatically email you an interview date and how i need to call them to confirm that my case was shipped to Lagos ?


No we didn't call at all after it completed. It was assigned and an email was sent when the interview was scheduled.
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-04-23 14:46:00
Africa: Sub-Saharanlagos Interview Dates
We were completed at NVC on March 18th, April 1st received email for interview dated May 6th, so you have a bit of a wait..... good luck!!!!
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-04-23 10:05:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanK1 Visa denied
seems to be the norm in lagos. i applied for k1 was denied while i was in lagos' talked to the co asked why? He suggested getting married while i was there, better chance of approval.did just that, came home filed for cr1 before k1 officially closed with a letterto withdraw k1 petition.....interview for cr1 passed easily.......
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-09-30 21:00:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanHappy Endings In Sub Sarahan
lol...I can see you gulping at the DL.....funny....I told mine when he gets here He can't drive my car anytime soon.....smiles


Woohoo! :dance:
We're at 2 weeks and 2 days, so we qualify for 'happy beginnings'/'honeymooner's award if anything. We're both still a little surprised to see each other every morning and just dwell in each other's presence :blush:

He has his SS card and is working on getting the driver's license... gulp!
Please keep us in your prayers Sub-Saharan family.


Highyella72FemaleNigeria2011-06-22 01:29:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Affidavit of support

I havent had Much reasons to leave comments cos i read, some discouraging ones from that want to Pull others down.
@aaron2020, u just were trying to make her feel bad, by making her feel her husband country is the reason she isnt getting the required Support.
Sometimes its best to shut up than try to be a Poisonous commentator.
@ OP, i hope u find the strength to fulfil your dream-sometimes some ailments needs Love, than Money



I am sorry that the OP is having so much trouble, however given the OP's medical condition, it is understandable with the requirements of sponsorship that family members and friends are reluctant to sponsor the spouse especially if they too have a family to support. Any defaults such as government assistance, medical bills and such would add a greater strain on their finances and their family when the OP's spouse isn't their own. It is a difficult position to say the least. I wish her luck in her journey, but I even as a person sponsoring my husband ( :) ) to come here can understand the views of her family and friends.
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2012-11-04 11:02:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)URGENT HELP PLEASE

IE isn't an operating system.


Besides I was able to use Google Chrome to log in, so I don't think its an issue with the Internet browser you choose.
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-03-15 00:12:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionTax return forms for K1 interview (W2 or 1040?)
You can contact the IRS and ask them for the tax transcripts for those two years. I went to the website and downloaded an auth. form and signed and faxed it back....and i received a shortened version of 1040 tax returns for the last 5 years. Each year was only 1 page long. It did take about two weeks to received. You may be able to do it online, I had to fax it because I moved since my last 2010 filing. Hope this helps. Go to the IRS.gov website

Hi again,

I forgot to mention that the question is for Romanians who already had their K1 interview. I am Romanian and will go for the K1 interview at the American Consulate in Bucharest.
_____________________

Hello!

I have a question for those of you who had the K1 interview. It's about my boyfriend's tax return form(s) that I have to bring at the K1 interview (with the I 134). Is the W2 enough or does he have to sent me the last 1040? Or both? And how can he notarize the 1040 if the original was sent to the IRS? We are still trying to figure this out. He has his W2 from 2009 and 2010 but no 1040. Not sure yet how to get it.

One more question: should he notarize the I-134 form?

Please share your stories. Thanks.


Highyella72FemaleNigeria2011-09-30 06:31:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCertificate of Naturalization - is it okay to laminate?

I've been reading so much about damages and mutilation of the CON when sending to the Dept of State for the passport application. I didn't apply for a U.S. passport yet. Does anyone know if its okay to have the CON laminated? I am thinking maybe I should do something to protect it. Apparently, it will cause a lot to get a new CON.

Thanks for any info.



NO....It is not O.K. to laminate your Certificate of Citizenship..... They tell you this at your Oath Ceremony, It will become null and void, and you will have to apply for a duplicate which will end up costing you money.....I would suggest, putting it in a picture frame with a glass casing for protection, or a clear notebook sleeve......that is used to protect documents..... Congrats and good luck!!!!

I've been reading so much about damages and mutilation of the CON when sending to the Dept of State for the passport application. I didn't apply for a U.S. passport yet. Does anyone know if its okay to have the CON laminated? I am thinking maybe I should do something to protect it. Apparently, it will cause a lot to get a new CON.

Thanks for any info.



NO....It is not O.K. to laminate your Certificate of Citizenship..... They tell you this at your Oath Ceremony, It will become null and void, and you will have to apply for a duplicate which will end up costing you money.....I would suggest, putting it in a picture frame with a glass casing for protection, or a clear notebook sleeve......that is used to protect documents..... Congrats and good luck!!!!
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2011-12-10 00:11:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionUS Passport Question - How long to receive your CoN back?
When I received my US passport last June 2011, my certificate of citizenship came in the same envelope with my passport. I am not sure it was because I used a service company that expedited my passport or not.
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2012-05-16 02:37:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionName change and social security

I got my name change but I need to update my driver license. Do I have to updat my ss first



Yes, go to the SS office, with marriage certificate and old drivers license or passport. Update SS Card, wait for it to arrive, then go to the DMV with SS card and old drivers license... and they will issue you a new one.
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2012-08-10 16:13:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionPhoto on Naturalization Certificate

My interview for immigration is coming in next week. I just want to know what photo they use on the Naturalization Certificate. The ones that I sent with N-400 application are not very good. They take photos digitally or they use those already submitted with N-400. Can I bring new ones and ask IO to replace them.

Thank You.


They used the photo they took when I did my biometrics.
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-01-25 23:05:00
US Citizenship General Discussionafter 36 years

It is illegal for another country to take and destroy another countries passport. They review the passport pages at the interview for traveling and such. Then hand them back to you. Nothing else is done with foreigner passports other than checking them.


Correct, but I never said they requested it to destroy it. I said they never requested mine at all. They never requested at the interview nor at the ceremony. However, it may just be because I was Canadian and all the years prior with a green card you were not required to have a passport to travel to and fro. All they asked was for the dates on the application in which I was in and out of the country and the length of time.
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-03-19 12:53:00
US Citizenship General Discussionafter 36 years

Hi to all , am new here so forgive my nervousnous . So i moved here with my family back in 1977 from England, i was 13 at the time and will be 50 this year (nov) i have had a green card all this time and am ready to move forward for citizenship - i served in the army when i turned 18 for 3 years left under other than honarable but while i was in the army my parents and siblings did get their citizenship .. when i came out of the army i just went on with life .. now my wife wants me to pursue my citizenship which i have filled out all the paperwork and have it ready to go. My british passport was lost long ago while i wa sin the army and i never re applied as i have never been out of the states since being here my question as i see a lot stating they will ask for the old passport..will that be an issue as i havent had one in 30 years . anyway any help will be greatly apprecieated

thank you all


I entered the USA and became a Resident Alien (green card holder) when I was 9 years old. When I turned 39 years old I applied for my citizenship and became american when I was 39, so it was also 30 years later. I wasn't asked to turn in my Canadian passport at that time. I was only required on the day of my citizenship swearing prior to the ceremony to turn in my green card so they could destroy it. I still have in my possession my Canadian passport as I don't use it, I have now an american passport. Just so you know I just became american in May 2011. I am not sure it is required to be turned in to be destroyed.
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-03-19 12:30:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionSame day oath in Lawrence, MA?

Quite likely, My interview was April 12th or something like that, and my oath ceremony was May 19th......Good luck!!!!



On the day of your oath ceremony be prepared for a long wait and a lot of people. There were over 700 people taking the oath at my ceremony, We all take the oath at the same time......so thats good news....smiles... Oh and you have to pay like $20 for parking which is not included.
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-04-02 12:14:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionSame day oath in Lawrence, MA?

Thanks! In that case we'll just keep our fingers crossed that they can schedule the oath for a date in May.


Quite likely, My interview was April 12th or something like that, and my oath ceremony was May 19th......Good luck!!!!

Quite likely, My interview was April 12th or something like that, and my oath ceremony was May 19th......Good luck!!!!



On the day of your oath ceremony be prepared for a long wait and a lot of people. There were over 700 people taking the oath at my ceremony, We all take the oath at the same time......so thats good news....smiles... Oh and you have to pay like $20 for parking which is not included.
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-04-02 06:55:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionSame day oath in Lawrence, MA?

Does anyone know if the USCIS field office in Lawrence, MA offers same day oath ceremonies? My husband will have his citizenship interview there in three weeks. He is eager to become citizen as soon as possible so that we can finally upgrade our F2A case into IR.



I did my citizenship interview in Lawrence MA just shy of 2 years ago and no, they had me come back not to Lawrence but to Worchester, MA for my oath ceremony 1 month later. I received a purple or pink slip that had the oath ceremony date, time and what to bring at the interview prior to leaving.
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-04-01 13:34:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionChange first name

sorry for the misunderstanding. If I only take US passport I will not be able to enter the country of my Birth(India) without a visa. Am I right?


You would have to contact your country's embassy to find that out. I wouldn't know the answer to that question.
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-04-17 10:16:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionChange first name
Once you have a US passport you will have to use that passport. Because if you use your other passport, I believe you would have to have your resident alien card along with it to enter into the US again. I traveled outside the US on two occasions and had to get a visa for that country, but when I returned each time, at customs and immigration I had to show both my passport and resident alien card to show proof of living in the US. So I suppose my suggestion would be travel with your US passport only.
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-04-16 14:01:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionUS citizenship elligibilty

 

American Citizenship is not "claimed" through any process.  Someone who is a USC at birth is a USC whether or not they do anything about it or not.  If your mother was a USC at birth, she was always a USC whether or not she recently obtained a passport or not.  If she was not a USC at birth, then she was naturalized through another process (like becoming a lawful permanent resident, residing in the U.S. for the required period, and becoming naturalized).

 

my mother as in the posters mother was NOT born in the U.S. and she has Canadian citizenship as the posters mother has Irish citizenship(not american through the grandfather) on her birth records, even though her father as like my mothers father was American.  In order for my mother to "Claim" or have her "american citizenship" acknowledged, she had to file a N600 because she was over the age of 18 at the time.  After it was completed she then received a "Certificate of Citzenship", however since by the time she had done this I was then over 18years old, I could not, like the poster, aquire my citizenship through her.


Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-05-30 13:48:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionUS citizenship elligibilty

From what I understand the mother can claim her American Citizenship through a process, however is the daughter is an adult, then she can not get her citizenship through her mother.  My mother is the same situation.  She is Canadian her father was American.  She never got her citizenship until a few years ago, and given I was already an adult getting my citizenship through her was not an option.


Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-05-22 13:19:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionTwo identical color photos and one impossible hair cut...

When I was naturalized in May 2011 they used the pic from the biometrics.... not the passport pics, and trust me, it isn't pretty after being awake all night working.....lol


Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-06-05 09:17:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWhat do you think this guys chances are

I do feel bad for him.  They really should explain at your interview and remind you that you are not yet a citizen and should not do anything as a citizen including voting.  I think some people come out excited and if things had been explained to them a little in detail, this may have been avoided.  And having gone thru the interview process, they don't say much but congratulations and asked me to go and wait in the lobby until my number was called.  At which time I was given the Oath date, nothing more.


Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-05-29 11:28:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWhat do you think this guys chances are

I find it strange that he went to his interview and didn't receive an oath ceremony appointment.  When I went to my interview 2 years ago after I interviewed and was approved, I was told to wait in the lobby.  I was then called to a window and given a  purplish pink paper that had the oath ceremony date, time and place, which was a one month later, I attended it. I would have never left without a date, time and place for an oath  ceremony, or at least an explaination of what was to happen next and what to expect.

 

I lived in the U.S. as a green card holder for nearly 30 years and I knew not to register or to vote until I had the certificate of citizenship.  Honestly, it doesn't look very good for him, and it is sad.


Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-05-29 10:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsGreen card processing time
Arrived about a month after he got here, however I did call uscis and questioned them.
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-07-26 03:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNVC Filers - January 2013
Petition was just approved today after 9 months, hopefully the NVC portion will go smoother....
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-01-09 19:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsHow to kill wait time...any advice?

Yes, I've read that too that's already gone to 1 year from the date you receive the NOA1. Purely unacceptable and unfair treatment for us who filed the legal way while the illegals are being attended first :( :( :(
For the OP:given the one year waiting span, just take the job. Anyway, you can have an estimate already as to when your application will be adjudicated. God bless you in your journey!


I would take a job and wait it out. Given there is a long waiting period for petitions to be approved and then an interview scheduled and then the possibility of denial.... it is advised when starting the process not to let go of personal belongings or quitting jobs until your visa is actually approved. I do wish you the best of luck in your journey, but keeping a job will not only make you feel useful, smiles, but be security in the worst case scenario.....
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-03-29 09:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsCoping.. How do we all deal with waiting for our loved ones

As of yet we haven't. This is how our routine has been since October

October - Visited Canada
November - She came here
December - Visted Canada
January - Visited Canada
March - She came here
May - She's coming here.

So far we haven't had trouble, but I still worry.


See thats part of it.....Canada is a whole other ballgame. You can come and go as you please. Thats not the case with other countries....
Highyella72FemaleNigeria2013-04-24 13:36:00