biggish data

So I know this has been talked about before but I am wondering if I can get some help with accommodations. Can someone give a couple different options in a couple different price ranges? We are used to paying 10 bucks a night for a room in Kampala. Never ever been to Kenya. Assuming its more expensive but we are still trying to find cheap local but safe accommodations. Any suggestions?

Thanks guys!!!

we're staying at Jupiter Guest Resort in Lang'ata. it's ~$50/night including breakfast. obviously there's cheaper options out there, but safety was our main concern and they have free internet access. it's not perfect but it's fine as a budget place. it's definitely safe with guards, a fence, and they lock the doors into the hotel at night. there's a restaurant on the grounds that is affordable and convenient. most of the hotel staff are friendly and accommodating. there's also an ATM a 5 minute walk away and a supermarket not much farther. on the downside it's about 40-60 minutes from the embassy. they have a taxi driver on call who charges $15 to get there, but other taxis will charge more on the way back. it's only about 10 mins from IOM though.

yketwaroo

Male

2012-03-16 10:08:00

Greetings, it will take a little time. Just keep checking. Some people's have shown three days later, while others have waited a little longer. It will not immediately be there. I remember checking 45 times a day! Never ended up even needing to though, because Ben had to go back to retake his fingerprints and they told him he could physically go to the Embassy to pick up his passport. I'm very happy for you that this part of your journey is in the past. Now, you can move forward and be with your loved one.

picked up the visa today. CSC call center is pretty much useless - they just look at the usvisa-info website and can't help you if there's no DHL waybill number yet. we called the embassy itself yesterday and had them expedite the visa since our flight leaves on sunday. so definitely mention that you're from a different country and they'll expedite it for you.. wish I'd known that sooner.

yketwaroo

Male

2012-03-16 09:56:00

hi. I have another question.

so, once the visa is approved, we're supposed to check the usvisa-info.com website to get a waybill number to track the delivery of my passport to a DHL pickup location. Does anyone know how many days should pass before the waybill number is available or should it have been immediately available after the interview?

thanks

yketwaroo

Male

2012-03-13 23:28:00

Congrats.. fail

what?

but yeeah. visa approved. now waiting to pick it up at DHL location

yketwaroo

Male

2012-03-09 13:28:00

aaah I seee. Well Monday's not too bad. it'll give us a few days to prepare and calm down.

yketwaroo

Male

2012-02-29 15:33:00

You will hand in all the forms I-134, DS-230, etc., the day BEFORE the interview and will come back the following day for the actual interview.

Thanks. So do you mean if my appointment is scheduled for Thursday on the usvisa-info website, I'd have to bring the documents wednesday?

yketwaroo

Male

2012-02-29 12:26:00

thanks!

we're very slightly worried though. Medical appt is Monday. and visa interview in Thursday same week. Will that be enough time to get the medical done in time for the interview?

I mean, it should be, right?

yketwaroo

Male

2012-02-28 11:01:00

aah it just went through. I've been submitting that damn receipt number over and over the last couple of days. whyever say it'll take 4 hours when it'll take 24.

things are seriously happening now. and it feels good.

yketwaroo

Male

2012-02-28 10:00:00

Langata, generally, is a nice part of town. When I googled where the hotel you're looking at is it doesn't seem to be in what is typically thought of as Langata proper (if it's close to Jonathan Ngeno Estate...) My only concern would be it's proximity to Kibera, but it looks like it is relatively removed from there - far enough away to not really be a problem, anyway. I really like the Upper Hill area (where Country Lodge is) but yes, generally more expensive.

At the end of the day, Nairobi isn't as scary as people make it out to be. Sifa & I used to stay in a terrible part of Nairobi when we were there visiting (River Road, holla!) because it was super cheap and convenient to matatus and the like and we never had an issue (I would not have stayed in that area by myself, though, as a side note.) When I was with Peace Corps friends we usually stayed at Upper Hill Campsite (which also has rooms and dorms and is awesome - not actually in Upper Hill anymore, but pretty close.)

Common sense is key in Nairobi, wherever you stay - don't be out after dark, no matter what part of town you are in. If you must be out after dark (or before dawn, as the case may be in trying to get to the Embassy), call a taxi to come pick you up wherever you are, don't go walking off to find a taxi. Once you're in your hotel, you'll be fine. Most places in Nairobi have pretty decent security, even the crappy hotels.

Thanks a million for the info! I didn't know about kibera. well I suppose you are right and it wouldn't be a problem. there's a golf course right next to the slums apparently. Rather posh.

yketwaroo

Male

2012-02-24 18:12:00

yo. so we're currently frowning at the expense of this trip to kenya. well, I am at least. and we're somewhat in disagreement over which hotel to book. I was thinking the Jupiter Guest Resort in Langata (http://www.tripadvis...ta-Nairobi.html) it's near the nairobi dam region I think.

I wanted to ask if anybody knew any reason why we shouldn't book there? As in, is the Langata area unsafe or the hotel actually a secret racketeering operation.

my fiancee's dad wants us to book at the country lodge hotel, which is a cousin of the fairview hotel. in my opinion it looks bleak and way above what we can afford even if her dad offered to pay the difference. I think that it's just too expensive. it's more for business people and kinda spartan.

Edited by yketwaroo, 24 February 2012 - 04:02 PM.

yketwaroo

Male

2012-02-24 16:01:00

my fiance paid using mpesa ,yes a relative can pay using mpesa or going to post bank you will have to print the mrv receipt number from the website
https://usvisa-info....payment_options

so we need somebody already in kenya to pay the fee for us?

yketwaroo

Male

2012-02-21 05:38:00

we're freaking out a bit.

in a good way. happy. aaah

Edited by yketwaroo, 17 February 2012 - 01:14 AM.

yketwaroo

Male

2012-02-17 01:14:00

Out of curiosity, what is listed just for traveling to Kenya? As far as I'm aware the only required vaccine for travel to Kenya is yellow fever IF traveling from a country where YF is found (Mauritius is not one of those countries) or if traveling to a part of Kenya where YF is prevalent (which does not include Nairobi.) I haven't seen a list of vaccines required in a while, but as far as I remember Sifa only had to get regular stuff like MMR, Hepatitis A & B, flu shot.

Hi. actually, my fiancee was looking into the shots she would need to come to Nairobi to be with me and she found this: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov...tions/kenya.htm

Seems that the vaccinations listed are very common. But still, it seems that most of the vaccines listed under "Vaccine-Preventable Diseases" are in the list found here: http://www.visajourn...=Nairobi, Kenya

The policy seems to be that since I am going to be visiting kenya too, I need the vaccines deemed needed by the US for anyone going there.

It is true that I won't need all the vaccinations. But here's the thing about Mauritius, a lot of people here don't have medical records.. It's due to a combination of the health service being free and culture I guess. The worse that could happen is that they tell me they have to do blood tests to know which vaccines I need. which would cause delays and probably cost much much more and it's not covered by my health insurance.

Since it's a costly trip just for the interview, we're trying to prepare the maximum ahead of the actual trip.

also... I can't say I entirely trust unknown foreign doctors to examine me and give me shots.

I may just be ranting/venting/complaining though.

Hi all I have been reading for a while but just decided to start posting. Hope I am not interrupting anything if I ask a new question.

We received NOA 1 in early October. I was hoping we would hear something by now so I checked on the status at the USCIS website. I checked their processing times and they say the average is 18 months! This is much longer than I have been hearing elsewhere! Anyone else see this? Should I be nervous?

THanks!!!

It depends on the service center. We got vermont and it took almost exaclty 5 months to get the NOA2. I think texas is backed up. If you filled out a vj timeline it should give you an estimate based on the success rate of other people in the same situation or date range as you.

yketwaroo

Male

2012-02-16 02:44:00

hi again.

small update, we've got our NOA2 and the NVC has sent their stuff on its way to Kenya so I should be getting packet 3 from Nairobi in a few weeks.

I'm still worried about vaccines though. One thing that really annoys me is that many of the vaccinations are listed simply because I'll have to pass though Kenya. It's bad enough they make us travel to a foreign country, they also have to put us at risk of being exposed to diseases we wouldn't have to worry about in out own country.

I suggest you read as much as you can about the Nairobi Embassy through this thread, and also read the Embassy reviews which you can access here on VJ by clicking on Reviews: Embassy/USCIS & POE at the top of this webpage. I strongly suggest you go to the Nairoby Embassy website ~ http://nairobi.usembassy.gov/ ~ and go to the visa section, click on Immigrant Visas, then click on Visa Packets, and read through the K-1 Packet Section. Read through everything here...this will prepare you for what's ahead of you. Also read the "New Visa Application System" section on the Visa webpage (this is how and where you will schedule your interview). The key to getting through this process is being educated, organized, thorough in your paperwork, and being prepared for the interview. You just received your NOA1, so you have some time to prepare...unless you are one of the blessed few who get their NOA2 within a couple of months

Thanks Jill for providing helpful info! (I'm assuming it's Jill speaking.)
edit -- and Dorah28 too

Edited by yketwaroo, 15 February 2012 - 03:19 AM.

yketwaroo

Male

2012-02-15 03:18:00

Oh, agreed! We lived together for a while and saved nothing, and really didn't take that many pictures because we never really thought at first that we would be going through this process at all, and then when we were pretty sure we would that anyone would care about all that kind of stuff! It really does seem like a trial sometimes. We're getting ready for removal of conditions in a few months and it's sad how often we're like...ok, we should take a picture so we have it for ROC! Or don't throw out any of those Christmas cards, we might need them for ROC! Sigh.

thanks. I hope your ROC pans out.

Actually I'm still looking for more information on the procedures for going to Kenya and getting through the K1 process.

For example, I'm still not clear on what vaccinations I need. The consulate page on vj lists a whole bunch where as other consulates have it broken down by age. vaccines like hepatitis A and B are administered over several months.

I'd rather have a definite list for my age (27) so I can get all of them done in my home country where I would be charged much less.

which makes me realise that I also have no idea how much money I have to bring. hotels, food and transport are one thing but what about all the other fees?

There's also the time period between receiving the NOA2 and having to go to kenya. Is there any way to know how long that is? I mean if they give us like just 2 weeks to be ready, it'll be next to impossible to make it.

yketwaroo

Male

2012-01-10 06:46:00

That's another problem. we don't have boxes of evidence. Whenever we met we spent most of our time trying to be together rather than document it for the benefit of someone trained to view me as an illegal immigrant first and foremost. We took some silly pictures when we were together and probably thousands of hours worth of chatlogs that could fill several big boxes but most of that is private. I really don't feel like I should have to print out those private conversations for someone else to even glance at. It's stupid that we have to defend for whatever "crime" it is we're being accused of.

yeah I needed to vent. sorry.

yketwaroo

Male

2012-01-09 15:22:00

we just want to be together. I mean it's good for moral support if she's there. And I miss her. If it is true they wouldn't let her in well I dunno. Being holed up in a hotel room for a week with her is much much much better than being holed up in a hotel room for a week all alone.

It's just about all the stuff you read/hear on the news. There are lots of recent warnings about kenya on travel.state.gov. Plus it's a 20 hour flight costing about $1300, whereas a 5 hour flight costing $700 for me.

Also, wouldn't they let her in the embassy? I mean she is a US Citizen.

But yes. So you're positive it won't affect obtaining the visa if she's not there?

Edited by yketwaroo, 09 January 2012 - 02:28 PM.

yketwaroo

Male

2012-01-09 14:26:00

Hi. I need more help.

My fiancee and I applied for a K1. I'm from Mauritius, not Kenya and will have to travel all the way to Nairobi for the interview.

We haven't gotten our NOA2 yet but we might soon.

Currently we've decided that I would go to Nairobi alone (or with a family member). It's too risky for my fiancee who is a USC.

However, is it true that I run a higher chance of being refused the visa if she doesn't come to Nairobi too?

yketwaroo

Male

2012-01-09 13:46:00

Hello.

I have a question about the common muslim name "security" check. I come from a moderate muslim family but I'm an atheist myself. I'm also not a resident of Kenya. actually I'm from nowhere near that region but some 3000 miles away. My question is, given that I'm a foreigner in kenya but have muslim name will they still take days to clear me?

Also, everything what Dorah28 asked.

information about the Nairobi consulate is sketchy. Reading the reviews on the consulate, seems like playing a mugs game while blindfolded. Any help much appreciated

yketwaroo

Male

2012-01-01 16:21:00

I may be necroposting a little but here's an update on our situation:

we (fiancee and me) went to Nairobi and visa was approved.

It wasn't easy, there were bumps in the road at almost every step. I think that the fact that we're both foreigners in this country made it difficult because it was harder to get around and do basic things like printing documents, getting money, etc. The worst part is how much this is all costing. we're looking at a figure over $6000. most people definitely can't afford that. but at least we're together, although we'll still be petitioning for change in the future.

yketwaroo

Male

2012-03-09 11:31:00

Mr JimVaPhuong sir, if I ever get to the US in one piece, we're inviting you and the Mrs to dinner.

I'm still semi looking into the whole issue but my (predicted) NOA2 due date is creeping up and I have to face the eventuality of having to go to Kenya anyway.

Nairobi can't be the only so called super embassy serving several countries. If it can be shown that this kind of gross inequality happens several place, it might just encourage some reform for the sake of better PR. It sort of a hunch but I'm sensing that they choose the most politically unstable regions to set up those places.

Edited by yketwaroo, 01 January 2012 - 04:47 PM.

yketwaroo

Male

2012-01-01 16:44:00

Well doesn't look like you told the truth here, wonder where else you lied? And I wonder why the embassies are so strict.

Really, that's your best shot?

Oh jimmy, you're just amusing to poke fun at. And you make it way too easy.

I mean you started hostilities. You even make thinly veiled threats at the happiness of me and mine. You showed intent to use whatever privileges your job gives you to make the lives of others miserable? Isn't that a sign of corruption? Why? Seriously? Over what? What kind of person does that make you? Also, I don't drink.

I didn't get any warning from admins or moderators by the way. Did you? But yes. We agree to disagree. Or you can keep disagreeing all you want. I don't care.

Just remember we are all here trying to be with our loved ones here.

And trying to get things back on topic, did anybody else, I mean non US fiance(e), have or will have to travel far away from their country of origin for their K1 interview and think they shouldn't have to?

yketwaroo

Male

2011-12-31 16:29:00

I have to say I followed all of the rules, but was harrassed by the Islamabad Embassy. Just because you follow the rules doesn't mean it all works out ok. I have been waiting almost 2 years to see my husband again. I take some of what you say to be valid. However, I am not joking about humanitarian violations. Though the US does aid other countries, it has also been a key player in violating human rights. For example: Afghanistan, Vietnam, and even the Holocaust. The U.S. did experiments on people by giving them syphilis without telling them. Many times the U.S. claims it does a great job aiding the world but greatly falls short. If you have Netflix you should watch the movie "Motherland Afghanistan". The U.S. cannot fix everything, but it should not pretend like nothing is happening either. I agree with you that the OP doesn't have any right to take anyone to court. But if he feels in danger and upset, let him complain to whomever he wants. This immigration process is EXTREMELY stressful and heart wrenching. Now..can't we all get along?

I'm not really going to take anyone to court. That's just jimmy barking at the moon. There's nothing wrong with me wanting to though, what with all the duress we're being put through. And for no valid reason, mind you.

but yeah like I said earlier, an effective petition, if any, should have a solid structure. You should be able to defend your arguments. In court if necessary.

I'm sorry to hear about your husband. Governments play those stupid ego games against each other and we're the one's that get caught up in their #######. They never seem to understand that being hated never gets them any respect.

I don't know much of your situation but I'll say that the people who harrassed you at the Islamabad embassy, they suck.

Here is a thought for policy change - why dont you sue to pass and enforce laws in Kenya that protect the safety and rights of Kenyans (and visitors to Kenya?)

That wont happen know why? Because the fat, lazy, corrupt fee-grabbing governments in that region of the world don't give a dam about the safety or rights of their citizens (or citizens of any other country either) and most of the time the threat to safety is from the government itself.

When you get to the US you won't have to worry about that. Otherwise, save your tears and complaints for the aforementioned fat, lazy, and corrupt officials who are responsible for conditions there.

*gasp* but jimmy tells me the government will spy on me. oh noes! what should I do??

Listen. there are fat, lazy, corrupt, officials in the US government too. in all possible combinations and permutations. and everywhere. some countries less than others. In the case of mine, actually less than most of east african countries.

There are good and bad people everywhere.

Actually in the US I may have more to worry about that much more than in Mauritius.

Further point: Consulates that are notorious for denying visas are usually located in regions of the world that are notorious for scamming and exploiting the immigration rules. Neither country we interviewed through was known for that, but I dont get scamming emails from either south asia or the mideast either. The reason that scammers are so prevalent in some areas of the world is because scamming is considered a form of "income" and therefore not punished and even encouraged. See above about fat, lazy, corrupt, fee-grabbing officials.

Sorry about your trouble. Your problems however stem from issues at home and not with the US State Department.

here's where I'm in my right to complain. Mauritius is not Kenya. It's unfortunate that Kenya has a bad reputation but http://en.wikipedia....Corruption_Law. I quote: "Mauritius is one of Africa’s least corrupt countries." From the transparency international corruption perception index of 2011, the US isn't squeaky clean either.

And no, really. My problems do stem from the US state department not doing their research about the region.

Plainly, they are being very rude.

The US embassy here does handle K3 visa. The problem is getting them to do K1 as well. It's just bad policy making on their part to concentrate all the K1 applicants from 12 countries in a "slaughterhouse" situation.

There may be some hope to have the visa issued here but as usual there'll probably be a huge fee. And yes, the tax payers money argument is a load of bull. The applicants pay for all administrative fees and have done so for years. It's just wrong. It's like they are holding us up for ransom at ever turn.

yketwaroo

Male

2011-12-31 14:17:00

If you don't care at all about the U S, then by all means don't come here. You both could be married where you are and both live there. There is nobody with a gun forcing you to live in the U S. And why would you want to if you don't care anything about the country?

hey jimmy, here's a notion. if this thread pisses you off so much, don't come here either. No one is forcing you to give your opinion.

You talk about gun to the head. Do you have any idea what love is? Did you take a foreign bride for kicks?

I'm not doing a K1 to "immigrate". That's just a technicality. I just want to be with her. I'm doing this for her. not the country. got that? Her. NOT the country. geeze.

We have looked into all other options. I can't get a tourist visa precisely because she's my fiancée. She can't leave the US because she has to finish college. The K1 was the fastest way. If she came here we'd be apart for another year at least. We can't bear that.

But then again, what we do with our lives is none of your frigging business, now is it? It shouldn't be the business of the US Government either. We fell in love and all they see is a threat to their borders. I am pissed at the US immigrations laws, I'm not going to hide it. who wouldn't be? All the hoops they make you jump through.

"The consulate in Kenya is also notorious for refusing visas a lot. which could hurt future attempts to be with her in case this one fails." I wonder why that is?

Yes. I wonder why that is too. Why are you even asking? Are you ironically trying to suggest that people in that region deserve to be denied more that others?

I'll admit I was angrier when I posted this thread so I guess my wording was as angry. But about the proving stuff in court, here's what you fail to understand:

If a petition is started, it has to raise valid points.

When facing a policy change on that level (USCIS, State Department, etc.), merely appealing to common sense may not work. It must have some legal weight. Referring to the other case I gave a link to might be sufficient. here it is again: http://www.prweb.com...rweb4157054.htm It's a class action suit. From what I understand it means there's no one single plaintiff but a large group with a common interest rather. They do mention "contradictory and unlawful practices of the agencies have caused class members to be subjected to arbitrary, capricious, and unlawful visa denials and therefore been deprived of their due process of law".

Kenya is undeniably a dangerous country, especially for US assets. The consulate there has even been attacked by Al Queada before. The consulate there is a harsh one with seemingly arbitrary denials and stressful interviews. There's a vicious circle here. The emotional bond between the interviewee and the petitioner in the US is such that the latter would feel compelled to travel to Nairobi to offer support (that's what people in love tend to do).

Do those conditions put people (including US Citizens) at higher risk of danger? Yes. People are hostage to their emotions in a way. If the Sate Department isn't aware of that, they should damn well be made aware of it.

THe solution: referring to the class action suit, part of the solution would be making the interviews conducted in the Nairobi consulate fair and civilised. The other part would be to decentralise that consulate. Part of the K1 applicants could be redirected to Mauritius if it's closer or to their own countries if consulates there can handle the extra interviews.

It is true that a petitions that would actually work is hard to set in motion. Probably should be a group effort. But it is a worthy idea to make the path to happiness easier for everybody.

So far, I have immigrated two family members, how many have you?

Okay, what is wrong with you? This isn't a race. I'm going to ignore any further comment you make because seriously, your way of thinking is disturbing.

yketwaroo

Male

2011-12-30 10:00:00

Starting a petition and challenging the government in a court of law? Something has to be done about this. How ridiculous is that? You might not care about others bashing the U S, but i do. And if I was told that I have to go to China for an interview, I would if I really loved the one I was trying to marry. I would not try to challenge the rules and laws of the country I was trying to go to.

To the OP, you know there are always choices in live, you don't have to live in the U S to be together, it is your choice to. If you don't want to be here, by all means don't come. But if you do want to come here, just play by the rules, and if everything is legit, your time will come.

telling me that there's no choice in life and then that it would be my choice to come to the US or not is a contradiction in terms?

I don't frigging care about the US. I only care about my fiancee. I love her, not the country. the country is meaningless. Their stupid squabbles with there rest of the world and their politics are obsolete to me. She can't move from the US, she has many things she has to do there, so I go to her. It's actually a much harder process for me so shut up about choices I have to make. You obviously lack the perspective. Having to go to a foreign country when the interview could be held in my home country is what's ridiculous.

Also, http://www.prweb.com...rweb4157054.htm

It wouldn't be a democracy if you couldn't challenge the state of affairs, would it now?

The consulate in Kenya is also notorious for refusing visas a lot. which could hurt future attempts to be with her in case this one fails.

I don't have to be US Citizen to feel outraged. I only have to be a person. Being a US citizen does not put you above the rest of the world.

How would you feel about going to an embassy high on terrorist threat list, in a country generally considered unsafe? It might not happen to everybody but it runs a higher risk. I don't have a choice in that.

Do you know what it means to know that someone loves you and to love her back so much that you just know how devastated the other would be if something happened to you? What would happen to her if I got hurt? Currently we don't know if she should come to Kenya too because it's so risky. I just miss her so much.

I'm sure everything went peachy for you, otherwise you wouldn't sound so.. spiteful about me wanting things to be better?

Yes, I do think it's something that should be brought in front of justice because when dealing with a dense bureaucracy completely opaque to reason, that's usually what it takes. The laws are putting thousands of lives at risk (yes. danger) then it should be changed. It's not just about people in Mauritius. I'm pretty sure there are ~~people~~, sorry, I meant US Citizens who's immigrant fiance(e) of the other 12 countries which the consulate in Kenya services who feel the same.

you're kinda in the wrong forum to be anti immigration buddy. Don't you think?

Edited by yketwaroo, 30 December 2011 - 02:02 AM.

yketwaroo

Male

2011-12-30 01:58:00

Interviewing in the home area is one of the things that happens in the process. The country reports in many countries makes it sould quite dangerous to show up at all. The warning for Kenya is pretty much like the one for Nigeria. That does not mean that everyone is going to be kidnapped / suffer car robberies. You need to concentrate on your safety in the areas you will be. You don't need to be travelling about looking for trouble, You need to arrive, get to safe lodging and get to the interview , go for food ( most good hotels you can eat at the hotel of you are that worried ) get back to the airport and leave.

thanks for the advice. I do realise that it doesn't happen to everyone. But it is true that it has a higher chance of happening. My fiancee and I are planning to meet up there together. It's just.. worrying.. that something might happen to her there..

yketwaroo

Male

2011-12-22 15:14:00

they can't justify the expense of having an immigrant visa unit at that embassy.

The funny thing is that the embassy in MU handles K3 visas for local and 2 neighbouring countries. And curiouser, it seems that it also handles K1 interviews for inhabitants from neighbouring Reunion island, which is a French colony (do we still say colony these days? sounds so.. colonial.)

Anyway, it wouldn't hurt to try. Direct your petition at Secretary Clinton.

Thanks. that's an idea.

yketwaroo

Male

2011-12-22 15:09:00

THere is a US embassy in Mauritius. but apparently they can't issue K1 visas so I have to go to Kenya. I do not live in Kenya and have never lived anywhere outside my home country.

yketwaroo

Male

2011-12-22 05:17:00

I'll have to go to Nairobi for my K1 interview. I'm from Mauritius, which is a island off the east coast of africa, about 3000 miles from Nairobi.

Aside from the fact that my fiancee and I would have to fork out over $2000 to travel there (I've never been to Kenya and it's likely I'd be lost if I go there alone), Kenya is a dangerous country (http://travel.his.co...151.html#safety). It's a completely different issue that the Nairobi consulate is notorious for being a very harsh one.

All the hoops the US government makes us have to jump though just to be with the people will love is basically putting our lives at risk! There has to be a way to put a stop to this. My own country has a medium sized embassy and it's not inconceivable that they could handle all local K1 requests.

Who can we appeal to?

How do we start a petition what will be taken seriously?

Can we prove in a court of law that the US government is taking people emotionally hostage and knowingly pulling their lives at risk? It has to stop dammit

The thing is, we can't just convince ourselves that just because nothing can be changed in our time frame that we should just give up trying to change the system.

yketwaroo

Male

2011-12-22 04:06:00

My Medical Examination @ IOM Nairobi Kenya

hi. I have a question. on the consulate information page for nairobi on vj, they list a huge list of required vaccinations:

-- Acellular pertussis
-- Hepatitis A
-- Hepatitis B
-- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
-- Influenza
-- Influenza type b (Hib)
-- Measles
-- Meningococcal
-- Mumps
-- Pneumococcal
-- Pertussis
-- Polio
-- Rotovirus
-- Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids
-- Varicella
-- Zoster

do I really have to get all of those?

most other consulates have it broken down by age group. Does the Nairobi require ALL those?

yketwaroo

Male

2012-01-01 15:04:00

Can my tourist visa be turned down at POE if I have an ongoing K1 application

holy #######, I just figured out multiquote.

I'm from Mauritius, which sets me and my fiancee over 9000 miles apart. I had applied for a tourist visa last year and got denied under section 214(b). I'm told that wouldn't affect the K1 though. Being denied the first first time was a pretty big blow for both of us. Before I ever applied for a visa, I thought I had solid proof of my ties to my home country. But answering all questions honestly led me to tell the CO to conclude that I was trying to spend some time with my girlfriend. At that point, he pretty much disregarded any other documents I had brought.

Since then we've met twice. first time in Rome, Italy , I don't need a visa for the schengen region, and second time she came all the way to Mauritius.

It's just that when we talk we're always making plans about how awesome it would be if I came to visit. Going to her favourite places, introducing me to her family. I know the most sensible thing to do would be to meet in another country or maybe wait until the K1 goes though but I really just want to make her happy.

Since last time I tried the tourist visa, I got a much better job where my skills are pretty invaluable to my employers. So I can get a letter and everything. That's why I think I might be able to get the visa from the consulate officer.

But okay, I'll admit that I'm fairly young (and so is my fiancee btw). I may not have all the material proof which says "I'm settled in my own country" but still, there is a chance I'll get the visa.

One of the things I didn't know is that you could bring all sorts of documents and answer questions at the POE. I thought it was a much more expeditive process where you just stated how long you were staying and if it was for business or pleasure. So facing the CPB would be like another visa interview but with much higher stakes.

Yes, they can deny you entry even if it is a valid tourist visa. They can also bar you from entering the U.S. for 10 years. Or they can let you in. I know the odds that they will bar you are probably pretty low but when you enter the U.S. while the visa process is ongoing they can easily see it as though you have abandoned the visa process and have decided to give up on immigrating legally, so you are just trying to immigrate ilegally on a valid tourist visa.

My fiance and I thought about having him come back here while we waited out the visa but our lawyer strongly advised against it (he has a lot of experience in K1s and he didn't overcharge us). He said that you had about a 30% chance of being let in. The big problem is that if they don't let you in you have to book an immediate flight home (which will cost at least $1,000) and you don't even get to see your fiance.

Make sure if you decide to go you bring STRONG proof or having to return home (you would think and interview for a visa approval would be enough but it really isnt). My fiance lives with his parents and has a temp job; he would have probably been denied on the spot! I know being apart is terrible but it is just part of the process. If you have the money to burn and don't mind taking the risk, then go for it, but just be aware of the consequences.

I hope this helps!

That's exactly what I was thinking would happen. I mean the part about them thinking I'm trying to give up immigrating legally. Not being banned for 10 years, that's a bit extreme? Given my "young" age, the CPB might think I'm prone to rash actions on account of passion, k1 in progress or not.

But now that you mention having to pay for the flight home, do you have to pony up the cash for that or do they provide you with a flight?

When I think about it, it's probably another factor consulars look at when interviewing a visa applicant. Do you have enough money in the bank for booking an immediate flight home in case you get turned back. In my case that might be around $2000 or more.

I currently live with my parents. Along with one brother and one sister. It's not a stigma here as in the US and it makes a lot of financial sense as you save a bundle on rent. I come from a big family with strong ties to each other. Although that didn't help with my interview last year.

One way to "solve" your quandary is to meet in a third country. We did that as we did not want to risk it (she had a tourist visa already, prior to starting K-1, and had been here visiting me prior to starting K-1). The $ were about same coming here and meeting in another country.
For what is worth (and this is not a scientific sample at all), many of the people I recall seeing here that reported no problems were from a VWP country. Bias?
I don't know if VJ has even done a poll, but, again, a 3rd country is an alternative with low risk and will give you the plus of traveling together in a country not your own. It's a really good test of how you get along, especially if things don't go 100% well.

There is a bias. depending on which country you are born, you are either treated like a potential criminal or just given a pat on the back and let in. It's the presumption of guilt that really pisses me off at those visa interviews. I mean really, the US is a terrible place to live in. Their health care is retarded, college education for your kids might ruin you, the food is dosed up on GMO's, steroids and pesticides and not to mention that capitalism is bad bad bad for the soul. Our current plans involve getting marries then saving up until we can move out of the US. Or maybe grow our own food.

I think there should be a poll. or at least some kind of collection of data on the subject. people who are doing a K1 or some kind of spousal visa usually have it worse than others I think, because we have a more compelling reason to want to get into the US. That way we could spot trends and determining factors.

; I travelled back and forth to my, at that time, fiance (he is USC ) during my K1 application.

Whenever I flew to the US, I always brought the following:

- Copy of I-129f package, including NOA1, so they'll know that you are working on immigration legally
- Return ticket
- Letter from employer
- B2 Visa (most peeps don't have one, which is OK!)

If you also have a contract of a house/appartment/car-lease, that would be great proof too!!

Point is, as long as you have enough proof to show strong ties to your home country, you should be fine!!

After all, visiting your in the US isn't forbidden or anything, like any other country in the World...

Thanks.. but yeah, technically, the US is forbidden. Their immigration laws are what I'd call hostile towards visitors not in the VWP. They make it so hard for us to be happy, if I were a foreign super power, they'd be sorely feeling my irk. You can't really be grateful to a country that puts you through so much torment.

Sometimes I wish that the US would get invaded by Belgium or something. then it'd be an annex to Europe and I wouldn't need a visa to visit my fiancée.

Sorry if it seems like I'm venting frustration. well actually, I am venting frustration. Nevermind.

Why would they do that?

They might just be having a bad day. The CPB are just people. People are usually the biggest threat to people these days. Used to be cold weather and being eaten by bears.

yketwaroo

Male

2011-09-02 09:05:00

Can my tourist visa be turned down at POE if I have an ongoing K1 application

well, that's what got me worried. If someone who doesn't need a visa can be turned down by the CBP, my odds seemed pretty grim.

yketwaroo

Male

2011-09-01 17:28:00

Can my tourist visa be turned down at POE if I have an ongoing K1 application

I answered your question.

I also visited whilst the K1 was processing.

Thanks. it's just that some guy told me his fiancée got turned back at the border and she was from Canada. And another guy got refused the tourist visa as soon as he said he was going to the US to meet with his fiancée's family. Overall it seemed like having a K1 in progress was bad. I guess it's really touch and go..

yketwaroo

Male

2011-09-01 16:11:00

Can my tourist visa be turned down at POE if I have an ongoing K1 application

sorry, I'll try to clarify.

I'm not asking about getting a tourist visa (B2). I want to know if I can get denied at the port of entry. i.e at the airport when I land in the US.

My fiancée and I already started on a K1 visa. She sent the first packet recently.

If I wanted to visit her, say in December, I'd apply for a tourist visa. It's possible I may be denied the tourist visa because the interviewing officer thinks I'll stay in the US because of my fiancée, but it could be that since I have to go back to my country for the K1 interview later, I might be granted the tourist visa.

Since we've started the K1 process, it's likely that I'm "in the system."

What I want to know is do the immigration officers who stamp the passports at the airport have a way of knowing that I've applied for a K1 as well. And if they do, do they tend to refuse entry to people who are trying to visit their significant other? Is it something that happens often?

I'm asking in the k1 forum because I believe a lot of K1'ers must have tried to visit their significant other in the US while the different visa stages were under way. So they might have some experience about it.

yketwaroo

Male

2011-09-01 13:52:00

Can my tourist visa be turned down at POE if I have an ongoing K1 application

Hi all, I'm trying to figure out if something I heard is just a rumour or if it is common occurrence.

Is it true that you has a higher chance of being turned down at port of entry if you have an ongoing K1 process? I mean do immigration officers at the borders check if you're in the system and decided to refuse you entry? I mean are there people here who've been that situation and can they share their experience?

Here's my situation, my fiancee is a US citizen and we've started the process to get a K1 but we all know it can be a very lengthy process, nearly a year. We want to meet again during that time as I'm sure most people would. We've met in another country and she came to stay in my country for almost a month so we've been really hoping I could visit her in her home town too.

I know that getting a tourist visa can be made more difficult by the K1 but still it's not impossible. I was thinking I could at least try. If I don't get the visa, fine, it's $150 down the drain but I tried. What's really really terrifying is what if I actually get the visa but end up being turned down after travelling almost all the way to her.

please tell me if I'm just being paranoid..

yketwaroo

Male

2011-09-01 12:56:00