koonleh:
thanks for that, pls will try and raise it a bit,

Guy for your own good, don't raise a bit just get 1000usd like someone told you. If you go with 100usd and you don't ave a debit,credit card with money in it, you would definitely be turn back. The only reason you would be allowed in with 100usd is if you are Dangote, have traveled like 50times this year alone or carry a US passport.

Good afternoon, I'd like to share my vac experience as well as my near-deportation experience at JFK Airport in New York.

My flight from Frankfurt to JFK was quite uneventful as I sat with a lady who slept off even before the plane taxied, woke to eat mid-air and slept again till we touched town. I just plugged my earpiece listening to Fela all through the 8hrs plus flight and downing beer after beer....Bless Lufthansa oh Lord!.

I was attended to by a young male immigration officer.

Officer: Hello Sir, what has brought you to the US?
Me: I have come to spend a 2wks vacation.
Officer: How much is on you?
Me: $9,000
Officer: Can I see it?
Me: Yea, brought it out from my back pocket, and started counting the $100 bills
Officer: Oh no, am not interested in that, you can keep it. Can I see your return ticket?
Me: (That was the genesis of my wahala, cuz av gat no return ticket) I didn't book a return ticket for this trip because I don't know yet if I will be heading back to Nigeria after this trip or somewhere else because of the nature of my job. (Nobody mentioned here on this thread that one must travel with a return ticket).
Officer: OK, step aside sir.
I was handed to an officer and directed to a waiting room.

All I told him was with my church mind, but I never knew my words were laden with immigrant intent, I got to know this later.

Because I have a long term EU visa, and also due to the flexibility of my job I usually travel with a single ticket as issued by the HR dept. Nothing is fixed in my office, we be like water, we take the shape of the container! Yes, am on vacation, but HR fit mail me ticket and job details anytime right in the middle of my vacation, that's the kind of job I signed up for. Yes, av had issues at Frankfurt airport once for showing up with no return ticket, but once my German office sorted that, I never had issue again. I hope you get my drift. I only generalized the single ticket thing, but I never knew it is different with the US.

I'd like to clarify one issue above. The issue of the $9000. You might wanna ask why a nigga is traveling with so much cash for vac? Ask no further. Not that I might necessarily exhaust the whole cash, but as a Black guy, I mean Baba dudu, experience has taught me to always travel with sufficient amount of money. I have traveled around the world, and I have been racially abused in some countries especially Poland, Switzerland and Russia. I was literally thrown a banana in Warsaw. You don't see lots of black dudes in this countries. Now, this is what I want to talk about, sometimes in 2014, I did a light shopping at a store in Barcelona, I proceeded to pay using my Nigerian issued MasterCard...I think 750Euro or so, and for some strange reasons, my card refused to pay. I collected it, cleaned it on my shirt and returned to her, she tried again and it ain't working. I had no cash on me. I was on a queue. She looked at me with one kind eye say your juju no work today, called security, and I was made to return everything where I picked them. That's the height of humiliation! Its OK when a white dudes bank card malfunctions, but ITS NOT OK WHEN A BLACK DUDE CARD MALFUNCTIONS IN A FOREIGN LAND, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE A NIGERIAN. I hope you learnt something there.

Back to the discuss. While being escorted to the waiting room, several thoughts were running through my mind. I was kinda nervous because i have been profiled once at El dorado Airport in Bogota, Colombia, but I felt I might be deported this time.

I beg your indulgence to divert once again. I wanna tell you why I was hell scared.

After my Msc, I came back to Nigeria for NYSC, was posted to Enugu. I spent a full year in my mother's house playing video games after service, I didn't apply for a single job. I just couldn't imagine my self doing a conventional 8-5, I would just die of depression... If the job wouldn't set my ass on the road...I ain't doing! My mum called came to my room one day and suggested I go on a vac to clear my head so I can come back, get a girlfriend, start looking for job and leave her house. I had just saw a movie then...Colombiana, and I just wanted to visit Colombia because of that movie.

On the plane to Colombia via Milan, I sat with a young dude about my age, and we talked about everything from different sex positions to video game cheats to every other unprintable stuffs. We later part ways at the arrival hall. Later I was detained by anti-narcotics police at the arrival hall. My crime? I had been caught on CCTV with the guy, unknowing to me he had Cocaine in his bag. I was drilled for 10hours and was only released when they were convinced that I was not a party to the crime. It was a bad bad experience for me.

Forgive my diversion. Now back at the waiting room. I was sitting close to an Igbo man about 40years old or so. How do I know he's an Igbo man you may ask? I mentioned earlier that I served in Enugu and I know an Ndigbo when I see one...Am from Sagamu in Ogun state, Enugu remains my favorite city in Nigeria, followed closely by Abeokuta and Calabar...I really toured that city, rolled with ESUT girls and was ordained a minister at Orange Room...hehehe...you know what I mean...lol

A pretty female officer walked up to the man for some questioning. Dammm....she was pretty, had a Kim-kinda ass and some boobs that were still in their prime...Ohhhh lala...I was imagining her in a yoga pant and some hot tank top....Bless my soul oh Lord!....Dear friends, forgive me if you say am describing an officer in a sexy way, am only saying the truth and also preparing your mind for what's coming ahead...now picture an Igbo man with deep Igbo accent

Officer: Sir, you overstayed your last visit by 2months

Man: Yes Baby, I was very very sick, and I had to seek medical attention for my health.

Officer: Sir, am an officer, don't address me as baby. Why didn't you file for an extension to seek medical attention?

Man: Baby, I didn't know I should have filed for an extension.

Officer: I said stop addressing me as baby

Man: Baby am sorry.

The officer left in fury.

Hehehehehhehe....I laughed so hard my tummy hurts, I completely forgot my own predicament that moment.

Not really his fault tho, he wasn't seeing an officer, neither was I, he was seeing a hot chick, so was I....lol.

Later, an elderly immigration officer approached me. This guy was the definition of ICE... He was so cool!

Officer: Why did you come into the U.S without a return ticket, aren't you planning on going back to your home country? (Smiling in a manner I could not understand) perhaps he was expecting me to say yes to that question.
Me: explained my situation in details to him. Even offered to book and pay for a return ticket right there at the airport.
Officer: Do you have relatives in New York?
Me: No, I don't.
Officer: Can I see your Hotel booking confirmation?
Me: I didn't book an Hotel, I will be staying with an AirBnb host here in New York.
Officer: Can I see a confirmation, anything to proof that?
Me: Am sorry, I don't have a print out of any sort to that effect, I did the booking using a mobile device and I couldn't print at the time. (I was grossly unprepared for this trip, my mind na to come freestlye). But I have an address and a cell number.
Officer: Can I see that?
Me: (brought out my diary from my bag. mind you, I had a single bag....I always travel with a single bag that would fit inside the overhead cabin in the plane....no need to waste time dey claim baggage.) Here it is sir.
Officer: Read out the address, brought out a cell phone and dialled the number.

Officer: Hello....(introduced himself and where he was calling from) Do you know Mr **** ***** **** pronounced my Ijebu surname perfectly.
Man: No! ( this time I was scared as hell, first, I was expecting an elderly Kenyan woman on the phone, who I have spoken to before leaving Lagos, I even did IMO video call with her, I wasn't expecting a males voice, secondly, this dude just denied me!
Officer: Do you use your accommodation for AirBnb services?
Man: oh yea
Officer: Are you expecting a guest by the name *** ****
Man: Hold on a sec. ( after some sec) Oh, yea...oh yea!
Officer: Thank you for your time Sir, bye.
(I was singing hossana this time in my mind) If that guy had insisted on NO, I most likely would be on the next flight to Lagos.

Officer: Make sure you book a return ticket on your next visit to the US, Welcome to America!
Me: Sure. Thanks Sir!

Was later stamped in. That was it!

I think I was lucky and also considered a low-risk. I think he acted in an unconventional manner by placing the phone on speaker so I can hear my fate. He tried his best by exploring all the options on the table before making a decision. You see why I say he's cool??

Most importantly, those guys ain't just working for working sake, they have excellent listening skills and a professional manner of judging intent. One would definitely be refused admission if one didn't meet the minimum requirement for admission... It cost them nothing.

Forgive my long post. I get enough time this beautiful afternoon. No work for me, just eat and waka waka with my surrogate tour guide...lol..I will post my vac experience later in which I got flagged for over speeding, had an awesome greyhound experience to Washington and managed not to fall for a bait.

No city in this world has the vibrancy of New York city....I mean solid vibrancy! God bless America, God Bless Nigeria!

@ajalaonofaaji,I really enjoyed reading your write up.You were so very lucky to have met with a good hearted CBP officer,if not,you are good as been deported back to Nigeria.

koonleh:
thank u, so if I go with 100 dollars, with my visiting visa, I won't be turned back.

You're on your own... I will turn you back myself.

chloe7:
it is well with this economy, I hope those in charge proffer a lasting solution in a bit because dollar is making everything seem ridiculous since our economy is solely dependent on dollar to a large extent.

@Chloe7 nawa oooo... You just bone us.. How far?

koonleh:
thanks for that, pls will try and raise it a bit,

$400 will be fine.

@ajalaonofaaji This is what I've been asking for on this forum.... Someone to add juice and fun to the thread. I believe you man...JFK is a very very good airport with Nigerian pax (If that was Chicago ORD they will still deport you).. almost every CBP officers in New York know Garri and killish. Please keep it up and this is fun. God bless you bro

seyewest:
@ajalaonofaaji This is what I've been asking for on this forum.... Someone to add juice and fun to the thread. I believe you man...JFK is a very very good airport with Nigerian pax (If that was Chicago ORD they will still deport you).. almost every CBP officers in New York know Garri and killish. Please keep it up and this is fun. God bless you bro

Seye that was exactly what I was told, that those guys in Chicago gat no chill....maybe they've gat more passengers to process and don't have time for chit chat. God bless you too bro.

@NaGodwin, lol...I think my eagerness to leave the airport quickly gave me out. My 'Nigerianess' aint obvious, and I don't have tribal marks like you imagined

signature2012:
@ajalaonofaaji,I really enjoyed reading your write up.You were so very lucky to have met with a good hearted CBP officer,if not,you are good as been deported back to Nigeria.

Thanks for taking out time to enjoy the post. I was indeed very lucky.

ajalaonifaaji:


Thanks for taking out time to enjoy the post. I was indeed very lucky.

You are welcome.If it was Atlanta or Chicago,it would have been a different ball game.

Lol. Enjoy your vacation Bro

ajalaonifaaji:
@NaGodwin, lol...I think my eagerness to leave the airport quickly gave me out. My 'Nigerianess' aint obvious, and I don't have tribal marks like you imagined

True. I usually used to travel with no cash just my Nigeria debit cards. And when they asked, I told them I have plastic.

But now that our FG have restricted the use of cards abroad, best go with at least one thousand USD

maddock:


Guy for your own good, don't raise a bit just get 1000usd like someone told you. If you go with 100usd and you don't ave a debit,credit card with money in it, you would definitely be turn back. The only reason you would be allowed in with 100usd is if you are Dangote, have traveled like 50times this year alone or carry a US passport.

seyewest:
@ajalaonofaaji This is what I've been asking for on this forum.... Someone to add juice and fun to the thread. I believe you man...JFK is a very very good airport with Nigerian pax (If that was Chicago ORD they will still deport you).. almost every CBP officers in New York know Garri and killish. Please keep it up and this is fun. God bless you bro

Atlanta is cool too.

..

seyewest:
$400 will be fine.

okay, will do that

FROM A SILENT READER.
So, i booked my appointment for the 23rd august and on the 20th i got an injury on my left thumb and because of that i couldnt get past the ten-print stage of the interview so a pretty lady in window 5 gave me a 221g letter saying to reschedule my appointment after my thumb heals.
Fast-forward to 20th sept (by now thumb don heal even though scar still remained)
VO: wat r u goin to do in the US
Me: vacation with my family (wife n 2 kids)
VO: your family have visas?
Me: Yes
Vo: by family u mean wife?
Me: yes
Vo: do you have ur wife's passport
Me: yes i do (passes pspt to him)
Vo: i see ur wife had a baby in the US
Me: yes
Vo: do u hv her receipts
Me: yes (hands him all receipts and zero balance thanks to the birthing thread she insisted i go with her receipts)
Vo: was your wife pregnant @her interview
Me: No (wasnt sure when her interview was so i just said no)
VO: she gave birth in january right? so she must have being abt 4 months preg (i just dey nod head like mumu as he don catch me)
Vo: sir its not illegal to give birth in the US bla bla.......but i also noticed she wasnt asked if she was preg during her interview so no prob (felt some relief)
Me: actually when she was preg her mom was in naija but by the time she was due mom had moved to the US (na who send me msg, regretted immediately i said it)
Vo: is ur wife planning to seek medical aid while in the US
Me: No
Vo: its a good thing u kept ur receipt im goin to approve ur visa and i'll give u this (white paper) it states how u can pick it up.
He then hands me my wife's pssport n the white slip

willn1:

Me: No (wasnt sure when her interview was so i just said no)
VO: she gave birth in january right? so she must have being abt 4 months preg (i just dey nod head like mumu as he don catch me)
Vo: sir its not illegal to give birth in the US bla bla.......but i also noticed she wasnt asked if she was preg during her interview so no prob (felt some relief)
Me: actually when she was preg her mom was in naija but by the time she was due mom had moved to the US (na who send me msg, regretted immediately i said it)

That cracked me up! thanks for sharing your experience and wish you safe trip!

ajalaonifaaji:
Good afternoon, I'd like to share my vac experience as well as my near-deportation experience at JFK Airport in New York.

That was one hell of a writeup to read! enjoyed it! didnt want u to stop actuallly....Glad you werent deported---safe trip back!

Morning guys,

I have been reading this thread for a few days and following the maternal thread "give birth in USA : Cost and procedure" for a few weeks also.

All protocol duly observed, special recognition to Lady G and Justwise.... Lol.

To get to my putting up this post, I need clarification and help.

I am married and wanted to apply for a visit visa later next year for my annual leave, I have been to the Uk, France, and 2 other countries in Europe and Asia. However i would like for my wife to give birth in the USA around April/May next year.

however due to funds and the exchange rate I'm considering making a B2 application for my wife separately after I make my own application to increase our chances of being granted. I have a budget of about 10000 dollars.


I work in a fairly good paying government parastatal and would be sponsoring my wife who has no travel experience yet. We/She intends staying with family during the period of child birth with family in the US who are US citizens.

My questions are these.
1. What would be the best way to make the visa application for both of us or probably just her?

2. In a situation where I can not go along with my wife, can my mum apply along with her (she has a 2 year visa expiring April next year ) by renewing her visa and stating she wants to accompany her daughter Inlaw for child birth?

3. Any suggestions on making a successful application for my wife , as the our aim is to birth in America ?


thanks.

@loudlumi the birthing thread is in a better positin to handle these questions.
I believe somebody already answered you.

Hello, I'm new here. I'd be going to Canada in January to resume school. But I want to apply for a US visa and go to Canada from the US. How do I go about this? Thank you.
@ladyguinivere and others please help.

Why not get to Canada 1st and apply for US visit visa? That way you have a strong ties as a student, but know that you will show your proof of enrollment when you apply from Canada

leumasnuges3:
Hello, I'm new here. I'd be going to Canada in January to resume school. But I want to apply for a US visa and go to Canada from the US. How do I go about this? Thank you.
@ladyguinivere and others please help.

leumasnuges3:
Hello, I'm new here. I'd be going to Canada in January to resume school. But I want to apply for a US visa and go to Canada from the US. How do I go about this? Thank you.
@ladyguinivere and others please help.

Go to the US embassy website and read about the process on how to get a visa. It is stated there in detail.

Interesting! Nice write-up... Thanks for sharing... God bless America! God bless Nigeria!

Brethren please can we not quote real long posts? Is it possible to just copy/mention the person you wanna reply?
Na beg I de beg!

LadyGuinivere:
Brethren please can we not quote real long posts? Is it possible to just copy/mention the person you wanna reply?
Na beg I de beg!

I concur oooooo the think dey pain becos na waste of precious space.

Just as advised. They issue 2yrs not 3yrs

gentleiphy:


you have a student visa to Canada..that i understand.You will resume school in January 2017 in Canada..that too i understand...But is there any specific reason you want to enter US first before landing in Canada.Otherwise i would say as a student in Canada.you stand 100% chance of being granted 3yrs visit visa to US more than applying from Nigeria just because you have Canadian Student visa.The VO might look at why you want to pass through US when you can easily fly to Canada to resume your studies.

All the VO here in Canada needs to see is your enrolment document and student ID card and probably some term results sheets if you have done one semester.So do not fidget..land in Canada and forward match to Us embassy to collect your 3yrs Visa.

Pls does any1 knw aw 1 can get cheaper dollar than the black Market rate of 450 naira at the abj airport?

[quote author=nefertitiram post=48758114]Let's call a spade a spade. There r 5 things you need to overcome to 'qualify' for US visa.

Purpose of trip: why are you going to US? It needs to be a solid reason. If you are going for vacation, you should have visited a couple of other countries on holiday before. For business or conference it should be related to your profession. For medical, there's a checklist.
Where in US you are going to: Believe it or not, where you are going to matters. Going to Alabama as a tourist is strange. Going to Alaska in winter is also strange. Going to disneyland as an adult with no kids is strange. Going to Las Vegas with kids is strange. So yhis needs to be also tight.

Financial status: can you afford the trip? This is where your job or sponsors strength comes in. As an adult over 21yrs or a graduate going on holiday you shouldn't use a sponsor. It's expected you should be financially stable as an adult.

Travel History: US VOs have limited time to question you. They will be glad to rely on UK Europe Canada Australia etcs decisions to come to theirs. Let's put it that those places have done the work for them. Also, if you frequent other not so strong countries that have sticker visas (not just stamps) they will also help as a tourist.

Social status: marriage, kids, makes them more comfortable because you are most likely not going to abandon them and marry akatarian for papers, and even if you do, it's a long painful journey.

These will only help you judge yourself before paying the 53k and not a yardstick for visa issuance. That is strictly left for the VO.

If you have no travel history and you apply for tourism, you are doing try your luck. Weddings are also seen as tourist visits. When I had no travel history, nothing took me to US embassy cos I felt I didn't qualify. I jejeje faced Dubai, Qatar, Kenya, Ethiopia, then graduated to UK before approaching US. I also waited till I was married, even though I had a good job where I earned over 200k since when I was 20yrs old. I got the visa on the 1st try.

This one that visa is now 53k. Please judge unaself first before paying.

The enitre write up is my opinion and is open to criticism.

I agree with your points. I also want to say that your traveling to other countries doesn't still guaranty you a visa. Alot of people without no travel histories have gotten their visas approved. Stong Ties in your home country, your income and purpose are the main things to focus on.