boo4u:
Good day ma. I would like you to please explain what a crime of moral turpitude is. Here is my case, I was once arrested and given a police caution for a case of shoplifting in the UK for an item valued less than £20. I have never had any other problem with the police aside this case which even happened as a sign on foolishness on my own side which I regret till today, now here is my question, does this make me permanently inadmissible, because my partner is about to petition for me, ma, I would like to confirm if my situation makes me inadmissible, hence my immigrant visa application rejected. I'm asking this so that we don't just waste our time and resources on something that wouldn't work ma, nd also so we can think of other ways of being together which may be really hard because coming back to settle in Nigeria might be a very big problem. Thanks in anticipation ma.

I'm glad to report that it doesn't sound like your arrest quite meets the threshold of moral turpitude. Theft is, technically, a crime of moral turpitude, but if it's your only offense and you weren't sentenced to more than six months imprisonment, it won't be a permanent ineligibility. In fact, we'll respect you for being honest about it. Hope this helps!

rastery:
Good evening our dearest VO,you have been a good representative of the united states of america and more strenght and wisdom I pray thee.I will need your enlightenment on the issue of visa bulletin(dv monthly release),from my findings of previous years of dv cut offs I observe two things that the case number is usually upto 81000 below and any year that does not occur their is this terminology called 'current',and according to what I have always read no country can have more than 7 percent of the total visa which invariably is 3500. My question is this, countries that the total number of selectees is not up to 1800 or 1000 as the year differs and at end of the dv programme by september some of the selectees case numbers was higher than the case number of the ending month and they already filled the form ds260 form what will happen to their case? And that word 'current' what is the meaning ma, thanks for your understanding

You're absolutely right that no country can have more than 3,500 Diversity Visas issued every year. Although Nigeria is no longer eligible, we do see some applicants who are chargeable to other countries -- for instance, if their parents were born in Benin, etc. For the purposes of answering your question, let's pretend we're in Benin. Benin is part of the Africa region, so their DV cases, as in other African countries, will begin with the case number 2015AFetc. 2015AF0001 could be from Benin while 2015AF0002 could be in Niger. So it's not as if numbers 2015AF0001 to 2015AF03500 are all from one country, and as soon as 2015AF03500 is interviewed, that country is done. No, they're spread all around the Africa region, and randomly. Also, keep in mind that a lot of people never show for their interviews, and that a lot of people don't qualify.

Even so, when a country gets to 3,500 Diversity Visas, that's it, game over for that country that year. So it's possible that a country could use up all its DVs before the end of the season.

A DV case is current when its rank number (the part after 2015AF) is eligible to be scheduled for an interview per the Visa Bulletin. Some people with very high case numbers may never be called for interviews, unfortunately, because no visas can be printed after Sept. 30 each year.

adeolu0510:
Hello ma, my dad filed in for me in 2008 under F2b, I've been contacted by NVC to send in my documents which I've done but I also sent in my father's naturalisation certificate which he got shortly after NVC contacted me. Pls, does that mean I will be converted to F1 automatically.

The conversion should happen automatically, unless your father asked NVC to let you remain an F2B.

natacha9589:
Good morning Madam, I hope all is well? I have a question for you. If a K1 visa appointment has already been scheduled can the date be changed?? If so how do we make the change?? Thank you.

You should be able to make the change through the appointment website. If not, shoot us an e-mail and ask for instructions. LagosIV@state.gov

yemispeed:
Evening ma, my name is Yemisi I became a citizen thru my parent 2004 but left the states to school in Nigeria. I got married to my husband April 2015, and came to the states May our marriage is just two months can I start the filing of green card now.cos presently am looking for a job in Newyork. Your help will go a long way thanks

Yes, you can go ahead and file the I-130 now. The sooner you file it, the sooner the interview will be!

abiola30:
Hello Sir/Ma. My mother filed for me and after so many years I was called for interview on July 18 2014 which was successful but the medical result was delayed till September. The medical result was good and the embassy called that my case is in administrative process since then. It has been 11 months now, no call and no response from embassy, what should I do? Kindly give your advice.

Please send an e-mail to LagosIV@state.gov and ask for an update. If the case is under administrative processing, that means we're still working, but your e-mail will bring the case to our attention again so we can contact whatever office is responsible for the administrative processing and ask them if they can please conclude their review so we can move forward.

JADESOLA15:
Hello VO. Quick one, as at the time of submitting my application, due to one problem on the system, I couldnt print the application. Now i cant seems to remember the correct date(Possible date for the trip) i indicated on the application for my trip and my interview is schedule for July 2015. What can I do Mam?

This sounds like a question for the non-immigrant visa thread.

lizziepeks:


Good Evening ma, wanted to ask ma if my physical case is now in Lagos. Thank you ma

AEO

Sorry, I'm not in Lagos at the moment! You could e-mail LagosIV@state.gov and ask.

grandlexuz:
Good evening Visa Officer. My cousin just won the Diversity Immigrant Lottery Visa.( By the way he is Cameroonian). Unfortunately six years ago he served a 2 year sentence for mismanagement at his work place. What are his chances of getting his DV visa issued? Should he continue with the process or is it going to be a waste of time and resources?

I think it would depend on exactly what he did that constituted "mismanagement." http://www.cba.org/cba/cle/pdf/imm06_chang_app1.pdf isn't a U.S. Government site but they do publish our definition of a crime involving moral turpitude; I'd have your cousin read it and see what he thinks. Good luck!

(accidental double post)

Remmyode:
Hello VO

A friend name John Oladele born in Kumasi, Ghana to Ghanian woman but later relocated to nigeria with both parent at age 7. He played Dv Lottery 2015 and won. He"s got all his papers that proves his ghanian status but he prefer to travel with the nigerian passport because he is a nigerian as well.

Pls advise.

Not sure what your question is?

tonyphil:

Good morning VO
Interview is tomorrow... I guess it's ok that I feel anxious....I have my original documents including my child's birth certificate(anything to prove our marriage is going strong...) I do not have the original copy of my police report because like i informed u earlier...it wasn't returned to me by the VO at my last interview... I hope it won't b an issue ....
Lastly ...which is the official date of my marriage... Is it the date we had the traditional ceremony or the date on the marriage certificate...
Thank you VO for everything... Hopefully I am able to tell you this in person tomorrow ...

I'm late to the party. How did the interview go? I hear we're having computer problems -- did that affect your case?

saonti:
Dear Office thanks for you time share with us ,

two year ago , I had an girl friend we love each other ,last year I won Dv lottery green card , we get marriage and send document to kcc ,
last week we had an interview in Ankara ,
officer inquest us for 2 hours , we had very hard time ,
he asked every thing ,like
when did you meet , where did you meet ,
at the end he said I don’t accept your marriage , you had shame marriage ,while I love my wife .
even after we provide many documents ,he give me an blue paper and told me you need to divorce to stay in process a dv visa
At the end of interview he said if you love her you can apply after getting the green card ,
Its kill 3 years of our time during this process he ask us to be a part what can I do
Its just blowing up a family take it apart
Please any advice is appreciated

Sorry to hear this. It sounds like the officer wasn't convinced that your marriage is bona fide. I'm afraid there's really nothing that can be done, except to file for your spouse when you arrive in the United States.

Dyke004:
Its nice reading all the comments here and especially the ones from the VO. Its awesome that a VO can have time to attend to peoples issues. Thank you so much.
I have a younger brother who is an LPR and has a little business he is running in US with his American wife. My question is, can he employ me as a staff? and if possible, can i use the employment letter to apply for immigration visa?
Thank you

Well, he can try, but if he's just doing it to bring you to the U.S., it's going to be a tough sell. Check out http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/employment.html to see the rules for employment-based visas.

koskikun:
Hello VO. Please is there anyway to know if my interview has been rescheduled. I keep reading about people getting turned back at the embassy. I haven't received any email or calls from the embassy but those people claim they didn't either so im a bit concerned.
Thank you.

Shoot us an e-mail at LagosIV@state.gov and ask us to confirm your appointment date. Thanks!

Riz2015:


Can you please tell me what does that code means.

No clue, sorry. I'd Google it but this computer is TERRIBLE!

Hi Visa Officer. I need ur help pls, i have two kids who were interviewed for immigrant visa since october 2014 and still under administrative processing, its now 8 months after the interview. I just wanna know whats going on please help

Dear Visa Officer,

I recently relocated, my wife has already picked up her visa as well.

Can i still email the Lagos IV section for an address update even after case is done with at the Consulate?

Is it also advisable to update the address with the(DHS) Department of Homeland Security at the port of entry?

Will i be calling/notifying the (SSA) Social Security Administration to make sure that her social security card will be sent to the new address?

Please respond accordingly whenever you have a moment!

Appreciated!

VisaOfficer:


Awww, I'm sorry I missed her! I've only done one spouse case so far today -- not your wife. I hope all went well?

VisaOfficer:


I'm glad to report that it doesn't sound like your arrest quite meets the threshold of moral turpitude. Theft is, technically, a crime of moral turpitude, but if it's your only offense and you weren't sentenced to more than six months imprisonment, it won't be a permanent ineligibility. In fact, we'll respect you for being honest about it. Hope this helps!

So happy to hear that. I wasn't even sentenced at all. So I guess I should be fine. Thanks a lot VO. God bless

VisaOfficer:


I'm late to the party. How did the interview go? I hear we're having computer problems -- did that affect your case?

Dear VO,

I was approved yesterday but was told there is a system problem and an email will be sent to me with regards to pick update. What is it with your systems? I am an I.T Specialist and i can help if need be (Just teasing) . Please have you come out of the computer problems yet? If not, do you have like a time frame for this issue to be resolved? Well, not like I have a choice than to wait but just curious. Your response would be appreciated.

Cheers

Hello.
This is as regards an F3 petition. I have an interview with my family at the end of July.
I recently had a baby who was not on the original application.
I have sent an email to the consulate in Lagos and they say he has been added to it.
I was told to fill a DS 260 online for him. I was also told I will pay $325 on the day of the interview for him.
my question is how do I fill a DS 260 for him online when I have not paid the required fees. When I sign in on ceac.state.gov, I don't see his name on the list.
Thanks in advance

Good morning Ma'am VO,

I would like to make some inquiries. My husband, a US citizen, filed for me when I was in country A (for studies), hoping I'd be called for interview before I left country A, but I wasn't. Now am in country B (my country of birth) and have been assigned a case number different from the one I was given when I was in country A (that was after we notified NVC). I do want to know if this is already in your records as my DS-260 confirmation page has a different case number from the one on my interview letter?

In addition, my husband has moved to a different state (work related), meaning you still have his old address. My question is would it affect us at the POE or we are good? If not, what can we do?

Hoping to read from you soonest. Thank you very much.

VisaOfficer:


You're absolutely right that no country can have more than 3,500 Diversity Visas issued every year. Although Nigeria is no longer eligible, we do see some applicants who are chargeable to other countries -- for instance, if their parents were born in Benin, etc. For the purposes of answering your question, let's pretend we're in Benin. Benin is part of the Africa region, so their DV cases, as in other African countries, will begin with the case number 2015AFetc. 2015AF0001 could be from Benin while 2015AF0002 could be in Niger. So it's not as if numbers 2015AF0001 to 2015AF03500 are all from one country, and as soon as 2015AF03500 is interviewed, that country is done. No, they're spread all around the Africa region, and randomly. Also, keep in mind that a lot of people never show for their interviews, and that a lot of people don't qualify.

Even so, when a country gets to 3,500 Diversity Visas, that's it, game over for that country that year. So it's possible that a country could use up all its DVs before the end of the season.

A DV case is current when its rank number (the part after 2015AF) is eligible to be scheduled for an interview per the Visa Bulletin. Some people with very high case numbers may never be called for interviews, unfortunately, because no visas can be printed after Sept. 30 each year.

thanks VO for the reply,well I can see you stilll remember my coversation with you about being born here in Nigeria and my parents being Beninois,thank God I was able to get the Benin passport after a year of hard and tidious processing,well there is nothing to hide in my case as all the necessary information needed have been submitted through the form DS260 and my case number is 2015AF00071382 I only hope the cut off got there by september because as of now it is 44250, and if not life still continue,thanks for that analogy you gave up there it was interesting to read!! God bless.

VisaOfficer:


I'm late to the party. How did the interview go? I hear we're having computer problems -- did that affect your case?

Interview went well ...visa approved but I need to go get another police report because I only have d photocopy... Remember I told u I submitted d original at d k1 interview ..but never got it back ...
So I have to submit a new one at d collection center....
Glad to have my visa approved...tanx VO for everything

tonyphil:

Interview went well ...visa approved but I need to go get another police report because I only have d photocopy... Remember I told u I submitted d original at d k1 interview ..but never got it back ...
So I have to submit a new one at d collection center....
Glad to have my visa approved...tanx VO for everything

.

Big Congrats tonyphil. So happy for you. Your immigration journey is finally done with. Wish you well as u reunite with your wife and kid.

Good day VO. Please I want to know if this issue is going to hamper my getting an immigrant visa and what steps I can take to prevent such.

Here's the issue, my names are:
Surname: Akinrewa
First given name: Biodu
Other names : Emma, Fida.

The above names were exactly used for my immigrant visa application, however my international passport only bears Akinrewa biodu emma (without fida).
Please does it matter?
Are they going to see this as a problem at the embassy & how can I remedy this please?

Someone suggested I swear an affidavit in support of that. Please will this help?
Thanks.

NB: i've tried going back to the immigration office to include the name Fida in my international passport, but it's almost impossible to do so cos I don't have the amount of money it'll cost & they've also informed me that my request might still be denied even after spending such huge amount of money.
What do I do please?

Thank you.

ammicable:


Dear VO,

I was approved yesterday but was told there is a system problem and an email will be sent to me with regards to pick update. What is it with your systems? I am an I.T Specialist and i can help if need be (Just teasing) . Please have you come out of the computer problems yet? If not, do you have like a time frame for this issue to be resolved? Well, not like I have a choice than to wait but just curious. Your response would be appreciated.

Cheers

Answering this one from my e-reader -- will find a real computer later to answer the rest. We could use your help! We're experiencing worldwide computer problems affecting passports and visas of all categories. Our specialists are working on it, but it's really affecting our operations. I apologize for the delays and will keep you posted as I learn more!

VisaOfficer:


Answering this one from my e-reader -- will find a real computer later to answer the rest. We could use your help! We're experiencing worldwide computer problems affecting passports and visas of all categories. Our specialists are working on it, but it's really affecting our operations. I apologize for the delays and will keep you posted as I learn more!

Thank you very much. Tell your technicians to restart the systems, sometimes its as simple as that

More delays ahead? I'm guessing this affects IVs as well...

State Dept suspends overseas passport, visa issuance - Associated Press

The State Department said Friday it has been forced to suspend the issuance of U.S. passports and visas at its overseas diplomatic missions due to a glitch that has hit one of its computer databases.

In a statement posted to its travel.state.gov website, the department said a hardware failure in its Consular Consolidated Database glitch has left overseas embassies and consulates unable to print visas, regular passports and other travel documents. This means that people who submitted online applications for passports and visas on or after June 9 will likely experience delays in processing, it said....

"We cannot bypass the legal requirements necessary to screen visa applicants before we issue visas for travel," it said. "As a result, there is a backlog of visas waiting to be processed. We are working as quickly as possible to resolve the issue and to clear the backlog.... Security measures prevent consular officers from printing a passport, report of birth abroad or visa until the case completes the required national security checks," it said.

More details about the failure were not immediately available.

The consular database was taken down last July by another technical glitch that had the same effect but the department said the current issue is unrelated. The department said it was working "urgently to identify the problem and correct it."

"We expect the systems to be fully operational again soon," it said, but offered no timeline.

Hello VisaOfficer,

Good afternoon and how is your weekend going?
A Woman is filling for husband from the United state of america.
Pls, what is the minimum and maximum amount of money (USD) that must be in the petition's bank account
in the US when filling the affidavit of support form (AOS) in the section where they ask if she's is taking responsibility of the husband expenses before he gets a Job.

Also, what are all other document to support the AOS
He was told Police fingerprints, marriage certificate and birth certificate.
What other details?

As well, what will be the next thing that will be required and for how long will it take for America Embassy here in lagos nigeria to schedule interview for him when the affidavit of support (AOS) form is submitted and all the pmt that was asked to pay has been paid?

Pls help me out with what to know....

Thanks