Honesty is the key. The These people (VOs) are not stupid. The sort of things you hear people say makes you wonder and will definitely get anyone’s back up: like you must think am a fool.

I also noticed the emphasis to everyone that got the visa, the need to use the visa firstly for what you stated. I heard a vo ask a woman how long she was travelling for, she said 4months. The vo said, but you wrote one month in your form...they talked n talked on it. Finally, I am approving your visa, but pls make sure you don’t stay longer than 4 months as I have written 4 months for you. You will be stamped for 6 months but don’t be tempted to stay over 4 months. It will (not can) affect your renewal....

Things have really changed. Wishing all genuine visa applicants the very best.

awumen:
Oya, share transcript mak we learn na

In the spirit of giving back..
Location: Abuja

Me: Good morning
VO: Good Morning. I like your hair.
Me: Thank you
VO: How many children do you have?
Me: 2
VO: Was any born in the US?
Me: Both
VO: Your Bank Statements
Me: I didn’t bring along any for a Visit Visa. But I have all my receipts here. Passed to her
VO: How much did you spend for the delivery?
Me: I answered
VO: Hmm ok. How much was the hospital specifically?
Me: I answered
Vo: (looking through papers)but I see so so here
Me: If you look at it properly you would see I paid that amount before I left Nigeria and paid more when I got to the US
VO: That’s a lot
Me: it is what it is
VO: how much did you pay for the previous kid?
Me: about $4K lesser. I used same doctor and hospital. I have the receipts here (I passed it)
VO: No need. Why did you go back to same hospital?
Me: I enjoyed the services I got. So didn’t make sense to change for the unknown
VO: What do you do?
(At this time I was tired as I walked the gate route 2ce and she had put my passport in the bin they put it anyways)
Me: Told her
VO: How much do you make?
Me: My basic is .....
VO: Are you traveling with your family?
Me: No
VO: Does your husband have a US visa?
Me: No
VO: Is he applying for one?
Me: No he doesn’t need to
VO: You are not traveling with your kids?
Me: No
VO: Why?
Me: Have not had a “me time” since I started birthing
VO: laughs. U need it
VO: What does your husband do?
Me: Told her
VO: Will you be using this visa for birthing in the future?
Me: NO!! I am done
VO: laughs again. Why? Not even one more?
Me: I am done by God’s grace.
VO: Ok but it’s not a problem if you want to use it. Just avoid big discounts and do like you did with the others
Me: I just didn’t answer.. (abeg no koba mi. Na money to take care of these ones we are hustling for)
VO: I see you took a Nanny on your last trip
Me: Yes
VO: How much did you pay her
Me: I told her. I have all the transfer slips and her statement of account
VO: That’s ok. Did your child go to school in the US
(I wrote she will attend school in the nanny contract form)
Me: Yes.
VO: A public school?
Me: No a private school
VO: Why?
Me: Why what?
VO: Why private school and not public school?
Me: Oh! I know Public schools are funded by the govt and taxpayers. I am not a taxpayer and I want no complications so..
VO: How much did you pay at the school?
Me: so n so. I have the receipts here
(She typed n typed)
VO: (Smiles)Your visa has been approved but
Me: Ok
VO: Why are you going to ....
Me: I have been there but was unable to explore as I was pregnant
VO: Will you be getting a visa for your nanny this time?
Me: Yes but not now. When traveling with the whole family and it will be for a different Nanny.
VO: Why
Me: My other nanny passed her exams and would be going to college
(Types again)
VO: Good. Congrats
Me: Thanks
VO: Pls pick up your visa......I advise you use your visa for the initial purpose stated in your form
Me: Ok. Can I visit Las Vegas too, if I have the time?
VO: (laughs) me time? Yes u can
Me: (Finally me too smile) Thank you so much.
VO: Have a good day
Me: U too

awumen:
congrat.as long as mail is from the embassy,then it's possible however you might not receive at DHL until Monday/Tuesday

Thanks. Actually, checked status and it said ready for pickup..will chill till Tuesday though.

Hello everyone..
I had a successful visa renewal yesterday in Abuja. Got an email today saying passport ready for pickup..how possible is this?
Thanks

[quote author=sessibasi post=66082932][/quote]

In my opinion, I think it was easy for former MIHS Int’l patients simply cos the Obama administration was friendly towards immigrants, birth tourism, etc. It is now difficult cos Trump isn’t as we all know. They look for the flimsiest excuse to reject visa applications now.

If the OP, signed the residents contract unknowingly, then she’s in for it. Let’s also be aware that u can get a zero balance from the hospital but still have some kind of medic aid pay for the difference. My advice is, we should always still call after a little while to ascertain our hospital account status.

Hello. Like I promised to update: my nanny got her visa today. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I wrote what I would truly give her for a salary- which is 1.5x her present salary n also a weekly upkeep.
Thanks to everyone that had an input. By the way, she was grilled on her duties, plans, working hours, etc

Ulio:


It was her post that made me request for mine..which states "this is not a bill and doew not reflect what you are being asked to pay. This is an itemization of hospital servroices which hospitals are required to provide upon request and includes amounts from the hospital master list of charges which every hospital is required to maintain"

My point is the amount in this itemised bill is not the discounted amount I paid and I have a zero balance

Mine reflects everything including actual amount, discounted amount and what I paid. It doesn’t state this is not a bill.

Omodadi2:
I was interviewed again today(3rd time)


VO: Do you have the proper documentations this time?
Yes I do, which one would you like to see

VO:Doctors correspondence and expenses
I gave her all email communications, appointment confirmation, expenses sheet from doctor, my budget sheet of $20,100

VO: checked very well, and asked for financial cover
Gave her Nigeria bank statement, US statement, payslips, employment letter from my office.

VO: checked through and said, sorry you are not eligible for the visa.

I went ahead this time to asked her why I am not eligible, she referred me to online information for medical tourism criteria and the documents required, I told her these are all required, tell me whc isn't there.

VO: You brought them but they are not making sense. I also said sorry, is it the account statements or the doctors correspondence and I feel you could ask a question or two if there's something not clear to you. ? VO kept mute and later said that everythingis there on paper, you don't need to be explained anything.

I wanted to talk again then she said she's sorry, she may not be able to give me any more information. Have a nice day!

I feel bad for you, but let's try to look at it all over again, forgetting what you think you know. The first bolder question from VO, definitely shows there is something somewhere- no matter how minute that is missing or wrong with your documentation. The 2nd bolded statement, confirms this.

ACCOUNTS:
Can you try and go through your statement of account anew? There might be a deposit or withdrawal that is flagged. Maybe an irregular huge deposit? Did u print your Nigeria statement online or u went to the bank? Could u call your US bank, to confirm activities on your account are norm? This might just be nothing, but when something is missing u search for it in a crazy, absurd way. Would the money in yo account cover your med bills, emergency med issues, enough for the expenses of the num of people travelling plus nanny salary, and still have a healthy balance for when u return to Nigeria? If the leftover is small, the VO might think it doesn't make sense to spend all your savings on childbirth

MEDICAL:
Is there any term in your correspondence, u don't understand? Check to see that the amount quoted isn't varying in any other of your correspondence. The hospital you are using, does it correspond with the address you wrote in your form? What about your bills from the previous childbirth? Look through your itemized bill to see that the self-pay deductions are not overly ridiculous, also call the hospital to make sure they are just plain deductions and not being settled by some kind of aid. Do you have all the zero receipts, if not a total package: doctor, hospital, pediatrics, lab, anaesthesiologist, etc

NANNY:
I remember you tried for your nanny too. Hope you don't have contradictory info?

If your hubby and child are travelling too: they just might find it suspicious (though so many others have done this n got their visa). They might see it as no ties especially if your returning balance is also low.

I am just drawing at straws here..but try look at it over again. Finally, it might be God working in His mysterious ways. Pray again about it and if convinced, try again in a different location: Abuja
Wish u the very best!

T

ugoguchy:
any LA bound momma in the house?
leaving naija by march

I am LA bound and leaving thereabout too.

sugah:

Hmmmm. Hopefully I don't kobalize myself
So, unfortunately (or fortunately) at the time of her application I didn't read the excerpts from the link mamar*n posted so I was unaware of the US state prevalent minimum wage clause. Hence I didn't include it in

Thanks for your response. Truth is I don’t think any VO would believe anyone who says $3500 or thereabout would be paid. Except you are a high ranking diplomat or ....

Will pray to be directed on how to go about it. $1k a lot of money but not bad at all.

Thanks

beautyuche:
Happy sunday to you all

Please how do I apply for baby passport without notorised letter from my husband.

Is it possible to not write his name on the birth certificate or ssn?

How do single mothers apply for passport.

I don't see my husband going to abuja or lagos for this document so a second option will be appreciated.

It's not a good idea not to have the father of the child's name on the birth certificate.i won't advice that at all. He should pls try and make the sacrifice of going to Lag/Abj for his child's sake. Cheers

mamaron:


It's definitely a lot of money! But that's their law.......

I would advise that if you can't pay the minimum wage, then don't take her...harsh as it may seem....maybe consider taking a relative...mother...or sister....or husband

It will be a bad move to take her and not pay the min wage...conscience wise and immigration wise also....if you're ever asked to prove that you actually paid.

In all honesty, the money won't be much if Nigeria was what it's meant to be. Conscience wise, am good o cos I know she's earning good money some graduates don't earn! Her workload isn't much as my toddler goes to school till 4pm n she doesn't cook or do general housekeeping. Immigration wise, is the ish.

I slipped into a severe postpartum depression after my last child. Am trying to avoid it this time round. See you! Take hubby? Won't he work to make money for the battalion we are...lol.

Thanks a lot for all...will update on whatever I do. Cheers

daxx:
Hello everyone. I had my interview recently and I was denied. The VO assumed we didn’t have enough funds to cover the trip as DH transferred the money to my account. ( I used my salary account statement which showed my then salary of 186k. I say then because it is now slightly above 200k.) She also didn’t bother to look at my money market statement which also had some funds in it. I want to reapply but I want to clarify a few things.

1. I transferred the money back to DH’s account as I want to carry his statement in addition to mine this time around. We will also be liquidating our fixed deposit and investment accounts to show we can cover the expenses. Would this put us in a better position?

2. My father in law has also offered to give me his boa statement and his dom acct statement as neither I nor DH have any. Is it wise to take up this offer or will it spoil my chances?

Everybody seems to be blaming me for telling the truth and applying for a medical visa as they believed I would have gotten the visa if I had said I was only visiting because I don’t have an obvious belly.

You definitely did the right thing. You might have gotten the visa if u didn't declare your intention but u could have been sent back at POE of it could affect your renewal!

My experience with honesty was on my last missionary journey. It wasn't obvious I was pregnant and had been stamped in for vacation but I corrected the CBP officer that I was also there for childbirth. My sister went same time with me as our edd was just 2 weeks apart. She didn't declare she was pregnant. We used same hospital, doctor, and all but she was called for an interview for her renewal but I wasn't!

I personally, don't think you should liquidate anything yet. Just make it clear u can have access to them asap if needed. I also wished u didn't transfer back the money but went back with your statement as it is but still supporting with your DH's statement of account. Have a budget sheet showing what you need and make sure it corresponds with your funds. Your FIL's account is a no no. Just look for a hospital that tallies with your funds.

Wish you all the best in your next application.

mamaron:


Sorry to sound like a broken record. Pls check the link carefully. If it was me, I would get a separate contract for the U.S. trip....You would also need to state the exact amount of the minimum wage (there is a link there with the min wages for the different states)...i think the lowest is about $7.25....there are also details in the requirements about max working hours and overtime pay.

They do this to prevent human trafficking and slave labour.

Pls ensure you indicate all the points on the site on the contract otherwise there may be delays..... she may be sent back....not denied....but told to return again with a comprehensive contract......at least this is what happened to a nanny I know in 2015.

You should also be prepared to pay this minimum wage and meet the other conditions in the contract....not just write it...but actually do it! It is not a cheap venture!!!!

http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng/ng-niv-typedomesticemployee.asp

I have gone through the link carefully. Yes, they actually want a new contract for the trip to States. Not to sound ungrateful for your input, but just being realistic: is there anyone that actually takes a domestic staff from Nigeria and pays them N1M+ per month? I actually don't pay her myself anymore as I got her employed to my company after 6 months of being with me. 35k is her basic salary, her total is about 52k or so. I was going to supplement with extra 35k/month personally- but truth is, that's still way below the minimum wage.

I will see how it goes but definitely come and share whatever the outcome is here, if I still decide to take her. She is already looking forward to going but if it will pose a problem I would rather ditch it, abeg!

Thanks a lot for your immense input, truly appreciated.

sugah:

Hmmmmm this is dicey.
But I'd say give her all documents that you think would help her get the visa. Your visa page and her employment contract being the most important.
Since you got the visa prior to getting pregnant, if I were you I'd use this opportunity to set things right. Use your cover letter to explain this and include your doctors correspondence, payment receipts, accommodation arrangements etc. For good measure, include your scan results showing LMP and due date so they know you got pregnant after your visa issuance.
...This is my own opinion but others might have differing ideas.




@bolded, are you actually going to pay minimum rate (you should check minimum wage first o, that 35k might be a days wage.) or just including that in your contract? I don't think there's any need to misrepresent...

I got the visa about 8 months prior to pregnancy: I believe that's abundantly clear it's after my renewal. Though I have no issues giving her all the documents as am using same doctor n hospital I used for my last child.

On minimum wage, it's a dicey one. I am going to LA n the minimum wage per hour is about $12-15. My intention was to pay double her basic salary: but even at that it is still way below the minimum rate. The monthly rate is about $3500. Pls did u pay anything in that range to your nanny? How did you go about it, that is, if u don't mind sharing?
Thanks

Omodadi2:


My introduction letter from the office
Payslips
Bank Account Statements
Doctors correspondence
Budget sheet

I didn't not put the contract letter but they have asked us to bring it.

Thanks and I wish u the best with your visa.

sugah:

I wasn't travelling for childbirth but for a training.

I actually got my visa via drop box. So it isn’t like I declared childbirth as I wasn’t even close to being pregnant then. So should I still send the childbirth documents? Kinda confused about it. Thanks

mamaron:


Below is the link for requirements for nannies/domestic staff to guide you.

http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng/ng-niv-typedomesticemployee.asp

As @sugah said the employement contract is super important. Esp the minimum wage requirements for the specific state you'll be visiting and the other terms that they want to see in the employment contract as listed in the link above.

She should be aware of the details of the employment contract.

Thanks for your time. I have an employment contract with her and pay her 35k/ month. Will just have to adjust to say that whenever we travel out of the country she will be paid the minimum rate of the place we visit. Is that ok? God bless u

sugah:

I only gave her a copy of my visa page/ son's data page when she went in and she was placed on administrative processing and I was asked to bring her employment contract. So I drafted a cover letter stating how long she had been with me(6months), a testament of her character and that I'd be taking care of all expenses and also her employment contract showing her working hours and wages.

So she would need to request for an interpreter, give her your visa page, a cover letter and her employment

Thanks a lot for responding. Pls are you saying the only thing you gave her were your visa pages? No hospital appointment, no evidence of payment et al?? All I need is that, her employment contract and a cover letter?

Thanks once again!

Omodadi2:



Your willing be fine as spoken English isn't a criteria for the visa. Once she can answer the few important questions of :

Where are you going
What are you going to do
How long are you staying
How did you know your emoloyer
How long have you worked with her

Answered as it is on the DS 160 form, she'll be fine.
Wish her the best!

Thanks for your response.
Pls on the documents to be given to her, what should it consist of?

My doctor’s appointment
My evidence of payment
My visa page

Pls kindly assist with what exactly u gave her. I have searched for it but not making any headway.
Thanks

chibertha:
To give her more confidence start by telling her what to say and how to carry herself when she gets to her
���

Thanks for your advice. Will start prepping her big time.

Omodadi2:



Yes, you can re-apply if not approved. I did for my nanny twice, second was approved.

Best of luck!

Hello @Omodadi2. Please how did you go about visa for your nanny? What documents did u give her?

My other problem is my nanny is a young 23 year old girl with secondary school certificate, but unfortunately she is always scared yo speak with people she doesn't know cos her english is very poor. Please any advise on how to deal with this cos she will be going to the embassy alone as I have my visa: renewed via dropbox.

Your response would be highly appreciated.
Thanks