₦airaland Forum

Sorry guys for not updating earlier things have been hectic for the last one week.

Well I have been in this country for 10days now and things have been moving really quickly. My SSN came in on Friday. Already scheduled my driving tests already, had to read a manual cuz I have one online thingy b4 having the road test.

Everything here is bigger the roads are smoother not really congested but one thing I noticed is that kids don't really respect their elders, you know back home everyone is so respectful and all but here if u dey wait for greeting u are on along thing o. No issues concerning that for me.

Already have some job opportunities based on the Nigerian community here but I am still taking my time sha, the weather is still okay but it gets a bit cold at nights I have been told to enjoy while it still lasts.

One thing I observed again is the price of fuel, men we dey flex for naija we no know a litre here is close to 3 dollars maybe that's why vehicles ain't much on the roads.

All in all its been a nice experience and I know it majorly becuz I had a soft landing cuz without ur papers men things will be tight.

Still trying to figure out this picture thingy here on nairaland once I do I will begin to upload some I have taken so far.

Cheers.

So I finally landed in the US yesterday and the journey was a bit hectic but we thank God for His mercies, left Nigeria on Wednesday with British Airways was a smooth journey but had to drop some things back home cus my baggage was over weight, got to london by after 5 but had a five hour layover before my next flight.

Heathrow is a very large airport escalators everywhere trains to take you from one part of the airport to another and all. By 10 to 11 my final trip to my poe started was 8 and 1/2hrs mild turbulence but all in all was good. The food on the plane was something i have never seen b4, imagine eating purple salad?

Got to O'hare international airport chicago didñt waste time at the cbp just handed in my envelope and was directed to another officer who collected them and told me to sit down. Tried calling my mom but was told i cant make calls in the airport. Within 5mins i was processed and told to queue so I could have my bags checked. Was lucky cus the officer told me to go.

Last part of my journey was taking the bus to milwaukee journey lasted like 2hrs had a white lady besides me the woman can talk for 5 people, she know know as e dey do me.

Finally got home and all is well, going to get my social security no today. Gats to hit the ground running.

londoner:
And you have 419 in your username? Why?

My moniker my choice.

pretty16:
Hi bro, hope u had a smooth trip and resting from the long trip. We Hope to hear from u soon. Meanwhile my mom received a letter from NVC today. I think its the CC letter because its states that they have received all docs concerning the case and that the applicant is now in the queue awaiting an interview appointment overseas. Everything is in Gods hands.

Thats great news, congrats.

Afam4eva:
The Best Bro..

Pls, do us a favour and post pictures of the journey.

Sure

So the past couple of days has been hectic, getting my thing's together buying the usual Nigeria foods which was requested from my mom and last but not least seeing friends who I know it might be awhile before we see again.

All in all its been a good experience. Countdown till the D-day.

Arondizuogu:
He was but the embassy misplaced his DNA and didn't call me to come for my own DNA.
My plans now is to get married but if it doesn't work, I pray my bros or sis files for me

Its best to get married cus your sibling filing for you is on a long thing, like 12years or more wait time and that's if they are citizens.

Arondizuogu:
One stupid DNA mishap. Thinking of getting married.

Wow, so your dad aint your dad or what? Anyways since you are there already you can make things work in your favor. All the best.

Arondizuogu:
No hating bro, absolutely no hating but things like this bleeps me up. I also started with the immigrant visa, my dad was a citizen. Well my three siblings got their immigrant visa which was cool. Can u imagine I couldn't get mine, had to move out with an F1 student visa. That student visa is just not so good. Nothing pass immigrant visa ooo, use it wisely.
Anyways I live in Minnesota, which city u moving to?

Why couldn't you get yours? Well I am going to Wisconsin, Milwaukee to be precise. Made a mistake about Minnesota.

pretty16:
God will not let them derail the thread. I think Chokey419 should be leaving this weekend, that's if he hasn't already left. So he would be updating his thread pretty soon after he settles in. Guess that's why he has been silent. Keeping our fingers crossed and waiting for updates from him.

I am actually leaving on Wednesday by His grace. Been busy that's why I haven't really been online.

NONNYG:
I can relate to the bolded part, let's be sincere to ourselves Mac Donald work abroad pays higher than that of a professor in Nigeria, so wat are we now talking. Anyway let's not debate on this, allow the OP to entertain us with his thread

When I was a corper we used to complain about our state allowee not being enough compared to other states in Nigeria i served in Niger by the way, back then the governor came to address us and he was talking about purchasing power, he said that what 5k will get you in Niger cannot get you that in a state like Abuja for example. Same goes to foreign countries yea looking at the exchange rate we may reason that everything is gravy, but its purchasing power that comes into play. You may be earning $2000 and just getting by in yankee but with that $2000 in Nigeria you are balling. Its all relative i guess.

Pidgin2:
Lol the truth is if this op gets Mac Donald work abroad he will not see it as an insult to his degree but if na here he will never accept it then complain that there's no job. I know many graduates and promising Nigerians flipping burger abroad with pride , doing waitress/waiter job with joy but here even to teach and impact knowledge on others they will see it as menial Enjoy

I can't speak for other peeps but as for myself I have done worse jobs than flipping burgers in Nigeria and I honestly don't see it as a big deal, yeah I am a graduate but when your degree hasn't got you a plum job you have to do with what you see. I don't want to get into the whole "why you leaving your country argument"

I believe I have an opportunity to better my standard of living and I am going to utilise it to best I can. Hardwork doesn't kill.

Pidgin2:
So as he has gotten U.S stay it means he will not have any problems in this life again or what na?

OP, if you like don't prepare for reality, you think say because light dey 24/7 na free abi? You must work for every dollar you earn and pay for anything you use, enjoy. Congrats

Thank you.

salsera:
Chokey419

Well done.
Didn't know you had to resubmit documents, NVC stage is not easy.
I honestly wish that some immigration reform comes that sorts out these timelines cos the paperwork for thousands must be an administrative nightmare.

I agree visa journey site is a good one. Clears up misconceptions and avoidable mistakes.

So what airline are you going with? Its a looong flight.
Your siblings still got a long wait though. I think timeline for F3 is 14 years but they're halfway there.

Have you considered work opportunities? Would you get another degree?

I am going with British Airways, yeah my siblings still have some way to go.

Concerning work, I am thinking of getting another degree cus what we use here aint really worth anything over there. But if there is a way i can convert my flight dispatch license to FAA certified then things may go a bit smoother.

Just waiting to get there then I can weight my options.

So my journey started over 7years ago when my mum filed a petition for me and my siblings, back then didn't I really know how the whole situation really worked just thot that we will be called for an interview really soon but atlas it wasn't so.

Fast forward to 2013 we were called by the embassy here in Lagos for a Dna test which turned out positive, then too I thot the interview will be really close but I was wrong again. That's when I found out about visa journey, its a forum for matters like the situation we were in. Heard about things like priority date, different categories of visas like F2A, F2B, F3 and the likes.

Back then I had just finished my youth service and was really optimistic that things will workout fine for me concerning employment and all so yankee wasn't really a pressing issue as at then.

October last year was when we recieved the welcome letter from NVC that we can now start sending in our supporting documents since our priority date will be current in the next couple of months. To say I was elated is a massive understatement, the Labour market hadn't really favoured me since I finished serving and even then I was undergoing a course at NCAT Zaria in the hope that my "Uncle" will secure a job at one of the Airlines in Nigeria.

By late January this year our documents were submitted to NVC for review which takes about 11weeks and if everything is on point will be forwarded to the consulate in lagos but atlas things didn't work like that, we needed to resubmit some other documents which reset our time back to another 11 weeks, the documents where gathered and submitted around April then the waiting game began.

Since the time of filing and hearing from the NVC my siblings got married so their category changed from FB1 to F3, it has a longer waiting time but it will cover both them their spouses and kids.

By early July I got the news I was waiting for, a case complete letter few days later my interview was scheduled for the second week of August. Scheduled my medical, gathered my documents needed for my interview then the waiting began.

The interview was the shortest ever in my life tops was like 2mins b4 i heard the magical words "you have been approved" was kinda of worried because the dude b4 me was approved also but he wasn't given a visa he was told to comeback by Oct. Another old lady too had issues with her medical.

Thank God for His mercies.

comradespade:
Present sir

God protection over you...check somethings out on mackynaija, originalsly n franknetter's thread to give an intro about what u are about to start

Let me fasten my seat belt

Yea I follow those threads but hardly comment there, very enlightening.

Originalsly:
Hmmm.....moving to the US permanently next week?... Really?...if true I would expect you to say moving to Dallas, Texas...... Brooklyn, New York....something like that. But not too late....you can go to Google and pick a city and State.

My mom lives in Minnesota so thats where I will be for starters.

mrjojo:
Family based F1? or you meant F2?
There is nothing like this. Moreover F1 visa is a study based visa not meant for "permanent" relocation.

Mr oga Google is your friend, FB1 is a visa for unmarried sons and daughters of U.S citizens. F1 is a student visa.

greatnaija01:
are you giving out any of your stuff? so we can come and buy?

Sorry thats been sorted out already.

etiosa97:
What kind of visa did you apply for?

Was actually a family based visa F1 to be precise.

pretty16:
Yaay! We are following. Patiently waiting for updates. No fears. God is with you on this journey. Greater things ahead.

Thanks alot. You got any news yet?

So basically I am moving to the US permanently next week, started this thread to share my preparations, fears and challenges which I may encounter on my journey to a new beginning..



Enjoy

To get visa na one thing to be admitted thru POE is another thing entirely. God bless all our efforts.

Travelling with British Airways transit through heathrow does one need a transit visa?

I am travelling to the states on the 27th of this month, been hearing alot of horror stories about Nigerian Customs/Immigration. Pls what are the things to expect from them? I am going on a family based visa so my ticket is one way, hope i wont have issues?

jonjr023:
Pls Hi everyone,
pls I just had my F4 family based interview 2days ago and below is what
i was told. that they have reached FY-2017 annual limits in the F2A,FX & F4 categories
no visa numbers till further notice. if you not receive your visa by October 1 pls contact us
with your case number.
so my question is
1. do think i got the immigrant visa
2. is there anyone who has had similar issue

thanks

Was you passport retained? If so you will get your visa b4 the afore mentioned date.

joeace2020:
After 2 matches. When we now draw or lose a couple of matches where Lukaku fired blanks we will all be screaming get Zlatan in now. Abeg make una chill... Season still long. Chemistry is not built in two games. moreover he isn't back until jan/dec.

Word

How are the immigration/custom officers at MMIA? Hope they still don't extort travellers?

ttmacoy:
For F2b category, they are working on applications submitted before 01Nov2010, so that's a 7 year plus wait.

I would advice your fiancée file for you as that is quicker. I assume he/she is a citizen? If yes you can get a green card within a year after you are married. You will have to apply for a fiancée visa first and then get married before you can apply for a green card.

If your fiancée is a green card holder then you will fall under the f2a category which is about a 2 year plus wait.

The link below is to the visa bulletin released by the US dept of state and shows what dates they are working on for each category.

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/law-and-policy/bulletin.html

Technically that's wrong, only a us citizen can file a fiance visa aka k1, a green card holder cant do that