Demmy2021:
Please house, can I travel with a newborn to Nigeria with just the Emergency Travel Document? I have applied for the US passport but it’s taking longer, so my brother will be bringing for me once it’s mailed.

Yes 100%. That was what we did.

Kesspru:
Pls has anyone applied for baby passport recently and added 0000000 as the social security number if baby social isn’t out yet. Pls let me no. As i did it for my first child I had here in 2019. I hope it hasn’t changed. I await response. Thanks.

I confirm that you are in order. Proceed!

Debbieeeeeee:

True, I asked them too if they’ll take transfer so I could pay with form A but they said no , cash or card.

Haba! People! This is where your US doctor comes in nah! He will give you a comprehensive bill in the name of his own clinic and the funds are transferred to his clinic’s account. Then, he makes a transfer to your own US account and you administer your money! Chikena!

babestell:
Lol.......God forbid world people!!!

My Netflix has been hacked before and it was linked to my regions card, I quickly removed the card from my account.

I have been sleeping and regions bank is sending me mail to confirm purchases made via credit at walmart.

That is what I love about BOA. Once you say, "I did not make those purchases", your money is returned first before investigations

babestell:
This is my planned hospital and Doc.

Any complains from madam? Any tips for using them. I have contacted Dr Z already. I am wondering if I can use this new CBN policy of getting dollars from banks to pay him sef

Yes, you can. It is a medical expense. Greet the guy for me. He is a young man but he like forming "I am so old" because of his beard but thoroughly competent.

Debbieeeeeee:

The one I opened with BOA was $270 or so threshold but they even closed the account already and sent my cheque to my address , I’ll open another one again , then I opened with wood forest too which is still functional.

Ehen! That is another issue. Your account needs to show activity no matter how small.

The presence of inactive money is a red flag too.

Connect your Netflix, AliExpress or other accounts to your dollar account and replenish it from Naija every now and then with small transfers too.

Then, no matter what, do not allow anyone you do not know 100% to use your account to collect money for whatever reason. Your account can be closed down for aiding and abetting fraudulent activity.

pointednose:
Thanks a lot.
I have saved the contacts.
I hope one does not need any agent for this?
For the citizen Registration, thats the "STEP" website right? Just created a profile for my child.
Regarding the US account opening, Pls how does opening an account help with credit worthiness, and how much will one need to open an account? One of the reasons I didn't even open an account for myself (didn't think about kids then) is because I heard i will be charged monthly, so that discouraged me. Will one still be charged for kids' account?

Thanks again

Agent ke? Nooooo! You can do it all yourself.

Yup! That is the website!

Any US banker will explain building your credit and more to you. I recommend Bank of America. There is a minimum threshold you can leave in a BOA account and it will not be touched at all. No deductions whatsoever.

The problem is that a lot of Nigerians forget and spend below the threshold or they get the usual call from the village "grandma has swallowed cutlass, please send money" then they withdraw too much, and deductions kick in automatically.

For some accounts, your account balance must not be below $1500 and for others, $500 is ok. It all depends on the type of account you open.

Debbieeeeeee:
Chriscero very detailed write up. I think memorial hermann is the cheapest I’ve even come across(among the hospitals I had in mind) lately in that area although they have had a slight price increment compared with before.

Ha! World people! You just want to tempt me to name names abi?

Look closely, you will find others that are far cheaper the closer you go to El Paso!

pointednose:
Wow...thanks a lot.

Very useful info.

God bless

Please can I send you a private message, I will like to get details of how you got the Emergency travel document.

Thanks

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
3519 International Court, NW
Washington, DC 20008.

TELEPHONE:
(202) 800 7201
(Ext.100)

E-MAIL ADDRESS:
info@nigeriaembassyusa.org
publiccomplaints@nigeriaembassyusa.org

Oleayo22:
[quote author=Chriscero pos

Citizen Registration: Remember to register your child with the US Mission in Nigeria as a US Citizen in Nigeria. You did not hustle for the child to suffer like you, ok? The website is on the US Passport. Timeline: soon after you return to Nigeria.

Congratulations on the birth of your baby.
Please i want to find out if I can still register my son. I gave birth to him in 2016. I didn't know about this.

It is not too late. Check your son's US passport carefully. The link is there.

ZingerZinger:
Hello,
Please can you give the name of hospital used and Doctors information?
I sent you a small request.

MEMORIAL HERMAN HOSPITAL
DR. DAMA ZIWORITIN - +1 (832) 520 - 5983

Ensure you exchange correspondence, make part payment and print copies before you travel.

pointednose:
Please can you take us through the timelines for baby's documentation (Birth certificate, getting SSN, getting the US passport, Getting Nigerian passport for baby/travel documents e.g Emergency travel document, Visa on arrival).

Thanks (

First, hospital choice is important. There are cheaper hospitals but we settled for Memorial Herman. It is a bit pricey but you do not want a cheap hospital that will give you a generous discount and then use your details to fraudulently file claims or benefits after you are discharged. This can create monumentally insurmountable problems for the parents in future when they go to renew their visas at the US Embassy. In fact, I won't name names but some hospitals have been red-flagged. If you use them, it is bye-bye to future VISA!

Birth Certificate: This differs from State to State and hospital to hospital. Memorial Herman helped us with documentation to process the birth certificate. The websites and numbers to call are on the documentation. Please keep copies. Timeline: Pick up in 1 week.

Social Security No.: Memorial Herman also helped with documentation for this. Keep copies. Timeline: Pick up in 2 weeks.

US Passport: This was, by far, the most challenging and COVID has changed the process. It was all online except for the actual data capture and you need your social security number and birth certificate. If you do not yet have SSN, fill zeros on the form. Remember to choose expedited on the website. Duration is 4 - 6 weeks. By the way, good luck keeping your newborn awake for the passport-sized photograph! we suffered ehn! and all the oyinbos will be there watching to see how you treat their citizen. We had to start using wipes to clean our daughter's face for her to open her eyes long enough for the picture.

Nigerian Passport: We used emergency travel document to return to Nigeria so that we can make the application in Nigeria where it is much cheaper and the process is more familiar to us. Nigerian officials in the abroad can be .... "funny" ... let us leave that one like that.

Citizen Registration: Remember to register your child with the US Mission in Nigeria as a US Citizen in Nigeria. You did not hustle for the child to suffer like you, ok? The website is on the US Passport. Timeline: soon after you return to Nigeria.

US Account Opening: while in the US, ensure that you open an account for your child using his/her social security number with you as a guardian and start to build your child's credit. The US is a credit-based society and not a cash-based one like Nigeria. There, your spending pattern and credit worthiness speak volumes about you as an individual. Do not make the mistake of infecting your child with a "baba alaye" or "na me get money pass" mentality. These are red flags there and before you finish explaining the source of your wealth, the matter fit long. Just try to blend in for your child's sake, ok?

Other Issues: Hey! Congratulations! You are the parent of a US Citizen but you now have peculiar responsibilities. You do not want your child to grow up without a decent understanding of his/her birth country. Listen to what is happening in the US and have a decent understanding of US society including politics. Learn the US anthem and teach your child. Make friends with parents of US Citizens and older US citizens. There are peculiar hurdles ahead for your child of which you have ZERO experience like me but which you will still need to help him/her navigate. watch movies about life as an immigrant in the US for orientation. If you can spare the time, learn and teach your child Spanish. Yes! There are language apps you can download on that your expensive phone. It is not only intended for browsing and social media activities! My wife was shocked when we landed in Italy for a vacation and I said to the lady at the airport "Io sono Christopher. Piacere di conoscerti" The lady screamed! Italians love people who speak their language. Yes, I learnt it on my phone!

Cheers!

Hello House,

Wifey and I gave birth to our daughter in the US in Q1 2021 and I want to share a few tips 'cos we benefitted so much from the experience of others here. We travelled on B1/B2 visas and the baby bump was very visible. Wifey's legs were hurting too much right from Nigeria so she was on a wheelchair to help with the pain. Ironically, it prioritised us and we were able to board the aircraft and even pass through security faster.

We travelled straight to Atlanta via Delta Air and from Atlanta to Houston. The drilling in Atlanta no be here o! We were asked to go for the secondary screening but I was fully prepared for the questions that came. The CBP officer took a quick look at wifey sitting in the wheelchair with our baby bump and asked, what are you here for?

Ans: We are here for medical reasons.
CBP: And what is the medical reason?
Ans: My wife is pregnant and we want her to put to bed in the US.
CBP: That can't be done in Nigeria?
Ans: It can and we have actually tried in the past. However, our Nigerian doctor refered us to a Doc. in the US to better manage the pregnancy since my wife has peculiar medical needs.
CBP: Any document supporting that?
Ans: Yes, showed him.
CBP: What is the name of the US Doc?
Ans. Told him.
CBP: Is he expecting you?
Ans: Yes?
CBP: Any letters?
Ans: Yes. And showed him.
CBP: Have you made any payments for your medical bills?
Ans: Yes. And I showed him.
CBP: Where will you be staying?
Ans: I told him and showed him evidence of payment.
We did not want any family drama with relations so we paid for a commercial apartment for the whole 3 months wifey will be around. Sometimes, unknown to you, your relations and friends in the US may have issues that you don't want to be vicariously visited upon you especially if your village peeps are very active . There is a lovely Nigerian couple who have a very huge self contained room for rent in Richmond, Texas and the rates are great. I can hook you up if you are interested.
CBP: How long do you plan to stay?
Ans: 3 months for my wife but just a month for me.
CBP: Why are you leaving her behind?
Ans: I need to get back to work and I have strict instructions to complete the design of the baby's room before their return.
(General Laughter and lessening of tension previously created by wicked village people)
CBP: Oh! You do now, don't you. So, how much have you got.
Ans: In cash I have $XXXXX here and in my card, I have $XXXXXX.
CBP: What do you do for a living?
Ans: I am a Bleep.
CBP: Where do you work?
Ans: XYZ company and ABC.
CBP: And your wife?
Ans: She works with WXY company.
CBP: You got any document to prove that?
Ans: Yes. And I showed him.
CBP: So what do you plan to do after the baby is born?
Ans: I will travel back to the US to accompany them back to Nigeria.
CBP: So, have you visited Northern Nigeria recently? Got any relatives or friends there?
[/color] :oMy eyes nearly popped at this unexpected question. WTF!!! I braced myself and told the whole truth and nothing but the truth 'cos I do not know what document my wicked village pipu were flashing on his computer screen.
Ans: I was born there and I schooled there many years ago but I have not visited recently.
CBP: So you wouldn't know anything about Boko Haram, right?
[color=#990000] Me thinking, thinking of all my prayer points against marine spirit, ancestral spirit, familiar spirit, etc to die by fire IJN! Somebody cannot even play with these wicked pipu again . I braced myself and continued in the line of truth.
Ans: I certainly have. I listen to the news and I know as much about Boko Haram as anyone who pays attention to the news coming from Nigeria but I have nothing to do with them
CBP: OK (smiles) Welcome to the US and all the best with the baby and your future plans.
See relief washing all over me like a river!

I thanked him and an assistant helped me wheel madam away to catch our flight to Houston.

LESSONS LEARNT.
1. CBP accepts legitimate travellers with intention to depart the US.
2. Have your all your relevant documentation with you.
3. Speak confidently and truthfully.
4. Maintain eye contact politely.
5. Have sufficient funds $$$$$

This is the kind of rubbish I expect to see flying around now. So, as soon as Biden was inaugurated a few days ago, Nigerians started becoming gay? Did it even occur to the maker of that statement that inherent in it is an admission that since we are so easily moved by what happens in the US, which is on a separate time zone, Nigeria is a failed state with a poor sense of national identity?

slimderek:


A year after, What would you say about them ?

I will say that they are superb! They provided embassy support letters, statement of account etc. I was able to start a business with my savings and I am saving even more.

Chriscero:
I heard about Piggybank for the first time on Instagram. So, I contacted them, confirmed their physical address, checked that they were licensed by the CBN and NDIC. However, I noticed there was a disparity between their current address and the address stated on the NDIC list. I queried it and they explained that it was the former address of the Microfinance Bank whose licence they acquired. They promised to update their address with the regulator. Anyway, with fear and trembling in my heart, I started with them and no problems so far. It has been good testimonies about them so far so I ploughed in and locked six figures but I am still concerned. The upfront interest payment on deposits is great but is it sustainable considering Nigerian market realities?

Follow up: I have been banking with PiggyVest for over 6 months now and no regrets. It is not MMM or a wonder bank. Their interest rates are even lower than what obtains in an investment house. It is really a Financial Technology (FinTech) company that is disrupting mainstream banking the way Facebook and social media disrupted mainstream media, airbnb disrupted the hospitality industry, ride-hailing (Uber and Taxify) disrupted the transportation industry and online education is disrupting traditional classroom, face-to-face education. It is totally safe and insured. The main attraction for me is the Safelock feature. Notice whenever you save up a sizeable sum, something ridiculous just comes up like ‘Hello! Segun! Ibolowa? Grandma has swallowed a cutlass! Send money!’ Well, with Safelock, you cannot touch the money at all! I am amazed at how much I have been able to save in just 6 months of locking funds away without being able to touch them! I have been to PiggyVest’s Lagos office and if you want, and your savings are sizeable, they can prepare embassy visa support letters for you for free! How cool is that?

seyewest:


Probably for 10yrs.

Nope! Banned for LIFE!

We heard the consular officer correctly. They took some benefits on account of the child and absconded without paying.

Then the wife was one of those aggressive types. She raised her voice and gestured dramatically at the consular officer as if she could force the decision in her favour by her sheer power and might. All other applicants on the queue paused to watch the drama unfold. It was really a terrible sight to behold. The consular officer was visibly annoyed and we were just behind them.

Our travel intentions were very legitimate but we did not even want to risk suffering transferred aggression so we left the queue to ease ourselves at that point and we did not come back until we had finished singing like 2 or 3 Sacred Songs and Solos in the toilet by which time we were sure that we won't be assigned to the same upset consular officer. The actions of that couple were truly fraudulent and they may never have been discovered if their Dropbox application was automatically renewed. Sometimes, we Nigerians have a knack for making things very difficult for those coming behind us.

pufframmy:
tHANK YOU FINALLY I GOT MY VISA Italy here i Come oo

Such joy! Congratulations man! Italy is a very beautiful and wonderful place. Have fun!

OmoBendel24:


How about if they were pregnant during the interview and never declared same, or if the visa was issued for another reason which they never honored but decided to send the now "worthless" change of intent letter to inform the embassy of their birthing plan, and worse still, how about if they didn't even declare child birth at the POE to the CBP? None of the above situation is good, it can turn their 221g follow-up interview to a disastrous situation by current standards at the embassy. When we hear their exact story starting from the visa interview itself, we may then be able to contribute to the matter at hand..

@omoBendel24 My wife and I saw your scenario play out in reality last week. Our dropbox renewal was scheduled for 221g on a Saturday. We got there and one couple who had birthed in the US were struggling to explain why they did so on a B1/B2. By the time they were done, husband and wife were each banned for life from the US. It was a terrible sight to behold the look of stupefied shock on their faces.

My wife and I want to visit the US for medical reasons (childbirth) and we do not want to run into any problems. We can afford to pay the bills in full but the hospitals we have contacted around the Houston area all have packages that carry significant discounts for cash payment. Can you please publish a list of acceptable hospitals which are approved by the US government for medical tourism?

pufframmy:
After getting this notification please how long will it takes to get the final Decision

Your application is ready for collection. Just go down to VFS office and pick it up. This can be a very tense period. I wish you all the best.

I heard about Piggybank for the first time on Instagram. So, I contacted them, confirmed their physical address, checked that they were licensed by the CBN and NDIC. However, I noticed there was a disparity between their current address and the address stated on the NDIC list. I queried it and they explained that it was the former address of the Microfinance Bank whose licence they acquired. They promised to update their address with the regulator. Anyway, with fear and trembling in my heart, I started with them and no problems so far. It has been good testimonies about them so far so I ploughed in and locked six figures but I am still concerned. The upfront interest payment on deposits is great but is it sustainable considering Nigerian market realities?

My wife and I just received the new 221g auto response for dropbox renewal. We dropped off with DHL for Lagos. We intended to travel in January 2019 for training but the earliest date we got for the 221g appointment was June 2019. What is the point of attending a 221g interview when the reason for travel has already passed? I am thinking of waiting until we have a cogent reason to travel. What does anyone advise?

[quote author=qeezo101 post=73155271]

Please how much euro did u take with u on your trip to Italy. Or how much euro can a couple go with just husband and wife.. And please what are the likely questions to ask at the port of entry.

Everything boils down to how long you are staying in Europe. If we assume 2 weeks for a couple, with your acommodation booked already, €50 to €80 per day per person is very ok. The koko is to demonstrate a deep understanding of your itinerary. My wife and I planned to stay for a month but we paid for only one week AirBnB accommodation at a villa in Rome. At $100 per night it was cheaper than a hotel and far more prestigious. We downloaded and attached pictures of the villa and then prepared and also attached a detailed travel itinerary for the remaining three weeks showing which countries we intend to visit, how long we will be staying, cost of a return trip by train or plane, and budgeting $100 for each night. Finally, we attached proof that we had the money to fund the trip. We both got expedited visas. When we got to the point of entry, they asked our intentions and we explained our itinerary. The officers let us in without a hitch. Remember to carry proof of your €30,000.00 medical insurance. Then, never react to provocation from an officer. They are sick and tired of migrants so their natural tendency is to treat you as one. Just maintain your cool. Finally, download a language translation app. It saved us on many occassions. If you can get the one that also automatically translates iItalian text to English when you hold your phone camera over the Italian text, it will really help you a lot!

KIDfurniture:
Biko guys , I need you to give me list of the requirement for italo Visa. I'm single .I have travel history Dubai and south Africa. I dont mind at all.. I want to apply ..victorious8555@gmail.com. chriscero biko assist me. Thanks

Sorry, just got into Rome and I’ve been busy so I just saw this. Your purpose determina the appropriate documentation. What are you travelling for?

iyaaliyah:
Hello. Please is there a emergency visa for Italy. Like within 5days?

Sure! If you are a public office holder?

timidapsin:
applied but denied... Same with a friend.
No one loves to spread bad news.

So sorry to hear this

So after reading this thread as if I was studying for JAMB, wifey and I boarded Lufthansa to Frankfurt, Germany, showered and freshened up at the airport (you can have your bath at the airport for 6 Euros or 8 US Dollars) and then boarded the 10+hour haul to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Houston.

There was a long queue and wifey and I joined. She gently shifted aside and made sure I was in front of her since I was the one who claimed to have covered the @seyewest College of US Point of Entry Studies syllabus Smart woman! Our papers and intentions were legit but I did not want one overzealous CBP officer to make life difficult for us.

When it was our turn, the white CBP officer raised his hand, turned his head to call us and stopped when he noticed I was black. He then turned away and waited to see if I will walk towards him without being called. Hmmm ... see psychological warfare! But I was fully prepared! I remembered what I had read on this thread that CBP officers are trained to look out for signs of impatience, tension and discomfort. I remained on the line and after about five seconds, he beckoned to me to approach. I told wifey to remain on the line, collected her passport and went to him. I greeted him, he grunted an inaudible response without even looking at me and asked for my passport. I handed it over.

CBP Officer: Flips through my passport to the visa page, looks at the data page, looks at me then, "why are you visiting the US?"

Me: I am attending a training being organised by XYZ company from XX to XX September.

CBP: So, what do you do?

Me: I am a lawyer with ABC company.

He stopped and looked at me with a new a hint of respect in his eyes and I felt my heart swell with that lawyerly pride only a learned friend can understand. .

CBP: How long will you be staying in the US?

Me: Just nine days.

CBP: What did you say you did for XYZ company, again? Immediately, alarm bells sounded in my head! It was a trick question! So, I calmly responded.

Me: I do not work with XYZ company. I said I am a lawyer with ABC company. XYZ company is one of our clients and they are organising the training.

CBP: 'Oh! I See. Ok. Place your right thumb on.... ' I interrupted him gently.

Me: My apologies. My wife is still on the queue. I have her passport here and I wonder if she can join us.

CBP: Your wife is on the queue? Sure she can join us.

I beckoned to wifey and she joined us.

CBP: So what will she be doing while you are attending the training?

Me: 'Shopping! That's one thing I'm sure she'll be doing!' And I glared at my wife in mock shock and rolled my eyes. That broke the ice and we all laughed. Other Nigerians on the queue looked at us as if our juju was working better and they needed the number of our babalawo.

Me: 'We declared that we were carrying food items on our card.' You know that once Nigerian relations hear that you are coming, you will become courier service for egusi, ogbono, dried fish, indomie etc.

CBP: Oh! Yeah! Good thing you declared cos if you went through without declaring, you will be fined. So this is what you'll do ...' and he directed us on where to go and what to do. We went there and did as he directed and we were out of the airport in less than 10 minutes.

One Nigerian couple ahead of us on the other line were grilled by one female, Latino CBP officer from when we joined the queue until we left. The man was frustrated and made the mistake of raising his voice. His wife was almost crying. I felt sorry for them but then, they did not register to attend the @seyewest College of US Point of Entry studies.

Please avoid cab drivers offering to drop you off even if they are pidgin English speaking Nigerians. They are just there to rip you off! If nobody is picking you up, use Uber or a registered cab. You can't come from Naija and fall mugu in the abroad!

And it's a wrap people!

Guys! This silence is deafening! Does it mean no one else has received Italian Schengen visa up till now?

Missvenus1:


Thanks. This is very detailed and funny at the same time.
So do you suggest I just go ahead and declare the money?

It is wiser to do so. They cannot take it away. Not declaring the cash is what carries consequences.

overlord77:


Don't make it sound all that bad, we went thru Abuja airport two weeks ago with about $12k and the immigration guys there were all so kind and made us do the proper thing then wished us a safe trip. Just saying

This category of treatment is adequately described in my write up. You are in category one - official category!

Somie4:
Hi everyone. Any Atlanta bound mamas in the house looking for accommodation in Atlanta? Hit me up. I’m in Atlanta o all by myself in a huge house. I need company biko. Due date is in 7 weeks time .

Do you, SOMIE4, do solemnly swear, to take 'the company' as your own sister, to be nice to her, to allow her privacy, not to attempt to turn her to a housemaid or errand girl despite her similar condition, to engage only in civil conversation with her, to support her, and to generally treat her with dignity and respect, in morning sickness and swollen feet, in doctor's appointment and back pain, until successful baby delivery do you part?