₦airaland Forum

Obikada:
Good evening.. This is my first post here.

Have been a silent follower and I must say I have gathered useful information so far.

I have a few concerns and would need sincere advice.

I applied for my b1/b2 visa for the first time in August 2015 and was denied.

I reapplied again in December 2015 to go spend the Christmas in Philadelphia. I had my interview on the 12th of December and was granted. I was asked to pick up in a few working days which I did. I didn't go for the Christmas holiday as my relative I was supposed to stay with was spending the Christmas in Nigeria.

I discovered I was pregnant early January of 2016. I sincerely had no idea a baby was forming in my tummy at the time of he interview. I have since used the visa for a holiday in February of this year.

My husband and I have since decided to birth our child in Philadelphia. My concerns are thus;

1. Do I still write to the embassy to notify them of my decision even though I have already gone on a holiday with the visa?
2. I have not been been able to get a doctors appointment but I have correspondence with the hospital financial advisor, as the hospital I'm using (Delaware county memorial hospital Philadelphia) requires full payment before a doctor's appointment can be fixed
3. The financial advisor said I can pay when I get in to the states ( which I plan to do since that option is available and I want to be sure I have entered so I don't dash them my money) Is the hospital correspondence enough to show at the POE with proof of capability to pay my bills

I plan to travel in the second week of June at about 27weeks

Please kind and sincere responses would be appreciated. Bless!

1) It depends on u..... I birthed in philly abt 3wks ago and just like u, i got my visit visa in Dec wn i was 5months preggie and ensured i used it that same Dec for visit. I returned, having decided to go back for childbirth by first week in March and sent in the notification of intent letter ( despite having used d visa 4 its purpose) just to have their response handy shld i come in contact wt a tough CBP. I ended up not using it though as i went tru ATL poe and absolutely no doc wa requested.
2) I used Crozer-Chester Medical Center which is also under the same Crozer-Keystone Health System as DCMH u plan using. All i travelled with was their correspondence which clearly states the bill (i signed the necessary parts ahead of time) & the doctor's correspondence stating her bill too. Unlike DCMH, i wasn't required to pay any bill upfront and i was to source my Obgyn, anesthesiologist and Pediatrician myself which i did and got all necessary correspondences that I could get (however like i earlier mentioned, none of this was requested).
Nevertheless, i made sure i travelled with a complete burden of proof, $4k cash at hand, $5k in foreign bank acct, bank statement of hubby and I showing enough funds just in case the correspondences weren't convincing enough.
I believe this childbirth journey aint a one-size-fits-all kinda situation but one must ensure that one dots all 'i's and cross all 't's. Do all that's needful and pray as well. Wish u da best

Hi Mamas in da house....pls i need your help. I have tried searching on the thread and on google but cant find the dets for the agent that does ETC. I have all other needed info but not the contact for the agent, anyone who has this should kindly forward same to me as i need this asap.
Also anyone who has birthed in philly should pls giv info on how long it takes to get baby's SSN in philly or how to get it faster. Got the BC but not the SSN and info on philly passport agency website says SSN is required to get blue passport.
Thanks in anticipation of your responses.

FINA4804:
@faith111, thanks dear. I have given up expressing oh, after expressing my breast will be paining me through out the day especially when he is feeding directly.
@damidasel, just keep giving the gripe water she will get better. My son sleeps better now. For the similac I did not experience it because I used similac for three days after delivery and my LO did not poo too much.

feddy27:
Congrats on your baby. She does not av colic my dear...leave all dis colic mata. Don't give anything! She will be fine. As per sleep, she's still adjusting to life outside the womb. Bear with her, her sleep patterns won't be the one you are used to now. Also, don't worry about the poop, she's fine. Ensure she latches on very well during breastfeeding. If you can, get a nursing pillow from burlington; it will be of good help during breastfeeding. also ensure you burp her after each feed. carry her on the shoulders and run her back. I used similac from hospital till 6 months thereabout. the milk isn't the issue. In these first days, you will notice a lot, just keep your mind at rest and watch her. Don't panic and don't rush to the paed. That was how my days old son did poop for say 4 days, my gran disturbed me oooo so tey i ran to paed. only to be told dat it was absolutely normal for breastfed babies...lol

Thanks alot!!! Sincerely i feel a bit more relaxed cz v been in panic mode. Sometimes she cries and i feel like crying with her cz i feel so helpless. I'll relax then patiently till this phase passes #CantWait. Motherhood na real job ooo......

Hi all, i am a first time mum, just had my baby 7days ago and i just got to know abt this thread on Nairaland today. I am a bit worried because my baby seems to be having colic, she hardly sleeps at night n cries alot. I heard abt mommy's bliss gripe water and i started using it for her. She sleeps a bit better now from like 11pm-3am but once shez up, shez still slpy but cant sleep, instead she whimpers till morning....Also shez on similac advancr which was given to her at the hospital but she poos alot. She had pooed like 4 times today, the last 2 just about an hour apart and she seems to poo after every meal. Considering changing her food to enfamil to see if that's the issue. Kindly advise on these 2 issues. Dont wanna panic n rush to the doc but wld do so if need be. URGENT PLS

Thanks for all the congratulatory messages, ire a kari o. For those still awaiting theirs or praying for such, may the good Lord visit u in a mighty way and the glory of latter will surpass the former IJN.

happytbaby:
So I attended that State University in Oyo State and that story was like 10/11years ago. The bobo and I were in part 5 then, let me even ping him and ask after Damidamsel, e be like say my middle name is mischief. Damidamsel was not in the same University though. For the life of me I cannot remember her details but I knew exactly where she was then.

Nef, I see you!

Hmmm.....me liking ds one ooo....abeg ping him. Gat 2 knw if na my damidamsel abi na imposter oo

happytbaby:
Congrats Damidamsel

Yes you need to fill his details but he does not need to sign.....he however needs to send the notarised consent thingy for the passport(s) and or visa.

I am answering despite suspecting that you were the babe that was distracting my boyfriend in University. He saved the name on his phone as 'Damidamsel', by the time I came back from service it was 'Damilove'. Been using side eye to look your moniker since.

Its a little too close to be coincidence. Now I see all the Nairalanders giggling and asking for more tory already. ....laughs. Don't worry I didnt marry him and we are still good friends.

Tx happytbaby for d quick response. But honestly me sef dey ROTFL n nid more tory ooo....abeg which uni be dt but highly doubt it sha. Lol

Welcomed my princess at 7.41am weighing 7.2pounds today April 20th 2016 through VD. Hez indeed a good God. Tx to all d info gotten from people on here. It was indeed God n NL all da way.

Pls all those who gave birth with hubby not in the US, when filling d birth cert form, did you fill the information on father's part coz they require d dad to sign? Pls ur response is urgently needed

tanno:
Hello everyone, I am a newbie on this thread. Great jobs you all are doing. God bless you all. Would like to know if anyone is planning to travel to Philly or is already at Philly. Philadephia moms please holla! I intend travelling to Philadephia soon...Would share my testimony very very soon!!!

I am presently in Philly........

@

vcole:
better to scout for and see a doctor now. get registered. schedule appointment for when you intend to return for the birth trip.
Then come back home after this visit and go back for the birth trip later. no need for intent letter to the embassy. keep it simple.

[/quote]damidamsel thanks years she's suspecting that I might be around 3-4 months cos of the leg swelling and is suggesting that if she's right I should just stay. But I don't Want to do that because of future applications would ascertain how far gone when I see the doctor on Monday. Going back would the letter of change of intent be the only thing that I would send to the embassy. Tnx[/quote]@misspoe.....just as @vcole has stated, you should use your time left over there to scout for hospitals n doctors, get all necessary details and bill quotes(better in hard copy) as it will be way easier than calling from Naija, get registered, schedule ur appointment and then return to Naija to do all other things such as budget sheet based on the quotes you have, PTA RUNS, etc......As per Notification of intent letter, i think its based on your discretion. Some people see it as irrelevant esp since you v used your visa 4 its purpose but i think it depends on you and your anticipated POE. For me il rather have it handy incase i come across a tough CBP who decides to ask 4 it.

Ensure you go through the thread and prepare all necessary docs as v bn over-flogged here.

Misspoe:
Hi guys I'm new here ve being reading previous posts and I ve to say I'm highly I formed. Please I ve an issue I'm currently in the US as I came for a Conference I fell ill and I just discovered that I'm pregnant now I don't know how far gone I'm but ve called an obgyn so u can go for a check up as my legs are still swollen from the flight and all. I don't know if this would cause problems for me at a future date and all. My mother in law is also suggesting that I stay for 6 months straight on this visit is that right. Thank you

LadyGuinivere:
U have skirted around many issues and I can't percieve any question in your post...

I agree with LadyG.....Not to assume anything or read meanings into your comments anyway, my first question to you which is the first issue that jumped at me from your post is Why would your MIL suggest u stay 4 6months? That seems like shez saying u stay to v d baby which translates into d fact that u r probs abt 4 months gone. If that be the case, the next thing to ponder on then is how do u convince anyone not to talk of the VOs or CBPs that ur intention for going to d US in d first place was conference and not childbirth?

From my own perspective, il suggest you return to Naija and then do all that's necessary to legally return to the US to have your baby. I personally was in the US in Dec '15, 5months preggie, my purpose was vacation but was stamped in till June,could v stayed to v my baby but decided to do things the right way. Though yes it is financially back-breaking but it payed off at the end. I believe this way you would v established the fact that u weren't deceptive from the onset and this would be a positive on your future visa renewals esp if they realise that u knew u were preggie b4 leaving the US but still decided to do the right thing.

This is just an opinion and not in anyway a professional advise. I believe other more-experienced mothers on here could v other opinions.

So....i just found out that stanbic's rate has gone up to 295 from 280 as of today. This is so frustrating and annoying. Does anyone have any idea if this myt b a temp situation or that's d deal going forward?

TheLeakyTribe:
Not sure if the credit card has different limits but I know the debut card has daily limits of 150/Atm and 350/POS or online transactions. The monthly limits are 750/atm and 1750/POS

@oloriesther....just as TheLeakyTribe has said debit card limit is 150 daily@atm max 750monthly@atm and 350daily@POS max 1750monthly@POS. So in a day u cld do 150@atm n 350@POS to gt 500 for that day n u can do that max 5 times in a month. No idea abt credit card

Petdaughter:
@damidamsel so sorry I haven't responded, been busy with my cutie!
My Stanbic card actually worked as a debit card on the POS machine. You can also try this store called 'Starter Bros', that's if it's in ur locality.

What was weird was that I initially tried to do a POS chargeback and it just didn't go! Kept declining! But the money order worked

Thanks @Chrisdew and @Abefeokin for your response. @Petdaughter, tx i will try other stores that can process money order using debit card like Albertsons as Abefeokin suggested. Don't think Starter Bros is in my locality as m in Philly.

Will give feedback on wat store works when i succeed!!!

Petdaughter:
Go to a Walmart store and request for a money order. They'll ask you for the amount, take $349 (the remaining $1 is to cover the charge). You would then swipe ur card on their POS machine after which you would be issued the money order. It is sort of a blank cheque. You can then pay it into any American account (either yours' or someone you know). It would clear the next day and then you have $350 cash as against just $150 on the atm

Many thanks for the baby greetings!

@Petdaughter....thanx 4 d info above, info is key. Read this and tried it out, however i keep having this issue of their POS reading my card as a credit card instead of a debit card thus not been accepted. Tried it at 2 diff Walmart POS terminals and gives d same prob but it works as a debit card at the ATM. Called Stanbic twice and was told everything seems fine at their end. Figured i cld withdraw 150 from atm n do 350 money order giving me 500 per day all in one day if only it worked. Did u encounter this challenge by any chance?

Has anyone experienced this too? Kindly advise

GucciOluwa:
I just had a Mc. We are so devastated. All our plans, hopes, dreams, everything gone. Our only hope is on God. May God keep you all and your unborn babies safe until the time appointed. Amen

So sorry dearie....it's well. May God give u double 4 ur trouble, don't give up coz d best is on the way. Dont let dat thing called d devil have d last laff dear, gt bk up on ur feet, freshen up, look at urself in d mirror and rbr that God's got ur back, just keep saying that which u wanna see and i believe by God's grace u will b back here to share ur testimony b4 we all can bat an eyelid!!!

happytbaby:
Let me answer Comfortina.

I think she really asked an honest question, I do not detect any sarcasm in her post. Life is a matter of perspectives.

Now to put things in perspective, let me start by saying my Maternal grandmother had 6 girls......

@happytbaby...infact u gave really cogent points and i can't say it any better. As for me, i see d 3-4m naira plus i am putting into childbirth now as an investment into my child's future: It caters for the excess my child would v had to spend if he/she decides to get healthcare as a foreigner in the US later in life, It caters for the excess he/she would have had to pay as an international student in the US later, It caters for covering the stress of getting a visa later in life ( and what if....what if by then visas are no longer granted to Nigerians)....and a whole lot more.

My bro, till tmrw, always feels sad when he remembers that he shld v been a US citizen enjoying some major benefits but my mum decided to go back to naija weeks before his delivery. I did my double masters in the US and i know how much i had to pay as an international student compared to my citizen n LPR sisters currently studying in the US. I have had the opportunity of studying both in naija and in the US and trust me, the difference is 7up even up to how people view you at interviews and organizations in naija when u present a naija cert and when u present a US cert.

I guess the point is if you don't have the means, don't sweat it BUT if u do, see it as giving your children options in future(they may or may not have need for it). Believe me, we all dont know tomorrow and our children might just always love us for this one decision we took for their benefit.

jumman:
Biko take a chill pill now, are you the VO, what gives you the impression that she would be ban please stop misleading people if you dont know what to say pls keep your mouth shut.

I am very sure i saw the word COULD in that statement: Sir or Ma, "COULD is specifically defined as a word used to indicate possibility" It really gets to me when i see people being rude to others 4 no reason at all. If u have personal beefs, deal with it off d online patform and if you are just cranky, better to punch a wall instead!!! *drops pen*

Kween2014:
I honestly think you have it covered. I actually forgot to mention the marriage cert and change of name bit cos i did that as well.

They can see clearly from their system that you are there and all the claims are verifiable. I don't think he would have any issues at all.

Thanks alot @Kween2014....wanted to be sure i wasn't leaving anything out. Fingers crossed n prayer line actively connected....

Kween2014:
@damidamsel, have you had your baby yet? Hubby applied for a visa after i had my baby cos he wanted to come assist me with travelling back home with the baby so the documents he took along were;

1. Photocopy of baby's birth cert
2. Photocopy of baby's data page
3. Letter of invitation from me
4. My visa page
5. His bank statement (though the money in it wasnt a lot at all but this did not matter)
6. My return ticket

He was actually told to come back with the receipts of payment of hospital and doctor which he did the following week and visa was granted without any hassle.

@Kween2014... tx 4 ur response. No m yet to give birth but will be due anytime soon and we luv for him to be there to witness it as this is our first. I v paid d doctor and hospital bill so i scanned a copy of d receipts to him. The docs he has are as follow
1. Payment of Dr's fees
2. Payment of hospital fee
3. My data page n visa page
4. Dr and hospital correspondence
5. Marriage cert and change of name as my passport still bears my maiden name
6. Copy of budget sheet i made b4 traveling though i didn't need it afterall
7. His employment letter, leave letter, 3months payslip and 3months bank statement with substantial funds in it though we don't really need much funds as almost all things has been taken care of.

We wld be staying with my mum so no hotel booking. What else might u suggest? Looking at ur list though, i think i shld send him a copy of my return ticket also.

Hi NLers.....pls has anyone had DH apply for visit visa to witness birth of child after wifey was already in the US? Pls what documentation were required and what questions were asked. I am asking on this thread since its related to childbirth.

Kindly advise if u v been in this situation or if you know someone on this thread who has been so I'll contact d person. If this has been talked about before (though can't rbr seeing any as i am an ardent reader), pls just refer me to d page and I'll readup. Tx

bouqounmie:
Hi. Please I sent you a PM. Will like to get some info if you don't mind. Thank you.

Hi....i just responded, pls chk ur email

Xenadarl:
Thanks, but didn't hear anything on toward abt Philly. Good to hear someone else is in Philly. Which place are u planning on using

I am using Crozer-Chester Medical Center, a sub of Crozer-Keystone Health System but my Obstetrician is in Delaware. Had my first appointment already, awesome doctor awesome staff.

Xenadarl:
I think these border agency guys are getting more hostile by the day.
Ok here goes my POE experience, flew Lufthansa fm Abuja to Philadelphia via frankfurt. No issues departing was sent briefly to medical to confirm my fitness to fly letter. All was well.
After 15hrs of flying and roughly 5hrs stop over time we eventually arrive Philadelphia. Am extremely exhausted feet swollen n all.....

@Xenadarl....congrats on getting through the POE and sorry abt d stress. Guess u didn't make ur findings about Philly POE though. I am in philly too, got in last week but i had heard long time ago that philly poe was tuff so i made sure to come in tru Atlanta which was a BREEZE(no secondary inspection). Anyways it's d good news that matters at the end. Congrats!!!

nefertitiram:
I had a business visa. I used it 3 times, had my baby on the 4th trip, didn't write the letter of blah blah blah. Just got my visa renewed BUT was called in for an interview. My receipts were handy, went wit my baby and got it renewed in a few minutes.

@priscai, ill go with what @nefertitiram has said since you have used it severally. However if you are the fidgety type like me, you can take the risk and send the letter, doubt if your visa will be canceled coz of that. I used my tourism visa only once for tourism, sent the letter 2months after because i wanted to be safe than sorry and would rather be denied in naija than deported for lack of informing the embassy but my visa wasn't cancelled. Follow your heart and God's leading. However as earlier stated, you have used yours severally so u might skip d letter thingy. Diff strokes for diff folks. Overall i think what matters most is your burden of proof and poe

priscai:
Hello dear I already have a visa like last year so I need to send notification to embassy intend for delivery kindly advice pls.

Well...there are several school of thought on this. Did u get it for delivery? If yes, no need to send the letter. If you got it for tourism and did not declare to be pregnant coz u weren't then , then you need to send a letter. To this, if you got it for tourism but did not use it for that purpose and will be using it for the first time for birthing, then you should send "Change of intent" letter. If on the other hand, you used it for tourism already and now want to use it for birthing, you can send "Notification of intent" letter to be on the safe side. BUT.....if you got it for tourism, was pregnant and you were asked if you were pregnant but you denied.....that's a different ball-game entirely. Can't help out on that

My 2cents....others can contribute too if i left something out.

simplysu:
@ damidamsel


Hi damidamsel,
sent u an email. please respond. am headed to philly next month and wanna compare notes.

Hi.....i responded. Kindly check your email.

OMG! OMG!! OMG!!! Arrived USA today. So here's my story.... Got B1/B2 visa in Dec, travelled 4 vacation in Dec. Returned 2 Naija n sent Notification of intent to embassy to which i got a general response. Began gathering all my burden of proof. Had 2 change hosp from NJ to Philly coz of cost and proximity, so i began hosp n doctor search all over again. Got necessary correspondences finally. Then PTA search began....opened acct at Stanchart n Stanbic, awaited call from stanbic.
Here's d testimony......Did not get any call from Stanbic so i went wt hubby on d day of my trip. Got there ard 9am n d lady said no funds!!! Hubby said let's go buy from aboki n i said Heaven No!!! Not spending xtra 500k just to get $4k, God is ABLE!! So we sat awaiting a miracle....we began hearing of a Mr Femi who helps (n i rbred i had read abt him on here) n i started believing God to bring him in. Long story short, God brought him, we approached him n in abt an hour, we got our funds. Jump to trip....Delta did not ask 4 FTF,got placed on fast track n sky priority all tru my movement at MMA (God's favor). Booked wheelchair but stated use at ATL only. 12 hrs later, got to ATL POE....wheeled straight to CBP.
CBP: Morning, why are u in d US.
ME: Childbirth.
CBP: How long do you intend staying?
ME: 2.5months.
CBP: How much do you have?
ME: $4k cash n $5.5k in chase n extra funds in Naija acct. (Cash wsnt counted, statements of acct not requested)
CBP: How far gone are u?
ME: 34wks.
CBP: So abt 6wks to go?
ME: Yes......Takes fingerprint n pics, stamps in for 6months. NO SECONDARY INSPECTION, NO BAGGAGE CHECK. Straight to next gate for connecting flight. Indeed it was God all d way.
Thanks to all the info i got on here, i was an avid reader and though no doc was requested, my prep wt d info i got on here gave me much confidence.

Hi all,please i have a concern which i'd love to be addressed. My trip is in a few days, however i previously had hosp & Dr correspondence wt Dr's appointment letter which i got during my trip to d US in December but i recently changed plans to a diff hosp due to proximity to accommodation(about 36mins closer than previous hosp; i am a first time mum n scared abt journeying 1hr30mins to hosp during labor) and price (saving me over $3k). However my mum got all the necessary info for me via phone (as shez based there) and general letter showing Dr & hosp cost was mailed (not emailed) to her. Bcz of this i do not have a direct correspondence wt hosp nor Dr and i do not wanna pay yet as I'll like to visit d hosp n Dr before concluding. Do you think the letter i have would suffice as proof at POE? If not,what do you suggest?

Pls il appreciate all possible advice. Tx

happytbaby:
You can travel with 10k without declaring excess. What it means is that as a group (family) travelling together, you cannot have in excess of 10k altogether. If to say you are four you can carry 10k total and if its only you, you can still carry 10k. I hope you get it?

Thanks alot happytbaby, now i get it. Thanks 4 ur response....

emeldamicheals:
Hmmmmm, where do I start?
Firstly, @ Zumabeezi (sorry if I got that wrong). Thanks for noticing. I appreciate.
As for my PTA, I no get oooo after all the hussle. I changed money with BDC @ 354.
Before leaving I asked a custom relative who told me we are only entitled to 5k now per person......

Pls so i'm a bit confused wt d above statement....does that mean we can no longer travel wt funds above $5k as opposed to the previous $10k? What happens to those who go through POE where the CBP officers prefer to see more cash at hand? If one travels with more funds but does not declare at Nigerian customs, wont that pose a problem when you then declare total funds at POE?

Pls anyone who understands this process should kindly advise as i need to quickly decide if i need to deposit funds to foreign acct instead of going through Nigerian custom wahala. Tx

Hello house,

Pls i am wondering if its necessary to travel with my bank statement as well as DHs or his would suffice as long as it has adequate funds. Actually its a joint account but in his name. I am just thinking why not have all the funds in one account rather than showing 2 statements with several pages. The other side of it is my last name on my passport is still my maiden name so his account will show a last name different from mine but i am going with our marriage cert n change of name, would that be ok? Anyone whose done this? Thanks in advance