₦airaland Forum

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.
So me and mum 10k.
Immigration officer in Abuja: How much do you have?
Me: 10k.
Is dat all
Me: yes
Actually, we had 10,096.30
Declared it with my complementary card.
Lufthansa sent me to Port Health. Where I paid 3k only for her to write everything my doctor wrote down in her own except she had to write 34 weeks instead 35weeks + my doctor wrote for me.
I left naija on thurs via lufthansa with mum and kids and got to Houston on friday afternoon.
It was not an easy one at all. Over stressful.
I booked for wheel chair which wheeled me to immigration officer.
Officer: Why are u visiting?
Me: Child birth and Holidays
Officer: Put in Finger prints....
Officer: Which tourist attractions will you be visiting.
He did not notice I was pregnant cos I was carrying one kid with my carry on bag on the wheel car.
Me: Am here for child birth
Officer: How much do you have?
Me: 10k
Calls an officer and sends me to secondary inspection
Thats where the saga begins.........
The officer woman...
Why are you on a wheel chair. Can't you walk?
Me: I can
Officer woman: Asks my mum. Why are on wheel chair too. Is anything wrong with you? We requested for two. Me and mum.
Mum: No
Officer woman: Tells the wheelers wheeling us to leave us and go.
Wheeler: They have a connecting flight to elpaso to catch in 3 hrs.
Officer woman: So what....?
Officer woman: How much do u hv on u.
Me: 10k
Officer woman: How did you get it?
Me: BDC
Officer woman: let me have your doctor's letter and fit to fly. Which I gave her.
Wheelers leaves us behind. So we had to sit down. There were lots of people in Sec Inspection but didnt see any preggo while I was there.
The waiting no be small things...
Another officer: Calls mum and interviewed her. Like how much she had and how much I had. My mum had only little money on her plus little naira. Asked who my kids were? Why I decided to birth In elpaso of all places. Mum said it was my choice.
Mum: Comes back. Sits and tried to tell me the things they asked her.
An officer noticed and doesn't want us to communicate.
Takes my mum to a seat behind and takes me and my kids to another room where they have play toys with a bed.
An officer comes to ask what we need. I said I was okay but he brings 2 packs of juice and mac and cheese for the kids.
After a while.....
An officer ushers me into the interviewing room
Na there the main action film starts...
Officer Man: How much do you have?
Me: 10k
Officer: Are u sure u have up to that amount:
Me: Yes
Officer: Lets see.
Counts and indeed complete.
Officer: Do u have another currency with you.
Me: Brings out 1,300 naira in my wallet.
Officer: You declared u did not have more than 10k. U lied. I told him that the 1,300 was insignificant to me. I didn't know it meant anything. Hmmmm, strike 1 for me
Officer: Starts asking me plenty questions. I can't write it all. Will mention a few.
What I do? How much I earn? What DH does? How much he earns? What kind of car I drive? How much is our house rent? How much I had in all bank acc. Goes through all the visa's in my passport. U hv travelled alot. I said yes. Also, asked the POE I used the last time I visited US. I said New York.
Asked me to write down some stuffs like address in naija, address of hotel I will stay in US, my parents names, kids names and dh name and some details about them.
Officer: Did U and DH save for the trip.
Me: No
Officer: How did you get the 10k dollars?
Me: Both me and DH's money but mostly DH's money.
HIGHLIGHT:
The officer woman took my phone from me which she went through. Watsapp, email, etc and some things were screen grabbed pertaining my trip and conversations about this trip and they asked me questions about it. They looked for every implicating thing on my phone.
Officer asked me if I ever discussed about coming to give birth in US with anyone.
OFFICER EVEN TOLD ME ABOUT NAIRA LAND. THAT THEY KNOW ABOUT IT. THAT THEY FOLLOW IT. He said something about us saying Houston is a tight POE. I told him I followed houston irrespective of that because I know I am coming genuinely to have my baby and I am willing to pay every dime.
I almost thought I was about to be sent back with all the series of question. Thank God for burden of proof ( in cash form).
After every every; officer says they will allow me to go in but I should make sure I pay all my bills. Get receipt and zero bal from doctor and hospital etc. I will show it everytime I visit. He said its not illegal to give birth but not when u come and not pay cos they the tax payers will have to pay for it which they can't do for their children. Also, I should make sure I read every document b4 signing cos medicare people would even come to you after you have your baby.
He says you get barred from US etc when you don't pay.
WELL, I know all that already and I will pay all my bills and I am prepared to do so.
I LEFT AFTER 4 HRS AND I MISSED MY FLIGHT
I could only be rescheduled the next day on united and it was not a direct flight. I went through denver.
I couldn't check into intown suites agin cos we got into elpaso at 10pm on sat and their office has closed and was told they dont open on sundays.
So we paid for 2 nights at a hotel. The airport shuttle picked us up and they give free breakfast.
So will check into Intown suites tomorrow.
IF YOU ASK ME SINCERITY PAYS COS WHAT WILL BE WILL BE...
THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT ANSWERED MY QUESTIONS WITHOUT CRITICISM AND SARCASM. Also, to all nairalanders cos your information here helped alot.

Nice and cool. I pray for a good POE experience too.

Was it still stanbic H/Q Lag she got her PTA. When was that and did she apply 2 weeks prior.
Thanks...

Enizo:
Hello just to announce my wife just left for houston some hours ago.
PTA obtained from stanbic p 210.

Wifey got an upgrade from economy to b class I still don't understand this part though she flew airfrance and she was told stuff about sky priority.

POE has been handed over to God will give details once she's through it and please if any one understands how she got the upgrade pls tell me.

@ Emeriem, am not deliberately ignoring ur PM. I just can't accept. Taking me to sth else. U can email me directly emeldamicheals@gmail.com

Seems am d only one still awake. Sleep no gree enter my eye.

Good early morning everyone and Happy Sunday.

I gotta try and catch some sleep now.....

My mum called a cousin in Ghana on friday and he said dollar was 360 naira or so.

allen0000:
The best, Go to Accra or Benin Republic and buy Dollar or transfer via Western Union/Money Gram, or if u have someone in Accra or Benin he/she can transfer via western union or money gram, their rates are far more better

Pls, can one port via houston with little cash and maybe show them money in the account via internet or mobile banking and master cards on her. If I dnt get PTA, I wonder how much I can change via black market to become a reasonable amount to them.

The western union na anoda hussle all 2geda. Only one person a day. Imagine dat. Their bosses have their people oooo.

Egonne1:
As at yesterday, FirstBank is 320 to a dollar. My own little contribution to the house, for those still traveling, find ways to book for moneygram or Western Union, with the charges, moneygram is about 218 while Western Union is about 220, limit for Western Union is 190,000 moneygram 198000 which is better but both are still the best compared to black market. All the best

OMG...

allen0000:
As of Tuesday -Wednesday First Bank charged 310/1$ while GTB charged me 280/$1,via ATM machine Chicago. First Bank is ripping people off,

Pls, who is in elpaso and using atm with First Bank or Stanbic Naira Master Card. What is the rate? What of POS? What is the rate? Online nko? Hope it is still working self. I don't know where naija is headed.

5 days to go from today still no dollar. Anytime, I close my eyes I dey dream abt dollar and last night I dreamt abt Zika Virus . I guess its cos I googled it b4 I went to bed.

God help me with this my trip.

@ Emeriem, I totally understand u. Am not saying the advices other mothers are giving u are wrong but we all know how it is. Different mothers different hearts. Kids are not easy but mom's love for their kids is anoda ball game.
Personally, I am the type that cannot leave my children 4 that long even for one million dollars. My heart will never be at rest cos no one can take care of my child the way I will. The last thing I want is bothering my head with 'who knows what is going on with my kids'. My husband is no go area. Leaves in d morning, comes back at night plus travels occassionally. Personally, I insisted that if I don't travel with the kids then I will cancel the trip. Thats why I am going with them and my mum.
If u or any oda mum is going to elpaso btw feb and april while I am there and staying at intown suites. Maybe we can baby sit at a FEE but something cheaper than taking to day care etc. Not a GUARANTEE but DOABLE. As long as our schedules don't clash.
My kids happens to like playing too much self so will have play mates and study mates.
Also, if u trust leaving ur kids with someone u just met.
I will personally need babysitting, the day I will give birth since I will like my mum to be with me in d labour room.
Thats my contribution.
Good morning peeps....

I don die well. Can it possibly change on monday? Chai!!!. Thanks 4 keeping us posted. Bless u. Keep updating us.

Onlineise:
So the $100k allocation was not approved by the Gov....sorry to be the bearer of bad news...implication is that the scarcity might be tough next week...till next Friday (except a special intervention is approved b4 then)...however the likes of Stanbic that sells from other sources apart from CBN will still sell so be aware.

Sorry Mamas!

I went oooo. Nothing mch. Reason is cos today's bidding wasn't successful. Will give them a call on monday. Thanks

[quote author=Mamatukwas post=42857074][/quote]

Don't look down on me because no one knows tomorrow. Better give me dollars for answering it correctly. All I dream now is dollar.....

LadyGuinivere:
Ok. I have a name
Enedanamanyamakanaechidime
Somebdy please kindly translate

I did not apply and I am leaving nxt wk. Will it still work so I don't fly to lagos in vain.
Thanks

MLMum:
If there is a way you can come to Lagos a day or atmost two days before you travel, you will definitely get PTA from Stanbic. Come with your Ticket and Passport. They only give PTA when it's close to your travel date.

I did not apply 2 weeks before and my date is next week. Thats the issue here. Can they still give me irrespective of that. I don't want to fly all the way to lagos and not get PTA.
Thanks

iblaw:
You forgot to mention that he/she has to apply two weeks before travel date....then they might call you a day or two before your travel date

Is it standard chattered in Abuja or Lagos. Also, I am leaving next week thursday. Are u saying I can get it on tuesday if I open today.
Thanks

[quote author=Mamatukwas post=42851805][/quote]

Does it mean there is no hope for PTA again? As in I cannot get PTA for my travel nxt week.

Onlineise:
FORM A hopefulls ....

CBN, banks to stop forex sales for medicals, school fees | The Sun News
http://sunnewsonline.com/new/cbn-banks-to-stop-forex-sales-for-medicals-school-fees/

My sister, I am staying in abuja and I am flying from abuja. I don open account with stanbic since last 2 to 3 weeks but stanbic abuja ain't selling and I called Lagos and they said I would hv applied 2 weeks to travel date.
I don't know wat to do....

Bisoye82:
Sweetie if there is a way; I will suggest you open an account with Stanbic today (if you don't already have),get the account no before end of banking hours today if possible,send the required documents to their BDC email and go to their head office in Lagos a day before your travel date(am hoping u will depart from Lagos airport) they will most likely sell to you.
Cheers.
@LadyGuinivere Unity is cheaper but the person who helped my mum asked for 80k tip upfront and i asked her to drop 30k despite going back and forth for 3 days.

Thanks and keep us posted with any new development as to the PTA. Inform us if they finally allocate the 100k today.
As for me, I dey on the PTA matter like craze.
My travel date is nxt wk and I still don't have one dollar yet.
Lord have mercy.

I can't remember if u were the awesome person that gave us the info last friday because that info was 100% correct. Though, I didn't succeed cos I read the post after close of bank that day. I don't want to miss another opportunity.

I am believing God 4 favour regards to PTA.

Onlineise:
Its another Friday tomorrow...the CBN MIGHT sell the usual 100k meant for PTA/BTA to banks as directed by the governor.

My people here is the catch...all banks will get this 100k, however while most of you are busy queuing for FBN, UBA, Stanbic, GTB etc....You forget Sterling, Skye, Unity, Wema...my point is, this smaller banks donot have the queues for FX as much as the big banks have...authoritatively I know 1 of the 4 big banks i mentioned above having close to 800k in PTA demand unmet/outstanding so why join the queue...please spread your net and be close to your friends in the smaller banks and hope for some good news.

Meanwhile shoutout to the silent readers that take infos here and run ahead of the regular mamas...I think say na rumour b4 but i dun dey see am now

I can relate. I know how u feel. Pls, do let me know how it goes with u.

LadyGuinivere:
As I type this,I am sitting in unity bank. My travel date is tomorrow. I cnt talk! I can't cry sef

Pls, did anyone get PTA today. Chai, I waka the whole abuja today but I couldn't get.

@ Lady Guinivere, how far? Have u succeeded.

Am gradually running out of time.

Thanks 4 d info. When did u get it?

ijebujazz:
Hi guy, I've been following the thread for a while. My DW just entered the US stress free to give birth. We got our visas last year for vacation..though we ended up not going because of me (work). Anyways to avoid unnecessary poe issues at Houston, we decided to use another poe (Florida). I will post the transcript after I gist with her.

For those in abuja looking for pta, I got for my DW at the first bank in central area. Though they have limited supply.

Thanks. I don die. Kaduna!!! Sterling!!!

[quote author=ashedzi post=42578820][/quote]

Thanks

vcole:
hi. it is just better to wait till your baby is born and then your hubby takes the ds3053 to the us consulate and gets it notarised and send via courier to you. fedex. it will cost about N10k but that is the best thing to do. even if you intend to use a notary public the document really shouldn't be notarised prior to the child's birth.
that being said. el paso accepts the consulate's notarised form. 4 weeks is more than enough for documents processing. my lo's ssn came on day 8, birth certificate on day 10. same day of collection of bc i applied for passport which got out in 2 days.

Okay. Thanks

LadyGuinivere:
Mosdef. Being calling stanbic everyday. They always hedge with the answer that wwhen its my turn I'll hear from them. Today the girl finally said they don't have. I called a Standard chatered friend, he says their account opening process takes forever. And they no get.
I'm headin to NY but not for birthing.

@ Lady Guinivere, abeg update me if u get any necessary info regards to PTA. I will do same. As we both are in d same desperate situation. Where are u headed by the way? Sorry, am asking. I may have missed that.

Elpaso Mama's, is there any slightest of chance that elpaso accepts DS 3053 notarised by notary public. Abi na only embassy notorised one.

Also, how long did it take you guys (elpaso mama's) to finish every documentation. My ticket is for 9 weeks. May have like 4 weeks or so to process documents depending on when baby arrives.

Do I need budget sheet for POE or its only necessary for visa purposes.

Pls, if anyone knows or hears that any of these banks are selling PTA in abuja. Pls, notify me. First bank, GTB, Stanbic IBTC and Diamond bank. Anywhere close to abuja can work for me oooo. If any other bank will give me PTA sharp sharp if I open account with them. Am willing to do soooo.

Thanks......

CONGRATS @ APPLE 19

Oh sorry, just email me directly incase of anything.

Try Rose Medical Center
Vag birth 2,530 for a day stay without epidural
3,300 for 2 days without epidural
Epidural 885
C-Section - 5,500 for 3 days stay
Epidural 700 if taken within 72 hrs

If you want their midwives to deliver you its 1,727 which includes 7 prenatal visits, post partum etc. If you are going late in pregnancy, there will be discount.

Ultrasounds is around 150 to 200 dollars.

That was the much info I know about them.

Don't know about doctors. Sorry...

Call them and enquire more. Hope that helps shaa....

mulberry:
Hello dear, I ve been waiting for ur reply for d names of hospital u contacted in Denver. I don send u pm tire. Been searching online but ve not been able to get any dat do self pay yet. Pls assist.

I kneel down dey beg u. Abeg, which First Bank in Abuja. My travel date is fast approaching. Thanks

Doubleen:
Madam wheredemdey I bought PTA in Abuja this afternoon from firstbank. $4000 at N197.65 with 2% commission. Please stop spreading false info

Thanks. That's the plan...

vcole:
I had the same ish during my time. I booked a 1 night stay at Days Inn. its on the opposite side of the freeway from intown suites. got a cab to intown at noon the next day. costs roughly $50 for that nightand about $10-15 max cab to intown.
you can book on booking.com look for the Days Inn with 10635 Gateway Blvd W...as its address....it's close to walmart so if you are feeling energetic, you can pop into walmart in the morning and do a bit of grocery shopping before you check out. that will save you cab fare having to do so later on...

Thanks for your post. I don't know any mum in elpaso. I called his grace lodge and they are fully booked for february. I have a made a one week reservation with intown suites and I will pay for a nite hotel close to the airport. I also called dr. Lagunas. I intend paying my bills in cash when I arrive there. As for PTA, I am seriously praying something changes btw now and 3 weeks time I get to travel.

lollarojo:
have u tried booking his grace lodge seems cheaper and homely especially for we with kids.Thats where im using th..also if u can get any mom in intown then u send cash to and they pay for a week and get ur room key for u, so when u land ur room key is available, changing hotels is tiring esp for 1 night when u all wd b jetlagged and tired..and as for vbac der is a Dr Yolanda Lagunas dt uses delsol and providence..i was supposed to use her but Dr Martel eventually accepted me after so much talks cos he birthed my 1st son and i am comfortable with him...also ive been sending moneygram via firstbank to elpaso and im using form A to process my hospital payment and doctors fee but its been a week i filled d form now no joy yet..trying to explore pta options as i ve less dan 2wks to travel..

Thanks

Apple19:
@Emeldamichael....you sure need that wheelchair sis. I flew Lufthansa to Dallas. When you get to Frankfurt, they don't really have much wheelchair service, so you're treated special to a place and the bus is brought to pick you. While every other persons WALK to their gates. You'll only be doing yourself and children the favour of freezing out in that cold weather. It was even raining when we landed that day.

So pls, call their office and book. We had to go there in person to book for it specifically, and the lady said if am asked why, I should tell them ITS NEEDED FOR LONG DISTANCE WALK. so pls, nobody is suspecting you O.