₦airaland Forum

VisaOfficer:
A visa's validity date is tied to the expiration date on a medical report. In some cases, by the time we can print a visa, there are only a few weeks left on the medical report, so we ask the beneficiary to submit a new one (unless they're willing to travel right away).

I suppose i'm fine then.

But another question - what happens if i am unable to go for the follow-up immunization that Q-Life invited me to do? There's another one still in September

VisaOfficer:
I just e-mailed the panel physician to see if she can help. Do you by any chance have an e-mail address for the Atlanta Customs and Border Patrol? It's a big place, and the contacts I have there might not be the contacts who are working on your case. Thanks!

I'm confused though, VO. Why would i need a new Medical?

When i had mine in March, i was told to come for another one in April if i hadn't traveled but i haven't been in town since. I put a call through to Q-Life and they told me i could do it anywhere. But i am not with the Immunization card they gave me.

Hello @sirk111, is this the "new medical" you talk about?

Hi VO,

I had my medical exam on March 17 after which I was informed that I would need to do 2 follow-up check-ups: April 17 (one month after) and September 17 (six months after) either here in Nigeria or in US (if I've traveled by these dates). It seems that is the norm.

However, I completely forgot about the April 17 date. What are the implications of this?

VisaOfficer:
No, actually I'm celebrating my parents' 50th wedding anniversary!

WHAT?!!! Wow! Happy for you and them. Wow! Golden jubilee.

By the way, VO, are you vacationing here in Nigeria?

VisaOfficer:
We're required to give the domestic abuse handout to all fiance(e)s and spouses. We're also required to make the handout on female genital mutilation available to all immigrant visa applicants. And, of course, there's the handout about the USCIS Legal Permanent Resident card fee, which applies to everyone except K visa applicants, IR2s under the age of 18, IR3s, and some special immigration categories. If anyone didn't receive them, here they are.

VO,

Please is it possible that I had paid the Immigrant Visa Fee prior to my interview? Could you help me check my case to see if I've paid already so I don't make the same payment twice.

Thanks.

VisaOfficer:
We're required to give the domestic abuse handout to all fiance(e)s and spouses. We're also required to make the handout on female genital mutilation available to all immigrant visa applicants. And, of course, there's the handout about the USCIS Legal Permanent Resident card fee, which applies to everyone except K visa applicants, IR2s under the age of 18, IR3s, and some special immigration categories. If anyone didn't receive them, here they are.

Great! Thanks

Hi VO,

After my interview, I was handed some papers (including one funny bulletin on how to seek redress from physical abuse from your spouse )

I can't find the documents again. It appears my wife went with them to the US last week, mistakenly. Is there a link to access those documents or I have to come back to your office to get them?

Thanks as always.

VisaOfficer:
Great! I made a note in your case, just in case, explaining that you're aware of the requirements and that it's okay to replace the visa by Sept. 30. Remember that we sometimes have computer issues, so it's a good idea to give us a few weeks -- if you contact us on Sept. 28, it will probably be too late to help!

Thanks a lot. I'll make a decision within the right time period.

VisaOfficer:
The replacement visa has to be printed by the end of the fiscal year, but its validity can extend beyond that date. As long as the visa is printed before Sept. 30, 2015, it will be valid as long as the medical paperwork is valid. So if your new meds are valid until March 15, 2016 (for example), your new visa will also be valid until March 15, 2016, but it has to be printed no later than Sept. 30, 2015.

Does that help?

Oh it does! Many thanks, as always.

I suppose i'll just delay the new medical to much later so it will still be valid for a longer date.

VisaOfficer:
It's actually pretty quick and you won't need another interview. With your visa category, the new visa would need to be printed no later than September 30, 2015 (after that date, your wife would need to file a new petition for you -- eek!). But all you need to do is e-mail us that you need to replace your visa because you're traveling after the expiration date, and make an appointment to bring us your passport, immigration packet, new medical report, and the $325. (If your police certificate is more than a year old, you'll also need a new police certificate.) A week later at most, your new visa should be ready.

Just to be clear. Are you saying the new visa will not extend beyond Sept 30 (instead of the Sept 17 as it is now)? what happens to the medical?

thanks

VisaOfficer:
Uh oh. Unfortunately there's no way to extend an immigrant visa (or any kind of visa, for that matter). You would need not only to submit a new medical, but also to pay the $325 immigrant visa processing fee again. So, while it can be done, it's expensive...

Thanks.

I'm not sure the cost is a big issue. How long with the process take before a new visa is issued? Do I need to attend another interview?

Hi VO,

I have been issued an Immigrant Visa which expires on September 17, I think because my Medical Exam was on March 17. (My wife filed for me).

Now I'm thinking, is there a way I can delay my trip to the US to sometime end of October? I want my office to work a transfer to our US office for me but it would work best if it's done in October.

What can I do? Can I request for an extension of the date, if I have to do another Medical?

Thanks

Thanks ma'am

VisaOfficer:
Scary, huh? I clicked on your name, which took me to your profile, and then I clicked on "View Halaphilip's posts," and then I scrolled through to see if you ever mentioned your case number. Turns out you did, once, back in March. Voila!

Hi VO,

Picked up my visa and other immigrants' doc this morning in VI. No hassles. Thanks for your help.

But I must mention that this http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng website is not really useful because it kept telling me there is no information on my passport. If I didn't ask you I would still be waiting. I think people should just go to the GSS after the specified days to check.

Another question (although I think this is meant for the other thread). For a 2-year non-immigrant visa, do you have to travel within the first six months as is being rumored? My colleague just got a 2-year visa and wants to know.

Thanks

VisaOfficer:
Your visa was printed on March 27, so it ought to be ready and waiting for you.

Oh great! Thanks. Great news

[But how did you get to know this? I didn't give my name or PP number]

VisaOfficer:
Being one of the many pieces of paper the officer should have given you at the end of your successful interview? I've attached a copy here.

Thanks.

A colleague who was interviewed for a non-immigrant visa last Monday picked her visa today. She didn't have to call or track online - she simply asked someone to collect on her behalf and the person got it today. I was interviewed for an Immigrant visa on March 26. The guy said 5 days. But my tracking has not yielded no result. Maybe I should just go there.

VisaOfficer:
There's so much information to keep track of, it's normal to have questions! Check your issuance letter -- it says:

Immigrant visas issued in Lagos can usually be collected five business days following the interview at the document collection center at Victoria Island (address below).

K1/K3 visas can usually be collected ten business days following the interview at one of the following locations, according to the one that you pre-selected at the time of scheduling your appointment:

GSS DOCUMENT COLLECTION CENTER
DHL. PLOT 230 MURI OKUNOLA STREET,
VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS <-- so, this one

GSS DOCUMENT COLLECTION CENTER
DHL HOUSE. NEW AIRPORT ROAD JUNCTION,
APAPA OSHODI EXPRESS WAY, ISOLO, LAGOS

Ah! I see. Thanks.

Issuance Letter being what?

VisaOfficer:
Unfortunately the only answer is "Just keep trying." They were probably closed over the four-day weekend.

Thanks VO.

It just occurred to me that I don't even know which of the GSS offices I am supposed to go pick up my visa (whenever it is ready). My interview simply told me to go pick it within 5 working days. No option as to where.

VisaOfficer:
Immigrant visas issued in Lagos can usually be collected five business days following the interview at the document collection center at Victoria Island (address below).

K1/K3 visas can usually be collected ten business days following the interview at one of the following locations, according to the one that you pre-selected at the time of scheduling your appointment:

GSS DOCUMENT COLLECTION CENTER
DHL. PLOT 230 MURI OKUNOLA STREET,
VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS

GSS DOCUMENT COLLECTION CENTER
DHL HOUSE. NEW AIRPORT ROAD JUNCTION,
APAPA OSHODI EXPRESS WAY, ISOLO, LAGOS

HELPLINE: 094601748
EMAIL: support-nigeria@ustraveldocs.com
WEBSITE: www.ustraveldocs.com

BUSINESS HOURS:
Working hours are from 08:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:00 every Monday to Friday, except for Nigerian and U.S. Holidays.

Although immigrant visas are typically processed and ready for collection five business days (ten business days for K1/K3 visas) after approval at interview, we encourage you to contact the GSS DOCUMENT COLLECTION CENTER directly to inquire as to the status of your case.

If a visa is not yet ready for pick up when you call or email the GSS DOCUMENT COLLECTION CENTER, please be patient. Occasionally errors on application forms submitted by applicants or computer outages will lengthen the process. There is no need to contact the Consulate General directly.

I've been trying to reach the GSS Collection Center since last week via the phone number you provided to no avail. My email message has not been replied. I also tried tracking my document on their website using my Passport Number and it yielded no result. What do I do?

Dear VO,
Pls where can I locate the US visa collection centre? Mine was approved last Thursday. How do I know if it's ready for pickup?

Why is the other thread (the one for non-immigrants) not as interesting as this?

Thanks V.O.

Happy to say my interview went well today and my application was approved. Glad for all the help as always.


Now to go pick up my visa next week (dances shoki)

VisaOfficer:
It says: "Paid."

Thanks ma'am.

VisaOfficer:
No, you're fine. As long as she's domiciled in the U.S., and it sounds like she is, you're good to go.



Per our website, The following items are not permitted on the premises of the United States Embassy or Consulate:
Weapons of any kind or size, sharp metal or glass objects, razor blades, liquids, bottles, powdery substances, umbrellas and electronic or battery-operated equipment (including cell phones, radios, tape recorders, cameras, personal digital assistants, computers). If you have any of these items, you will not be permitted to enter the facility.



It's likely that your wife has already paid the visa interview fee. If you're comfortable sharing your case number, I can look it up.

Here ma'am LGS2014537016. Kindly help me look up the payment status

Hello VO,

I need you to provide clarity on the questions below:

1. My wife is presently in Nigeria. She had our baby in the US and she brought him to see me. I saw your response to an earlier question that the petitioner must be in the US before you can issue a Visa to the beneficiary. I don’t get. My wife petitioned for me and my interview is later this week. Does this affect me? My wife and my kid are going back to the US next weekend.

2. Apart from my mobile phone, what other common carry-ons are prevented from being taken into the US Embassy building? ATM card, car keys etc?

3. I have not been informed that I’ll make any payment on the date of the interview. Could it be that has been done before the NVC sent me the invitation letter? Is there a way you can check if I’m required? I can provide my case number.


Thanks as always.

Regards

Dear VO,

I would like you to clarify the following areas:

1. What happens if my Police Report is valid at the time of my interview (which is next week by the way) but expires before I travel? What do I do?
2. What is the Affidavit of Support (I-864 form)? I’ve seen you use it a couple of times here. My understanding is that all the forms have been sent to the NVC
3. Apart from the official documents listed in the letter I received from NVC, what other documents are typically required at the interview?


Thanks as always

Sold

Hello Visa Officer,

For my interview, Do I need the originals of the financial aid documents from my petitioner? I.e Tax filing for 3 years

Hi VO,

Great to have you back. Hope you rested well.

Cheers