₦airaland Forum

abisolaarshow:
Good Morning everyone, please can I go ahead to schedule appointment for my interview without being contacted by the embassy yet, though NVC said they have sent the document to the embassy.
But time is running out, I need to be able to get a date this month, is there a way around it?
Thanks in advance.

Have you gotten your casenumber? You can track your case file using this link: https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker

If it says READY. Then you can proceed with scheduling an appointment. I however advice you also do an email to the Embassy requesting that they send you your Packet.

Drenimarcus:
Man was just upset I guess. It is not mandatory but experiences will guide those who do have up coming interviews. Being on VJ 24/7 and here helped a lot. Like I said, it is well. Trust your day went well?

It is going well. Trust yours is too.

mekusa10:
I'm sure if other people didn't put up their experiences whether here or whatever forum he uses, he would have passed through a very very difficult process to get a visa to be with his loved one. This journey is hard and everyone needs as much help they can get. Trust me, If i want him to post something, it's mostly for others. visajourney and the likes were not so easy to find, but nairaland is always our first call when we need something.

You are right. Its well.

MrBrownJay1:
Of course you will need a tourist or transit visa because when you get to São Paulo, you gotta go through immigration, pick up your bags, go out and check in again for the next flight. Such procedure is not done in transit and you actually have to go through immigration, before you can pick up your bags.

Now, if you have ONE ticket for the whole journey, meaning your bags go all the way to BGI then you don't need a visa, so long as the connection in GRU is less than 24hs.

What you need to do is ask star alliance if they could check you in all the way through BGI on such long flight... if they can then you will stay in transit and don't have to pick your bags in GRU, if they can't then you have to go through immigration.

Thanks so much for this info.

mekusa10:
Either he doesn't read past thread post to see the demand of him or he's just a d*ck. I'll go with the later.

Take it easy bro. Let's mind our language . I want to believe he is not against posting his interview experience. Perhaps he's waiting for the right moment or maybe he forgot. But even if he doesn't want to post his interview experience, that's fine. It's not compulsory.

Hello guys.

Please is it possible to go to Barbados through Brazil without the need for any visa at all? This was a route I found out:

Outbound
LOS - JNB - GRU (South African Airways)
GRU - PTY - POS - BGI (Copa + Caribbean Airlines)

Return
BGI - POS - PTY - GRU (Caribbean Airlines + Copa)
GRU - JNB - LOS (South African Airways)

I noticed S. Africa Airways and Copa America are both members of Star Alliance. Is it possible that they can codeshare? Since this flight involves two tickets with Brazil being in between the two tickets, will a Brazil Transit Visa be needed or can it waived if one stays within the airport?

Abbreviations
LOS - Lagos, Nigeria.
JNB - Johanessburg, South Africa.
GRU - Sao Paulo, Brazil.
PTY - Tocumen, Panama.
POS - Piarco, Trinidad and Tobago.
BGI - Bridgetown, Barbados.

Dutchleez:
@LegitBachelor, can we let @innken be? Since he’s not disposed to share his experience. I’m sure that won’t cause hoarding of information that could of benefit to him.

Regards!

He never said he's not disposed to sharing his experience. Or did he?

Hello guys.

Please is it possible to go to Barbados through Brazil without the need for any visa at all? This was a route I found out:

Outbound
LOS - JNB - GRU (South African Airways)
GRU - PTY - POS - BGI (Copa + Caribbean Airlines)

Return
BGI - POS - PTY - GRU (Caribbean Airlines + Copa)
GRU - JNB - LOS (South African Airways)

I noticed S. Africa Airways and Copa America are both members of Star Alliance. Is it possible that they can codeshare? Also what is the round trip cost to Barbados?

Abbreviations
LOS - Lagos, Nigeria.
JNB - Johanessburg, South Africa.
GRU - Sao Paulo, Brazil.
PTY - Tocumen, Panama.
POS - Piarco, Trinidad and Tobago.
BGI - Bridgetown, Barbados.

innken:
At the embassy I told them I will be tying the knot in September but I and my fiancee changed the date to October. Will it affect me when I travel in October. Since we changed the timing for the wedding

No it won't as long as your visa is still valid at your time of entry.

We still await your interview transcript at the embassy. God bless you as you share your experience with us.

Lordcrixus:
Your second paragraph echos my point about the mentioned final destinations that I was referring to (US, UK, EEA, Canada, Japan). So I don’t get how you arrived at the conclusion that my information is false. I repeat if you have a valid visa to these countries I mentioned, you don’t need a schengen transit visa. you will need a schengen C visa if you will transit through two schengen airport as a Nigerian with valid visa to these countries as mentioned earlier. It’s only countries like Barbados (you are seeking information for) and the likes that you will need a transit visa or C visa for depending on the type of itinerary you have.

Oh Ok. Guess I didn't understand you. I thought you were trying to buttress Seyewest argument. Seyewest had said one wouldn't need a schengen visa (whether A or C) for this trip: LOS - AMS - DXB. I thought you were in agreement with him. I totally agree with your bolded statement

seyewest:
E Don do oooo... Maybe we should open another thread on how to use visa....

Lol, I'm done. But I feel what we were discussing on also concerns US visa so technically it's not off topic .

saintrise:
Thanks bro. So grateful sir.

You are welcome. You can also check out my previous post on my POE experience. Here's the link: https://www.nairaland.com/4800968/usa-fiancee-k1-visa-thread/18#76884024

Lordcrixus:
I guess you missed the line where I stated if the traveler has a valid visa to the mentioned destination by seyewest and as mentioned also in your reply.

I didn't miss any line. I read everything you posted and they are all false.

You said one doesn't need a schengen transit visa if he has visa for the final destination and is transiting only one schengen airport. You said schengen transit visa together with the final destination visa will be required if transiting more than one schengen airport. That is false. A schengen transit visa and the final destination visa is needed when transiting one schengen area while a full schengen visa as well as the final destination visa is needed when transiting more than one schengen area.

However it is goodnews that one can bypass the schengen transit visa requirement if he or she has a US Visit Visa. Even the UK airports can waive their requirement with the US Visit Visa. I rememer vividly a scenario when me and colleagues were stuck in Amsterdam enroute to Lagos and we were given an option of flying through the UK as there was no direct flight to Lagos for that day. I was able to key into that option because of my US Visit Visa but my colleagues couldnt becuase they dont have US Visa.

saintrise:
@LegitBachelor. Pls what kind of questions are asked at POE?

I wasn't asked any questions concerning my visa. Was only asked what I had in my luggage to know the kind of foodstuff in there. But each airport is different. Dallas POE seem a bit lenient. Even the several times when I entered the states through Dallas POE with my B1/B2 Visa, I was asked very basic questions like: who will I be staying with, what's his/her profession, what's my relationship with him/her, how long are you staying.

But as Drenimarcus advised, be ready for thorough questions. They might search your phone or bag. So be ready for that. Dont forget to keep your documents and the medical parcel with you all the time in your backpack. Don't keep them in your luggage.

In all, just be yourself. There's nothing to worry about. I was more worried during my entry with the B1/B2 Visa than with K1 Visa. The CBP guys are more strict on Visit Visa and less strict on K1 Visa.

seyewest:
After deep research, I think I'm mixing things up, you must have those visa (correct visa) to transit through EU reason almost every trip to Dubai hard go through European Airline.
Bless you bro and we're derailing the thread.
@LegitBachelor @Chips101 and @omobendel it was nice learning from you guys.

I'm glad we've clarified the grey areas. I actually learned something big from you for which I'm much grateful. I learned it's theoretically possible to go to Barbados through Brazil. Thus this means all one needs when going to Barbados is a Nigerian Passport with a Brazil Visa. One of the routes I'm suggesting is as follows:

Outbound
LOS - JNB - GRU (South African Airways)
GRU - PTY - POS - BGI (Copa + Caribbean Airlines)

Return
BGI - POS - PTY - GRU (Caribbean Airlines + Copa)
GRU - JNB - LOS (South African Airways)

I don't think S. Africa Airways codeshares with the other airlines but I think a Brazil Visa takes care of this.

Abbreviations
LOS - Lagos, Nigeria.
JNB - Johanessburg, South Africa.
GRU - Sao Paulo, Brazil.
PTY - Tocumen, Panama.
POS - Piarco, Trinidad and Tobago.
BGI - Bridgetown, Barbados.

The total cost is around $2400 which is on the high side, but okay considering the stress involved and the near impossibility in getting US Visa or EU Visa.

Caveat
Please note that this info is just an hypothesis. I don't physically know of anyone who successfully went to Barbados using the route I proposed with a Brazil Visa only. But I think this info is plausible.

cc: Anacye

seyewest:
A passenger on the way to Dubai and flying with KLM will transit through Amsterdam airport (International Transit Airside) without EU visa so far the Aircraft is flying from the same terminal.

This your statement is not true if that passenger is a Nigerian. I'm of the position that he'll need a Transit EU visa since he is Nigerian and has no US/UK/EEU Visa. Omobendel24 what's your take on this?

@Seyewest, @Lordcrixus & @Chips101, I also recommend you check out this official EU link:

https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/visa-policy/apply_for_a_visa_en

OmoBendel24:
True, but the US (and other exemption qualifying) visa(s) won’t allow do more than one Schengen Area Airport in any particular trip. I’m with you on most of what you have been saying since.

Oh really? Thanks for the clarification. I hope Seyewest, Lordcrixus and Chips101 take note of this clarification as well.

Chips101:
https://www.klm.com/travel/ng_en/campaigns/airport_transit_visa.htm
https://www.airfrance.ng/NG/en/local/page_flottante/hp/airport_transit_visa.htm
https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y/nigeria/transit/somewhere_else/no (Exemptions You don’t need a visa if you have one of the following:
a visa for Canada, New Zealand, Australia or the USA (this can be used for travel to any country)

These websites explain what Lordcrixus is saying. If you are flying LAGOS--PARIS--NEW YORK for example, as long as you are transiting through specific airports mentioned (CDG, Schiphol, and for the UK usually Gatwick/Heathrow), you do not need a transit visa as long as you have a VALID visa for your final destination i.e. the US.

If you need to change airports (i.e. you need to go through immigration), then you require a visa.

Of course I agree that you don't need a Transit Visa for the route you just mentioned. If you read my post you'll see that exemptions are granted to Nigerians who are holders of US visas.

My argument with Lordcrixus is on the difference between a Schengen Transit Visa and a Schengen Short Stay Visa (regular visa). When transiting only one Schengen area (eg LOS - AMS - DXB), you'll need a Schengen Transit Visa. However, when transiting more than one Schengen area (eg LOS - AMS - CDG - DXB), you'll need a Schengen Short Stay Visa and not a Transit Visa. But if you have a US or UK or Canada or EEA visa, then you don't need either Transit or Short Stay Visa.

seyewest:
e.g Lagos- Amsterdam (Connecting Flight with KLM) -Dubai.
Even without EU visa, you will connecting to Dubai successfully so far you stay in the International Air transit side of the airport.

Do you know of any Nigerian (without US or UK visa) who used this route without a Schengen Transit Visa? I don't think so.

Below is a screenshot of the ATV rules. Nigerians need a transit visa unless he meets the exemption requirement.

Lordcrixus:
He concluded by saying if he/she has a valid visa to the final destination. A traveler will only need a transit visa if he/she will stop over in 2 schengen airports in between the itinerary as there is no border check within the schengen airports. So if you have a valid visa to those mentioned destinations and you will not be flying via any other schengen airport enroute to the final destination, then you are good to go without a transit visa.

Everything you posted here is wrong but I will address the bolded for now. A traveller need a full schengen visa and not transit visa when stopping over in 2 schengen airports. It's only when he is transiting only one schengen airport and the final destination is outside a schengen area that he will need a schengen transit visa (unless he meets the exemption requirements).

The exemption requirement is that the person should have a greencard/visa for any one of the ffg countries US or UK or Canada or Ireland or Japan or Bulgaria or Romania or the European Economic Area (EEA). Which is a tall order if you ask me.

seyewest:
From my research ''KLM announced on 1st May 2008, that ''No More Airport Transit Visa to All Destinations with KLM
Airport Transit Visa

KLM announces that transit visa is no longer required for Nigerian, Ghanaian, Liberian, Sierra Leonean and Indian Nationals if directly transiting in Amsterdam (Schiphol) to any destination if holding a valid resident permit or visa for the U.K, the U.S.A., Canada, Ireland, Japan, Bulgaria, Romania or the European Economic Area (EEA). In addition, he /she should hold a valid visa for the final destination.''

See the bolded in the post you referenced. The Nigerian dont need a schengen transit visa IF he is a resident of USA, etc. or possess visa in those countries. If a Nigerian don't have a US visa (or the other countries listed) and he is not a permanent resident, he will need to get a transit visa. That's my understanding of the post you referenced.

I believe also that if you're transiting through the International zone of the airport and your luggage is check through to the final destination, you don't need to clear immigration/security which means no need for transit visa.

Another angle is that if you are connecting directly from one flight to another and not leaving the airport transit zone, then you can transit without visa. However, be sure your arrival and departure flights leave from the same terminal.

I know this. What you posted is what obtains in many airports worldwide. But I've always known the airports in the US, UK and EU to have stricter rules when it comes to Transit Visa.

seyewest:
Visa is required at AMS for any EU,UK,Ca and US trip while they won't need it if your trip is to a visa free country.

I think you are wrong here. A Nigerian transiting through AMS to a non-schengen area will require a transit visa. Here's a link where you can check this:

https://consular.mfaservices.nl/schengen-visa/schengen-advisor/PLWXWF/Advisor/Advisor/IntendedStay

https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/travel-and-residence/visas-for-the-netherlands/airport-transit-visa

I think you should stop looking for direct flight from Brazil to Barbados instead look for Brazil- Mex-Barbados or Brazil- Kingston-Barbados etc.

Wow this is a great info. So in effect, a Nigerian can travel to Bridgetown, Barbados without the need for a US, UK or Schengen (EU) Visa. All he needs is a Brazil Transit Visa. This is huge. Thanks.

cc: Anacye

Anacye:
@legitbachelor
Please sir, apart from Jamaica , where else can me and my man meet that’s close to America but won’t be a problem me getting a visa for?
Thanks so much

Hi Anacye, were you finally able to meet your fiance?

seyewest:
Yes and No, I believe some flight may fly through some of the island like island hopper flight, interestingly Nigerians don't need visa to visit Ecuador so you can find your way to Ecuador, getting to Barbados won't be hard.
One more thing, you can fly to Dubai and get a flight on KLM, Airfrance to Ecuador and fly from Ecuador to the Caribbean if you don't have a UK Visa or EU visa.

The reason I asked is because I couldn't find any direct flight from Brazil to Bridgetown. You said Nigerians don't need visa to Ecuador, Nigerians don't need visa to Barbados (Bridgetown) also but the issue is that there are no direct flights there. It's either you pass through the US or UK or Europe and all these routes require at least a transit visa. The KLM flight you mentioned involved transiting through AMS and to my knowledge those guys require an EU visa. I've passed through AMS to another country before and they always request to see my EU visa before they stamp me through.

The Hopper Island Flight you mentioned is a route between two US territories, Honolulu and Guam. Don't you think US visa will be required for such trip?

cc: Anacye

Drenimarcus:
Hi bro, do I need to include the cd q-life gave me in the petition? Or doesn’t matter?

No. What they need is vaccination record. The CD is your x-ray report so is not needed. Keep it for future purposes. I'll take mine along with me when going for my AOS interview.

seyewest:
You can also apply for Brazilian transit visa and fly with South African Airline via Johannesburg to Rio and connect to the Caribbean via Rio or Sao Paulo.

Really? Wow didn't know one can fly to Barbados through Rio/Sao Paulo. If I may ask, will it be a direct flight from Rio/Sao Paulo. I know of a lady who needs this info.

anjiee:
Thanks @legitbachelor, I mailed them already lagosiv@state.gov . I also called their number to inform them n I was told to send a mail instead; of which I told d lady I spoke to, that I already sent a mail. She just said "we will get back to you"

Ok that's fine. You are on track. Keep on checking for available dates just as I had earlier adviced.

@anjiee, in addition to what I posted earlier, there's also another way in which you can monitor your portal homepage without having to go to the appointment page and thus exceeding the maximum number of allowed visits.

It's called check4change and it's recommended to use the app with Mozilla Firefox.

Check out this video as well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43bfL6c1Xho

Wow congrats Sharpman1. It's all about patience man. God is in control.

anjiee:
Thank you @legitBachelor @nelem. I already did and It worked.

I have been having difficulties scheduling an appointment date. I kept getting "there are currently no appointments available"

After trying again for the third time, I got this message: "You are approaching the maximum number of times you may view this page. Please complete your transaction at this time".

How can I book appointment now? Please help!

You don't need to try to schedule a date when no date is available. If you do, you'll end up exhausting your attempt. This is because there is a specific number of times you are allowed to view the visa appointment page.

So my advice is that you should remain in your portal homepage and don't click on the appointment page yet. Just wait until a date becomes available in your portal homepage before trying to schedule an appointment. See my previous post (click on link below) on how to easily know if there's any available date:

https://www.nairaland.com/4800968/usa-fiancee-k1-visa-thread/14#75342266

My guess is that there is no date currently available. Sometimes it takes days or weeks before a date appears on the lower left section of your portal homepage, so be patient. Keep checking your homepage (there's no limit to the number of times you can check your homepage unlike the appointment page) every minute or hour everyday until a date appears before you attempt to schedule an appointment. You have to be very fast about scheduling an appointment when a date appears as it could be taken up very fast.

Remember to send the US Embassy a mail informing them of the issue you are having with scheduling an appointment so that they can extend your expiration date.

anjiee:
Hi guys, I already figured out, k1 was classified as immigrant not non-immigrant. I have a little challenge: please which is receipt number? on my GTB Transaction receipt, I can see transaction reference! Is it same as MRV receipt number?

I think so. Is there any other number on the GTB receipt printout? Just try out the numbers on the receipt. One should work.

emmybernard:
I just got married to my USA woman this month,but my concerns now is at the time of marriage she's not carrying my name,which I'm worried ,but I was told she can changed it here or over through the media ,suggestions neededplease

There's no need to change her name in Nigeria as she's not resident in Nigeria. She only needs to change it in the States. However it is not a must that she must change her name after marriage. She can chose to retain her maiden name and still file for you. No big deal.

anjiee:
I have not, I am tired of waiting. Thinking of using a new username.

I'm surprised ustraveldocs hasn't resolved this. They are usually very fast. Did you try calling (012278955) and emailing (support-nigeria@ustraveldocs.com and Support@ustraveldocs.com)? Well I advice you try using a new username if they don't respond and select the earliest available date. If you create a new profile and don't see any available date to schedule, make sure you call (014603400) the US Embassy to tell them you couldn't schedule an interview date, also do them an email (LagosIV@state.gov) as well so that it will not appear as if you allowed the validity of the approved petition to elapse. At least they'll see you made an effort to schedule a date.


http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng/ng-main-contactus.asp

Wow congrats djfrancis. Yours was fast! I'm still in the waiting stage. Dallas has a long wait time apparently. But God is in control.