₦airaland Forum

agates:
Hello everyone. I had a baby in the U.S. five years ago. Paid all my bills to the letter. Applied again 2 years ago but via Dropbox. Called for an interview but was denied. Reason: even though I wasn't pregnant when I got the visa, at the point of entry I should have stated I was pregnant. I am so scared of reapplying because truthfully it's emotionally draining getting denied. Do you advise that I reapply and state in the application I am pregnant and going for medicals.

Ms2ra:
Hello All,

I just want to say a very big thank you to you all. This forum helped me with my visa application. I’ll love to share my story as it might help the next person.

I’ve been to the United States several times in the past and still have a valid visa expiring in July (exactly on my EDD).

I decided to renew the visa via Dropbox as I wasn’t comfortable being in another man’s land with an expired visa (I later learnt from this forum that this wasn’t an issue as your duration of stay is determined by the CBP)

I applied through Dropbox with 3 other members of my family (our visas were expiring on the same day). All 3 of them got their visa but me. I was asked to schedule a follow-up interview based on a 221g category.

Many thanks to this forum I got all my supporting documents ready, scheduled the interview and below is my transcript.

VO: Good Morning
Me: Good Morning and how are you doing?
VO: Very well thank you. And why are you going to the United States
Me: Vacation and to have my baby
VO: I see you’ve traveled several times to the U.S, do you always stay in New Mexico (this info he clearly got from my DS160)
Me: Oh no, my sister just moved there from Visalia, California, it will be my first time in Albuquerque NM.
VO: I don’t know which is worse Visalia, CA or Albuquerque, NM...hahahha
Me: hahahha (I didn’t get the joke though)
VO: So what do you do
Me: I work with so so so and so
VO: For how long?
Me: x years now
VO: Are you married?
Me: Yes
VO: Will your husband be traveling with you?
Me: Sadly no because of work but my mum will be joining me later on.
Congratulations. Which location was this please?VO: What does your husband do?
Me: He also works in the same place as I do as so so so and so
VO: What’s your budget for this trip?
Me: $15,000
VO: Have you made any payments?
Me: No I haven’t, I decided to wait till after the interview just in case
VO: Good decision. Do you have an appointment with a doctor and can I see statement showing you can pay for this trip.
Me: Sure...handing him the appointment letter from the doctor’s office, the hospital and doctor’s bills and also my statement of accounts.
VO: Oh great, after reviewing for about a minute. He returned all documents and starts typing for what seemed like forever and then he says...
VO: Your visa has been granted, you can pick up your passport at the address circled after you receive an email or text message for pick up.
Me: Thank you very much.

From time of entry to exit all took about 30minutes.

Cretaceous:
My wife's interview was today.
Transcript:

VO: Good morning
W: GM
VO: Your passport, please
VO: Why are you going to the US?
W: To have my baby?
VO: Where are you going to in the US?
W: Houston Texas
VO: Why Houston Texas?
W: *confused* wasn't sure if he meant why the US or why Texas and not any other states in the US.
W: it was based on a friend’s recommendation.
VO: looked up, (like, not convinced)
W: reads body language then says: for dual citizenship purposes and access to better medical health care.
VO: Where do you work?
W: I work at….as a....I’m in charge of….
VO: How many years have you been working?
W: 3 years
VO: Where does your husband work?
W: He is a …. He works at ....
VO: Have you traveled before?
W: No
VO: Has your husband traveled before?
W: Yes
VO: Can I see his passport?
W: Passes my passport to VO. I also have an intro letter from his coy, would you like to see it?
VO: Yes, please.
W: tosses it
VO: I would like to see bank statement, correspondence, and budget sheet?
W: passes all three documents to him.
VO: Which hospital?
W: Houston Medi…VO interjects and completes it.
W: yes
VO: Where will you be staying?
W: Precious cedar mother care.
VO: Do they have a mother care package?
W: Yes. Passes a printout of the package.
VO: Where is precious cedar?
W: Richmond
VO: Are you married?
W: Yes
VO: When?
W: xxxx. I have the marriage certificate here, would you like to see it?
VO: Yes, please
VO: passes a white paper and says pick up visa after three days.

Advice from my wife:
Be organized. Make sure all your documents are well arranged and you can easily reach them.
VO looked at the bank statement and focused on where there were bulk transfers but he didn’t pick it because he noticed those transfers were from my company. So, avoid bulk transfers.
And lastly, take the initiative, read body language and ask to show them documents that you think can help you.

Thanks everyone

Olarewajub:
Happy Weekend

My treasury bill got matured earlier this month and since then, First Bank has refused to give back my investment. I've already contacted Firstcontact and their response is that they are investigating on the issue. But now everything seems to be like fraud. To the experienced folks here, what legal actions can i take to recover my money?

Unfortunately for me, I'm far away from the bank the TB was done. Nevertheless, I'll be storming any of their branch on Monday

In addendum, i got a call from a Lady this week claiming to be from First Bank. She only asked whether i took any loan and my response was negative. .

BBFE:
What are you seconding? Someone just puts up some cut and nail self-serving analysis to deny the reality on ground and you are seconding him?

The dollar rally against the naira was purely an oil price story and nothing more. The hoarding and trading shenanigans that followed were off of that event.

Oil closed below 40 dollars in 2015 and that was the reason why your naira lost ground, speculators were emboldened by this fact and they wrecked the naira.

If you expect the naira to plunge, the play shouldn't be locking in high rates but to buy dollars. In his self serving analysis up there, he said oil prices are not sustainable without noting what America would do on May 12. That aside, how much is our fx debt? What is our external reserve? Is our demand for fx going to increase or decrease? Are foreigners going to exit before elections or not?

When you put everything together, the odds are definitely in favour of a loosely stable naira.

Dreamflyin:
Correction please.
Dollar drops during election cos the market is flooded with election/campaign cash. Naira gains pre-election campaigns and spending.

spenca:
Primary market rate should settle around 11-12% rate by q3'18 but those days of jumbo 16-20% are gone for now.

pinkyruledworld:
Tho am currently not accepting funds now, only if this had showed up last week...its not as if u r investing, its just the traditional "borrow me" money jut that u have 100% of ur funds after the time.

pinkyruledworld:
I receive 100k, I gv u 200k after 365days.

MiracleMum:
@Lagos US Consulate office

VO: Good morning, nice meeting you - may I have your passport please?
Me: Good morning, my pleasure - sure you may have it.
VO: where in the US do you intend going
Me: Houston Texas
VO: for what purpose?
Me: childbirth
VO: I can see you were here last month, so what has changed now?
Me: Based on the questions the previous VO asked, I deduced she wasn't convinced I had strong ties home to make me return after birthing. So I decided to reapply without my hubby and toddler. Knowing fully well that it's not illegal to birth in the US as long as you can afford it.
VO: how old is your toddler?
Me: 3 years
VO: you had her here in Nigeria so why have you decided to birth your next child in the US?
Me: her birth and survival was a miracle and its not an experience I'd wish to go through again, hence I'm soughting for better health care in the US for my unborn baby.
VO: is that all?
Me: I also want dual citizenship for my baby
VO: DO you have hospital correspondence and acceptance?
Me: yes I do, would you like to see them?
VO: yes please
Me: handed them over, she looked through and kept the documents beside her.
VO: how did you find the doctor and hospital
Me: I checked online, read various reviews and picked out some names and contacts. Requested for their bills for self paid patients, reviewed same before requesting for an acceptance letter.
VO : where would you be staying?
Me: I booked an apartment in downtown houston. Would you like to see the booking reservation?
VO: yes please
VO: what do you do for a living?
Me: I am so and so in so and so company
VO: okay, I can see your husband works in same company
Me: yes, we actually met there and got married
VO: you married your boss?
Me: with a smile. Not my direct boss, though he's one of my bosses
VO: how long have you worked there?
Me: xyz years
VO: and your husband
Me: xyz years
VO: what does he do there?
Me: xyz job function
VO: how much does he earn
Me: xyz amount
VO: DO you have his statement of account here and yours as well
Me: yes I do, would you like to see then
VO: sure, pls pass them over
VO: what's your budget for this trip
Me: 15000$. I do have a budget sheet here, can I pass it to you?
VO: please do
She then types for a long time and brings out a white paper, wrote my name in the space provided at the top and went to the bottom of the paper to circle administrative processing, she then turns to me to explain what she just did and said I'd be sent a mail within 3 working days informing me to come pick up the documents and passport. and then handed over the white paper to me.

It was quite a long interview.

pinkyruledworld:
yes ke... thats 100% of borrowed money

david22uu:
yes by right

spenca:
Some houses even offer better rates than commercial bank secondary rates

MiracleMum:
My interview was scheduled for 9am today. I was given a white paper after much question and answer. And the VO said I'd receive a mail in the next 3 days informing me to come pick up my documents and passport which she's withholding for administrative purpose.
Does this mean I've gotten the visa?

pinkyruledworld:
borrow me that 100k I go give u 200k after 12months

mamsiey:
*Long post alert*
I have been a silent reader for the past year and I would like to share my POE experience:

Arrived at Dulles POE

We were the first flight to land in the morning so they had time on their hands for us. I was the second in line to see the CBP officer.
Officer: Good morning
Me:Good morning with a smile then presented my passport.
Officerwithout opening it) questions started flying in my face, is this your first time in the US, what are you here for. (Mind you I'm a frequent flyer to the US).
Me: Calmly answers all the questions
Officer: (finally opens passport) oh i see you have been here a couple of times, what will you be doing here for 11weeks.
Me: I'm having my baby
Officer: (surprised) you are having a baby, how much will it cost you and how much do you have?
Me: it will cost $XXXX and I have $XXXX in cash and on my card.
Officer: okay, puts my passport in a case and sends me to secondary inspection.
* At this point I start praying for favor*
I sat waiting for 15 minutes before my name was called.
2nd Officer: repeat same questions and asks to see cash so I removed cash and counted it before him. Then he took my pasport to the inner room and comes out asking one officer how much it cost to have a baby and he said "oh my wife delivered last month and I paid $40,000. I said in my mind fire burn you na God pass you. I sat there for close to 45 minutes before he called me again and he said it is not a crime or illegal for me to have my baby in the US but I should make sure not to use gov't funds and present my receipts the next time I arrive at any point of entry in the us and finally stamped me in. No documents checked even though I had doctors correspondence and I'm glad I declared my intents without being asked because my belly wasn't showing too. I didn't send the change of intent letter and wasnt asked why I didn't inform the embassy. Mind you I had used the visa last year for visiting.
Don't be scared of immigration if you have nothing to hide. During my wait in secondary inspection, I didn't touch my phone, I just relaxed in the chair outside and they watch everything to see if you will panic. I thank God it ended in praise because the righteous is delivered by the innocence of his hands.
I almost missed my connecting flight to Chicago and i was the last person to board. Chicago is very cold, had my first appointment and prepaid my bills and waiting for the baby to arrive.
Thank you for this forum and all those who stretched out to help me with my questions. We are all not agents and some people genuinely need help so let's continue to offer it when we can.
I'll be bavk to share hospital details and documents when I'm done!

gretop:
L author=ptefemmeforte post=66830198]good evening house, FTM and silent reader but ha to give part back to the forum to keep the hope alive.
Myself and my DH went for our visa interview 16th April and it was

Congratulations. Thanks alot for sharing

ekpotek:
@Justwise. My advise is based on personal experiences. I have had situations to spend fund from my submitted bank account while waiting for a visa decision and it did not affect the outcome. The most important thing is have more than enough in your account in case the ECO want confirm with the bank if the supplied statement is genuine or fake. Beside, no bank has the right to reveal your bank balance to a third party without your consent or court order. If the OP need money to attend to presssing needs, then he’s free to access it, considering that some decisions on many visit visa take months.

ptefemmeforte:
good evening house, FTM and silent reader but ha to give part back to the forum to keep the hope alive.
Myself and my DH went for our visa interview 16th April and it was successful.
Transcript:
VO: Morning, passport please
Me: hands them over
VO: looks at my husband and asks what is the relationship.
DH: We are marrie.
VO: when did your marry?
DH: August 26, 20**
VO: I see you are going to the US for childbirth, why the US?
DH: To give our first child the privilege of dual citizenship
VO: what do you do?
DH: I work at *** as ****, was recently promoted to *** . Explains job description
VO: Have you travelled before?
DH: No but my wife has been to France twice for studies.
VO: checks my passport to confirm, and I also passed the plastic titre de sejour card France gives for second year of study, he was confuse and aske if I was a PR and I explained what the card meant. Faces me squarely an said that means you're a student.
Me: Technically, but I have completed all coursework an left France since June 2017 but my graduation is June 2018.
VO: Well, technically you are a student
Me: Smiles (didnt know how to answer, cos my french visa don expire sef)
VO: What did you study?
Me: International Business Mgt, major in European markets
VO: Do you speak french?
Me: Yes
VO: i can only say 'Bonjour' and started typing for a long time.
VO: Who sponsored your education?
Me: My parents
VO: Can I see your correspondence, budget sheet and bank statement
hands them over, looked at the bank statement for a long while. Asked some questions about certain outflows and then passed the white paper.

I am grateful to all the gurus on this platform, cos before I eventually decided to do it myself, agents were saying the fact that i just finished masters might be used against me (probably that i want to go find a job in the US) and were suggesting all sorts of lies to tell. I give God all glory sha.

deevuu:
I received it earlier today and we return in 7days time. Abuja POE.



quote author=ozymes post=66790821]When did you receive the reply and when are you expected to hit our dear POE in Naija?

happney65:
So dropping an email address has given away the poster's location or what?I dont seem to understand what you are saying..it is not even a mobile which is traceable,its just something as simple as email.will the poster be kidnapped through email or what as i dont seem to understand the fear behind dropping an email which is a means of communication

You people just make a big fuse where there is none

deevuu:
Hello guys. Please, I sent an email to Nigerian immigration on getting the VOA for my son... And I got a reply with just "Received ". Does anybody know if they will send a follow-up email or do I need to write them again? Thanks in advance!

Spatz81:
My Dear People,

Will it matter that I would not have a return ticket for the LO when applying for VOA?

classyfabrics:
I ended up booking with British Airways with a 7hours layover in London. I hope I won't be needing a transit visa? though I asked the wakanow agent and I was told I don't need one, I also checked online and it seems it is not required but I just want to be sure from those who have recently flown through the route.

ewa2014:
At my last interview, a lady was refused because she dint disclose to the CBP at her last trip that she was there for childbirth. The visa officer said the onus is on her to inform the CBP of her intent to have a baby during her trip “whether he asked or not”...she said he dint ask and the guy said “oh well” and denied her visa.

So please whether they ask or not, it’s best to disclose.

CheeseMama:
Thanks to everyone who advised on how to deal with Pediatrix. I called them and was referred to Ann in Central Billing. She gave a quote of $1170 initially and i requested the HB package of $675 which she immediately honoured. She said she'd mail my receipt and i should call in 7 business days to request zero balance statement. Phew! I guess the trick is to talk to someone in Central Billing as their patient reps are very clueless on self pay patients.

Please does anyone know how much Lufthansa charges for extra bag?

Tvegas:
If she wasn't specifically asked about her purpose she didn't need to discuss her birthing. The CBP officer may be less concerned as regards wether she is birthing or not. He might have seen enough pregnant women for that day.This has happened to several people here in the past. Let's not create panic where there is non.

Anchola:
No, he did not ask.

Anchola:
Hello NL, here's my story So far...

I got a B1/B2 visa in 2015, was asked if I was pregnant then, responded no. used it sometime in 2016. became preggy after the trip so we started planning on coming here to deliver.

Got most of my info from NL, gathered all my documents...doctor's correspondence, appointment letter, change of intent letter and their generic response, bank statement, medical records, fit to fly and cash.

Booked VA to New York, 6 hours to Heathrow, 2 hours stop over, 7 hours to JFK. The flight was a comfortable one although entertainment wasn't impressive.

Landed at JFK at about past 11pm. My POE story is almost non-existent, except for the fact that the place was crowded like Oshodi and I had to queue for almost 2 hours, just because I declared food! But we know that God works in mysterious ways...
Meanwhile I had brought out my envelope of properly arranged and labelled burden of proof.

CBP: Hello
Me: Hello....I handed over my passport
CBP: Oh I can see youre holding something, *points at my envelope*....
Me: Yes, my documents. *he didn't ask to see it*
CBP: I can see you have the declaration card, May I see it?
Me: I didn't know it was meant to be filled so I just used the self-service machine.
CBP: what food did you declare?
Me: Nuts and herbs.
CBP: ok....*says nothing else, stamps my passport(6 months) and said bye*
Me: thank you very much!
I went straight for my bags!

It was a good thing that I went prepared but I'm elated I didn't have to go through any 'rigourous' interrogation.

Many thanks to everyone who has contributed on this platform.

My missionary journey contines and it will surely end in praise.

Newmumi:
True!

One can’t be too careful.
Thank you @tvegas too for your reply.

What do you know? LagosNIV just replied. Here’s the It mail below. Sorry for the lengthy post:


Thank you for contacting the U.S. Consulate, Lagos Nigeria.

Your visa is good until the day it expires. You can use it to request to enter the US until February 9, 2017. At the port of entry, CBP will then tell you how long you will be permitted to stay in the country. The visa for a visitor to the U.S. can expire while you are visiting the U.S, Further, you do not need a visa to exit the United States.

Please note that there is no legal requirement to inform us that you are seeking to give birth in the United States or that your purpose of travel has changed. The Customs and Border Protection, a branch of USCIS, determines a traveler’s eligibility of entry to the U.S, you should be prepared to demonstrate to the immigration officer at the port of entry why you are seeking medical treatment and that you have logistical and financial plans for the treatment. You should show the border protection agents upon arrival in the U.S. your detailed birth plan, which would include correspondence with your doctor, the cost of the delivery, any receipts showing prepayments for care and evidence that you have the ability to pay for all costs while in the U.S. up to and including your living expenses.

We recommend that you review the regulations on non-immigrant aliens entering the United States for purposes of childbirth at https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/882/~/visit-the-u.s.-while-pregnant-and-the-risks-involved and plan accordingly. Please you should not stay in the U.S. longer than you are permitted by Customs and Border Protection at the port of entry. The Department of Homeland Security at the port of entry will determine your eligibility to enter the United States on any travel.

If you choose to give birth in the U.S., we advise you to bring evidence of payment, both when you enter the U.S. on this visit, and at your future U.S. visa interviews.


Sincerely,

cid:image001.gif@01CF57EF.0B4BC8F0
Correspondence Unit (DEN)
US CONSULATE GENERAL
LAGOS, NIGERIA.

Nagasaki7:
We are in El paso Texas, arrived few days back. We have had our first appointment already.

Everything is fine so far.