Influential101:
SELT is just IELTS UKVI or PTE

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prove-your-english-language-abilities-with-a-secure-english-language-test-selt

vanod:


uncle or sister, there's no escape route go and seat for English Exam AKA IELTS. stop jumping up and down.

MackyNaija:

5years ago I landed in the greatest country in the world and it has been a successful journey.

I felt I would make so much noise today but realizing the naira to dollar rate rose/fell from #625 less than a week ago to #700 today has left a bitter taste in my mouth...
Gives me the feeling of someone grieving a loss.

It was a great run while this thread lasted..
Thanks to all of my followers and wellwishers.

The thread served its purpose and I personally know a few people that it helped get to the US.

This is officially my last post and I'd say to those in the future reading this... If I could do it, you can do it too!

Once again, God Bless America!!! Peace Out!

FrankNetter:
Also, as of today, I graduated nursing school and passed my board exams

MackyNaija:

Speaking about choices, What are we doing??
The exact question we started asking when we started searching for a house to buy.

Impromptu search, totally unplanned. Our only plan was to leave California, we got to Texas and started house searching the next month!

..and now, we'll ll be closing soon.

We received an update: Lanscaping phase 1 done, carpets for the rooms ongoing.
Outside 85% done after waiting for 3weeks, inside should be 99% done.

Next stage will be fence and sod (grass).

ednut1:
employ a driver Lol. Na you go drive your thing yourself. Why will anyone want to be work for as a 9ja type uber driver when everyone has access to credit.

MackyNaija:

Stay home and press computer all day
Chill work, no preparation to leave home and drive 1hour to work, lunch at home is easy...

Currently doing a quality Program Management kind of role for our Global factories (7 factories majorly and some specific shorter term projects across some other factories/lines of business).

Some chilling in-between work, only problem is starting can be as early as 7am thrice a week and twice a week I have 9pm meetings with Global teams.

The best part is closing for the day and walking approx 5 steps from my "office" to end up at "home from work"

MackyNaija:

Na you I deh find since...

Not forgotten...
I work fully remote, will do when I go outside by the weekend.

MackyNaija:
In roughly 60days, it'd be 5years since I arrived in the US and it has been an interesting and a rewarding ride...

We'll gradually wind down as I barely come online to answer questions or write updates.

My pikin hold me for neck like bow tie, over-agility deh worry am so from sun up to sun down, she grabs any available time we have outside of work.

MackyNaija:

I deh here na..
Anything for your boy?

TWoods:


1. Again this is largely uninformed. Donald Trump, up until 2015, was simply a political joke. He and his family voted democrat and donated to Clinton's 2008 campaign for president. It's not clear how you were a Trump supporter, considering you likely had no idea what his political views were when you were in Nigeria.

2. You're not "reviewing" or "attacking" Democrats, you're simply delusional. To say Democrats have anti-American politics is sadly evidence that you are merely parroting Republican propaganda. Republicans have not passed a single pro-American law since the 1930s... Let's see what Democrats have passed in that time:

a. FDR passed the new deal in 1933 that rescued the US from the great depression of 1932 that Herbert Hoover plunged the US. The new deal set America up for an unparalleled period of economic dominance until Ronald Reagan destroyed it in 1980 - you can guess what party Reagan was a part of. The new deal introduced major banking reform through the creation of the FDIC (which insures every dollar you deposit in any bank account today), the Glass-Steagall Act, and the Securities Act of 1933. The new deal also established the Federal Housing Administration (which holds >80% of US home loans today), the GI Bill, Social Security, and unemployment insurance.

b. LB Johnson passed medicare (which insures almost all Americans aged 65 and above) and medicaid (which provides income to the disabled and the poor - and is one of the major reasons America does not have the level of poverty seen in Nigeria). Most importantly, LBJ's government passed the 1965 civil rights act - which is what allows ungrateful black men like you to be treated equally in the United States. It also pass the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which reversed the 1922 INA that specifically blocked immigration to the US from anywhere other than Western Europe. This Act is the sole reason people like you can emigrate to the US and apply for an N-400

c. Democrats passed the Child Tax Credit, CHIP (which insures poor children up to the age of 6 - until republicans let is lapse on purpose) and Obamacare (which opened healthcare insurance to the very poor and small business owners0. In the first 8 years, it reduced the proportion of the uninsured in the US from more than 46.5 million in 2010 to fewer than 26.7 million in 2016.

Please tell us what Republicans passed since 1932 that helped you or anyone else? I can tell you what they did though...

a. Reagan cut top marginal tax rates (on the rich) from 70% to 28%... leading to the progressive decline of the middle class.

b. Reagan's deregulation of the economy virtually led to the collapse of American manufacturing, as we shipped jobs to low wage countries like China. See here - https://www.businessinsider.com/what-happened-to-american-jobs-in-the-80s-2017-7

c. Thanks to Clinton, the American economy had a surplus in 2001, we ended up trillions in debt by the time Bush 2 left office, while mirring us in a 20 year destructive war in Afghanistan and Iraq that cost over $3 trillion.

Dude, you have no idea what you are talking about when it comes to US politics... you're simply a follower, just parroting what you hear on Fox with no critical thinking.

TWoods:


Sigh… the Nigerian mentality. I’m sure they gave you forms to sign that explained all this to you. It is a pretty well known fact that there are strict rules for breaking a lease. You weren’t really smart, you got out of this because someone else was willing to rent from you immediately. If this wasn’t the case, they would have taken you to court, won their 9 months “free rent” and gotten you to cover their court costs too. This isn’t Nigeria were you think “I no be mugu” works.

classyclassic:
Happy New Year Everyone

I want the house to please help shed light on my question
I am gathering all necessary document ahead for the Embassy interview after the NVC stage.

It has been a common thing for the U.S Embassy to ask for an ID 10-15 years old from interviewee and also for a WAEC certifica

My Question: My WAEC certificate from 2002 have some mistakes in the name, the last Alphabet of my middle name was omitted, instead of Moses, Mose was written and also my day of birth, 14 was written instead of 04. WAEC says they can't make corrections on already printed certs.

If a consular should ask for that, would this discrepancies be a big deal and if an affidavit is sworn to address this mistakes, would it be recognized? Thanks

MackyNaija:
We luckily found another Community and got into contact (same day after indicating interest) for a 1 story, 4 bed/3 bath home on a corner lot (sweet).
Estimated completion is June 2022.

Na the running around I deh for the past two weeks...

Trench and underground plumbing done, slab pouring would be next.
Una go see how them deh take build yankee house from scratch.

Sammychi90:
Happy weekend everyone and congrat to those that have received their PPR.
Quick one please, I booked Ethiopian airline two months ago against Dec 10. The ongoing conflict in the Country is scaring me, the airline customer care has assured us that our reservation is still intact but I'm worried. Please contact me if ur using Ethiopian airline or if u have any good news to share about them from recent experience thanks.
Ps: my layover at Addis Ababa is 2hrs

Dremca:
Those same US citizens were once illegal immigrants excepts those born in US. Even those born in US by foreign parents still cheat the system. Imagine, Linda Ikeji's child being born in America but raised in Nigeria but will tomorrow want to be treated better than those you call "illegal immigrants" that's working hard to build America. Can't you see how unfair the system is.

signature2012:


Without those illegal immigrants,you won’t be where you are today.
You being opportune to Mary a USC does not give you the right to reducible illegal immigrants.
The so called Trump you support employs lot of Illegal immigrants from Mexico for cheap labor.I have a video to confirm this.

Most of the unskilled jobs in America are done by Illegal immigrants.(eg) Construction.
In as much they don’t commit crime,I see no reason why they should be condemned.

FYI,Donald Trump wife was an illegal immigrant before she meet him and they got married.

Some of the top richest Americans today were children of illegal immigrants.

MackyNaija:

I[b][/b]

With all the hiding, coding and wickedness Baba is in a better position than dickhead is today. Baba go soon be USC, dickhead still deh do opt + optExtension.

Immigrants need to calm down and be humble, them no get level even after 10years for yankee.

Ajenikoko89:

Its such a complicated issue, I would advice you wait till tge Interview letter is sent to you and please dont think of getting any divorce paper for marriage you didnt do because it would surely be verified and that could be very costly.Misrepresentation is a serious issue in US immigrant visa.You can maintain the single and explain that in your culture co habiting is liking to being married .

MackyNaija:

Na new motor na, How e no go fresh.
Still its a cheap one in American standards. Texas na home of $60k trucks

The expenses extend beyond nuclear family (this is where I spend the least), I know say hunger full Nigeria coupled with covid, insecurity in the North where food is grown, and the downward spiral of the currency value so I am just doing my little part.

Per relocation, they gave $5k taxed to $3k5 - it cost me almost $20k. Do the math.
As I said, the move na investment so I no deh complain.

MackyNaija:
Around this time next month, I'll be celebrating completing the payment for my Camry!

$21k in total.... Paid a lump sum initially and then $1k monthly for 1 year. Omo, the expenses wan kill me! big man, big trouble!
That's why I broke coupled with sending money to Nigeria and my wife don save maddddt money in that same period!

I'll play WurID's birthday song and dance. E no easy.


I had thought that when our daughter is born, I'll stop sending money to Nigeria - I no know say I deh jonse myself.
Will try to reduce the amount. Adding the Camry, na $40k loss naim be this o. Didn't save shit for the whole year, move to Texas added debts

Las las... it's just an inconvenience, used the money to solve issues for others and Camry for myself .
Na when money no deh naim go be problem.

MackyNaija:
None of the above made the cut....
We had planned for a single story, 3 or 4 bath but as we begin the waka, our eyes begin chuck

Online advertised prices are $20k to $50k different from what the final end price will be.
Some builders sell the lots separately (Hidden Oak - $45k to $80k for a lot )
The communities we checked have lot premiums between $5k to $25k, adds to the house price, upgrades further adds more.

Most likely, we'll be doing a 4 bed, 3 bath, 2 story.
Stay tuned for pictures ...
The home buying market is different from what it has ever been.. We should have a solid headway (models for viewing, construction for other buyers or actual lot availability/permit for this home plan) in the next 60 days. Can't wait!!!

Before end of June 2022, construction suppose don complete.

2Lynx:

Jaycew ( how's Poland treating you)
Subomi007
lamboladee
SaintHillary
Vhuqnl
Joohan
Paccus
Richdee1
ichbinbrait
Canih28
olioxx
Savagethe21st
aziza45442
NoFab123

Escape45:
Please I’m kind confused my wife is from Ohio how can she get the form i130 form to file for me and is it a must that we will hire an immigration lawyer or can we do it with our hand I need a reply and how long will it take before my petition is approved

MackyNaija:

You are very right! The plan was to chase the same salary I was earning in California or slightly less but it happened way better than anticipated.
Truthfully, I got "lucky"!
***WHERE luck = "opportunity" + "preparedness"


The future is bright. We are overjoyed! Paccus, manage this pishure!
Cali Gas price na $4.69, Texas Gas price na $2.49.... Everything go deh on sale for Texas!!!

MackyNaija:

Yes na, fine girl wey sharp like me

We get plenty sense o..

She already got a new job with a higher title and 23% raise, and mine is a 28% raise with a higher title.

We don blow! My wife say everything for Texas go be like say e deh on sale as per California wan strangle us.

MackyNaija:
I am currently in the process of moving myself, wife, daughter and mother in-law to Texas...

Budget for the move is approximately $20,000. Expensive like crazy!
My guy say na house down payment amount be that.


MAJOR expected Cost Breakdown:
End lease - $5,200
Prorated rent - $1,300
Ship property - $6,000
Ship two cars - $2,500
Rent new place - $2,500
Flight tickets - $1,000

Still have car rentals, hotel stays, feeding and numerous miscellaneous expenses.

That's the price I have to pay for financial freedom.