₦airaland Forum

Lochinny:
Thank you so much guys for the suggestions. Immediately I saw we couldn’t get a notary public to swear over the phone, I checked for an appointment, that was on Tuesday and luckily for us I saw 3 spaces remaining for August 26th today at Lagos and since there wasn’t any other day to choose in August, I had to take it and my husband canceled everything and flew to Lagos. He just got it notarized now and would be sending it to me.
Thank you for all your support.

Pls does anyone know how I can go about the ETC so I can use it to enter Nigeria. The last time I used visa on arrival, these people embarrassed me

Lochinny:
Pls does anyone know how if any notary public can sign the forms my husband should fill? Must he go to the embassy? Can he use a US based notary public and swear the oath over the phone?
I’ve been trying to book an appointment for Lagos or Abuja embassy notary services and it’s not going.
Pls I need ur suggestions

Demmy2021:
Please house, can I travel with a newborn to Nigeria with just the Emergency Travel Document? I have applied for the US passport but it’s taking longer, so my brother will be bringing for me once it’s mailed.

rozeybid:
@chriscero , congratulations to you and madam .. Your answers have been detailed and explicit..

Currently in Houston and will using Dr Z cos he birthed my son 2018 . But will be using West Houston .

Had terrible experience with Oakbend so it’s a no no .

Pls has anyone used West Houston , will like to know about the pediatrician fee .

Praying for every mama on this journey , it will end in praise and we won’t be tied with unexpected bill in America .

Pls let’s keep the group flowing , it’s been so helpful with so much information in the past days .

All questions should be directed here so we can all learn with the answers.

Cheers

Debbieeeeeee:
True, I asked them too if they’ll take transfer so I could pay with form A but they said no , cash or card.

babestell:
you can't pay the hospital with transfer. they usually don't do that. cash or card

babestell:
This is my planned hospital and Doc.

Any complains from madam? Any tips for using them. I have contacted Dr Z already. I am wondering if I can use this new CBN policy of getting dollars from banks to pay him sef

Chriscero:
Agent ke? Nooooo! You can do it all yourself.

Yup! That is the website!

Any US banker will explain building your credit and more to you. I recommend Bank of America. There is a minimum threshold you can leave in a BOA account and it will not be touched at all. No deductions whatsoever.

The problem is that a lot of Nigerians forget and spend below the threshold or they get the usual call from the village "grandma has swallowed cutlass, please send money" then they withdraw too much, and deductions kick in automatically.

For some accounts, your account balance must not be below $1500 and for others, $500 is ok. It all depends on the type of account you open.

Chriscero:
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
3519 International Court, NW
Washington, DC 20008.

TELEPHONE:
(202) 800 7201
(Ext.100)

E-MAIL ADDRESS:
info@nigeriaembassyusa.org
publiccomplaints@nigeriaembassyusa.org

Chriscero:
First, hospital choice is important. There are cheaper hospitals but we settled for Memorial Herman. It is a bit pricey but you do not want a cheap hospital that will give you a generous discount and then use your details to fraudulently file claims or benefits after you are discharged. This can create monumentally insurmountable problems for the parents in future when they go to renew their visas at the US Embassy. In fact, I won't name names but some hospitals have been red-flagged. If you use them, it is bye-bye to future VISA!

Birth Certificate: This differs from State to State and hospital to hospital. Memorial Herman helped us with documentation to process the birth certificate. The websites and numbers to call are on the documentation. Please keep copies. Timeline: Pick up in 1 week.

Social Security No.: Memorial Herman also helped with documentation for this. Keep copies. Timeline: Pick up in 2 weeks.

US Passport: This was, by far, the most challenging and COVID has changed the process. It was all online except for the actual data capture and you need your social security number and birth certificate. If you do not yet have SSN, fill zeros on the form. Remember to choose expedited on the website. Duration is 4 - 6 weeks. By the way, good luck keeping your newborn awake for the passport-sized photograph! we suffered ehn! and all the oyinbos will be there watching to see how you treat their citizen. We had to start using wipes to clean our daughter's face for her to open her eyes long enough for the picture.

Nigerian Passport: We used emergency travel document to return to Nigeria so that we can make the application in Nigeria where it is much cheaper and the process is more familiar to us. Nigerian officials in the abroad can be .... "funny" ... let us leave that one like that.

Citizen Registration: Remember to register your child with the US Mission in Nigeria as a US Citizen in Nigeria. You did not hustle for the child to suffer like you, ok? The website is on the US Passport. Timeline: soon after you return to Nigeria.

US Account Opening: while in the US, ensure that you open an account for your child using his/her social security number with you as a guardian and start to build your child's credit. The US is a credit-based society and not a cash-based one like Nigeria. There, your spending pattern and credit worthiness speak volumes about you as an individual. Do not make the mistake of infecting your child with a "baba alaye" or "na me get money pass" mentality. These are red flags there and before you finish explaining the source of your wealth, the matter fit long. Just try to blend in for your child's sake, ok?

Other Issues: Hey! Congratulations! You are the parent of a US Citizen but you now have peculiar responsibilities. You do not want your child to grow up without a decent understanding of his/her birth country. Listen to what is happening in the US and have a decent understanding of US society including politics. Learn the US anthem and teach your child. Make friends with parents of US Citizens and older US citizens. There are peculiar hurdles ahead for your child of which you have ZERO experience like me but which you will still need to help him/her navigate. watch movies about life as an immigrant in the US for orientation. If you can spare the time, learn and teach your child Spanish. Yes! There are language apps you can download on that your expensive phone. It is not only intended for browsing and social media activities! My wife was shocked when we landed in Italy for a vacation and I said to the lady at the airport "Io sono Christopher. Piacere di conoscerti" The lady screamed! Italians love people who speak their language. Yes, I learnt it on my phone!

Cheers!

Chriscero:
Hello House,

Wifey and I gave birth to our daughter in the US in Q1 2021 and I want to share a few tips 'cos we benefitted so much from the experience of others here. We travelled on B1/B2 visas and the baby bump was very visible. Wifey's legs were hurting too much right from Nigeria so she was on a wheelchair to help with the pain. Ironically, it prioritised us and we were able to board the aircraft and even pass through security faster.

We travelled straight to Atlanta via Delta Air and from Atlanta to Houston. The drilling in Atlanta no be here o! We were asked to go for the secondary screening but I was fully prepared for the questions that came. The CBP officer took a quick look at wifey sitting in the wheelchair with our baby bump and asked, what are you here for?

Ans: We are here for medical reasons.
CBP: And what is the medical reason?
Ans: My wife is pregnant and we want her to put to bed in the US.
CBP: That can't be done in Nigeria?
Ans: It can and we have actually tried in the past. However, our Nigerian doctor refered us to a Doc. in the US to better manage the pregnancy since my wife has peculiar medical needs.
CBP: Any document supporting that?
Ans: Yes, showed him.
CBP: What is the name of the US Doc?
Ans. Told him.
CBP: Is he expecting you?
Ans: Yes?
CBP: Any letters?
Ans: Yes. And showed him.
CBP: Have you made any payments for your medical bills?
Ans: Yes. And I showed him.
CBP: Where will you be staying?
Ans: I told him and showed him evidence of payment.
We did not want any family drama with relations so we paid for a commercial apartment for the whole 3 months wifey will be around. Sometimes, unknown to you, your relations and friends in the US may have issues that you don't want to be vicariously visited upon you especially if your village peeps are very active . There is a lovely Nigerian couple who have a very huge self contained room for rent in Richmond, Texas and the rates are great. I can hook you up if you are interested.
CBP: How long do you plan to stay?
Ans: 3 months for my wife but just a month for me.
CBP: Why are you leaving her behind?
Ans: I need to get back to work and I have strict instructions to complete the design of the baby's room before their return.
(General Laughter and lessening of tension previously created by wicked village people)
CBP: Oh! You do now, don't you. So, how much have you got.
Ans: In cash I have $XXXXX here and in my card, I have $XXXXXX.
CBP: What do you do for a living?
Ans: I am a Bleep.
CBP: Where do you work?
Ans: XYZ company and ABC.
CBP: And your wife?
Ans: She works with WXY company.
CBP: You got any document to prove that?
Ans: Yes. And I showed him.
CBP: So what do you plan to do after the baby is born?
Ans: I will travel back to the US to accompany them back to Nigeria.
CBP: So, have you visited Northern Nigeria recently? Got any relatives or friends there?
[/color] :oMy eyes nearly popped at this unexpected question. WTF!!! I braced myself and told the whole truth and nothing but the truth 'cos I do not know what document my wicked village pipu were flashing on his computer screen.
Ans: I was born there and I schooled there many years ago but I have not visited recently.
CBP: So you wouldn't know anything about Boko Haram, right?
[color=#990000] Me thinking, thinking of all my prayer points against marine spirit, ancestral spirit, familiar spirit, etc to die by fire IJN! Somebody cannot even play with these wicked pipu again . I braced myself and continued in the line of truth.
Ans: I certainly have. I listen to the news and I know as much about Boko Haram as anyone who pays attention to the news coming from Nigeria but I have nothing to do with them
CBP: OK (smiles) Welcome to the US and all the best with the baby and your future plans.
See relief washing all over me like a river!

I thanked him and an assistant helped me wheel madam away to catch our flight to Houston.

LESSONS LEARNT.
1. CBP accepts legitimate travellers with intention to depart the US.
2. Have your all your relevant documentation with you.
3. Speak confidently and truthfully.
4. Maintain eye contact politely.
5. Have sufficient funds $$$$$

Chriscero:
Hello House,

Wifey and I gave birth to our daughter in the US in Q1 2021 and I want to share a few tips 'cos we benefitted so much from the experience of others here. We travelled on B1/B2 visas and the baby bump was very visible. Wifey's legs were hurting too much right from Nigeria so she was on a wheelchair to help with the pain. Ironically, it prioritised us and we were able to board the aircraft and even pass through security faster.

We travelled straight to Atlanta via Delta Air and from Atlanta to Houston. The drilling in Atlanta no be here o! We were asked to go for the secondary screening but I was fully prepared for the questions that came. The CBP officer took a quick look at wifey sitting in the wheelchair with our baby bump and asked, what are you here for?

Ans: We are here for medical reasons.
CBP: And what is the medical reason?
Ans: My wife is pregnant and we want her to put to bed in the US.
CBP: That can't be done in Nigeria?
Ans: It can and we have actually tried in the past. However, our Nigerian doctor refered us to a Doc. in the US to better manage the pregnancy since my wife has peculiar medical needs.
CBP: Any document supporting that?
Ans: Yes, showed him.
CBP: What is the name of the US Doc?
Ans. Told him.
CBP: Is he expecting you?
Ans: Yes?
CBP: Any letters?
Ans: Yes. And showed him.
CBP: Have you made any payments for your medical bills?
Ans: Yes. And I showed him.
CBP: Where will you be staying?
Ans: I told him and showed him evidence of payment.
We did not want any family drama with relations so we paid for a commercial apartment for the whole 3 months wifey will be around. Sometimes, unknown to you, your relations and friends in the US may have issues that you don't want to be vicariously visited upon you especially if your village peeps are very active . There is a lovely Nigerian couple who have a very huge self contained room for rent in Richmond, Texas and the rates are great. I can hook you up if you are interested.
CBP: How long do you plan to stay?
Ans: 3 months for my wife but just a month for me.
CBP: Why are you leaving her behind?
Ans: I need to get back to work and I have strict instructions to complete the design of the baby's room before their return.
(General Laughter and lessening of tension previously created by wicked village people)
CBP: Oh! You do now, don't you. So, how much have you got.
Ans: In cash I have $XXXXX here and in my card, I have $XXXXXX.
CBP: What do you do for a living?
Ans: I am a Bleep.
CBP: Where do you work?
Ans: XYZ company and ABC.
CBP: And your wife?
Ans: She works with WXY company.
CBP: You got any document to prove that?
Ans: Yes. And I showed him.
CBP: So what do you plan to do after the baby is born?
Ans: I will travel back to the US to accompany them back to Nigeria.
CBP: So, have you visited Northern Nigeria recently? Got any relatives or friends there?
[/color] :oMy eyes nearly popped at this unexpected question. WTF!!! I braced myself and told the whole truth and nothing but the truth 'cos I do not know what document my wicked village pipu were flashing on his computer screen.
Ans: I was born there and I schooled there many years ago but I have not visited recently.
CBP: So you wouldn't know anything about Boko Haram, right?
[color=#990000] Me thinking, thinking of all my prayer points against marine spirit, ancestral spirit, familiar spirit, etc to die by fire IJN! Somebody cannot even play with these wicked pipu again . I braced myself and continued in the line of truth.
Ans: I certainly have. I listen to the news and I know as much about Boko Haram as anyone who pays attention to the news coming from Nigeria but I have nothing to do with them
CBP: OK (smiles) Welcome to the US and all the best with the baby and your future plans.
See relief washing all over me like a river!

I thanked him and an assistant helped me wheel madam away to catch our flight to Houston.

LESSONS LEARNT.
1. CBP accepts legitimate travellers with intention to depart the US.
2. Have your all your relevant documentation with you.
3. Speak confidently and truthfully.
4. Maintain eye contact politely.
5. Have sufficient funds $$$$$

Coriander45351:
Good day house. Pls what is the average time for getting a baby's passport after birth in Virginia presently. Appreciate any information i can get.

Kesspru:
I am presently in mew Jersey. Trying to apply for baby’s passport. No head way yet.

joywepo Your brother us married with a wife!
He really does not need to apply with your parents, even if they interview together, they will likely base decisions on individuals rather than everyone in a group.

There have been time VOs approve some and deny others in a group interview.

His focus now should be how to convince the VO beyond reasonable doubts that he qualifies fie the visa fost=10427112:
Good day to you all, I will appreciate people that have good experience on this matter for advice. My parents have visited the US on two different occasions in the past, but presently their visas are expired. They applied for a visa again early this year with one of my brethren who is a level 12 FG worker with a Ph.D. Who will help them during the journey Due to difficulty in getting desired dates earlier this year, we gave an agent to get the desired date for us. After about four months without dates from an agent, we asked him for our log-in details, and we discovered he separated our parents (dad and mum) from my brother who is going with them. We tried to correct that by adding my brother to the parent profile, but that was not possible again. We now chose the same interview date and time for the next year. I want to know the chance of my brother getting a visa? Because he will be interviewed by a different CO from the parent at the same time and date. Although he is married to a wife, and they are expecting. Or should we start an afresh application that will have their profile together?

djcrown:
Please I seek some clarifications on being in possession of a mobile phone during the visa interview excerse

checky619:
Go to delta airlines post at the airport it’s 490k as at last week from Lagos to Atlanta/Texas

fkj950ax:
Why not search for the local flight first, and remove all the what ifs from the equation.
If your transit destination has a flight 8pm or 7pm or 10pm, then stay in JFK.
If you find a flight at LaGaurdia or Newark, push it till morning, get a hotel and be at the departing Airport in the morning.

You can't take a decision without first searching for the flights. Stop assuming. Aviation is too developed to work with assumptions.

Where are you going from NY? Which State?

5pm is rush hour in NY. Uber will be pricey. Anyone coming to pick you will have to leave early.

PedigreeCity:
Congratulations!

I too gonna experience this some day!

Do enjoy your stay in the States...

fkj950ax:
The question what time is the local flight you want to catch?
Is the flight in JFK or LaGuardia?

If you don't have anything to declare, you can be out of JFK 30-40mins after you land. They use self service kiosk and its fast.
But if you declare food, cash etc etc, add another 30-45mins

fkj950ax:
The question what time is the local flight you want to catch?
Is the flight in JFK or LaGuardia?

If you don't have anything to declare, you can be out of JFK 30-40mins after you land. They use self service kiosk and its fast.
But if you declare food, cash etc etc, add another 30-45mins

Greata28:
Good evening house. Please is there a limit to the number of times you can log in to check available dates on the site after payment?.

justwise:
Booking directly from the airlines will save you a lot of troubles if anything goes wrong. Airlines will deal with any issue directly and issue a refund if needed but you hardly get that from agents..

Agents are just after their commission, customer service is zero

ibukunpops:
Travel agents save you some stress of searching and searching and they communicate all the rules of the ticket to you. Also help with date change and when any issues arises, sometimes you call and call the airline without any response when its not the official hours, but a reliable Travel agent should be reachable anytime.

You should consider using one.

Cheers

Kampack:
Please house, I'm trying to book for a visa interview date, but the system is asking me for receipt number? I'm kinda confused - what receipt number exactly?

I thought I will get to the end of the form before it prompts me to pay the visa application fees and then generate a number for my application? or does this mean I will have to go (physically) to GTB bank and pay first, then the bank will generate a receipt number, which I will enter into the online form? I just confuse for this platform!!! Please someone advise abeg, I have abandoned the form o!

Omosholape80:
For Chicago, the birth certificateis out within a week while you get the SSN within 2 weeks if applied from the hospital.
My applicationtracking is stillsaying within 6weeks for expedited service which does not include 6weeks of mailing. So possibly you get it even before the 6weeks but as at now back logs plenty