There is also a direct flight to New York on Delta airline since people claim JFK POE is the best.

siwon96885:
What is everyone’s take on the best PoE? There seems to be so many opinions on this issue almost to the point of legendary mythology. Consensus seems to be that JFK is the best, while ATL and ORD are terrible, with LAX and IAH in between.

What are people’s current opinion on ATL? The daily Delta flight makes ATL the most convenient at the moment. Any informed opinions out there? Would really appreciate it… Is there was a poll option feature here so we can all vote on the best PoE?

Thank you for your time taken to answer my question.

Thanks a lot for this robust feedback. This is a big challenge that people are not talking about which can affect one's travel plan.

Which state are you please?

So you are saying one can process the US passport in Lagos right? So can one just come home to process the US passport in lagos and travel with LO with ETC?

Is the SSN now compulsory for the processing of US Passport? The last time I used multiple zeros in lieu of SSN. I'm thinking one can ask that SSN be sent to a trusted person who can then send it to one when its ready.

What is the timeline for birth certificate please?

Please will like to know your thoughts on these.

And looking forward to hearing from other Mamas/Papas.

Thank you.

Zfunky:



Covid has made things slower. My LO’s SSN came in a month after I gave birth even though I applied at the hospital ( it never used to take that long), not to mention that I kept calling them because their office has been closed since last year March, PreCovid all you needed to do was walk-in to one of their offices but now, you have to call and ask for an appointment and justify the reason why the appointment is a dire need ( they give appointments on dire need basis).

For us passport, it currently takes about 12 weeks to expedite and 18 weeks for routine. Am guessing this is due to high volumes of application during this summer period plus they were closed for many months last year due to covid.
It is almost impossible to expedite at a passport agency or center cause there is always no available appointment online when you check and the customer care number is always engaged. The most available ones are passport acceptance agents at libraries and post offices and you get it back in 12 or 18 weeks depending on which option you choose.

I have also tried exploring the option of getting a Nigerian passport (cause every individual even a baby must travel by air with a passport, the only exception was during the covid period when they had to get people home last year) and getting a US passport at the embassy in Lagos but getting a Nigerian passport isn’t that easy and straightforward too.

The form times out after 20 minutes according to the website, but I observed it times out way before that. So my advice is time yourself and save whatever you have filled every 5 mins.

All the best

prejulsuc:
pls I need help on how to fill my DS 160.I have been trying to fill it since yesterday afternoon the thing is so frustrating o.After filling my personal details for d first page I save it,I move to the next page as I was filling it,it just says time out.After some hours I said let me continue so I tried retrieving my application it keeps saying incorrect code or i.d incorrect,this is the same i.d I wrote it down before saving it.Later I said let me start another application immediately I started it keep saying time out...This is really really frustrating I now see d reason why some prefer using agent.The headache no be here.Please someone should tell me what to do o.

Yes you can use your visa. Ensure you
get to the point of entry before the date your visa expires.

TMJO:
Hi everyone, I’m new here. Hubby and I are expecting our LO at the end of September/October. We intend to have our baby in Houston but don’t know how to go about it in terms of accommodation and affordable hospital.

Oh and my visa expires first week in September. Can I use it anyway? Please advice

Thanks a lot for this.

I have always wondered if one can get baby's first passport in Nigeria.

God bless you.

chibertha:
Hi everyone it's been a while.

For those who brought their LO back without USA passport ( during the COVID19 lockdown) and are now applying for LO first passport in Nigeria be sure to go with the following

-Birth records
-Documents you used in bringing LO into Nigeria
-Pictures of you pregnant in the states
-Pictures of you and LO st birth in the hospital
- pictures from fight to Nigeria
- anything that can help your case.

For those planning to embark on this journey good luck in advance..

Thanks for sharing.

Congrats again

Godheard:
I’m so grateful to God for his Favour and mercies throughout this process.

My POE experience at JFK was a breeze!

I was asked just 4 questions:

Purpose of trip: I told the officer that I was here to give birth

How long will be staying: I told him the duration. (3 months)

How much do I have: I told him the amount of cash at hand, the rest in my bank account.

Any goods to declare: None

My mother-in-law and I were stamped for 6 months.

Thank you all for the tips on this page. It was so helpful! From Visa application to POE. As at February/March this year, I wasn’t sure of embarking on this journey. Glad that I gave it a shot!

I declared the purpose of my trip for both visa interview and POE and it was positive.

The only bottleneck I experienced throughout this process was leaving the Nigerian airport. The officials almost didn’t let me fly because of my tummy size. They claimed that my fit to fly certificate was not true because my tummy looks like someone who is due ��. It was the most ridiculous thing i had ever heard. I was sent to the airport clinic for the DR on duty to confirm my pregnancy gestational age and thankfully, she was able to confirm that I was telling the truth. Naija and wahala!!! I had initially planned to travel in July but changed my mind because of my ever increasing tummy. It was a good decision in the end.

Just to add, traveling through JFK was very hectic in terms of flight duration especially since I was still headed to Houston, my final destination. I couldn’t get direct Delta flights to JFK. Delta’s only option was to arrive at Atlanta as first POE in the US before heading to Houston. I had to travel via Turkish Airlines which was a longer route and definitely more stressful.

Wishing all the other expecting Mama’s a smooth experience.�

Can one get the very first US passport at the Lagos consulate? Heard it now takes a long time to get one in the US.

Hello everyone,


Has anyone birth in Elpaso, Virginia recently (say since the pandemic)? Please share your experience and timelines for baby's documentations.

Other Mamas in other states can share their timelines also please.

Its a one-on-one interview. If it comes up, you simply explain the reasons. I agree it shows you are not a japa candidate.

bamisho:
I didn’t use my last 2 visas as I couldn’t take the time for a holiday. Will this affect my renewal ? At least it should be obvious that to them that to don’t want to japa.

Nothing like primary applicsnt in visit (B1/B2) visa application. Each person has a different application even if you may have scheduled appointment together as a family.

There have been cases where people apply together, and one got approved while the other got refused.

So to put it plainly, you were refused based on your own circumstances, cos each application is reviewed differently.

You could say you were denied based on 214G. As simple as that. Most likely you would have been denied based on that or you could check the blue paper you were handed when the visa was refused.

Christabeliciou:
Please just to clarify, in the section that ask have you been denied I said yes. But it was my husband that was the primary applicant me under him going with him for vacation, he was denied n given d blue paper. So meaning I was also denied even if I was not the primary applicant. Now am going on vacation alone with my children n husband, Now what do I say in the column briefly explain why you were denied?

Thanks

Christabeliciou:
Lagos Feb 24 2022. But when tried scheduling appointment it comes up sorry site under maintenance. Has anyone encounter this before. However I have started filling my DS160 form yet to submit. Can I schedule an appointment and later submit DS160, reason so I can get early date. Thamks

Yes you can. You will need your visa payment number and application ID as generated on your DS-160.

Hello all,

The last time I went on missionary journey, I processed baby's documentation including US passport in about 2 weeks.

I just got an info that processing passport (case in point Chicago) is about 10 to 12 weeks and expedited service is 4 to 6 weeks. This info will definitely change my plans.

So please Mamas who are currently in the US to birth or those who will birth in coming weeks and/or month, kindly update us on timelines and processes for getting SSNs, birth certificate, Nigerian and US Passport, ETC, Visa on arrival etc for your different states.

I wish everyone a safe delivery.

Regards,

Congratulations

mialate:
June Approval Alert.....

Profile:
Ext & Int. Designer
Chairperson Singles Club Association (LOL)
No kid(s)
Business Owner since 2014.
1st Time Applicant to the US Embassy. Timing-6.30 am ( Very Relaxed Time i think)
Location-Lagos Embassy
First Appointment cancelled in March 2020 due to Covid -19
Rescheduled and got a new date in November 2020.
2nd Person to be interviewed .
Interview Experience:
Vo- Good morning and how are you doing today? ( Lovely Black Lady)
Me- Good morning , am very well and you?
Vo- Well am fine thanks. Your Passport please.. are you here for F1 or B1?
Me- Gave her my passport , here for B1.
Vo- Why do you want to go to the US?
Me- I want to attend a trade event.
Vo- Ok, what do you do?
Me- I am a Ext. & Int. Designer.
Vo- ok, Single or Married?
Me- oh No Single ..
Vo- (Smiles) ok , any kids?
Me- No Kids
Vo- Have you travelled outside Nigeria?
Me- France, Germany, Russia and lots of Beautiful African Countries.
Vo- How many days do you intend to stay?
Me- 5 days, back on the 6th day.
Vo- who is paying for the trip?
Me- My Company..
Vo- Can I see the Letter of Sponsorship?
Me- I own the Company so there’s no letter ( With a Smile).
Vo- Ok I see. Do you have a business card with you?
Me- No but I do have my ID card.
Vo- Takes a look at my ID card and she asked if all the other travels were on business and if the trips fulfilled the purpose.
Me- Told her yes .
Vo- she flipped through my passport looking at all the visas and stamps. Then she reached out for the white paper.
She said pick up from the DHL office and have a Lovely day .
Me- Thanks and You too. Got out before 8.00am (Swift process )
We don Gist Finish. Stress free Lady ... End of the year trip....
NOTE:
1.Go with the most recent US size Passport photograph( just 1 required and will be returned to you) if not you will have to go out for a fresh one.

Thanks to this AMAZING Forum.... You guys ROCK

Where are you checking for flights?

There is a direct flight to JFK from lagos through delta airline and its 10 hours non-stop.

Yes, there are some with one stop layover in Atlanta (the much I know) but there is also a direct non-stop to JFK. You could also call them.

Godheard:

Hello Everyone,

I’m considering switching from Houston to Maryland.

I had booked an appointment with a Dr at Center for Women’s health and planned to use Oakbend, but after reading through and speaking with people, I’m making a switch. I’m still considering other options in Houston- Methodist sugarland etc.

But I’m also open to Maryland especially because I have family there.

Does anyone have details on:

UM Baltimore Washington Medical Centre
Anne Arundel Medical Centre

Does anyone also have details on Doctor’s that are affiliated with either of the above hospitals?

Also regarding flights, for those arriving at JFK which airlines are you using? Delta is mostly passing through Atlanta. The one i saw for JFK, has a layover stop at London and I would require a transit visa to pass through London.

Please share options.

Thanks!

She mentioned Qatar Airways in her writeup

Godheard:

Hello,

What airline did you use please? And was it direct to JFK?

Thanks

I picked up on the 4th business day.

Message that passport was ready came through at the end of 3rd business day.

So interview on Thursday, pickup the next tuesday

Beverlyhills:
@pointednose

Please How many days before pick up?

Thanks

First things first, and thats my exam.

Will sure use for birthing later.[quote author=rozeybid post=102152926][/quote]

No quarantine. Even though covid 19 negative test done 72 hours or so before date of travel is still needed.

Visa fee is now 67,500 naira thereabout.

No additional fee is to be paid after visa approval.

Christabeliciou:
Thanks. If I may ask, how many days does one need to quarantine when you get to the US. Let's say you stay with a relative. Or you don't need to quarantine again after you do a test 48hours before departure.
Is the visa for for b1/b2 still N59,200.
If your visa is approved at d embassy do they still pay additional fee of about 45k.
Thank you

VISA APPROVAL ALERT!!!

Date of appointment: May 20th 2021
Appointment time: 6:30am
Location: Lagos

I am sharing this to encourage people esp those who had birth previously in the US.

VO: Please step forward.

Me: *Walked majestically with my head high and with all the confidence I could gather*

VO: Good morning. Please pass your passport

Me: Good morning sir.

VO: What will you be doing in the US?

Me: I am going to wrote **** exam

VO: Why are you writing this exam?

Me: *Told him my reasons in detail yet concise*

VO: Are you married?

Me: Yes

VO: How many kids?

Me: One kid

VO: What did you go to do the last time you were in the US?

Me: I went to have my baby

VO: What year

Me: 2017 (VO's eyes on the computer, and then nodded in affirmative to ny response).

VO: Apart from the US, which other countries have you been to.

Me: None, cos I have been busy with family and work.

VO: How much do you earn?

Me: I earn ****, and we have a cumulative family income of **** (I stylishly added my husband's income to maje it look substantial.

VO: What does your husband do?

Me: He works as a ***** in ***** company.

VO: Okay, I intend to approve your visa..blabla

Me: Thank you very much. Do have a wonderful day.

PS: There were quite a number of people at the embassy, and I am like "where una dey see these dates na"...lol. I got my date since last year when the dates started opening up.

Also, I was the 4th person interviewed by my VO, and the first three persons were also approved cos VO asked everyone basically almost same questions and they all kind of fit into the profile of the questions he asked (Travel history, married with kids and none travelling with their spouse and kids, Employed etc..all checked).

All the best, everyone

Your bank accounts will likely not be checked, just be ready to provide answers to the questions that will be asked around your travel and every other thing in between.

fejeerow:
Just a quick question, for one travelling for Christmas holiday , 2wks to be specific and want to self sponsor the trip, how much is required to be in bank account statement to show as proof of funds?

There are no restrictions. People have been travelling. Just the way you explained at the UK POE. Be ready to also give a rational explanation when asked at the US POE.

Regards

Christabeliciou:
OK fine then So these are some questions i wanted to ask you nothing more. If you don't mind I want to clarify if travel to d US is only for essential travels. If they allow visitor to visit relatives on vacation purpose especially since this covid era. Though I plan doing d vacation for next year summer, and I heard dates are scare.
Reason I want clarification is because when I traveled to the UK this Easter break, the Immigration Officer asked me why travel this period of Pandemic, that is only for Essential travels, and does not see my visit as Essential travel to him, but I explained to him its essential to me as I need to spend the Easter break with our family friend taking off my annual leave, that I was supposed to be here last year December to spend the Christmas with her but couldn't make it because my visa didn't come out before Christmas, so I decided to come now that is convenient for me before it will expire. And after asking me my duration of stay he stamped me in.
So I just needed to be certain thanks

VISA APPROVAL ALERT!!!

Date of appointment: May 20th 2021
Appointment time: 6:30am
Location: Lagos

I am sharing this to encourage people esp those who had birth previously in the US.

VO: Please step forward.

Me: *Walked majestically with my head high and with all the confidence I could gather*

VO: Good morning. Please pass your passport

Me: Good morning sir.

VO: What will you be doing in the US?

Me: I am going to wrote **** exam

VO: Why are you writing this exam?

Me: *Told him my reasons in detail yet concise*

VO: Are you married?

Me: Yes

VO: How many kids?

Me: One kid

VO: What did you go to do the last time you were in the US?

Me: I went to have my baby

VO: What year

Me: 2017 (VO's eyes on the computer, and then nodded in affirmative to ny response).

VO: Apart from the US, which other countries have you been to.

Me: None, cos I have been busy with family and work.

VO: How much do you earn?

Me: I earn ****, and we have a cumulative family income of **** (I stylishly added my husband's income to maje it look substantial.

VO: What does your husband do?

Me: He works as a ***** in ***** company.

VO: Okay, I intend to approve your visa..blabla

Me: Thank you very much. Do have a wonderful day.

PS: There were quite a number of people at the embassy, and I am like "where una dey see these dates na"...lol. I got my date since last year when the dates started opening up.

Also, I was the 4th person interviewed by my VO, and the first three persons were also approved cos VO asked everyone basically almost same questions and they all kind of fit into the profile of the questions he asked (Travel history, married with kids and none travelling with their spouse and kids, Employed etc..all checked).

All the best, everyone.

Congrats

Godheard:

Hi for everyone asking,

I did declare that I was going to give birth.

It was not the easiest of conversations with the VO.

To summarize, he asked for the purpose of the trip, what I do, how much I & my husband earn, what countries we have traveled to before, why we chose the US to give birth, what other countries we considered for the birth etc.

I had my dr’s recommendation letter on the need to seek better medical care due to complications in previous pregnancies. I had to explain in detail what the medical conditions are.

This would be my first time in the US. It would be my first birth in the US. My other two kids were born here.

A lot of prayer was done. I believe so much in the power of prayer. I had to disclose my purpose of the trip. I’m heavy and physically very pregnant.

I watched some other pregnant women get denied and I already became tensed.

I had to prove to the VO my purpose of the trip, the other countries I considered to give birth before considering the US

All in all, God came through. He will come through again at the POE. Amen

All the best to everyone.

Congrats

rozeybid:
It’s a long story but worth the read and someone might find it useful[/color]

I had my son at Oakbend Hospital 2018 and all bills were cleared with the zero balance letter issued . Fast-track to 2019, my husband was chosen as one of the Obama scholar to study at Colombia University NY and needed a J1 visa {That’s where my story began}

I wrote on this platform 2019 , how my husband was denied 3times because the VO keep saying we got discount which was what majority of applicant was going through because of the trump rules as regards people that have birth in the US .

To cut the long story , we got an immigration lawyer and Oakbend was able to give us the real itemized bill WITHOUT discount ...
we paid 10,000 to have the full zero balance letter .

My husband got his J1 Visa after the payment and proceeded for the program ... fast forward to December 2019, I applied to go and visit him and was DENIED .. After presenting all payment and documents , tried again and was placed on administrative processing, afterwards , my expired visa was REVOKED[color=#990000].

I totally gave up ..........................
2020 .... Corona happened

2021 ....
We were able to get an appointment date for May after paying an agent 200,000 for both of us within 3weeks .

May 5th ... We were at the embassy , the VO didn’t ask lot of question..
- Asked my husband why we were visiting the US and what he does for a living
- Looked through his passport and continue typing
- Faced me, and ask what I do for a living
- Looked through my passport too and saw the REVOKED visa .
- Approved my husband’s visa and placed me on administrative processing because he need to know why the previous visa was REVOKED .
I explained in my ds-160 that their must have been a mistake because revoked was written with pen on my expired visa and the dates didn’t align .

Today , May 25th, my visa got APPROVED and passport is ready for pickup .

Will be having my second child at Houston but definitely not OAKBEND.
And will be declaring at the POE my intent to come give birth .

Thank you for reading and hope someone find this useful .

NB - At the embassy , I noticed lot of people were granted visa and they didn’t ask for any receipt if you gave birth in the US before .

Thanks for the info.

Please keep us posted.

Thanks

purpleribbon:



Thank you very much. These are my hospital options for now
1)Holy Cross hospital (Dr. Moore OBGYN)
2) university of Maryland hospital
3) medstar

I’ve started visiting these places as my previous medical records were collected. I need to 5-7 days to know whether my case would be accepted.

I currently do not know the total cost implications.

Congrats on your smooth POE. I never thought about Washington POE. Thanks for the info.

Please which hospital/doctor will you be using and the costs implications.

Thank you.

I wish you a safe delivery.

purpleribbon:
Poe: Dulles

Visa type: B1 (visitors)

Immigration officer: why are you here?

Me: for a cesarean after a ***** surgery.

IM: health related

Me: yeah

IM: how much do you have with you?

Me: *** Dollars

IM: alright follow this officer

Me: follows officer to where they made me fill a form to declare the cash.

My bags for scanned and that’s all. I was escorted by a related who was stamped in for 6 months. Mine was left open, no 6 months stamp. My visa expires feb 2021.

My advice: for those of you coming through Dulles, no need to lie. They didn’t send me away and they didn’t stress me. I didn’t have to lie.

Best of luck to everyone and I wish y’all safe deliveries ���

For you to have booked an appointment,
it means you started the DS-160 form and generated an Application ID. So go to the appointment page and get for the Application ID.

Then use the application ID to retrieve the form, and then submit.

But if you start a fresh DS-160, it means another application ID will be generated which will be different from what you have on the appointment page, then you may need to update the profile with the new application ID, so they are all in sync.

But you should try the first option, first.

emmaxman:
Hello Gurus in the house,
I have this serious issue on my brother's DS-160 form.
I filled his DS-160 form and his appointment last year December and he was given appointment date for june 28. But to my greatest surprise, I didnt submit his DS-160 form. I knew that coz I couldn't print the confirmation when I tried to.

It didn't occur to me until this month when he asked to print out the documents for him to get prepared.

I mailed the embassy to report myself but I have not gotten any response for like three weeks. Now.

Please! I don't know what to do oooo

tunddy:
pls help me answer to this

I don't know the situation about the visa payments and validity. I know it was extended but can't really remember till when.

The reality is appointment dates are now a scarce commodity. Heard no appointments at all in Lagos, while Abuja's earliest appointment is June 2022 (as at monday).

I know few people who have contacted agents to help them secure a date, but I honestly have not used one before.

I really wish you all the best with the search and everything in between and beyond.

iyaaliyah:
Pls, has your visa expired or you still have few months to go?
I am in the same situation, the update profile isn't allowing me update my new confirmation number. Pls kindly share if you found a way round this. Thank you

I sent my details to someone who helped me. I may have to ask the person the details later.

You still have a valid visa? If you have reasons to travel now, its better you travel with it than trying to renew. Just a suggestion. I don't know your situation.

Good day everyone,

Please I just filled a new DS-160 form after submitting an old one. A new application ID was generated and the new ID is showing on my confirmation page. But I want to be sure I'm on the right track because I have seen people say one needs to "update the profile".
I have tried to figure out how to update the profile but not getting a hang of it or have I updated the profile already seeing that the new Application ID is showing on the confirmation page?

I realised my appointment confirmation page has my old application ID. Can't seem to find anywhere to update my profile. My appointment was also automatically rescheduled by the embassy few weeks ago.

Please help me.

Thanks everyone.

Good day everyone,

Please I just filled a new DS-160 form after submitting an old one. A new application ID was generated and the new ID is showing on my confirmation page. But I want to be sure I'm on the right track because I have seen people say one needs to "update the profile".
I have tried to figure out how to update the profile but not getting a hang of it or have I updated the profile already seeing that the new Application ID is showing on the confirmation page?

I realised my appointment confirmation page has my old application ID. Can't seem to find anywhere to update my profile. My appointment was also automatically rescheduled by the embassy few weeks ago.

Please help me.

Thanks everyone.

Good day everyone,

Please I just filled a new DS-160 form after submitting an old one. A new application ID was generated and the new ID is showing on my confirmation page. But I want to be sure I'm on the right track because I have seen people say one needs to "update the profile".
I have tried to figure out how to update the profile but not getting a hang of it or have I updated the profile already seeing that the new Application ID is showing on the confirmation page?


Thanks everyone.