₦airaland Forum

Phema:
Hello everyone!! This is Phema reporting live from Phoenix, AZ!! . How are y'all doing? I don miss una wella . From the newbies to the "question answerers" to the groundnut eaters. Sorry I've not been participating actively for awhile now. Didn't have much going anyways, so there wasn't much to say.

Got into Phoenix tuesday night (Phoenix time). Flew BA and POE was Phoenix. Infact, make I start this gist from the beginning. . .

I flew from Lag and the experience with those Immigration officers wasn't bad at all. I already prepared not to tip any body, so didn't go with any naira. My big belle was all the "egunje" they needed. I weighed all my bags at home before setting out. So I didn't have any that was past the 23KG limit. I made sure of that. The lady that weighed my bags was surprised both were 23KG on the dot.

Then I got to the people that search bags. They were quite courteous and barely searched my bags. One of them helped my take the boxes to the check in counter. Checked in and was asked for my fit to fly. I gave dem a copy and they filed it. I chose my seat online, so i had my boarding pass ready.

We were two preggers that planned our trip together so it was not so exhausting or boring cos we had each other's company. We requested for wheelchair services for Heathrow during check in at MMA1. Didn't even know that could be done. So, the officer included it on our boarding passes. Preggers with layover should try and request for it. It turned out to be a life saver at Heathrow.

Like Tvegas advised, we didn't queue at immigration in Lagos. We used the fast lane and they gave us priority treatment till we got to the boarding gate. Everything went so smoothly without any hassles or delays. All we did was put on our "preggy faces" and behaved like we were going to pass out, or worse still, go into labour if we had the minutest of all hassles. Lol

We boarded at the right time. No delays whatsoever. Got to Heathrow and waited to be driven to the terminal where we would be connecting to the US. While others walked and were asking for direction, all we did was present our boarding passes. The driver knew exactly what to do and where to take us. So we were driven to go sit at a very comfy and warmer place to wait for our connecting flight. The experience was awesome. Everyone gave "wheelchair" passengers priority treatment. We didn't have to bother about sleeping off and missing our flights cos they would always call your name when it's time for you to board. Time came and they drove us to the boarding gate. We didn't join the queue. We were the first set of passengers to board. Yea yea, we are special like that.

Now to POE. . .

Phema:
-For bush people like moi that donot like airline food, please go with snacks in your hand luggage. I had bread, biscuits, plantain chips, coconut chips, meat pie, sausage roll, doughnut etc. . .

9jabiggurl:
Nice one @phema....congrats on that POE...wish all expectant mum same...wish you safe delivery of your American baby...

pattyreal:
Phema phema phema! Sweet POE! Dats wat we pray for! I tap in2 dis... Oya oooooo march mom's going feb ooooo abeg Holla @ me

Bibol:
@ Phema,that's a comprehensive info there. I wish you a blissful stay and safe delivery.

sayoberry:
phema ooooo... throw me e-hug so my testimony go better pass ur own
wishing me luck o.
congrats dear. wishing u safe delivery

Fruitilicious:
Intown suites i guess, please check page 56...
@Tvegas,very funny i love to eat groundnut too

MamaTobenna:
Phenacetin, the snacks part, how do j go about that. Do they allow edibles from here as part of carry on luggage

supamom:
Pls Phema, how far along were you when you flew?

somchisom:
Congrats Phema at your smooth POE story. Hw did you package the palm oil.

Flowers:
@Phema: please how did you wrap the Palm oil? Also did you go with dry fish?

Tvegas:
Jeeezzuuuzzz, . Na only you pack all these food for your handbag? Dia riz God ooo. U do well ooo. Congrat.

Phema:
They allow edibles. No liquids though. But that shouldn't be a problem as you can get all liquids on board.

Phema:
My dear, I no dey for those their yeye airline food abeg. The food no fit enter my handbag, so i carried one small bag/box. Tied up the whole snacks with a nice translucent nylon bag and put cardigan and jacket on top. Man must not live by "pasta" alone.

MamaTobenna:
I am a March mum o planning to travel anytime from jan 31 flying BA though. Anyone travelling with Ba should let me know o at least make we reach heathrow together before we part for final destination. I don know say na only me dey go los angeles

MamaTobenna:
I am a March mum o planning to travel anytime from jan 31 flying BA though. Anyone travelling with Ba should let me know o at least make we reach heathrow together before we part for final destination. I don know say na only me dey go los angeles

chiduks:
Good morning house. Pls I really need your advise. I've tried on countless times to make a deposit to a hosp in philly that I intend using. But they keep saying they don't accept prepayments. I'm scared cos I knw its advisable to show a receipt at d poe. Although I have d docs appt and my hubby and I plan to each hold 8k. Do u tink that wld suffice at d poe without the receipt frm d hosp?pls I'm open to ur suggestions. Thanks.




daddy:
Please note that she got her visa last year and was to travel for xmas but was told that it was too cold so they decided to go in July only for her to take in sometime in April. They had bought their ticket so cancelled it so she can go for birthing. What documents will she require at the port of entry and hope this will not pose any ise with same experience? Please help out.


I would seriously you advice her to read the whole blog and if not the whole from at least page 100,what she would gain from this cant be over emphasised.Thar said.
The good thing here is that she did not lie during her visa interview that she was not pregnant,because truely at that time she wasent.
It is imortant she writes a letter to the embassy informing them that she is using the visa for birthing purpose, will advice she writes to both lagos and abuja which ever reply suits her the most she should use,their email are consularabuja@state.gov and lagosniv@state.gov.
She should dowload the consent form for her husband to notarise before she leaves,i have heard that some states in the us requires the form to be notarised @ the us embassy while others accept just notarisation from any notary public
She should also go with doctors coresponde o, and enough cash o.

Thanks @ Babatwi. She wrote to them and they responded. see response below. Thanks for the assistance.

Thank you for your email.


There is no legal requirement to inform us that you are seeking medical treatment in the United States. 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.


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.
Dear Chiduks, I am presently in philly, and 8K is enough as the hospital I am using Delaware County charges 7500k. And. Has discount for self pay patients so you and hubby holding 16k is okay, but I advise you hold 10k and hubby holds 6k, and also come with ur Nigeria cards with statements if possible.

Phema:
We got to Phoenix at about 5.30pm. Not so busy airport with very calm atmosphere. The officers were very friendly. This time, we joined the queue. I got called up to meet one female officer and the following ensued. . .
Officer: Good evening
Me : Evening Ma'am
Officer: What are you doing in the US?
Me: Came to have my baby
Officer: Looked very surprised and said "Say that again Ma'am"
Me: I retorted in my very igbotic accent " I came to have my baby"
She called on another male officer and narrated what I told her. The male officer smiled and said "that's fine, as long as she's got the cash". Asked how much I had, I said 9k5. He nodded, smiled and said "hope you know you can come with much more money running into millions". I said, I'm aware and that I had more in my master card (which was a lie though, cos shishi no gum my account) . For my mind, I say, see this thief. No be only millions of Dollars. I tell you say na human beings I dey sell? . Then he left and I continued with the female officer.
Officer: What do you and hubby do back home?
Me: Told her
Officer: Have you been to the US before?
Me: No Ma'am. This is my first time.
Officer: How did you get to know about the hospital?
Me: I did an extensive research online and found this hospital that suits my budget and need.
Officer: Do you have any agricultural products or Food?
Me: Yes ma
Officer: Have a safe delivery Ma. Stamped me in for 6months
Picked my bags and headed out. The secondary/agricultural inspection people stopped us and asked what we came to do. We told them and they asked which of us will be having the baby. We said both of us and they laughed and said "two pregnant friends expecting at almost same time,did you two plan it?". We all laughed. They counted our money, asked same questions the immigration people asked. Repeated we could bring in more money if we wanted and all we needed do was to declare it. Asked how much for the hosp bills and we said $5,400 (the reviewed price). One of them said "yea, i heard they have reviewed it upwards".
Was asked to pass our bags through the scanner. We did. The man at the other end opened one if mine, did a little search and said i was free to go. I was cabashing cos that was same bag I had my precious palm oil. . Fortunately, the man didn't notice cos I packaged it wella that it looked likeo one imported Chinese food. Lol
My friend's chopped fried beef was seized though. She was told it was prohibited. The thing pain us eeehh, cos we been don plan how to use am take do sharp jollof rice on getting to the hotel room.
No document was asked for and the officers were quite professional and friendly.

pattyreal:



I'm goin wit BA booked ma flight already 4 2nd week in feb

Dkbb:
@MamaTobenna, which hospital and Dr are you using in LA, thinking of using LA too. Abeg help ur sist here o

pattyreal:
God will grant u favour dear. Bless u

Jomikish:
So I thought to come back n share my experience with the house.... I still went ahead with the letter from doctoresparati. However, the interview went well, tho I was asked to get another doctor. The consular said she was not comfy with approving only for me to give my money to 'fixers' .. Se meant that they were middle men, and not doctors. I was given the white form which would allow me back into the embassy without a new appointment. I eventually used my correspondence with Dr Fagbohun and his bills and we were granted our visas. I'm sure this will encourage someone and also direct them. I'm not discrediting anyone pls, just Thot to share how it went.

MamaTobenna:
. I got the contact of a doc here o. He is nigerian though. Doc know Mbagwu and I will be using Centinelamed centre

malory84:
@phema congrats on your successful entry. e don tey wey I been they wait your post. Lol .I am leaving next week, I pray for favour too. also flying BA.pls as regards the wheelchair service, were did u request for if , Lagos airport or at Heathrow? because I really need it. but I am also going with my MIL and toddler, he has a stroller, do u think I can also request for wheelchair for my MIL? Thanks a lot.

utcheylee:
Good day @ mamatobenna I want to apply for the visa but confused on what type of visa I should go for since am pregnant 7 month already should I apply for a tourist visa or medical visa ?another question is what if I go for the medical visa and I didn't travel for birthing can I still use it for ordinary trip? or the tourist and if they ask I tell if am preggy I tell them yes i don't know am so confused to make a decision.

please any one can still answer the question.

I agree that u need to breathe and calm down. If u intend interviewing in Abuja, u may wanna get another hospital instead of doctoresparati for now. I was asked to go get another doctor and come back to the embassy. But, go with ur heart, may you be favoured!

just need help plssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss