krissein:
Hi guys,

I was in the US from September 2016 to February 2017 spending almost 5 months after my passport was stamped for the standard 6 months even though I said I was staying for about a month.

I plan to travel this year with my wife and son. Any suggestions as to what to expect from POE regarding my long stay last time?

Thanks

I don't think there will be problem unless you can't answer what you're doing in U.S for 5 months.

You told them 1 month but stayed 5 months. Why? The answer you give to that question is very important. So start thinking from now and please be honest, and confident. And if you're allowed in, don't do that again, it could affect your renewal. All the best.

krissein:
Hi guys,

I was in the US from September 2016 to February 2017 spending almost 5 months after my passport was stamped for the standard 6 months even though I said I was staying for about a month.

I plan to travel this year with my wife and son. Any suggestions as to what to expect from POE regarding my long stay last time?

Thanks

Thanks guys

krissein:
Hi guys,

I was in the US from September 2016 to February 2017 spending almost 5 months after my passport was stamped for the standard 6 months even though I said I was staying for about a month.

I plan to travel this year with my wife and son. Any suggestions as to what to expect from POE regarding my long stay last time?

Thanks

What did you do for money while you were there? What about your job in naija?

nefertitiram:


What did you do for money while you were there? What about your job in naija?

Na wetin I dey reason be that.

nefertitiram:


What did you do for money while you were there? What about your job in naija?

I was out of job here in Naija for some time. I worked while I was there and was offered promotion to supervisor twice ahead of those I met there, Americans and Hispanics but I couldn't accept cos of my status.

krissein:


I was out of job here in Naija for some time. I worked while I was there and was offered promotion to supervisor twice ahead of those I met there, Americans and Hispanics but I couldn't accept cos of my status.

OK oh! Eku Ise. You did well. Nothing spoil. Enjoy your trip

krissein:


I was out of job here in Naija for some time. I worked while I was there and was offered promotion to supervisor twice ahead of those I met there, Americans and Hispanics but I couldn't accept cos of my status.

This is a joke right? Why would you work on a tourist visa.

krissein:


I was out of job here in Naija for some time. I worked while I was there and was offered promotion to supervisor twice ahead of those I met there, Americans and Hispanics but I couldn't accept cos of my status.

krissein:


I was out of job here in Naija for some time. I worked while I was there and was offered promotion to supervisor twice ahead of those I met there, Americans and Hispanics but I couldn't accept cos of my status.

O boi you are on your own oo. Seriously on your own. And you feeling cool spilling that on an open forum like NL....

SirWahl1:


How was ur trip buddy. Did not hear from you again. Guess you are still in Chicago by now

Sorry about that bro. Was thoroughly quizzed at d poet in Chicago. Buh I was stamped in. Are u still in chi town?

God bless for all the good work you guys are doing here

1. Take enough cash, always. 3,000 - 5,000 dollars advisable.
2. Take all documents related to childbirth payments, and also the email transcript between you and the embassy.
3. I would recommend you take the flight that goes through Abu Dhabi - Etihad I think, POE is there also, then a connecting flight to Chicago.
4. No one knows the questions you will be asked, you might not be asked anything - but go through Page 1 and look at all the POE questions. Rehearse all possible questions and stick to the truth backed with evidence, and you should be fine.
5. Can you get the hospital to send you a signed document, proving that you don't owe them?
All the best!

purespikes:
good work you guys re doing here. i need clarification on my situation please. i got a tourist visa with my family in 2014. in the DS160 form, we declared we were visiting a family friend in Washington. as a matter of fact, we travelled to washington on the exact day stated in our forms and returned on the exact day.We however stayed at the hotel fro the 22 day vacation.

fast forward 2016, we(myself and family) renewed our visas via drop box, a month to the expiration of the old visa, using the same family friend in washington as USA contact. this time, wifey was pregnant with the 3rd kid. i inforemd the embassy of the pregnancy and got the same generic response on birthing in the USA. Wifey travelled to Chicago to give birth and returned after 7 weeks. she travelled through JFK to Chicago and had no issues at all at JFK POE. she also returned via JFK. we chose JFK because of the nasty experiences some people have had at Chicago POE. she stayed with a family friend while in Chicago and this friend has never been mentioned in out travel history.

now, we (the family of 5) plan to go Chicago this summer and we are planning to fly straight to Chicago to save cost. the idea is to use the visa before it expires early next year. However, we wont be travelling with a lot of cash and we intend to stay with our family friend in Chicago. Considering the hostile nature of CBPs in Chicago, is it advisable to fly to Chicago? How much cash would be enough for us? what are the likely questions we may encounter and how do we tackle it? kind opinions needed please.


note that we have recently completed payments of the medical bills wifey incurred during child birth, although we could not get a zero balance from the hospital. i intend to get all the payment receipts from our host in Chicago, whom we sent the bills to from here in Nigeria to help us pay.

purespikes:
good work you guys re doing here. i need clarification on my situation please. i got a tourist visa with my family in 2014. in the DS160 form, we declared we were visiting a family friend in Washington. as a matter of fact, we travelled to washington on the exact day stated in our forms and returned on the exact day.We however stayed at the hotel fro the 22 day vacation.

fast forward 2016, we(myself and family) renewed our visas via drop box, a month to the expiration of the old visa, using the same family friend in washington as USA contact. this time, wifey was pregnant with the 3rd kid. i inforemd the embassy of the pregnancy and got the same generic response on birthing in the USA. Wifey travelled to Chicago to give birth and returned after 7 weeks. she travelled through JFK to Chicago and had no issues at all at JFK POE. she also returned via JFK. we chose JFK because of the nasty experiences some people have had at Chicago POE. she stayed with a family friend while in Chicago and this friend has never been mentioned in out travel history.

now, we (the family of 5) plan to go Chicago this summer and we are planning to fly straight to Chicago to save cost. the idea is to use the visa before it expires early next year. However, we wont be travelling with a lot of cash and we intend to stay with our family friend in Chicago. Considering the hostile nature of CBPs in Chicago, is it advisable to fly to Chicago? How much cash would be enough for us? what are the likely questions we may encounter and how do we tackle it? kind opinions needed please.


note that we have recently completed payments of the medical bills wifey incurred during child birth, although we could not get a zero balance from the hospital. i intend to get all the payment receipts from our host in Chicago, whom we sent the bills to from here in Nigeria to help us pay.

Actually you will get most of the answers to your questions in the Birthing Thread but what I can comment on is that you can use your friend as your host or better still get hotel if you're not too comfortable with the plan and also when will your visa expire?

seyewest:


Actually you will get most of the answers to your questions in the Birthing Thread but what I can comment on is that you can use your friend as your host or better still get hotel if you're not too comfortable with the plan and also when will your visa expire?

february next year

KaptainAfrika:
1. Take enough cash, always. 3,000 - 5,000 dollars advisable.
2. Take all documents related to childbirth payments, and also the email transcript between you and the embassy.
3. I would recommend you take the flight that goes through Abu Dhabi - Etihad I think, POE is there also, then a connecting flight to Chicago.
4. No one knows the questions you will be asked, you might not be asked anything - but go through Page 1 and look at all the POE questions. Rehearse all possible questions and stick to the truth backed with evidence, and you should be fine.
5. Can you get the hospital to send you a signed document, proving that you don't owe them?
All the best!

My wife has an email correspondence from a representative of the hospital, indicating that we do not owe the hospital any more bills. thanks for your response.

i do not think i can raise 3000 dollars o. lol

Gud day house.All thanks to God we entered new jersey tru JFK yesterday via Qatar airways.We had a stop over of 8hrs at Doha and proceeded on the 14hrs journey to New York.Poe was very smooth.
After using d biometrics self kiosk,we proceeded to d line.
CBP officer:hi gud afternoon
Hubby:afternoon
CBP:passport please,how long will u be staying?
Hubby:13days
CBP:kk ure welcome,enjoy ur stay
Hubby:thanks
We proceeded to bargage claim,picked our luggage and proceeded to 2nd CBP officer
2nd CBP:how many are u?
Me:4
2nd CBP:enjoy ur stay.
Resting in d hotel now but still not adjusted to d time change. Thanks a lot seyewest and all other gurus in d house.

Great thanks to all the contributors on this thread. I landed at ORD Chicago last week on my first international trip, had stopped over at Dubai.
My short transcript goes thus.
CBP officer: Passport, please
Me: handed it over
CBP officer: why are u in Chicago
Me: Visiting a family member
CBP Officer: What does she do
Me: She is a nurse
CBP Officer: What kind of food do you have in your luggage
Me: Roasted Peanut
CBP: The old fella stamped my passport giving 6 months.
Give Glory to Almighty God for His favor.
I think confidence, composure and God's favor is key at the POE especially at Chicago's POE if you are clean

Daragurl12:
Gud day house.All thanks to God we entered new jersey tru JFK yesterday via Qatar airways.We had a stop over of 8hrs at Doha and proceeded on the 14hrs journey to New York.Poe was very smooth.
After using d biometrics self kiosk,we proceeded to d line.
CBP officer:hi gud afternoon
Hubby:afternoon
CBP:passport please,how long will u be staying?
Hubby:13days
CBP:kk ure welcome,enjoy ur stay
Hubby:thanks
We proceeded to bargage claim,picked our luggage and proceeded to 2nd CBP officer
2nd CBP:how many are u?
Me:4
2nd CBP:enjoy ur stay.
Resting in d hotel now but still not adjusted to d time change. Thanks a lot seyewest and all other gurus in d house.

Thank God for safe and smooth journey...
8hrs at doha, you were at the airport all through? Or given accommodation?

Fg

KaptainAfrika:
1. Take enough cash, always. 3,000 - 5,000 dollars advisable.
2. Take all documents related to childbirth payments, and also the email transcript between you and the embassy.
3. I would recommend you take the flight that goes through Abu Dhabi - Etihad I think, POE is there also, then a connecting flight to Chicago.
4. No one knows the questions you will be asked, you might not be asked anything - but go through Page 1 and look at all the POE questions. Rehearse all possible questions and stick to the truth backed with evidence, and you should be fine.
5. Can you get the hospital to send you a signed document, proving that you don't owe them?
All the best!

I seconded Kaptain explanation and also just to be sure ask the hospital to send you a document showing that you don't owe them any cent do this before booking your flight.

fadjnr:
Landed in Texas a couple of days ago after 7 hours stop over in Turkey. Then another 13 hours flight to Houston Texas. Spent about 30mins to get to the Cbp


*Note* ( I was supposed to come for my cousin's wedding but due to reason best known to the couple they decided to have the wedding a week before my arrival, and couldn't afford to waste all the preparations I had made, work leave and all)

Transcript.

Cbp : passport please.

Me: ( gave it to him)

Cbp : what's your purpose in the USA.

Me : I was supposed to come for a wedding but the couple decided to hold it a week back so I decided to use the visa for a vacation as I can't afford to waste the energy and resources put into this.

Cbp : where will u be staying and how long

Me : Marriott hotel. 9 days

Cbp: why are you staying there and not with your cousin

Me: well like I said earlier they have had their wedding and right now they are on a honeymoon outside the state.

Cbp: Okay, welcome to the USA.
Stamps 6 months for me.

wow Marriot.. Too much money Enjoy your stay.

purespikes:


february next year

If you dont have almost 8k and u enter secondary inspection, forgerrit. this april alone, 2 families have been turned back that I know of. in chicago n jfk. insufficient funds

purespikes:
good work you guys re doing here. i need clarification on my situation please. i got a tourist visa with my family in 2014. in the DS160 form, we declared we were visiting a family friend in Washington. as a matter of fact, we travelled to washington on the exact day stated in our forms and returned on the exact day.We however stayed at the hotel fro the 22 day vacation.

fast forward 2016, we(myself and family) renewed our visas via drop box, a month to the expiration of the old visa, using the same family friend in washington as USA contact. this time, wifey was pregnant with the 3rd kid. i inforemd the embassy of the pregnancy and got the same generic response on birthing in the USA. Wifey travelled to Chicago to give birth and returned after 7 weeks. she travelled through JFK to Chicago and had no issues at all at JFK POE. she also returned via JFK. we chose JFK because of the nasty experiences some people have had at Chicago POE. she stayed with a family friend while in Chicago and this friend has never been mentioned in out travel history.

now, we (the family of 5) plan to go Chicago this summer and we are planning to fly straight to Chicago to save cost. the idea is to use the visa before it expires early next year. However, we wont be travelling with a lot of cash and we intend to stay with our family friend in Chicago. Considering the hostile nature of CBPs in Chicago, is it advisable to fly to Chicago? How much cash would be enough for us? what are the likely questions we may encounter and how do we tackle it? kind opinions needed please.


note that we have recently completed payments of the medical bills wifey incurred during child birth, although we could not get a zero balance from the hospital. i intend to get all the payment receipts from our host in Chicago, whom we sent the bills to from here in Nigeria to help us pay.

why cant they scan and send you the receipts?

Please avoid chicago POE because having a US born child will qualify you for secondary inspection. When you get there, they will twist everything and pour on your head. you will just be shocked and confused

Daragurl12:
Gud day house.All thanks to God we entered new jersey tru JFK yesterday via Qatar airways.We had a stop over of 8hrs at Doha and proceeded on the 14hrs journey to New York.Poe was very smooth.
After using d biometrics self kiosk,we proceeded to d line.
CBP officer:hi gud afternoon
Hubby:afternoon
CBP:passport please,how long will u be staying?
Hubby:13days
CBP:kk ure welcome,enjoy ur stay
Hubby:thanks
We proceeded to bargage claim,picked our luggage and proceeded to 2nd CBP officer
2nd CBP:how many are u?
Me:4
2nd CBP:enjoy ur stay.
Resting in d hotel now but still not adjusted to d time change. Thanks a lot seyewest and all other gurus in d house.

Hello.

When the automatic passport control kiosk gave you the receipt with your picture on it, was there a black X across it or it was just plain?

Also does anyone know what the black x means?

Hello All!

This is a truly wonderful thread, please keep up the good work!

I have two questions

1) on the customs declaration form (or while using the Automatic passport control kiosk) they ask your address while in the US. Thing is next week I have booked a hotel in New York just for the night I land, then I have 3 nights in another hotel in the Washington area, it's after these two bookings that I will go to Oklahoma and spent over a week until I fly back to New York for my return flight to naija.

Question is , what address should I use. The first hotel or the second or my cousins address in Oklahoma which is my final ultimate destination?

2) also on the form they ask what countries you have visited during this particular trip. I'm transiting through Cairo as per Egypt air. In that slot should I just say non or write Egypt . The transit layover is overnight.

Please advise

Thank you all

Quote:yes my Hubby's receipt was crossed with a black X but I think it was because we were selected for random security check at Doha,though most pple with d black X on their receipt were sent to secondary inspection but all thanks to God we were not.]

Hello.

When the automatic passport control kiosk gave you the receipt with your picture on it, was there a black X across it or it was just plain?

Also does anyone know what the black x means?[/quote]

(We were taken to family room at d airport for relaxation cos of d kids)


Thank God for safe and smooth journey...
8hrs at doha, you were at the airport all through? Or given accommodation?[/quote]

Black X means you selected you have stuff to declare

Harberdy:
GTB don't give student with a one way Ticket PTA.i don't think the understand how the rules apply to student.I got my PTA with a one way ticket from UBA.Go to any UBA branch with your Passport,Valid Visa,Your Oneway Ticket and your Admission Letter.Fill the Form A.You must have a minimum balance of N1,440,000 in your UBA bank acct.360x$4000.After verification,You would be called to come and collect your money.

UBA will not give your USD with one way ticket ooo for PTA, but if u want to pay through form A, your school's acct will be directly credited, u will not be given the cash. Thanks

Terminalia:


UBA will not give your USD with one way ticket ooo for PTA, but if u want to pay through form A, your school's acct will be directly credited, u will not be given the cash. Thanks

please any idea of banks that would give PTA with one way? Thanks

Got B1/B2 family visa of four last July. please i need your response because i want to visit this may for 10 days and the whole family together in August for holiday.