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U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer - Travel (82) - Nairaland

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Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by Duuzsz(m): 9:59pm On Sep 19, 2017
VisaOfficer:


Good afternoon,

If you are checking the status of your case on the USCIS website, it sounds like it is still under review at USCIS. If the petition is approved, USCIS will send it to the National Visa Center (NVC) to await such a time as your petition becomes current. At that point, they will notify you of the documentation they will need. I hope this is helpful.

Regards,
VO

Good evening,

Thanks for your response! But my dad called the number on USCIS website and was told that since, the beneficiary is above 21, there's a wait time before it get to my turn. Does it mean the petition has been approved? Now I'm confused, is USCIS the same as NVC? If no, please shed more light on it. And what's NVC official website and contact? So we could reach them.


God bless you!!
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by VisaOfficer: 1:10pm On Sep 21, 2017
okenne:
Hello VO,

God bless you for the good work u doing here, doing all ur best to help people.

1. pls i want to know how long does f4 immigrant visa takes to mature.

2. My wife siblings were adopted by their uncle and they are citizen now can they apply for F4 for my wife knowing that their surname change by reason of adoption.

Remain Blessed.

Good afternoon,

Please refer to the visa bulletin (https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/law-and-policy/bulletin/2018/visa-bulletin-for-october-2017.html) for the latest updates on priority dates for family preference visas. The current cutoff date for F4 visas with Nigerian chargeability is 08 May 2004. This means that if numbers are allocated for applicants whose petitions were filed before that date.

For your second question, USCIS must approve petitions before they are sent to the consulate for an interview. Generally, applicants are required to submit proof of a familial relationship in order to file - more information can be found at uscis.gov.

I hope this is helpful.

Warm regards,
VO
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by VisaOfficer: 1:14pm On Sep 21, 2017
koolkesh:
Good Day VO,

Please what is the average wait time to get an interview date from case complete.

Thank you.

Good afternoon,

Once your application is complete (all necessary fees paid and required documents submitted), the National Visa Center (NVC) reviews the file for completeness. When the file is complete, NVC will work with the consulate to schedule your appointment. They generally set appointments within 60 days of NVC receipt of all requested documentation, but cannot necessarily predict when an appointment will be available.

I hope this is helpful.

Regards,
VO
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by VisaOfficer: 1:16pm On Sep 21, 2017
JWTheocracy1:
Good morning V.O. I'm a Nigerian currently living In Abidjan. I first met my fiance who is an American citizen earlier this year when I was still living and doing business in Nigeria. now my fiance wants to file for me and my question is this...can I choose to attend my interview in a foreign land where I'm now currently staying which is Abidjan though I'm a Nigerian but has a resident permit?

expecting a swift response. thanks

Good afternoon,

First, please be advised that we do not check this forum every day. As such, please exercise patience while waiting for a response and try to avoid re-posting inquiries.

In answer to your question, if you are residing in Abidjan, you can work with the National Visa Center when you schedule your interview if you would prefer to interview there. Applicants do not necessarily need to interview in their country of citizenship.

Regards,
VO
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by herrlicher: 5:49pm On Sep 21, 2017
Good day VO.
Thanks for your inputs.
What could still be causing visa delay after a completed administrative processing that lasted nearly 6wks??
Meanwhile I got this email from the embassy last week 12th sept.

Thank you for your email.

The administrative processing on your application has been completed. Your visa should be ready for pick up in 3 working days.


Interview at Lagos embassy
Date: 1st Aug
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by mamandetre: 6:12pm On Sep 21, 2017
Good evening VO
I am a Nigerian and my husband is American, we have been married for a year now and we live and work in Nigeria. In the nearest future we plan to apply for immigrant visa, at the moment we do not have an urgent need fir it. Do i stand a chance of getting a visitor's visa as the rest of the family would like to meet me this winter break? We only plan to stay for three weeks. Thank you.
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by VisaOfficer: 9:23am On Sep 22, 2017
Duuzsz:


Good evening,

Thanks for your response! But my dad called the number on USCIS website and was told that since, the beneficiary is above 21, there's a wait time before it get to my turn. Does it mean the petition has been approved? Now I'm confused, is USCIS the same as NVC? If no, please shed more light on it. And what's NVC official website and contact? So we could reach them.


God bless you!!

Good morning,

It sounds like you are the beneficiary of an F11 visa petition (unmarried son or daughter of a U.S. citizen). Family-sponsored preference visas like the F11 are numerically limited worldwide every year, and as such you must wait until your case becomes current. You will need to know your priority date. The priority date is the date on which the completed, signed petition is properly filed with USCIS. Once the petition is approved, it is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC). When your petition is current, or is likely to become current within one year, NVC will initiate pre-processing (collecting fees, forms, and documents).

For F11 applicants from Nigeria, the cutoff date for October 2017 is 22 December 2010, which means if your petition was filed before that date (i.e. your priority date is before 22 December 2010), your case will become current. These cutoff dates change by the month, and can be tracked by checking the visa bulletin available at travel.state.gov (https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/law-and-policy/bulletin.html)

We recognize that this process can be confusing, but hopefully this is somewhat helpful.

Regards,
VO
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by VisaOfficer: 9:25am On Sep 22, 2017
herrlicher:
Good day VO.
Thanks for your inputs.
What could still be causing visa delay after a completed administrative processing that lasted nearly 6wks??
Meanwhile I got this email from the embassy last week 12th sept.

Thank you for your email.

The administrative processing on your application has been completed. Your visa should be ready for pick up in 3 working days.


Interview at Lagos embassy
Date: 1st Aug


Good morning,

I cannot comment on individual cases. If the last email you received says that your visa is ready for pickup but you went to the DHL center and it was not, you should contact LagosIV@state.gov for an update.

Regards,
VO
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by VisaOfficer: 9:27am On Sep 22, 2017
mamandetre:
Good evening VO
I am a Nigerian and my husband is American, we have been married for a year now and we live and work in Nigeria. In the nearest future we plan to apply for immigrant visa, at the moment we do not have an urgent need fir it. Do i stand a chance of getting a visitor's visa as the rest of the family would like to meet me this winter break? We only plan to stay for three weeks. Thank you.

Good morning,

You are welcome to apply for nonimmigrant visas if you have U.S. citizen family members that you would like to visit or travel with (and many people do so). Bear in mind that adjudicating officers in the nonimmigrant visa section make their final decision based on whether or not the applicant can overcome the presumption of intent to immigrate as detailed by section 214b of Immigration and Nationality Act.

Regards,
VO
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by JWTheocracy1: 12:06pm On Sep 22, 2017
VisaOfficer:


Good afternoon,

First, please be advised that we do not check this forum every day. As such, please exercise patience while waiting for a response and try to avoid re-posting inquiries.

In answer to your question, if you are residing in Abidjan, you can work with the National Visa Center when you schedule your interview if you would prefer to interview there. Applicants do not necessarily need to interview in their country of citizenship.

Regards,
VO
Thank You so much... and I apologize immensely.
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by VisaOfficer: 12:40pm On Sep 22, 2017
JWTheocracy1:
Thank You so much... and I apologize immensely.

It's not a problem - we recognize that this can be a very stressful process and people understandably want answers quickly. Because we do not generally check this forum on a daily basis, you are also welcome to check uscis.gov (the USCIS website, with answers to questions on filing petitions) and travel.state.gov (the State Department website, for information on the pre-processing and visa interviews). These websites often have answers for many of the questions that applicants have.

Regards,
VO
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by Olatoki: 2:54pm On Sep 22, 2017
Many thanks and appreciation to VO for prompt and apt answers to various questions raised so far,my questions are:
1) does the police clearance certificate still valid even after the month stated in it has elapsed before going for interview because the police certificate gotten have 3month on it?

2) in case of lost(police certificate) should the fellow do another one or bring court affidavit regarding to the lost of it because he has submitted a scan copy of the certificate to NVC?

I hope my questions are cleared enough!! Thanks for usual prompt response ���
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by Duchess92: 10:50am On Sep 23, 2017
Good day vo,

I got married and I have already started my immigration process. My case is currently in the nvc stage. My only concern is that my international passport still has my fathers name and i have not changed my name to my husbands name and also i have not proceeded for a legal change of name because of the stress of going to abuja and the duration it takes to get a new passport. Can I continue the immigration process with the name on my passport or I have to do a change of name and change of passport to prove that i am married.
My question is that during my interview will the change of name come up and will it affect the outcome of the interview.
Second question is my passport will expire mid 2019 and my interview should be march 2018 that means I have about 1year validity on my passport. Is the 1year good enough or I will have to renew my passport before my interview.

Thanks!
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by bestbuyer(m): 8:38am On Sep 25, 2017
Good morning VO,
Great job being done here answering pertinent questions, well done!
Few questions i have are listed below for your action:
1. Can a citizen file for her married daughter which in turn means her whole family members, the married daughter already have two citizen minors by birth.
2. If 1 above is not possible or longer to process, can a grand mother file for her grand child who is a minor because she wants her to have quality life and better education.
3. In both cases above, they currently have USA visa expiring 2019; will the filing cancel their existing visa and void it, hence making it difficult for them to return or make another trip next year. They are presently in the States on vacation for three months.
4. Considering 3 above, can the filing be made while in the United States before returning or it is better to start filing when they return to home country. I read part of the form I-130 asking present place of residence.
5. Lastly, does DACA, the action program on minors applied to Nigerians? how can we benefit from it?

Thank you for your understanding and attention.

God bless.
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by Emocream(f): 12:18pm On Sep 25, 2017
Good p.m V.O,

Thank you for your very helpful response.

Sorry to bother you further.

Our CR1 visa is currently being reviewed at the NVC with my old passport and maiden name on the DS260. Now i have changed my name and have my married name on my passport. Will i be allowed for the medical and interview with this new passport (also if approved, can visa be stamped on new passport) with my married name? being that my DS260 was filled with my old passport.

Thank you.
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by Duuzsz(m): 10:26pm On Sep 26, 2017
VisaOfficer:


Good morning,

It sounds like you are the beneficiary of an F11 visa petition (unmarried son or daughter of a U.S. citizen). Family-sponsored preference visas like the F11 are numerically limited worldwide every year, and as such you must wait until your case becomes current. You will need to know your priority date. The priority date is the date on which the completed, signed petition is properly filed with USCIS. Once the petition is approved, it is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC). When your petition is current, or is likely to become current within one year, NVC will initiate pre-processing (collecting fees, forms, and documents).

For F11 applicants from Nigeria, the cutoff date for October 2017 is 22 December 2010, which means if your petition was filed before that date (i.e. your priority date is before 22 December 2010), your case will become current. These cutoff dates change by the month, and can be tracked by checking the visa bulletin available at travel.state.gov (https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/law-and-policy/bulletin.html)

We recognize that this process can be confusing, but hopefully this is somewhat helpful.

Regards,
VO

Understood!! Thanks so much.
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by Aos29: 2:59pm On Sep 27, 2017
VO,
You are doing great job for would-be immigrants.

What will my parents - dad & mom, do to enable them have the same interview.
Thank you as I await your response.
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by MamaOre: 10:13am On Sep 28, 2017
VisaOfficer:

Thanks Visa officer, I also had the "no aos and cos annotation on my passport last year. I went to have my baby in Atlanta which I clearly stated to the CBP officer and had paid in advance. I had proof of payment and all my information was verified. I hope I won't face issues when I'm renewing my visa cos I paid all my bills and left the US within the stipulated time.

Unless there are any problems, we in the Consulate won't see you again until you renew your visa. In other words, no, don't send us anything. We get enough mail as it is.

Good travel is the most effective way to earn more travel. It sounds simple, but you'd be surprised how many people don't travel well.

Regards,
VO
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by souleymon(m): 3:56pm On Sep 28, 2017
I will like to confirm the authenticity of the information that I got, that the embassy does not recognise any marriage certificate except the one from Ikoyi or Federal issued ones.
Is ikeja registry and others not acceptable/recognised by the United States of America embassy anymore?
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by Candeeandy88: 3:17pm On Sep 30, 2017
Good morning,
My husband filed an i-130 petition which was approved . We are now at the interview stage. However, we have a concern reagrding Affidavit info for our joint sponsor. My husband (greencardholder) had submitted an Aos form along with joint sponsor whose information will be used. We submitted 2015 tax information for joint sponsor but because of missing info was asked to resubmit Aos upon submission NVC asked us to submit 2016 tax info instead. The issues are:
2015 income is adequate to cover poverty line 2016 tax info is not

Our joint sponsor works in the navy and I know their taxable income is different ie..the actual amount he makes his much more than on tax form because not all his income is taxable

Will the CO take this into consideration or should I try and get a different joint sponsor
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by chinwe12: 10:55pm On Sep 30, 2017
hello vo im an IR2 visa category applicant along with my siblings, my dad has filled and submitted all documents required and currently NVC completely reviewed my brothers case and called him for an interview and nothing has been done abt my own and my sisters own, can we call nvc to tell them abt this as the visa is family based and we are supposed to go for interview together as IR2 applicants so that they will review our own case and also fix an interview date for us, is it also possible for them give us interview dates the same as my brother's so we will go together, finally as a single mom, can i go to interview with my 3 years old daughter who is not part of the visa petition, can she be granted interview as well and also granted a visa.
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by Nobody: 5:19am On Oct 02, 2017
Hello VO,

Please, my big brother is married with a child and his wife is expecting a second child. He resides in the church compound and he is a priest in an Anglican church. The church secured a conference for him and the venerable to attend in the U.S. He went for his visa interview on September 27th, 2017 for that conference that the church is sponsoring him and the venerable to attend in the US, he was denied visa because the interviewer thinks that he wouldn't come back after the conference. He had all the necessary documentation that is required for the interview, including hotel reservation, travel date, and returned date. My question is how could the interviewer determine that he would not come back when it is the church that is sending him to the conference so that he will go there and participate, learn some stuff that he will come back to the church and train the other young priests.

He and the venerable has a different interview date. The conference was secured for both of them for the second week in November 2017.

The venerable has his interview coming up in October what are the chances that he will be granted a visa? Also the venerable went for a visa interview last year that the church sponsored too and he was denied visa too, I don't know the reason why they didn't grant him visa then, now he is going again for conference visa for the second time.

What can my big brother do to obtain a visa for that conference being that the conference was already paid for?

Please, any help will be gladly appreciated.


Praise God the venerable visa was granted today.
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by VisaOfficer: 3:22pm On Oct 05, 2017
Olatoki:
Many thanks and appreciation to VO for prompt and apt answers to various questions raised so far,my questions are:
1) does the police clearance certificate still valid even after the month stated in it has elapsed before going for interview because the police certificate gotten have 3month on it?

2) in case of lost(police certificate) should the fellow do another one or bring court affidavit regarding to the lost of it because he has submitted a scan copy of the certificate to NVC?

I hope my questions are cleared enough!! Thanks for usual prompt response ���

Good afternoon,

The police certificate should still be acceptable. However, the consulate requires that you submit an original police certificate with fingerprint card. If you have sent it to NVC, you will need to apply for a new police certificate and submit the original at the time of your interview. I hope this is helpful.

Regards,
VO

1 Like

Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by VisaOfficer: 3:28pm On Oct 05, 2017
Duchess92:
Good day vo,

I got married and I have already started my immigration process. My case is currently in the nvc stage. My only concern is that my international passport still has my fathers name and i have not changed my name to my husbands name and also i have not proceeded for a legal change of name because of the stress of going to abuja and the duration it takes to get a new passport. Can I continue the immigration process with the name on my passport or I have to do a change of name and change of passport to prove that i am married.
My question is that during my interview will the change of name come up and will it affect the outcome of the interview.
Second question is my passport will expire mid 2019 and my interview should be march 2018 that means I have about 1year validity on my passport. Is the 1year good enough or I will have to renew my passport before my interview.

Thanks!

Good afternoon,

While an applicant can technically continue the process with an old passport following a legal name change, ensuring that the names on all documents and forms of identification lessens any confusion that might arise during the course of the immigration process caused by different names (from petition filing to eventual entry into the United States). As such, while it is up to you to decide whether or not you want to obtain a new passport prior at this stage, be aware that the change of name may come up at any point during the process, particularly if you have not obtained new identification documents with your legal name change. I hope this is helpful.

Regards,
VO
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by VisaOfficer: 3:41pm On Oct 05, 2017
bestbuyer:
Good morning VO,
Great job being done here answering pertinent questions, well done!
Few questions i have are listed below for your action:
1. Can a citizen file for her married daughter which in turn means her whole family members, the married daughter already have two citizen minors by birth.
2. If 1 above is not possible or longer to process, can a grand mother file for her grand child who is a minor because she wants her to have quality life and better education.
3. In both cases above, they currently have USA visa expiring 2019; will the filing cancel their existing visa and void it, hence making it difficult for them to return or make another trip next year. They are presently in the States on vacation for three months.
4. Considering 3 above, can the filing be made while in the United States before returning or it is better to start filing when they return to home country. I read part of the form I-130 asking present place of residence.
5. Lastly, does DACA, the action program on minors applied to Nigerians? how can we benefit from it?

Thank you for your understanding and attention.

God bless.

Good afternoon,

I will do my best to answer your questions in the order asked:
1. It is possible for a U.S. citizen to file for his or her married son or daughter. The spouse and children of the principal applicant may be included on the petition. If the spouse or children are already U.S. citizens, however, they cannot be issued immigrant visas.
2. Grandparents may not file for grandchildren.
3. Filing for an immigrant visa does not cancel an applicant's ability to travel on a non-immigrant visa. The applicant should be aware, however, that misuse of a non-immigrant visa will have adverse effects on potential future immigrant visa petitions.
4. Please visit the website linked here (https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/immigrant-process/petition.html) for more information on the filing process for the I-130.
5. DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) is administered by USCIS. Please visit this website for more information (https://www.uscis.gov/archive/consideration-deferred-action-childhood-arrivals-daca)

Regards,
VO
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by VisaOfficer: 3:42pm On Oct 05, 2017
Emocream:
Good p.m V.O,

Thank you for your very helpful response.

Sorry to bother you further.

Our CR1 visa is currently being reviewed at the NVC with my old passport and maiden name on the DS260. Now i have changed my name and have my married name on my passport. Will i be allowed for the medical and interview with this new passport (also if approved, can visa be stamped on new passport) with my married name? being that my DS260 was filled with my old passport.

Thank you.

Good afternoon,

If you have legally changed your name, you may provide documentary evidence of the legal name change at the time of the interview (unless otherwise requested by NVC).

Regards,
VO
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by VisaOfficer: 3:44pm On Oct 05, 2017
Aos29:
VO,
You are doing great job for would-be immigrants.

What will my parents - dad & mom, do to enable them have the same interview.
Thank you as I await your response.

Good afternoon,

The National Visa Center does the initial scheduling of interviews. You may contact them to request that interviews be scheduled together (e.g. for a husband and wife).

Regards,
VO
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by VisaOfficer: 3:50pm On Oct 05, 2017
souleymon:
I will like to confirm the authenticity of the information that I got, that the embassy does not recognise any marriage certificate except the one from Ikoyi or Federal issued ones.
Is ikeja registry and others not acceptable/recognised by the United States of America embassy anymore?

Good afternoon,

While you must provide documentation of the marriage, a federal registry marriage is not necessarily the only legally binding marriage recognized for immigration purposes. For example, customary marriages are also considered binding for immigration purposes.

Regards,
VO
Re: U.S. Immigration Questions: Ask A U.S. Consular Officer by VisaOfficer: 3:52pm On Oct 05, 2017
Candeeandy88:
Good morning,
My husband filed an i-130 petition which was approved . We are now at the interview stage. However, we have a concern reagrding Affidavit info for our joint sponsor. My husband (greencardholder) had submitted an Aos form along with joint sponsor whose information will be used. We submitted 2015 tax information for joint sponsor but because of missing info was asked to resubmit Aos upon submission NVC asked us to submit 2016 tax info instead. The issues are:
2015 income is adequate to cover poverty line 2016 tax info is not

Our joint sponsor works in the navy and I know their taxable income is different ie..the actual amount he makes his much more than on tax form because not all his income is taxable

Will the CO take this into consideration or should I try and get a different joint sponsor

Good afternoon,

If the joint sponsor's income as listed on their most recent tax returns does not meet, you may find a different joint sponsor.

Regards,
VO

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