₦airaland Forum

vickyehi:
Anyways I live in Canada but would be moving south. I just wanted practical experiences like the gurus in the Canadian equivalent thread give.

Most people commenting here arent permanently living in the states. Visiting a place is different from spending at least a year there.

Info am seeking are things like mortgage price, insurance, cost of living in different places, best bank for a new commer, things to do and things to avoid.

So far I haven't gotten much info. Pls contribute if you have ideas about these things in Texas, Nebraska, new Mexico , Nevada, California (page 1 gave a little more on this).

Thank you all for your contributions.

Texas:

Cost of living is low compared to the north east. You can get an excellent 4-bedroom 3000 sq ft home for under $300k depending on where you stay. Depending on your down payment, expect your mortgage to range from $1200 to about $3000 - if you really go big on a home. Public transportation is not the best in Houston but if you’ve got a car, you’re good.

Best banks - I’m biased towards chase bank but you can also try Bank of America. For those who are new and still building credit, consider credit unions, they often are more lenient with loans and mortgages.

Things to avoid - do not drink and drive!!! Never be late on any bills, the consequences are usually worse and far reaching. Be smart about credit card use... always pay down your cards to zero every month, it is pointless paying a bank fees for using their card. Stay out of trouble...

Things to do - travel! Enjoy the beauty of the US, it’s varied culture, sites and food.

Nednwoko:
Hahahahaha I tell u. When I went to America I regretted Sha. Not because I didn't like the country but because I ended up staying in the most unsafe neighborhoods in America (Englewood,in Chicago). There was always a shooting/killing on the streets everyday. When I see/hear our Naija people complaining about crime in Nigeria on social media I laugh because they ain't seen anything yet. In Englewood just by looking at a black male suspiciously on the street can put ur life in danger. There was always a drive-by shooting/murder everyday....

You simply wasted your visa. One of my rules of thumb - never live in an area that is more than 40% black. Those areas are most likely to be poor, run down, no different from living in Nigeria, poor schools, high crime rate etc. it’s unfortunate but blacks in America are no better than blacks in Nigeria.

How can you say, with a straight face, that you’re in the US to contribute to its economy when yours is in utter shambles? Why must you vacation in Vegas? Can’t you go to yankari?

MamatwinE:
Good evening House , please I just want to ask is there any thing like getting a slot for earlier appointment date for usa from some agents as there is no date on the system in June.

I heard some agent ca get quick appointment date so I am wondering how since on the system there is no date


Please it's very urgent .

Thank you

It is not common that people need to make expensive foreign trips on short notice. It’s been common knowledge for decades that summer is the most difficult time to get a date as you’d have thousands of students applying for student visas at that time. You should learn to plan ahead. If I were you, I would not use an agent for anything. Keep checking for an earlier date, you may or may not get lucky.

Generalkorex:
I don come again o. Please gather and help
I've searched tire and I ended here.
How do I renew US passport for a child of 5 years . She was born in US, but now in UK(the whole family) .
I need answers to the following.
1. Fees : breakdown of fees
2. Requirement
3. Document needed.
4. Website to feel form if available
5. Are we printing anything or booking appointment for this.

Please fam. Help out

Go to the US consulate in the UK or give them a call

ayenikunle:
Yes, been wondering over the past few days too.

This Twoods mist be born-again since he started posting few weeks back.

If na former Twoods, people for don hear am.

Am loving this new Twoods sha.

Old things have passed away...

Rolly22:
That's what I'm going to do. Because my friend there said he wants to get married too. Does that mean when you marry over there you won't be an illegal Migrant again?

So basically your “friend” misused his visa that he obtained by fraudulent means, is now an illegal immigrant working without papers and is seeking to enter a contract marriage illegally for immigration benefits? Great!

If we talk now they will say we are just butt hurt.

Rolly22:
Like a Family member over there? What about taking this Canadian IELTS test?

Are you going to the US just to visit or go to school? If the latter, there is a thread for that.

Rolly22:
I'm Just wondering a good legit package to enter there with. Not all these forged Documents

You don’t need a “legit package”. You just need to go to your interview and be honest.

Rolly22:
My friend is in US now with this strategy but I'm not comfortable with it.

There is not point living life with an eye behind your back, worrying when your lies will catch up with you. Just do the right thing.

Rolly22:
Bros I'm having this same issues now I want to travel to the US but the agent is saying I would be going in as someone who is going to purchase goods from a company and I'm not comfortable with it.

Don’t throw away your chances of ever visiting the United States. Stay away from that agent.

OmoBendel24:
The VOs may possibly not be angry about birthright citizenship with our people, but you lot NIGERIAN-AMERICANS ARE, so many of you and it's such a shame please! Is this plain pain, envy, or witchcraft? huh?

@the second bolded; We've heard this over and over, please, do tell who is picking the slack, make it clear and verifiable too, don't take us on a roller-coaster sir! And you just decide to blame Nigerians basically for the shortcomings (if that is even correct) of your health system they are still not aware of till now? Doctoresparati's Rep - Vlesparza - has been on NL debunking this notion of "someone else is paying for the shortcomings of these discounts", and none of you lot has been able to counter her with real and not imaginary facts. Were Nigerians not getting visas approved for them with quotes from these doctors and hospitals/facilities just in recent past? Tell us what the current situation is in CLEAR TERMS and I believe our people will adjust to such realities....

Nigerian Americans are not angry about birthright citizenship because of envy. Envious of who really? Thousands of Latinos, Asians and even many of my Nigerian friends have done this and are still doing this. I’ve got Nigerian friends here in Houston who I’m helping navigate through the process.

Vlesparza runs a business that requires foreigners to birth in the US. It’s his/her livelihood. What do you expect? I posted the facts here on how this works over a year ago... no one was interested in listening... as long as you lot get your “discounts”, screw the facts.

I think this idea that urging people to do the right thing is because of envy is laughable to me.

Beautyaddy:
Right!

However, most women who have found themselves needing to pay the discounted birthing fees for birthing in the US tends to blame it on the hospitals that are offering them the discounts bills because they're paying in total cash.

So at times , the blame also has to go on the hospitals too.

Blaming the hospital is dishonest. Most people know that hospitals often do not ask if you're a citizen or not. They assume that self-pay are typically indigent and thus should qualify for discounts that the government ends up reimbursing them for.

iyaaliya:
There are exceptions to every rule. Yours was different but how many people can we count to be this lucky and you know we can’t use exception as a standard. My point is , I was in that embassy in April and I saw how peeps who went for birthing were denied cos of the payment. I saw one family who was asked to go get their complete documents and they will make a decision when the VO queried the amount. They said they paid much more and her hubby was ransacking their transparent folder looking for a receipt or document. So this payment thing get as e dey do them for body. Are they just angry that US gives this opportunity of automatic citizenship and they want to take it away with the other hand by now looking for bills above 10k dols or what?

I very much doubt the VOs are angry about birthright citizenships. I think the issue is there is no way you can pay $4000 for a full birth and someone somewhere isn’t picking up the slack. The typical American pays 3x that amount for the exact same procedure. Unfortunately they don’t have the luxury of “discounts” that Nigerians magically find. If someone else was coming to take advantage of your hard earned taxes, you’d tighten the rules too. The VOs are simply asking folks to pay the going rate for a normal birth.

OmoBendel24:
Yes, I get.

But then, won't the bills paid for the birthing speak for themselves? Can we Nigerians also manipulate that? We can guess the number of Americans that can out of pocket pay $15-20k for birthing without complications? If we Nigerians do, that one no still fit satisfy una? If it doesn't, then it invariably means the citizenship obtained is the real problem! Why not expunged birth tourism entirely, at least officially remove it from the B2 Visa category. Until that loophole is blocked, we seem then to be joking.

How do you get to vet the bills if everyone simply circumvents the interview process by either using the Dropbox or claiming to be going on a visit? Let’s be frank, when it comes to Nigerians, you’re not dealing with a people you can trust to always do the right thing.

Most Americans won’t pay $15-$20k cash for birthing. But that’s because there is an insurance system in place and most of those hospitals are subsidized or supported by taxpayers so the average American already pays that much anyway. If Nigerians have that much money they should invest it in their own healthcare system

OmoBendel24:
More a function of the overstay than of birthing. I even suspect a large percentage of overstayers in recent times come from the ranks of Dropbox applicants, I may be wrong altogether though.

I insist still that the scenario described by me earlier on can not just yet be a wrong usage of visa, till officially made a policy. Are Nigerians the only people birthing in the US? It is when you go for an overly discounted service they are having issues with. As long as you first use the visa for its original purpose of issuance, you were not expressly told not to use the visa for birthing during interview, and you also didn't deceive them about pregnancy and birthing in the US during interview, and you didn't do same with CBP and you end up paying what is deemed appropriate for service rendered, I don't think that person is yet on the wrong.

That's the problem. How do they know you are financially capable when you simply get a visit visa and then use it to birth? You and i know that Nigerians would use this method to avoid interviews for a birthing visa. Lets not kid ourselves.

OmoBendel24:
If as at today I'm not pregnant, and I attend a visa interview today and a B1/B2 Visa is issued me for the purpose of visiting family and I use it for that purpose and come back to Naija and maybe even use same visa by next year Easter (or not), then I get pregnant in a year from now sir, are you saying I cannot use that visa for birthing in the US say in 2021 all things being equal?

Such usage I believe is in order and principally fall within the purview of the CBP to handle and have it noted in the system for tomorrow's use and consultation by whomever has reason to. There's yet no where it is stated as a policy that a B1/B2 Visa throughout its validity period can only cover for the exact purpose it was issued, I haven't seen.

As long as I first use it for the purpose it was issued, I can go back and use it for other purposes it covers, e.g to attend a conference, a business meeting, to birth, etc without worries. Unless I was asked during the interview if I will birth with the visa and I said NO or maybe I was expressly told/warned not to use it for birthing, that is only when I won't dare, because clearly the implications are grave!

You’re right in theory. The problem is that you’re not dealing with just you. You’re dealing with a consulate that views Nigerians, as a whole, as using visit visas to birth while avoiding having to show proof of being financially capable. As I keep saying... there is a reason the drop box option is no longer available for Nigerians

OmoBendel24:
The visa you have actually allows you to birth in the US.

This needs nuance. Yes a B1/B2 visa is what you get if you apply to go to the US for birthing, but your visa is conditional on the specific reason you requested it for and why it was approved. For a long time the US had allowed folks to obtain a visit visa and do what they wanted with it. Now they are getting more stringent... this perhaps explains why Nigerians are not eligible for the drop box anymore.

I give you an example: an H1b visa allows you to work in the US, but it does not entitle you to work for anyone as you wish.

Beautyaddy:
Huh... doing that right thing might be a risk that might or might not favor her.

And as you already know most Nigerians don't like taking risk.

Not doing the right thing is why visas are now harder to get today. Nigerians are guilty of mortgaging long term gains for short term pleasures.

PinkSunset:
Ok.... i asked because i saw a post on the thread about giving birth in the U.S.

I attached the image to this comment, i hope it shows because i don't really know how to do that.

Does the underlined in the image not apply anymore? I assume that those who are not allowed into the country are those who lied about being pregnant at the embassy not those who got preggers months after getting the visa.

I might be wrong though...that's why I'm asking.

That advise was provided a while back. Note also that the consular officer says your entry is determined by cbp. Cbp typically has access to your visa interview information... they will certainly know that you only requested the visa to visit, not to give birth. At that point, the choice to let you in or not is up for speculation.

Even if cbp let you in, you’ll have a harder time renewing that visa when it expires. The choice is yours.

7Alexandre:
Even when it comes to the economy, President Donald J Trump is simply taking credit for the Great Economy left by Former President Barack Obama & Former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke

Former President Barack Obama inherited a worst economy from Former President W. Bush but was able to turn the economy around during his 8 year tenure as President of the United States including overseeing the Great Recession in 2008...

By the time, he left office the Economy of the United States was definitely in the right trajectory...

It’s very funny when I listen to folks make mention that President Donald J Trump has done more for Blacks than Former President Barack Obama did during his 8 year stint as the President of the United States...

That simply shows me that most people are unable to make an independent research for themselves & can easily be brainwashed...

It also shows me the power of white privilege.

Lexusgs430:
Trump is a politicians nightmare.... I love his ways of modern politicking.

He tries to achieve contents on his manifesto, as opposed to others, that simply get in and move the goalpost......

He speaks and tweets his mind...... What is not to like about such a president..............

Trump is not a politician, he has no ideals or agenda. He simply stumbled from day to day, safe in the knowledge that the foundations laid by smarter presidents before him will serve as a bulwark against his aimless bull in a china shop approach to life. You’re giving him credit for an economy created by his predecessor and maintained by traditional US institutions.

He doesn’t politic at all, he simply issues threats on Twitter. If he weren’t white, we’d be calling for his removal. What really is this his manifesto you talk about? Did you hear anything the rest of us forgot? Building a wall is not a coherent immigration plan.

PinkSunset:
I have a valid B1/B2 visa and i very very recently found out that I'm pregnant again (1 year and 1 month after my current visa was issued).

Can i attempt to use the visa for birth tourism or should i just stay here and give birth jeje? And i didn't plan to travel at all this year oh!

However, If i travel with the visa and declare at the POE that I'm there to have my baby and ready to pay all my bills and everything, will they cancel my visa and chase me back home?

What do you guys advice?

If you did not indicate you would use the visa to have a baby at your previous interviews, then the right thing would be to apply for another visa.

Ebalu953:
So after waiting standing and sitting from 7:30am till 10:00am, i was finally interviewed at abuja. A white lady.
Me: good morning
Vo: good morning pls pass your passports. Why are u going to the us?
Me: going for vacation for my annual leave
Vo: where do u work?
Me: bleep
Vo: how much do u earn?
Me: 120,000 monthly
Vo: how long did u stay on your last trip
Me: 6weeks
Vo: how come u have so much time to stay off work
Me: i didnt use my leave in 2017 as i had so many official assignments, so i used both in 2018
Vo: who funds your trips?
Me: my husband
Vo: what does he do?
Me: he works at bleep and also owns a hotel
Vo: how long have u been married and do u have kids?
Me: 3yrs. None yet.
Vo: so this time u are spending 2weeks right?
Me: yes
Vo: typing endlessly. If you get pregnant will u love to give birth in the us?
Me: oh well i would love to but then i would have to discuss with my husband on that.
Vo: Am sorry at this time....hands me the blue paper. I didnt hear the rest and honestly didnt want to. I just carried my passport and blue paper and left. Currently eating hot banga, starch and fresh fish �

I found your interview refreshing. You were clear and honest. Genuine travelers are now getting caught in the net... with the US now tightly scrutinizing visa applicants from Nigeria.

The only thought I had was that your monthly income is low - barely $400 per month. Also you’ve traveled to the US three times already and spent 6 weeks the last time. The VOs expect that you use the visa sparingly. Visiting the US too frequently and for long periods suggest you may have stronger ties here than your home country. The cost of traveling to and staying in the US is high... it’s tough to prove you can do this that often on a paycheck that is less than half minimum wage.

What is becoming clear - especially with the suspension of the interview waiver program - is that the days of Nigerians frequently renewing US visas to travel willy nilly as a status symbol are now over.

seyewest:
Exactly US Homeland Dept won't allow someone with vast experience to rot away on Quora/Social Media (She's very good and remember I said may not be a Consular but very sure she has worked in various Embassy all over the world) but what do I know, it's just my gut feeling especially with her posting her pics isn't that risky?

Based on her profile, she's retired. The US Homeland Security cannot prevent her from sharing her opinion on how the US visa process works. There is nothing secret about it. She would not publicly claim to be a former US Homeland Security personnel freely on the web knowing fully well that is information that can be easily verified so chances she is lying about her experiences are close to zero.

Lastly, having her pictures on the web isn't really risky. America is quite safe. Americans, Canadians, Europeans etc. do not require US visas so frankly the only people who care about her opinion are Africans, Indians etc... no one she would need to be afraid of.

Here is a 2006 NY Times article of her being quoted in her capacity a a consular officer in Athens, Greece - https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/13/sports/othersports/fighting-for-iraq-and-for-a-student-visa.html

perfumery:
Thank you for your response...I have a place where i can stay in Atlanta. but the charges listed in prior message are for hospital charges only. This does not include anesthesia, pediatrician fees, or OB physician fees.

Do you think i should go ahead and use them?

I also contacted Emory in Atlanta but they insist i make all payments upfront before any embassy correspondence can be sent to me.

The decision is yours to make. Do what you feel is right but i'm sure the more experienced mothers here can provide a nugget or two that can help. Birthing in the US isn't cheap at all.

mousco:
Is there a current range figure one must receive a month to enable the VO approve Visa?

As is it now, have registered for a conference holding November 20 - 21. But I don't know if my monthly pay will convince the VO. And d pay is around 195k - 200k monthly

Please I want to know, cos I want to apply for Visa this week. Thanks

Are you truly going for a company-sponsored conference, relevant to your job or simply an excuse to migrate to the US? You decide.

perfumery:
Good Day Fam,
Please this is my first comment here,i have been a silent follower as i do not know how to post here..I hope i am not flaunting any rules here.

Please i am planning to have my baby in US .I will be staying at Lawrenceville in Atlanta.
I sent a mail to the email above for Gwinette here is the response i got....

Greetings,



Patients utilizing the services at Gwinnett Medical Center will be expected to pay the following deposits prior to delivery:

• Normal Vaginal Delivery $6,000.00**this is a deposit only.
• Cesarean $15,000.00**this is a deposit only.
• The deposits reflect a 40% discount of average total charges for well mom and baby care only.
• Patients who do not pay the deposit prior to admission will not be eligible for a 40% reduction.
• The 40% adjustment will reflect on a patients account once payment is received on all outstanding accounts (mother and baby).
• Any additional charges incurred must be paid within 30 days of discharge and will be eligible for the 40% discount once paid in full during the 30 day period.
• No extensions will be allowed for the discount.
• Refunds due to a patient will be processed and sent to the patient within two weeks.
• Gwinnett Medical Center does not offer package pricing for deliveries. Prices are based on level of care and length of stay. On average, patients who experience a normal vaginal delivery and remain in our facility for 2 days incur charges from $8,000 to $10,000. Patients who deliver by cesarean who remain in our facility for 4 days incur charges from $20,000 to $25,000. Please note that these are estimated charges only and as previously stated, charges are based on level of care and length of stay.
• These prices include well baby care only and additional charges will be added if a baby is cared for in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Receiving care in our Neonatal Unit will also result in a separate bill from Gwinnett Neonatology. Nursery charges for baby start at $2,000. for the first day.
• Payments must be made in advance using a credit card or certified funds.
A Senior Financial Counselor can be reached by calling 678-312-4406. To expedite your request please email our team at financialcounselor@gwinnettmedicalcenter.org.
• Anesthesia bills must be handled with American Anesthesiology 866-507-5244.
** Referral line for doctors is 678-312-5000. You will need to call that number to find a doctor, schedule your prenatal care visit and inquire on their office visit fees.

Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.



Thank you,


The charges listed in prior email are for hospital charges only. This does not include anesthesia, pediatrician fees, or OB physician fees.

Please i need help,i think this bill is high..biko help me o. ..my email is .dopeperf4u@yahoo.com..Any useful information would be appreciated.

IMO this is about average in terms of delivery costs. Albeit that might change from state to state. You may want to look at other states. Be mindful also that visa officers are now cracking down on delivery costs they feel are too low.

olasmade:
Hi Everyone, i have been a silent follower of this thread for 2 years, i just filled a b1b2 form for myself, my wife and my daughter, we intend to travel by august, but the earliest date i saw for the interview is october, i hope this wont affect our chances at the embassy or will there be any problem? Thanks in advance

Of course you have a problem. If your earliest interview date is in October, how can you travel in August?

xristos:
Hello House...
I have read and heard about the danger of using fake agents to get stamps on passports..
Now I have a similar case, Ignorantly, so as to avoid fake stamps with agents, my wife and daughted traveled by road to Ghana using Chisco Transport with a virgin passport, spend 3 days and returned... on getting to the US embassy their passports were seized aswell...what do we do.

Its a crazy world, I traveled genuinely..and i have pictures and proofs..but they were not sufficient.
Embassy didnt even want to see the proof as phones were not allowed for interview....it's been sent to immigration and we've been told it's been blacklisted for 10yrs.
Sadly, my 2 year old was involved.

1. what do i do or epect
2. are d passports banned from traveling anywhere, or just US
3. who is banning, Immigration, or the US
4. How soon can i reapply, or To Where else can I apply

Thanks.

Your story is odd. Your wife took a two year old to Ghana by road, just to spend three days on what? Seems like you had fake entry/exit stamps done to fool the US consulate that you had travel history. Was your passport previously seized? For what reason?

sharpman1:
THIS.......is the problem.

If you had to hustle that hard to afford to travel then you need to think of cheaper places to go on vacation. Nigeria has a lot of nice places.

oluwarichie:
i understand perfectly and i agree 100%, i'm in chicago and i tell not one reasonable church so i just stuck with attending my daystar online service.

Try here - https://www.efccl.org/our-staff

Church is in the Chicago suburbs. Jay was my pastor for two years. That’s a guy who does a thorough job of real, raw bible teaching.