mikeses:
Dear VO,

I am in the process of attending a consular interview in the next month, Feb 2017 , pursuing a family petition. F3 visa petition.

My paper work is all over almost. I am employed in a very big organization. I planned to quit my job as i may need to relocate to USA once i get through my visa. My organization is one of the top in the country and i play a vital role in one of the projects. I needed to inform my senior management team well in advance before i quit the job. So i told about my plans of quitting the job, 2 months ago. Since my role is vital in my workplace, the management does not want me to quit my job now.
Because of the discrepancy, i started to develop cold-shoulders with my management without any another choice left out. I am unhappy with all my seniors now as they don't allow an easy walk out for me.

Now, the problem is this. My senior management is saying that they would give a negative feed back to the US consulate, if a question is coming from the consulate regarding my workplace conducts. I am worried on this.
Would the CO be minding the feedback from my workplace, given the fact that i am going for a Consular interview on a family based petition. My interview is not a H1b/L1A/L1B/B1/B2. Kindly clarify.

I wish to thank VO on behalf of Nairaland for the magnificent job you do on this site, which is to guide everyone in the visa matters.

If your company chooses to send derogatory information to us, we will review it as part of the whole file. That said, we only consider U.S. law when adjudicating applications. My advice would be to keep your eye on the bigger prize and get through the visa interview before worrying what your company may or may not do.

I will also add that we keep excellent records of all correspondence. Your company should take care if they choose to send false derogatory information.

Regards,
VO

oloyinmomo:
Dear V/O, Immigration Visa petition was filed on
my behalf by my daughter in the U.S.,in 2014. I was approved by NVC & scheduled for interview in April, 2015. At the interview the consulate officer declined my Visa based on my deportation from U.S. in 1999 on an offense of moral turpitude. The consulate officer issued me a Form- SPECIFIC FILING TIPS .
She advised to follow strictly the process on the form for filing I-601 & I-212 waivers,& that's all I need to get my Visa.
In the light of the above, I applied to USCIS & DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. On 4th of Nov, 2016 my applications were approved & a letter was sent to me to contact the consulate.After waiting awhile to hear from the consulate in Lagos & did not get any mail. On 6th of December, 2016 I emailed the consulate . On 8th of December, 2016 I got a reply that my approval letters are being reviewed & will get back to me in few days. When I didn't hear from the consulate my family and My lawyer advised I email a reminder. Which I did & got the same answer. On 20th of January, 2017 ,I received an email from the consulate stating that they got my approval letters for I-601 & I-212 waivers only, that they didn't get the waiver for 92C. I couldn't believe what I was reading. I felt like I was hit with a punch below the belt. I was given a document that specifically state what I need to apply for & get approved in order to get my Visa. That apart, the consulate officer during my interview vehemently insisted that's the hurdles (I-601 & I-212) I need to scale to get my visa. I still have the original copy of the document given to me by the consulate officer. How come this at the last hour? I hope I'm wrong, I feel like someone went on a fishing expedition to find a clause to deny me of the Visa. I will appreciate your valuable advise on this matter. Best Regards

Without knowing details about your case, a 92C is related to an attempt to re-enter the United States after being ordered removed. It is a serious offense that has no waiver for an immigrant visa. I recommend you work with an immigration attorney if you have not done so already.

Regards,
VO

ZTEN:

Oh okay thanks for the response, I thought without having someone over you can go there when you can finance yourself.

U.S. immigration law requires a sponsor unless you are an alien with extraordinary abilities (EB-1 visa). Extraordinary is interpreted as receiving international recognition in your field. Awards of this nature include an Academy Award, Nobel Prize, Pulitzer, and the like. You may be eligible for a waiver, but it is rare. For further information, I recommend you contact USCIS.

Regards,
VO

bokohaman:
Hello ma, u are BLESSED...Please, for a pending F4 preference category, when can one notify NVC about his marital status if married or have the intention of getting married before his priority date? Furthermore, if after notifying NVC, can one process his wife visa alongside with his own and immigrate together after successfully completing the visa processes?...Thank u

The best time to report this is immediately after the event: once you are married, you should notify USCIS. Note that this will not change any timing as an F4 is not affected by marital status. They will able to help you add your spouse to the petition.

Regards,
VO

ZTEN:
Dear honoured VO pls I would like you to explain if it's possible for me to Apply for USA immigration Visa when I don't have anyone over there but my mom wants to finance it. Will it work out? I already have my international Passport though. Pls advise on these.... Thanks

You need someone in the United States with whom you have a valid relationship to sponsor you. The relationship can be familial (mother, father, sister, brother, child) or corporate (a company). You can also sponsor yourself if you meet certain requirements, such as you are a battered spouse or you are exceptionally educated and talented. Simply having someone finance you is not sufficient. Contact USCIS for more guidance.

Regards,
VO

Itstyme:


Thank you so much for your response. Does this mean if I choose not to replace my passport with the new surname, I can still be issued a visa with my old surname as long as the passport used carries the old surname? My son(citizen) and wife(citizen) carries the new surname already. Does it matter?

As long as there are at least six months remaining on your passport at the time the visa prints, it does not matter to us (the Consulate). However, it may matter to the officers at the point of entry if you arrive with less than six months remaining.

Other than that, I cannot advise you as to which path to take outside of what I have already stated.

Regards,
VO

flyhigh1881:


Thanks for your response.
I have completed the form now and I have another question.
Can I submit the form online now or wait till maybe a day before the interview?
Please note that the interview is scheduled for mid February. It is an SB 1 visa interview.

Thanks

I recommend submitting now. That said, please note that this forum is not for tech support, but for substantive immigrant visa questions. If you require assistance with the process to apply for a visa, going forward, use the contact information on the website.

Regards,
VO

salsera:
Hello visaofficer

I have a question about the visa bulletin. Specifically for F1 family sponsored visas I'm not clear on what the difference between 'Dates for Filing' and 'Final action date' is?

The Date for Filing is the earliest date you may submit final paperwork for your application. The Final Action Date is the date your visa becomes available. The Date for Filing is often well before the Final Action Date. This difference provides applicants an opportunity to gather the necessary paperwork for the application and then adjudication.

You may want to consult with an immigration attorney and/or USCIS to help you navigate this process.

Regards,
VO

Espente:


Thanks for your prompt response. I had sent in the documents since 16th December, 2016. The embassy acknowledged the receipt on the 4th January. I see the date is being updated on the CEAC site but it remains AP.
I dated the pictures in front and wrote notes and dates at the back of every picture sent in.
My fear is if whoever is doing the review would look behind the pictures. However, I noted in front of one of the pictures that the reverse of every picture should be seen.

Thanks for your time.

Your case will remain in AP until we need more information or until it is adjudicated. You should wait at least 60 days from the time of document submission before contacting us about your case. It has not yet been 60 days.

Regards,
VO

Espente:
My questions :
1. What format should a picture with timeline take? I ask this because I don't why it is taking long to review the pictures.
2. What other steps can we take to prove our relationship?

This delay is weighing us down. My wife cries everyday now and it pains me that I am helpless.

I would suggest you submit the documents as requested in the format you think best explains your relationship. If the consular officer needs more information, he or she will let you know.

Regards,
VO

King0712:
HELLO VO , Good Afternoon . I previously applied for a M1 visa and got denied 3times . .DOnt know why . The first time was in Abuja , consular didnt check my documents and gave me the blue letter . Second time was in Lagos , and third too . All got denied .. I was told i do not have strong ties to my home country but i sincerly do . Now i plan to travel with my uncle for a 2weeks holiday with my uncle , his wife and one of his sons this Feburary , Altho his wife had gone in december with the children and uncle has just promised to go with me this time . We did not apply together because they have their Visa before . This is the 4th time apply now but under the b1/b2 category . How can i win this interview because i indicated in form that my place of work hasnt changed in a year and i earn less than 300 monthly . What documents would help me this time around ? Please help me as i am nervous and i dont want to be rejected the 4th time Hoping to be my last time fighting the application

Please Help Me With Answers ..

God bless you

I mean this as a sincere bit of advice: You might want to start by paying closer attention to directions. You have asked this question on an immigrant visa forum when clearly this is a non-immigrant visa question. This could be one of the fundamental reasons as to why you're not able to get a visa to study in the United States.

Please take your question to the appropriate forum.

Regards,
VO

Hover62:
Hello vo i recently got my us Immigrant visa approved in Nigeria and I've bought the ticket scheduled for departure on the 28th January. I did not know I needed to have nothing less than six month on my passport before my entry into the US. Since my plane is scheduled for 28th of January I will be having less than 6 months (5 months and a week precisely). I want to know if this won't cause any hiccups at the port of entry for me since am staying permanently in the US.

It will be up to the immigration officer at the port of entry to determine whether or not to accept your visa and passport. I don't have an answer for you. It is always best to travel with at least 6 months left on the passport. Good luck.

Regards,
VO

nicolasbood:
VisaOfficer, I will be filling I-485 (adjustment of status) in the US soon. However on my birth certificate, only my middle and last name appears. My first name is missing. My parents were undecided about a first name at the time of registration of my birth. From childhood, I have been accustomed to being called my first name and I have used it in all of my documents (Education, Travel Passports etc).

I have an attestation of birth from NPC with my full names (I was born in the mid 80's, before NPC). However, I plan to submit affidavit of "one and same person" from my parents, and some documents to show earlier use of my first name and the date of birth (so far, my brother has found my First school leaving certificate of 2002, WAEC result of 2004, 2011 voters card, .......)

Do you think this will solve the potential problem.

Thank you for your anticipated response.

While this is an immigration question, this is not an immigrant visa question. You should contact USCIS with this question.

Regards,
VO

Itstyme:
Compliments of the season VO, I have my previous surname on my present international passport and an immigrant visa is about to be filed on my behalf. Would you advise I get a new passport bearing the new surname, or I can retain the present passport with my previous surname and still be issued a visa with the new surname? I have a feeling, going through the change of name on my passport will pose delay and a longer waiting period during filing because I already have a history with the United States embassy with the old surname. Please your advise is much needed? Thanks

NB: I have done the name change formality legally and obtained necessary documents. Also, I would prefer to be issued the immigrant visa with the new surname.

We will only print a visa with the name that is in your passport. If you want a visa in your new name, then you should get a new passport.

The visa is only the next step in a lengthy process. You are going to have to deal with this throughout your application so you might as well take care of it once and for all.

Regards,
VO

tosinkay:
Thank you so much for your efforts to answer question.

I will like to ask that if in the process of waiting for your F4 visa approval you got married, is it advisable to notify VAC of the change in your status? Because someone made me to understand that when you get married and you notified VAC, it will change your priority date to the date you notify them of your change in status. PLEASE ADVICE (Should i just remain single in my profile with them until i get my visa)?

Whoever "someone" is needs to stop giving visa advice because this person is wrong. An F4 visa is a sibling visa, filed by your brother or sister in the United States. Getting married or divorced on an F4 visa does NOT change your priority date. You should notify VAC (I think you mean NVC) if we don't have your file yet. The earlier you do this the better it will be for you. You'd be surprised how many people miraculously find love just before the visa interview. This sometimes doesn't end well for anyone.

To complete the circle, the F1 and F3 visa classes are affected by marriage, but not the F4.

Regards,
VO

larrychulo:
Hi VO...I'm over 21, a son of US citizen and he's filling for me. How long will it take to be processed overall...including the PD

P.S He said he has already included my name in his record initially when he gained entry into the US while I was under 21.

This is a question for USCIS. Any question that starts, "How long..." will always be answered by USCIS unless you have already been to the Consulate for your interview.

Regards,
VO

folarinstr:



Dear V/O,
Thanks for your educative effort. Pls I have just 2 questions to ask you.
1. Does a baby of less than 2years pay for flight ticket from Nigeria to US?
2. After I have paid for US visa fee at the GTBank, how long can I hold the receipt before booking an appointment? Thanks

1 -- I don't know, I'm not an airline.
2 -- There is no set expiration date. However, it is in your interest to book an appointment as soon as it is paid to prevent any issues. More importantly, your petition, medical, and police reports all have expiration dates. Those are the dates you should be more concerned about.

Regards,
VO

ziggy3579:
Hi VO, a friend of mine studying in the US wants to apply for a Canadian study visa from the US....how possible is it or should he come back to Nigeria to apply? Thanks and happy new year

This is not an immigrant visa question. Please take your question to the appropriate forum.

Regards,
VO

KAY187:
Dear vo,pls around 1997 I was denied an immigration visa to the US,in 2014 there about a friend introduced me to a travel agent who told me he had an associate in US embassy who assist him in procuring visa for his clients with some certain amount of money which I provided for him, he gave me different personal information which I used on my international passport, name,date of birth different from my original information which I used in my first interview,at the end I was denied again, but I wasn't given reason for my visa refusal unlike my initial attempt,now of recent my situation have change I've visited other country with my original information on my international passport which was the one I used at my first interview at the US embassy, now am willing to apply for US visa with my original information, I seek your advice in a case as this how can I go about it to clear myself from the inconsistent the travel agent have caused me,am deeply confused and disturbed looking at how carelessly I've given in to a fraudulent travel agent and the possible consequences I have to bear.thanks

Think carefully about the process in applying for a U.S. visa: We take your fingerprints and photos not because we like to collect prints and photos, but because they're the system of record for you now and into the future. Our records go back decades and are available to us within seconds. If there's a discrepancy -- and in this case, there'll be a discrepancy -- we'll know it. We might tell you or not tell you, but the bottom line is you've seriously damaged your credibility and your ability to travel to the United States. All I can tell you is to be forthright during your interview.

A friend summed it up very well: Touts are there to trick you, their customers, not visa officers. As long as they get their money, they don't care what happens to you. They bring dishonor to Nigeria.

Regards,
VO

Hover62:
Good day VO, I recently got my immgrant visa approved so am thinking of traveling this January, what are the things I should look forward to at the port of entry and also things I should and should not bring with me.

Congratulations on getting your visa approved! The most important thing to bring is your visa packet (the sealed orange envelope you received from DHL.) Do NOT open this envelope. If the immigration officer finds this open, he or she will almost certainly and immediately send you back to Nigeria. This won't cancel your visa, but it will cause headaches for you and your family.

Regarding what else to bring or not bring, I am not an immigration officer or customs officer. Your fellow Nigerian travelers would be better able to fill in the blanks here.

Regards,
VO

[quote author=ziggy3579 post=52498418][/quote]

This is not an immigrant visa question. Please take your question to the non-immigrant visa forum.

Regards,
VO

flyhigh1881:
Hello VO. I have an SB1 interview scheduled for February and I was supposed to complete DS260 form. I started filling the form and saved the details for later completion. However coming back to the form, after inputting case number and date of birth, an error message comes up which makes it unable to proceed with completion of the form.
Please what could be the issue and how can it be resolved.

See error message attached.

This sometimes happens if you go "back" or "reload" before completing the form. Try again from the beginning and see if that works. If it doesn't, write us at LagosIV@state.gov.

Regards,
VO

mrbenzino:


Dear VO thank you so much for your time I will keep up the good travel history as you have advised I am thinking to visit the US anytime between June and August if my leave is approved I plan to stay for 3 weeks my question is should I notify the us embassy of my travel itineary before visiting the us because of the no aos, eos, cos annotation on my passport or I should just explain my itineary at the POE even if they don't ask me. I'm asking because on my way out of the US I saw the officer who put the no aos, eos, cos on my passport, he asked a few questions about where i went after I answered him we chatted for a bit and he said I can go home and that he will be looking forward to my next visit I thought of him looking forward to my next visit as funny but since you mentioned immigrant intent I think I need to demonstrate non immigrant intent

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

Adedrizzy:
Compliments VO, i appreciate your participation on this thread, i would like you to expliain if there is any route a recent Sch graduate can use to emigrate to the US.

If you have a marketable skill that is in demand in the U.S., you may be eligible for an employment visa (E3). The process is very long, however, and starts with USCIS. We in the Consulate only see you when everything's already completed.

Regards,
VO

EzekielBams:
Hello Vo thanks for the good work on here.
I am 25years old and my girlfriend is older than me and we have been together for years now she has been to Nigeria here to visit and this year she is planing to visit this year again too.
So my question is will she be able to file for a Fiancee visa for me or we can get married in Nigeria here and then she can file a spouse Visa which one is better? and will our age difference be a problem in her filling for me?. if no problems please give me the steps on how to because am new to this and dont want to use agents.
Thank you sir

There is no "better" route. Do what you think is best. If you need formal counseling, speak with an immigration attorney. For either route, you should be fully prepared to speak in detail about your relationship at the interview.

Regards,
VO

justwise:


VO sorry you were banned by antispambot. Unbanned now and post restored

Yes, noticed that. Normally, we're the ones who do the banning

Regards,
VO

Josephchukwumaeze:
Hello vo, I'm really confused my wife filed i-130 for me and it got rejected due to not sign a signature on it and the send it back with a receipt number,when my wife is try to send it back,i check my status with the receipt number and it says case reject and the reason why,and now my wife resent it use is and 21 days after I check my status and it says case reject like usually said before,now I want to know,do the need to change the status say case rejected or are they gonna leave it like that until my case is approved and they change it? Thank you for been there for us

This is a question for USCIS. In general, however, you should carefully review all of your materials and sign anything that requires a signature. Working with an immigration attorney can often help mitigate these issues.

Regards,
VO

philipogunti:
Hi vo,my father is a naturalised citizen who is staying in Nigeria and wants to file a i-130 form for me. Pls is this going to be possible since he's not in usa and if possible how long is the processing time estimated to be because am still under 21 so I fall under immediate relative.. Will the processing time be longer since he's in nigeria.. Thanks in advance because I don't know if this thread is still alive

Your father will need to find a U.S.-based citizen or legal permanent resident to file an I-864, Affidavit of Support, to be a sponsor for you. He can petition for you while not living in the United States, but he cannot sponsor you. This requirement is called domicile.

Also, keep in mind that the longer he waits, the closer to 21 you will be, and the longer you will have to wait for your visa interview. However, if the petition is filed and accepted by USCIS before you turn 21, you will be locked into that age via CSPA for the duration of your application as long as you stay unmarried. You should contact USCIS for estimated timelines.

Regards,
VO

davido69:
Thanks I have cwop written on my DV visa, even thougH it expired around Sept 2012 but I came into the country b4 it expired. The cwop was written there this last July I went to Nigeria. I was thinking maybe because it an expired visa or could it be because the immigration form they gave me in plane I wrongly put NO when asked if i have MEAT In the qestionnaire. I told the immigration officer YES and It was when I got home I saw cwop but didn't know the reason it was written there .
I am a permanent resident though and i have green card but I want to know if I am OK to travel with it.

If you already have your green card (I-551) then you do not need a visa. The visa allows you entry into the United States to begin processing your residency. It was likely CWOP'd because you are now a resident and not because of the meat.

Be sure you travel with your green card and ensure that it is still valid. We see far too many people who need emergency boarding foils (Form I-131A, Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation)) to return to the U.S. because of problems with their green cards - mainly because they traveled without a valid one. If this is the case, you will almost certainly have a delay in returning to the U.S. at great cost to you, in addition to the $360 (as of December 2016) for the boarding foil itself.

Regards,
VO

hayoholla:
Good evening nairalanders, please I applied for a job online in a company located in the US, the name of the company is gray matter elite. I applied for the post of marketing sales coordinator. The company messaged me today that my application has been successful and I am scheduled for an interview with the company. I need to send them an email now, what should my email look like? Is it that I should tell them they should send a letter to the embassy here in Nigeria requesting me for an interview. Please I need your help. Thanks

Please do not forward us any correspondence. USCIS is the agency responsible for processing your application and we, the Department of State, only get involved when the petition's been approved and arrives here at Post. You are, of course, welcome to query us about the petition once received. Until then, USCIS is your contact.

On your request for guidance on what the email should look like, that is a question for another forum.

Regards,
VO

bayokay:
hello vo

Question about baby born after immigrant visa was issued.

I petitioned for my wife and she has been issued the immigrant visa but she delivered a baby after .... my question is can she travel with the baby or the baby will also need to get a visa or is there a specific travel documents that the baby will need in other to travel before the six month visa expired,,, thanks

The short answer is that the baby will need to have either a U.S. passport or an immigrant visa to travel to the U.S.

The long answer is it depends; the question is more complicated than it seems. If you, the petitioner, are a U.S. citizen and meet certain requirements, the baby may already be a U.S. citizen. In this case, instead of a visa, the baby will be issued a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) and a U.S. passport. By law, we cannot issue a visa to a U.S. citizen. Contact LagosACS@state.gov.

If you are a legal permanent resident (LPR), we can add the baby to the original petition. Contact us at LagosIV@state.gov for further instructions and scheduling. Be aware that all immigrant visa applicants must come to the Consulate for an in-person interview. The baby should have a valid passport and a medical report. Your wife should also provide evidence of the relationship between herself and the baby. This includes a birth certificate, hospital records, photographs, and anything else you can think that can show that the baby is in fact hers. If she fails to provide sufficient evidence, the consular officer might suggest a DNA test as a last resort.

Regards,
VO