₦airaland Forum

mabella2:
Good Afternoon VO
Pls how long does it take to complete an alien application for a sibling. my brother was telling me that it depends on the state you are filing from.he said in Florida where he is based that it takes like 4-5years,he is about applying for me now.am skeptic about it cause I have seen where you said 12years and will the application ever affect my chances of getting a nonimmigrant visa whenever I want to travel. thanks for the good work you are doing in this thread

The state a person is filing from has no effect whatsoever on the amount of time it takes to process an application. What matters is the priority date (the date the petition was filed), no matter where the filing took place. All F4 petitions currently take 12 or 13 years to become eligible for interviews, regardless of where they were filed.

Kay213:
Hi VO.
Good morning,
I apologize cause i know this questions might have answered before.

I'm a beneficiary of K1. NVC sent my case number to my fiancee last friday and NVC but said " The NVC will now forward the petition to embassy in LAGOS. Pls note it will take several weeks". I'm filling the D156 form now. My questions are

1) Can i go ahead and get Police clearance and Medical
2) Can i schedule and appointment now since i have the case number with me.

Thanks and looking forward to hear from you.

Olukayode.

You should wait until the Consulate notifies you that your case has arrived at post before scheduling an appointment or seeing the panel physician. Doing those things too early can lead to complications if it takes longer than usual for your case to be delivered.

9jaStar:
Hello VO,

Been a minute.

Great to know you're still with us. Can we file a petition to keep you on here permanently? :wink:

More seriously, I just got back from an international trip and my passport now has just one blank page left. I have a few more international trips coming up that I'll need visas for, meaning I'll need to get a new passport.

Naturally, that brings up the question of how it affects my petition. NVC already sent me an email similar to Titilayodeji13's stating all necessary documentation has been received and an interview will be scheduled.

The petition carries my current passport details. Getting a new passport will mean this one will be cancelled. Is it safe to assume that I can go ahead and get a new passport issued, then bring both to the interview whenever it is scheduled?

Yes, that's a perfectly safe assumption. We always check to be sure that the most current passport number is on file; getting a new passport is a common occurrence.

I miss Nigeria! Nairaland keeps me from getting too homesick.

korangnancy:
Hello,
I am from Ghana and We are selectees of the DV 2015 program. Our application for visas were however denied on the bases that our two children's given names were arranged differently on their DS-260 forms as against the initial application that we used in winning the DV program.
On the initial DV program application our first child's name appeared as YEBOAH, TAYLOR NHYIRA, but on the DS-260 forms her name appeared as YEBOAH, NHYIRA TAYLOR. Our second child's name appeared as YEBOAH, LOUIS OHENE on the initial application, but on the DS-260 forms his name appeared as YEBOAH, OHENE LOUIS. Meaning that in both cases their two given names switched places

This was not done deliberately to misrepresent ourselves in anyway. This happened because there was no sections on the forms to key in first names and middle names.Their birth certificates and dates of birth as well as their pictures on both forms indicate that they are our children whom we did the initial application with.They were not added on after we were selected. Please is there anything I can do to appeal the decision. Please advise. Thank you.

You can e-mail the office in Ghana and ask someone to review the case. Make sure you explain why, just as you explained here.

Tiffae:
Okay...thank you...so the one submitted to NVC should be different from the one to be brought to the interview?

Only in the sense that they'd likely be issued on different dates. (Not sure I'm interpreting your question correctly.)

Akinsussy:
thank u so much ma for always been there.pls ma there is something I will like to know.when I went for my interview I discovered that it was scheduled for me my wife and my two children.I told the officèr that they will come and meet me later after I get to the usa.I want them to be with me at most 8 months after I depart.how do I go abt it ma. I am F3 visa applicant.

When they're ready to travel, e-mail LagosIV@state.gov and ask for an appointment date. If they wait so long that you become a U.S. citizen in the meantime, at that point the F3 case would be closed and you'd have to file new petitions for them all.

SirJeffry:
Hi VO, please I have a pressing problem and need your help.

My Wife's petition is already in process and I have paid the AOS fee ($120) and IV fee ($325).

Now I want to start filling the visa forms and that is where my question comes in.

My wife already has a change of name with which I filed her petition but her current passport is in her maiden name.

Can I go ahead and fill her current PASSPORT NUMBER in the visa forms or should she change her passport to her marriage name and get a new passport number before I continue filling the forms?

Thanks for your help here.

You should use her current legal name to fill out the paperwork. She doesn't have to get a new passport, but keep in mind that the name on the visa will match the name on the passport, so it might save some complications if she got a new passport in her new name.

Omenaisunday12:
Good morning VO,
May God reward your effort, my case has been complete all document completed from the last mail I received from NVC. And my priority date is 2nd February 2014.please when am I expecting my interview date? Thanks

There's no way to answer this question without knowing your visa category.

Titilayodeji13:
Dear VO,
Thanks again,for taking your time to reply. It really means a lot to me.
Please I will like to know the factors that make a F2A a success.

Furthermore,what is are the days interval between when one receives interview letter and the the D-Day of the interview.

Thanks.

If the beneficiary has a bona fide spousal relationship with the petitioner, and has no criminal or other ineligibilities, the F2A should be a success.

I don't know how far in advance NVC notifies families of the interview date. Maybe someone else here does?

Titilayodeji13:
But the AOS original signed copy as been submitted before.

If you bring an AOS to the interview (which some people do), it needs to be signed by the person whose income it describes. If you're confident that the AOS that was submitted to NVC is sufficient, you don't need to bring an additional one to the interview.

prihnce:
Good day VO, please Whatsup with this DNA test stuff am always seeing and would one be asked to go for a DNA test? thank you!

If an officer's not convinced of the relationship between the petitioner and the beneficiary, but they claim to have a biological relationship (or to have children together), often the officer will suggest a DNA test, rather than simply closing the case and returning the petition for revocation. It's not suggested in every case (or even most cases), but it's very helpful when there's just not enough evidence otherwise to issue a visa.

Akinsussy:
how are you doing ma.I have gone for my interview but the issue now is that the officer that interviewed me asked that I and my dad who petitions for me should do DNA test.my fear now is that I Dont know how long it will take before all the DNA stuff is concluded so that I won't av to do another medical test.pls ma does it really take much time?or like how long can it take for the whole DNA thing to be concluded.thank you ma.

It depends how quickly the DNA test kit is sent to the Consulate, how soon a collection appointment can be scheduled, and how quickly the laboratory in the U.S. processes the results. After the Consulate receives the DNA results, though, if nothing else is missing from the case, the visa should be issued in a matter of weeks.

Here's an explanation I gave to someone else a few months ago, before I left Lagos:

The mailroom has to sort through all the mail received by the whole Consulate and direct it all to the correct office. Then someone in that office has to sort the mail again and direct it to the correct person in the office. For DNA, at that point someone brings me a stack of FedEx and DHL envelopes containing DNA kits and results. If there's not enough time left that afternoon, the next morning I sort through them, making note of the results. But I can't take any action without seeing the entire case, so then the results go to the team leads who pull the files, scan the results into the computer, and bring the files back to me. I go through each file to see what else needs to be done, and give the cases back to the team leads, who contact the families. Because we are also performing our other duties as all this happens, you can see why it sometimes takes a week for families to hear from us after we've received the results.

Hope this helps!

winnie123:
Dear Vo,

Can police certificate be obtained at place of residence or must it be in Lagos?

This isn't a question I have an answer to. Maybe someone here can explain how to get the police certificate?

auschris:
Should the police certificate brought to the interview be the same as that submitted to NVC?
Should the accompanying fingerprint card be sent to the NVC with the police character certificate?

As long as it's an original police certificate, it doesn't have to be the same (i.e., issued on the same date) as the one submitted to NVC. I don't know if NVC requires the fingerprint card, but the Consulate in Lagos does.

Tiffae:
So u mean the 3month validity doesn't necessarily mean it expires?...so its will still be acceptable at the embassy?..sorry..and would a photocopy be acceptable at the embassy..?

That's right, we consider Nigerian police certificates to be valid for one year for purposes of immigration to the U.S. Photocopies are not acceptable; originals only, please.

Titilayodeji13:
I am indeed grateful, really helpful. But the AOS and Joint sponsor forms are they to be original or photocopy needed in the course of interview.

And when is the medical expected to be done ma.

The AOS from either the petitioner or a joint sponsor should be the original forms signed by the person whose income is being described. No photocopies.

It's a good idea to do the medical exam as close to the interview date as possible, so that the visa (if immediately issuable) will be valid for as long as possible. The visa is only valid as long as the medical paperwork is valid.

winnie123:
Dear vo,

For my case AOS and tax documents have been sent to NVC, is there any need of bring it to the interview again?

If they've been sent to NVC, NVC will forward them to post along with the petition, so there shouldn't be any need to bring them to the interview. That said, if there's any worry on your part that the AOS doesn't overcome the required income threshold, it's fine to bring a separate AOS from a joint sponsor (plus tax documents). If there's any problem, the officer will give the beneficiary the option of dropping off an AOS at a later time.

olukenny12:
pls I don't really understand you, what I meant is it that will it take up to a week my appointment schedule day we commence or not up to that?

It will almost certainly take longer than one week for any follow-up appointment to be scheduled. After the DNA results are received, you'll probably hear from the Consulate within two weeks. But I have no way of knowing when you'd be asked to return. It depends what their schedule looks like and how many appointments they have booked.

dammie12:
Her visa category is F2A. The case is complete according to NVC and the priority date will be current very soon. Let me know what other information you'll like to know.

Ah, that's good news -- it means the child can be added to the case! When the baby is born, the mother should e-mail LagosIV@state.gov and let them know the child's name, date of birth, and gender. Then she should bring the child to the interview with all the required documents (passport, photos, birth certificate, medical paperwork). She'll also need to pay an additional $325, as every applicant included in this type of case is charged that fee (even babies). But there's no need for the father to file a separate petition; the child can be included as a derivative in the mother's F2A.

Desakano:
Thank you Ma'am. Finally, I received a reply from LagosIV@state.gov saying "Your application is still being processed; sometimes some applications take longer than anticipated".
I have also tracked the status, for once since Aug' 27 the update changes from READY to ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING. Now, i'm wondering what that means. Please, help explain this; there is hope i guess.

There are many reasons why a case might go to administrative processing. Usually, it means that the officer has discovered a new piece of information that he or she must review before a decision can be made. In most cases, that doesn't take very long, but sometimes it can delay a case considerably. Feel free to e-mail LagosIV@state.gov and request an update every week or so if you don't see an update on the website soon.

Titilayodeji13:
Salutations VisaOfficer, God will crown your effort .

It's been 16days we heard from the NVC
and here is a sample of the letter we got.

Dear Sir/Madam:
All documentation necessary to complete the
National Visa Center’s processing of your case has
been received. As soon as an interview date has
been scheduled, the applicant, petitioner and
attorney (if applicable) will be notified. The
applicant should NOT make any travel
arrangements, sell property, or give up
employment until the US Embassy or Consulate
General has issued a visa. The US Embassy or
Consulate General may require additional
documentation at the time of the interview.

Does this mean, Our case is complete and there is no required documents again? and prior to this we got a confirmation letter which stated JULY 17,2015 as confirmation date, what does this confirmation date mean?

The July 17 confirmation date is simply the date of the letter confirming that NVC had received your file; the date really isn't important to your case. The letter that you quoted means that NVC is ready to schedule your case for an interview when the case becomes current, but the Embassy or Consulate General may require additional documentation at the time of the interview.

furthermore, the police character certificate I have was done
June 2015 and is valid for 3months, must I come with other other if this expires before the interview

For our (immigration) purposes, the police certificate is valid for one year. However, you should bring a police certificate with you to the interview even if you have already submitted one to NVC.

also, I would like to know how priority date works, will an interview be scheduled prior to the when priority date becomes current or when it is current?

Interviews are only scheduled when the priority date is current, not before. The priority date is the date on which the petition was officially filed with USCIS. You can monitor your case's priority date at http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/law-and-policy/bulletin.html .

Also, I have read from many threads the kind of documents needed in the course of interview, please will like to hear from you the expected document one needs to ve in the interview apart from the one stated in interview letter. Also to this, will I need the Original copy of AOS of my wife and the joint sponsor on the day of interview or a photocopy?

Please review http://nigeria.usembassy.gov/immigrant_visas.html to see the documents you will need. If an AOS was submitted to NVC, you will only need to submit a new one if the one submitted does not demonstrate sufficient income to support you in the United States.

Our Priority date is April 21,2014... is our interview sure for this year. Cos we planning to have our wedding anniversary together dis October.

It depends what your visa category is. If it's IR1 or CR1, your case is current and you should be scheduled for an interview as soon as one is available. If your category is F2A, only cases with petitions filed on or before March 1, 2014, are currently eligible to be interviewed. I don't know how quickly that cut-off date is likely to move in 2015.

thanks in anticipation.

Hope this helps!

Fishout:
V.O,pls l want u to help me out on this matter,my in-law Sent invitation to me to visit him in us which is B1/B2 bt during d interviewed with consular officer,l was denied d VISA due to fact that l can't hear her (consular officer) well..so my question is dat if l re-apply for another one ,can l request from them to let me answer my questions in my language(Yoruba,). Thanks

This is a question for the non-immigrant visa thread. Thanks!

olukenny12:
hello

pls if am too call for appointment. for the dna result. will it takes a week before I will be ask to come, or just a days?

It depends whether anything else is missing from your case, and when the next available appointment is.

blinkdr:
I have finally been called to drop My passport at DHL Muri okunola my question now is how long do I have to wait to get it back

My guess is within two weeks, but it's hard to say without being involved in your case.

ayoade0505:
Hi VO,
we did our traditional wedding May and she got her visa July, our court wedding October same year(2013), and my wife travelled to US two weeks after our court wedding with immigrant visa, though, she was already pregnant then(3months).
She petitioned for me two months ago. I hope the sequence of events between us will be logical during interview considering the facts she was pregnant before traveling?

Sounds logical, yes.

Desakano:
Thank you for your reply ma'am. Could you help me with how to e-mail the POST? Number provided on the paper does not connect ever since. I have called this number too 014406218 and the ladies there seems not to have any information pertaining passport status. I sent e-mail to LagosIV@state.gov, but not reply yet. All efforts from my wife and I to have update yielded no result, to be honest it's tiring when you know nothing about what's happening. Thank you

LagosIV@state.gov is the correct address. It may take a few days for a response.

Titilayodeji13:
Salutations VisaOfficer, God will crown your effort .

It's been 16days we heard from the NVC
and here is a sample of the letter we got.

Dear Sir/Madam:
All documentation necessary to complete the
National Visa Center’s processing of your case has
been received. As soon as an interview date has
been scheduled, the applicant, petitioner and
attorney (if applicable) will be notified. The
applicant should NOT make any travel
arrangements, sell property, or give up
employment until the US Embassy or Consulate
General has issued a visa. The US Embassy or
Consulate General may require additional
documentation at the time of the interview.

Does this mean, Our case is complete and there is no required documents again? and prior to this we got a confirmation letter which stated JULY 17,2015 as confirmation date, what does this confirmation date mean?

furthermore, the police character certificate I have was done
June 2015 and is valid for 3months, must I come with other other if this expires before the interview

also, I would like to know how priority date works, will an interview be scheduled prior to the when priority date becomes current or when it is current?

Also, I have read from many threads the kind of documents needed in the course of interview, please will like to hear from you the expected document one needs to ve in the interview apart from the one stated in interview letter. Also to this, will I need the Original copy of AOS of my wife and the joint sponsor on the day of interview or a photocopy?

Our Priority date is April 21,2014... is our interview sure for this year. Cos we planning to have our wedding anniversary together dis October.

thanks in anticipation.

I'll answer this one when I get home tonight -- lots of questions and my battery is going!

dammie12:
Hi VO, thanks for the amazing job you do here.
A case that is deemed complete by NVC has not been sent to the post but the beneficiary in this case is pregnant and will likely put to bed before the interview date. With the present rate of scheduling cases for interviewing, she's expecting to be scheduled for interview in about 2-3months. What's your advice in terms of what she should do. Should the beneficiary wait till she attends the interview and come with the baby or she should sent the baby's document to NVC to add to the case (thinking this might extend the timeframe). Which of these path seems shorter in terms of the time it takes?

There's not enough information here to answer this question. What is her visa category?

amamazed:
Pls Vo, how soon am I allowed to return to get married after entering the US?

Thanks Ma.

If you enter the U.S. on your F1 tomorrow, you can return on the next flight and get married this weekend. It's best to wait until you've received your actual green card before you travel, of course, but technically you'll be an LPR as soon as you enter the United States.

prihnce:
hello VO. my dad is a u.s citizen and he applied for my siblings and i to come join him.. when he submitted the petition my sister was 20 but now she is 21.. we hear the age freezes once one applies, how true is that nd will it affect our chances.. we have gotten a date for the interview.. nd I ve done my medicals, will we be told the result of the medical at the hospital.. we have all my document already.. we just want to know if there is something extra we can add to increase my chances.. we have pictures with our dad from when we were very little, how well will this help nd how many do you think we need? finally, we have no idea what will be asked tho am not really bothered bout that bcus we know our dad very well(am guessing most of the questions will be about our dad, right?) and please VO tell us 3 important questions you think will be asked.. thank you..how should we act in the persence of the interviewing officer.. and finally my dad recently relocated(still U.S) nd in the petition he filled in his old address, can we tell the interviewing officer he just moved then explain? what do you think we should? thanks a bunch

Lots of good questions here! First off, if your father was a U.S. citizen when he filed the petition, your sister is and will always be an IR2 (unless she gets married). IR2s remain IR2s regardless of their age, unless they get married and become F3s.

Photos are good, especially if they span several years.

I don't give hints about questions. But just tell the truth and you'll be fine. Really! You don't need to act a special way; just be yourself and the officer will surely find you as charming as I do.

You can explain about your father's new address at the interview.

Good luck!

deekaykay:
Hi Wonderful VO

I must confess.. this forum has calmed my sleepless nights. Calling the number on customer care service has not been fruitful, and the emails don't get replied on time. Whoever came up with this idea has done a wonderful job of easing our anxieties.. and kudos to the VOs keeping the flag flying! Una well done..

Ok.. that said, I'm warming up for my interview and I think I'm better armed with information.. say 80 percent. Lol.

Dear VO, my fiancee is sending down the affidavit of support. It should get to me 4 days before my interview. However, we just would like to know if there are other documents we might be needing that she cld send alongside the affidavit of support.

I hope my questions aren't spilling off boundaries..

Thanks VO

I'm glad this forum is helpful! The instructions to the AOS should remind the petitioner to send the most recent three years' worth of tax documents as well. And that should do it.

Desakano:
Good day Vise Officer, could you please give me a possible clue to what could be holding up the issuing of my visa. My interview was on Aug'21, i was told to pick up the visa the following Friday, but until this date, there's no update and the visa isn't ready for pick up. Could it be mere delay or something is wrong? Please, your reply would be appreciated.

I have no way of knowing. Please e-mail post and ask for an update. Thanks!