Stancima:
Hello VO,
I have an approved immigrant petition filed by my mum for me and my siblings. The initial category was F2B and later upgraded to F1 upon my mother's naturalization. Some time last year, the F2B was about one year more current than the F1. I triggered the opt out clause and converted back to F2B. Within the last 3months, the F1 has moved at tremendous speed and has overtaken the F2B. My first question: Is the opt out from F1 to F2B reversible? Also our priority date is 1st April 2011. Going by the May visa bulletin, our application is current filing date NOT final action date. We have not heard from the NVC. Do you think it is too early to write the NVC concerning this? Also does the DHS communicate with the NVCs on their decisions concerning opt out applications?
Thanks for your patience.

If your petition is underway, then it's not too early to let NVC know about your plans. It can often take weeks or months to affect a change like this. However, know that the timing of visas cannot be predicted. It may be that you'll make the change and then F1's will get slow again and F2B's will be fast. You might find yourself chasing a circle.

Regards,
VO

OGreene:
The banks set the rate...I thought as much

@bolded, none is close to this 400. We have an idea of the rates, that's why we are against 400.

I understand your concern. I will look into this. If I find out anything I will pass it on.

Regards,
VO

Walspring:


@bold.. I believe FG/CBN is giving it to them at official rate because I read it before but I can't remember, maybe when CBN brought new policy and stated that official rates for foreign missions or so

A point about the visa fee charged:

All U.S. missions (all Embassies and Consulates around the world) use reciprocity when charging visa fees. It is a negotiated fee between the two governments. This fee is almost always the same fee that is charged to U.S. citizens who wish to get a visa to that country. In rare cases, such as with Nigeria, the fees differ. With regard to Nigeria, the United States charges less for a U.S. visa ($160) than the Nigerian government charges U.S. citizens ($210).

Regards,
VO

AREOLA:
Hello VO,
My husband had interview today and he told me he was given a white paper by the consular that his case require administrative processing which would last for about 60 days and his passport was returned to him.
My question now is, can the administrative processing be less than 60 days and what is the fate of the applicant after the process is complete.
I'm just somehow worried about the administrative processing issue.
Thanks for your timed response.

Administrative processing can be done for many reasons. Yes, it can take less than 60 days. You will be notified once complete. After 60 days, you are welcome to write us at LagosIV@state.gov.

Regards,
VO

cutelukz:
Dear Vo,
Please i would like to know if a person can withdraw a form I-130 filing for a sibling and have their mother file instead. Both are citizens.
Thank you.

Yes, you can withdraw the I-130 filing for a sibling (F4) and have the mother file instead (F1, F3, or IR2 depending on the beneficiary's age and marital status).

The withdrawal, once received, is immediate and irreversible, even if you change your mind five minutes later. I recommend their mother files and that they also keep the sibling petition in place. You are allowed to have multiple petitions working at the same time.

Regards,
VO

kaydguru:
Dear Vo,

I would like to know if it is possible to request for an earlier date for interview(FB-1 Date scheduled for 29th of Jun), because a week before the interview I would be travelling to the UK for a professional exam that I can't afford to miss.

Yes, it is possible to request an earlier date (called an expedited appointment). Write LagosIV@state.gov with your request and justification. Note, however, that expedite requests are rarely granted except in extreme circumstances beyond your control. You might want to consider moving the appointment later instead.

Regards,
VO

shooboy:


Pls can u put me through d step by step of the whole process pls?

No.

Regards,
VO

Usifo216:
Hi VO,

Thank you for your support.
I have picked up my visa and paid the immigrant fees online.
I was told my green card will be available in 120days.
What is the first thing to do immediately I get to the US cos I'm leaving soon.
Thanks.

Have a blessed day.

Usifo.

I am not a travel agent.

Regards,
VO

Rebmem1987:
Dear VO, thank you for all your prompt responses.My CR1 immigrant visa is scheduled for 30th of May and I would like to know if the police clearance certificate I submitted to NVC will still be accepted on the day of my interview because it has expired.

This question doesn't make sense to me. You know your police certificate has expired but you want to know if it will still be accepted. Why would we -- or anyone -- accept an expired document that is required for a visa?

Yes, you should get a new police certificate if it has not yet expired within one year of your interview. You may want to consider waiting for your interview in case there are other required documents that need updating.

Regards,
VO

zx12beast:
My wife received a letter stating that, Section 203(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act requires that your registration be canceled and any petition approved on your behalf canceled, if you do not apply for your immigrant visa within one year of being advised to do so.

You were advised of this requirement over 1 year ago, but we have not received a response from you since then. As a result, your application for a visa has been canceled and any petition approved on your behalf has also been canceled.

Your application may be reinstated and any petition revalidated if, within one year, you can establish that your failure to pursue your immigrant visa application was due to circumstances beyond your control. Please provide a written statement to the Embassy or Consulate outlining the circumstances beyond your control and noting that you still wish to pursue this visa petition.

My wife was approved and issued a VISA in May, which was returned because she could not travel before the expiration date 20 October 2016. The VISA was returned unopened and CANCELLED WITHOUT PREJUDICE". I explained that personal/family reasons did not permit her to travel at this time and they advised (see email below) that I could reapply.

As you can see, we were advised to reapply 4 November 2016 which has been a little over 4 months ago. My wife's circumstances have now changed and we wish to start the process again.

email sent 04 November

Dear Mr.

If she wishes to pursue the immigrant visa application in April/May 2017- she will have to re-apply, take medical exam and pay immigrant visa processing fee.

Applicant is to contact this office in March 2017 in order to restart the application.

Immigrant visa unit
US Consulate General, Amsterdam
19 Museumplein
rvw

-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Friday, November 04, 2016 11:06 AM
To: ImmigrantVisas, Amsterdam
Subject: Reference Immigrant Visa
Importance: High

To Whom It May Concern,

In a previous email, I stated that my wife returned the approved immigrant visa package with her passport. The passport was returned stamped "CANCELLED WITHOUT PREJUDICE".

Hopefully, she would like to come to the States in Apr/May next year, what are the procedures?

Do I have to reapply all over? Can this be accomplished through the US Consulate in Amsterdam or do I need to do it in the US?

Please advise.

Before I can answer this, I need clarification on a couple points. You say that the petition was cancelled due to a lack of response within a year. However, you say that your wife was issued a visa in May 2016. Both cannot be true. What is the visa class of the visa issued May 2016? Second, what is the date of the letter you received?

Regards,
VO

larrychulo:
i am a son of a US citizen, im over 21, single, have been filed for. What is the significant waiting period.. i heard it could be upto 6yrs for f1

I have just deleted several similar questions.

As stated many times before, any question that amounts to "how long" before you have had your interview at the Consulate should be addressed by USCIS. I will continue to delete these questions going forward.

Regards,
VO

Simple16:
Hi, VO,

I would like to know if CGFNS CP Certificate and VisaScreen Certificate are still required for Registered Nurse EB3 visa approval. I'm asking because the Consular Officer who interviewed me some days ago was NOT interested in seeing these certificates. When I presented the CGFNS CP Certificate, the officer said, 'What's this?'. She also said she was NOT interested in what any organization has stated. Rather, she insisted that I submit an official school record and description of the courses taken, despite having seen my transcripts. Also, she insisted that I submit an official job description of all the places I have previously worked, despite having seen my resume. I tried to explain to her that CGFNS International has evaluated my credentials, and found out that my educational qualification meet that of a first level Registered General Nurse, and as such I was permitted to take the CGFNS Certification Program Exam which I passed, and I passed the IELTS test as well. However, she wouldn't let me.


Regards,

Simple16

A consular officer has a duty and a right to request any reasonable document she feels is necessary in order to adjudicate your visa. This power is invested in her by U.S. law, and her authority is derived from being appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

In short, please provide the documents as requested.

Regards,
VO

hajj123:
Hi V.O?thank God i had my Cr1 immigrant visa interview today,everything was fine and the cool nice guy asked me questions,but i was later given a white paper that says (Pls obtain the documents checked below)the guy checked Affidavit of support+recent tax records.but my wife have two jobs and I think she made more than the $25,225 for household poverty level.I'm confused now what can I do?pls can she just go ahead and fill another affidavit of support,so that she can include her 2016 tax record?she made over 27,000$ from her full time and per time job.what she had on previous affidavit of support she sent to NVC was 2013,2014,2015.though the white paper that the interviewer gave to me still have further detail that says that I should go drop off my international passport and copy of the white paper at GSS document collection center DHL.Plot 230 muri okunola st.VI,Lagos,Nigeria.pls help out.

Without knowing details of the case, it is likely because you did not show sufficient proof of those earnings. Simply stating so does not make it so. If you have her 2016 tax records, send those in for review. The officer will make a determination once received.

Regards,
VO

hajj123:
how you all doing today V.O?thanks so much for your help here. my wife found out that there was mistakes in her 2016 1040 tax return papers,now she has went to another tax preparer to amend her tax for her and now we have 26,055$ as her total income.we are 3 household.my wife,her daughter and I and the poverty level for 3 household is 25,525$.so are we going to be ok with that total income that is now reflected on her amendment tax papers?do i still need a co-sponsor?cos I was given a white paper by my interviewer and it's say a box checked by him that I should bring affidavit of support+recent tax income.pls I need good help asap.thanks

For most family visa classes, in order to be a sponsor, the sponsor must prove earnings of at least 125% of the Health and Human Services poverty guidelines for the current year for the sponsoring family and the sponsored family combined. In other words, if a sponsor has three dependents of her own and wants to sponsor three more, then the minimum is six. This is form I-864P.

In your case, for a family of three, the minimum is $25,525 (assuming you're not headed to Alaska or Hawaii in which case the limit is higher). If the adjudicating officer accepts the change, then yes, your new income will be sufficient. Send the updated document(s) at the address indicated to you and the officer will make a determination.

The limits can be found here:

https://www.uscis.gov/i-864p

Regards,
VO

elfmann:

Hello Vo, can one be refused entry if one turns 21yrs while having a DV?

Nigeria is no longer a participant in the diversity visa lottery program. I don't understand this question.

Regards,
VO

edwardAB1:
Hello Visa Officer,
Thanks for the good job you are doing for people. God Bless You. I'm a permanent resident in United States of America. I got to U.S from Nigeria on February, 2010 and since then I have been living in United States without traveling to anywhere since then. Sir, I was assisted to complete my biodata forms then and I didn't come to U.S with any of the biodata forms and every effort to get these forms proved abortive and becoming citizen for me here is a problem since I could not recollect most information in my biodata forms. Kindly help me out, how do I retrieve my biodata forms from U.S Embassy Lagos.

Sir, I got to U.S through Visa Lottery. Kindly help me out Sir.

This is a question for USCIS. Once you get your visa and arrive in the United States, we the Consulate and the Department of State, no longer have jurisdiction over your application.

Regards,
VO

Cfo4all:
Is this thread still working??

Yes. I have been traveling over the last few days and have just returned. I took a long ride through the rain forests of Cross River state. Did you know that the world's most endangered gorilla, the Cross River gorilla, calls those forests home? It was an extraordinary experience. Nigeria has some of the most amazing natural wonders of the world.

Look for news reports summarizing the trip.

Regards,
VO

Sang2681:
I need help i was given a USA visa October and on my way to the airport i was robbed and all my valuable items was lost , immidiately i mail the embassy , so i went to police station to report and i did affidavit for the lost of the passport , after some months i got a new passport now mail the embassy that hav gotten another passport and have paid for another visa fee to apply for usa interview on getting to the interview on march 30th 2017 , the consular was asking what happened to my previous visa why was it revoked i told him i was not aware of the revocation just hearing it from his mouth , and the consular told me am not eligible at this time , pls help me out am a proprietor hav been to many countries please what can i do to get the visa back on my new passport , kindly mail me back at , moore. M47@yahoo. Com, am confused now

This is not an immigrant visa question. However, I will address it in an immigrant visa context. If, between the time someone picks up the visa and his/her arrival in the United States, the visa is lost/stolen/damaged, the visa can be re-printed by paying the printing fee. We will need a passport with at least six months' validity on it for each visa to be printed. The medical, police, and other documents for each applicant must also still be valid.

Regards,
VO

Demo213:
Hello,
Thanks a lot for the great work you are doing on this platform.

I have a question: Myself and my sister was filed for in 2010 in the F1 family category. However in 2011 my sister got married. Unfortunately she got divorced in 2016 after having two kids.

Reading through the thread I realized the application category should move from F1 to F3 after the applicant get married. Also she did not actually notified USCIS after the wedding as we assumed that should happen during the actual application to the NVC.

My question is:

1) Now that she is divorced, what category will her visa application be based on, as F1 or F3?
2) How would these event impact on her 2 children ?

Would be happy to have your opinion on the situation.

If she is now divorced and the divorce was not done to avoid the F3 visa status, then she would be considered an F1. These events have no impact on her children; the children can travel with her. She will need to have her marriage and divorce documentation ready at the interview.

Regards,
VO

justwise:


He is also a visa agent

Well, that explains why he was so emphatic about needing documents. As stated earlier, we as VO's do not look at documents because it is so easy to get fraudulent ones. I suspect he was pushing his document business so that he can sell them to unsuspecting applicants.

To reiterate: we do not need any invitation letters, bank statements, or any other documentation. If you are a returning student, transcripts are nice and if you are going for medical care, we might review your correspondence with the clinic in the U.S. Old passports are always welcome. But none of that is required, per se. If we really want to see something, we will put your application on hold and ask you to send it to us for review.

You can choose to believe two actual visa officers who, together, have done more than 60,000 interviews, or you can believe a tout. Up to you.

Regards,
VO

ladylco:
You all are correct one way or the other, just like yinslinks have mentioned, if you are going for a purpose other than vacation, it makes more sense to go with documents or letter of invite to proof your purpose of visit incase you are asked. For vacation, I do not think you need any document per say as plans can change during your visit and you may have strings of activities during the visit without any concrete plans per say, provided you have adequate cash. I for one do not make any plans per say (in terms of accomodation) when going on vacation as am always on the move, I can tour several states in one visit even when I visit Europe as I always have enough fund. I save up for my vac a year ahead especially purchase of my ticket and forex so all I do on the travel date is just pick my bag and jet off (although an expensive indulgence I stopped about a year now , economy is not smiling now )

So what am say in essence is that you go with all necessary document you can layyour hands on incase you are asked to show any, so that you are not left hanging or allow lack of not having the document cost you your visa. The US VO sometimes may not have the patience for you to provide your document later so please be prepared as N54somthingK is no joke now

I give up

Regards,
VO

AdyBeks:
Hello VO,
I am writing in regards to the I-129F application that was forwarded to the embassy by the National Visa Center. The case status online shows that the visa is ready but my fiance and I have not gotten any information about scheduling the visa interview. I must mention that the the only email I received throughout the process was for the receipt of the case with USCIS. I have a couple of questions:
1) Can my fiance go ahead and start the medical process, payment of visa fees, application for visa, and scheduling of interview?
2) Who receives the letter from the embassy? Is it my fiance or I? Is the notification an email or a mail?
3) My fiance and I don't have time on our side, is there an expedited process for this stage? I am active duty and I have an upcoming overseas assignment. I want my future spouse with me.
Thank you for your assistance.

You (the petitioner) will receive the information from NVC when it is ready to be scheduled. We will receive a note, as well, and will contact you about timelines for the medical review and other components.

The other questions are best answered by USCIS.

Regards,
VO

321d:
Hello VO,

I have f4 and f1 pending petitions. (Priority dates still away).

I have been married for 3yrs by traditional rites and do not wish to have a court wedding yet.

In case my priority date becomes current, will my spouse be qualified for follow to join benefit of the petition?

Based on NIV interviews, I have stated that I am married, does this automatically take me from f1 to f3? That is without informing the NVC myself.

For subsequent applications, i stated "other" as marital status because i was uneasy if i was asked for my marriage certificate, i do not have one and wanted the opportunity to explain but i was not given the chance during the interview. Instead the VO asked "are you married at this time, yes or no and i stated yes & was denied.

Pls what is the implication on my petition and on my NIV request going forward?

The United States recognizes traditional marriages as legitimate marriages. You have, by law, married in Nigeria and are therefore married in the United States. Your F1 visa status is no longer applicable. You are now an F3. The F4 is unchanged. You should report this change immediately to NVC to adjust your F1 priority date to the F3 priority date.

You appear not to be forthright about your marital situation. This will not help you when it comes time to interview.

Regards,
VO

Fortsucc:
Hi Visa Officer, am a permanent resident of United State, my mother is currently sick and I want her to come to United State for treatment, can you please tell me the processes involved and all I need to bring her here? Thanks.

There is a lot of information available online through official and non-official sites. You might also want to consult with an immigration attorney.

Regards,
VO

ajiskololo:
Hello VO,
Am writing regarding my husband's case. Am a U.S. Citizen. I filed for him last year. Everything went well with the USCIS and NVC. He was scheduled for an interview at the Lagos Embassy in November 2016. He was interviewed and he was approved of his visa, he was given a paper to take to the DHL office after 10days of his interview to retrieve his passport with his visa. To our surprise, my husband and I received an email two days after the interview that his visa is under additional administrative processing that we should contact them after 90days. It's more than 4months now, we haven't heard anything from them. We 'be written them but nothing concrete from them. And it's really really depressing. Please do you know what we can do? Thanks

If you have not done so already, write LagosIV@state.gov. Include the case number, petitioner's name, and beneficiary's name.

Regards,
VO

Usifo216:
Hi VO,

Thank you for your support.
The status of my case on ceac changed from AP to issued(Visa has been printed). Since 3rd April, 2017 and it is still not ready for pickup.
Does it mean the medicals I sent after 1 week of interview was gotten?
May I know what notification or prompt I'll get before going for pickup.

Have a blessed day.

Usifo.

Write LagosIV@state.gov with your question. Include the case number, petitioner's name, and beneficiary's name. The officer working on your case will be notified and make a determination.

Regards,
VO

sundaydammy:
Pls what can one do after he missed US visa appointment

If this is for an immigrant visa, write LagosIV@state.gov for rescheduling with the case number, petitioner's name, and beneficiary's name. Keep in mind that you will be rescheduled at least 90 days from the original date of the interview.

Regards,
VO

yinkslinks:
Sir I don't know if truly you are a VO or just a nickname but what I know is that if someone is going for a conference, he should go with his invitation letter should in case he/she is asked. I feel you comment should be you don't need an invite letter if you going on vacation. Truly those that want to show the VO things without being asked get less believe. It's advisable to go with all documents cus u never know what they will ask for. As for the passport, I have seen where a VO gave back the old passport without even looking at it. Those VO can have good and bad days that's all I see.

I suppose it's true anyone can choose a nickname and be a "Visa Officer." That said, I can assure you that I most definitely am a VO. I normally moderate the Immigration Visa forum but a colleague mentioned that this thread had some interesting bits to it.

Part of our job is to dispel myths about the visa process. I don't know how I can make this more clear: You do NOT need an invitation letter for any reason. If you don't have the invitation letter for your conference on the rare occasion we ask for it, it will not affect the decision one way or another. Sometimes we are just curious. The simple fact is we don't trust any documents shown to us because we know how easy it is to forge one. If you don't want to bring your old passport, even when I suggested you should, that is also up to you.

Regards,
VO

joinedjust:
yinkslinks
Who says so? They can ask to see the genuineness of the conference. My friend was asked with receipt too. A lot of you post rubbish here deceiving people.

LadyGuinivere:
Let me translate
U do not need an invite letter
U don't need a statement of account.
Read the US website and BEFORE you pay the visa fees.
He's also predicting no success if you do not research.
Is that clear enof?

@yinkslinks ......
Thank you for the comment, exactly a lot post rubbish here and this LadyGuinivere - MADAM NO ALL and VERY RUDE THING. I don't care whether you created the thread or not - you just talk to people anyhow . *hissed*
Who says no need of documents - fine you might go with documents and no single one would be checked but some times like yinkslinks said they will request for it for confirmation . So people, please go with ALL APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS if they don't check at all then fine and if they ask you have something to show.
I work in a company with our head office in US and I have over 20 colleagues that have gone to the embassy for an interview at different times for several reasons so i know what i'm saying.

Perhaps I can help here:

You do not need an invite letter.
You do not need a statement of account.
Read the U.S. website before you pay the visa fee.
Do your research before you come for your interview.

This is sound advice.

You are free to bring all the reams of paper you can carry but after having personally done 30,000 interviews (and counting), I can't remember more than a handful of times I bothered asking for something. In fact, the more you try to show me the less I believe you.

The only exception are old passports, especially if they show prior travel. Those, I do like to see.

Regards,
VO

Usifo216:
Hi VO,

I sent a mail LagosIV regarding my medicals. My medicals was done 1 week before interview due to proximity and being unable to reach the medical line online.
My Visa was approved and I was told to pick up after 10days.
I have my medical report now. And this mail below is the response I got with g221 form.

"Thank you for your email.

You can send your medical report through our DHL PICKUP Facility/GSS Document Collection Center – DHL, Plot 230 Muri Okunola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Find attached submission sheet for same."

Am I meant to sent all the documents required in the attachment again or just the medical alone?

Thanks

Usifo

I think it makes sense to be cautious, but in this case, just send your medical report.

Regards,
VO

menuwe:
Ma'm Please I am a bit worried about the status of my issued visa as seen on CEAC website. The issue is that I have tried to track my visa(passport) on the website but it keeps saying the (status of the passport is not available). And today makes it 10 business days from the day of, interview . Am wondering what might be the delay as the Co specifically asked me to pick it up in two weeks time. Since it's two weeks now, should I just go ahead for it at the given address or must I be called before I go for it? Thank you for your anticipated positive response.

Write LagosIV@state.gov. Include the case number, petitioner's name, and beneficiary's name in your correspondence.

Regards,
VO