ajigiteri:

Thank you very much sir, please I forgot to add this, my fiancé's adress during the filing is different from where she is staying right now in fact she was in California when she filed for me but now in Missouri where she's running her masters program pls how do I adress this because I don't want it to be an issue for me at the point of entry. Thanks

Where she lives now will have little to no bearing on your visa, as long as it is the United States. More importantly, an accurate address is critical for any communications between USCIS, the Consulate, and your fiance. It is your responsibility to keep everyone informed. You should contact USCIS and LagosIV@state.gov to update your records.

Regards,
VO

koskikun:
Hello VO,
I have been scheduled for an immigrant visa interview in April by NVC. Do I need to register the appointment online? If I need to where do I register it?
Thanks!

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

Regards,
VO

ajigiteri:
Good V.O,
My visa case that's been on administrative processing has been finally approved this week. It's included in the mail I was sent to submit my passport, medical and police report and affidavit of support.My issue is that my fiancé is currently not working she's running an accelerated masters program in nursing which will be completed by May 2018, she stopped working August last year, her affidative of financial support is still valid but I am thinking that she's hasn't made enough money recently. Can my older brother who is also in the states send me his affidavit of support as co sponsor, my brother is in another state with my fiancé though. Thanks

There is no need for an additional affidavit of support assuming that your medical record is good. In detail, once approved, an affidavit of support is good for the duration of your visa process unless otherwise adjudicated by a consular officer. In fact, if this is a K1 visa, an affidavit of support is not even technically necessary.

An updated financial statement may come into play as you progress through to applying for your permanent residence status, but this is not necessary for your arrival to the United States.

Regards,
VO

Antonio96151:
In a Good way or a bad way?

Obviously, I can't tell the future. You will know during your interview.

Regards,
VO

OmoBendel24:
Dear VO,

Good evening sir.

A quick one here please. There's this relative of ours wanting to inquire about the workings of the Green Card. She acquired hers via the F2A route but happens to be disturbed somehow now. She did apply for the B1/B2 visa category about twice and was refused but advised to ask her husband who was then on a green card to file for her. This she did and got approved and has been to the US on short stays about three times now. The issue bothering her is that she "knows" (with varying views from the net and all around her, I too think strongly that I have read something of such here before but can't vouch on the strength of such thinking) she MUST not be outside of the US for more than 180 days (but she is resident in Nigeria and got loads on her hands at work that militates against so much time availability to her to make this PRESERVATION trips), she however on this particular occasion is finding it difficult to make her next trip to the US within a timeframe of less than 180 days as expected due to time unavailability among other reasons. She wants to know if this her 180 days "KNOWLEDGE" is correct or if it ought to be 365 days. Kindly help do justice to this by either validating or invalidating this knowledge. If the 180 days stuff is valid, are there grounds on which she can do at most 365 days outside of the US till she finally relocates to the US in say about two years on or so? Thanks, and warmest regards!

If she has a valid green card and has not violated any other terms of her status, then she only has to be physically present in the United States for a minimum of one day per 365 days. That means she could, for example, be out of the United States for 185 days, come back to the U.S. for one day, then leave again for 360 days, then return to the U.S. for one day, then leave for 90 days, and so on. However, this type of travel is not the intent of the green card. After all, the application was for an immigrant visa, not an extended travel visa.

If she remains out of the U.S. for more than 365 consecutive days, then she will lose her green card status and will have to reapply as a returning resident. This is an expensive proposition. My strong advice would be to return to the U.S. at least one day every 365 days in order to keep her status current.

Regards,
VO

coolwater2:
Wow!I'm so happy you have been enjoying your stay here in the country,it gives me joy when i know foreigners are happy moving around and seeing places.They would be able to say a lot(Good things) when they leave the country. Thank you also for your prompt response CO....I really digested and understood every bit of your reply to my inquiry.I'm so much concerned about the interview stage at the consulate, and since you have alleviated my fears concerning the evidence that are needed to present at the interview stage,I can say a big thank you.We have all those pictures from the birth and the certificate and so on.Since my child is not an illegitimate daughter to her dad,there is no qualms.I hope to have my interview soon at the consulate and I wish I still meet you there even though one cannot recognize who you are sir!Lol.... ;DThank you so much and stay blessed.

Good luck! Doesn't sound like you'll need it, though. One of my favorite quotes, paraphrased, is "Luck favors the prepared." (Louis Pasteur, 1854). The more prepared you are, the better luck you'll have.

Regards,
VO

Cfo4all:
Hello VO.
Pls I am just curious to know because I have no clue. what happens next after USCIS approves a K1 petition??

I spent five seconds with this question on my favorite search engine and came up with the following, along with 210,000 other results:

* K-1 Process: Step by Step | USCIS
* K1 visa application process, fiance visa - Immihelp
* K1 Fiance Visa Process Flowchart and Timeline - VisaJourney
* After the Interview - Travel State - US Department of State

Immigrant visa petitions require diligence, responsibility, and precision. Living, working, and schooling in the United States will require the same. Your question concerns me because you have not done even the most rudimentary research on the topic. Nevertheless, I wish you success in your application.

Regards,
VO

coolwater2:
Good day CO,I hope you are enjoying your work stay in the country?I'm a new member and was able to read through most of the post here.I want to say you are a doing a great job,thank you.
Sir,I would like to ask what are the things they look for to request for DNA test as my daughter and I have will be having an interview at the consulate very soon.Is it a mandatory one has to go through this?I think if it is that so important ,we should have been subjected to do it earlier so as to avoid time wasting...The process of waiting after the interview for DNA results is not that palatable.
Please,could you highlight things that need to be considered inorder not to pass through the stage?Thank you and may God bless you.

Regards,
Ada.

I am enjoying my time in Nigeria, thank you. We can't move around too much but from what I've seen it is quite wonderful. I have been to Benin City and Ibadan and out west to the border with Benin. OK, so the border with Benin is not so wonderful, but it is still fascinating.

Regarding DNA, you are not required to do DNA, but it is in your interest to do so if requested. Since you do not yet have an interview at the Consulate, it sounds like USCIS requested DNA. This generally means that the documentation you provided does not meet the preponderance of evidence that is required to move forward with the petition. DNA is time-consuming and expensive for all parties. That is why we do not ask for it unless as a last resort.

There is no way to "avoid" it. You should bring proof of your relationship including photos from birth through the present, school records, birth certificates, baptismal records, etc. If you do not have sufficient evidence, then DNA is a recommended approach. The officer at the interview will advise you as to next steps.

Regards,
VO

chiomaus:
Hello, I've been living in Nigeria for about 6 years although I'm a U.S citizen. I just got married and I've moved back to the states, I would like to know the process to bring my husband to the U.S. im new to how the whole thing works. I know he's been denied US visa twice due to clerical errors.(missing passport/not filling out the form properly)

There is plenty of information available on the Internet. You can also write USCIS for guidance. The Consulate only gets involved once you have your interview scheduled. You may also want to consider working with an immigration attorney.

Regards,
VO

Rebmem1987:
Dear VO. Pls I will like to know if priority dates in CR1 visas are a determining factor as when your interview date can be set. My priority date is 06 May 2016, case number LGS2016757038

Yes, the priority date on a CR1, and all visas, is used as a factor for the interview date. Unlike the family preference visa classes (F1, F2A, F2B, F3, F4) there is no limit on the number of CR1's which may be processed at any given time. However, the actual date is driven by capacity both here at the Consulate and in the U.S. Write USCIS for further clarification.

Regards,
VO

kelvdim:
Hello VO
My interview was rescheduled from 10th April to 6th April.I received a call from the US embassy to that effect.I was expecting to receive a written document saying my interview has been officially brought forward?.pls I need a paper documentation for reference purposes.thanks

Write LagosIV@state.gov with your question. You will be able to use the email response as documentation.

Regards,
VO

AdyBeks:
Hello VO, good day. Please I would like to know if I can pay for my k1 visa fee and schedule an interview date prior to the arrival of my case from NVC? I already did my DS-160.

We prefer to have the physical case before you schedule an appointment. This is to ensure all of the paperwork is in order. If you have further questions, feel free to write LagosIV@state.gov.

Regards,
VO

Vorpal:


What's the duration of the process of being granted visa on an invitation basis?

I don't follow what you mean by "process." If you mean an invitation for a visitor (non-immigrant) visa, we do not require invitations and if you try to show one to a consular officer, you will more than likely undermine your credibility. If you get a visa, it is valid for two years. Note that these two years are not the amount of time you can spend in the U.S. The time you can spend in the U.S. is set by the immigration officer at the port of entry.

All of this is related to non-immigrant visas, of which this forum is not. For further clarification, please take your question to the non-immigrant visa forum.

Regards,
VO

salsera:
Visaofficer

The April bulletin is out and F1 date is in October now.
But as you said even when current it can take weeks or months for interviews to be set

As immigration policy is a matter of law, precision is required. The April 2017 bulletin is "upcoming" as of today. The current bulletin is still March 2017. While you can use the upcoming Visa Bulletin for planning purposes, it is not official until current. This is because Visa Bulletins are subject to change until officially published on the first calendar day of the month.

Second, "October" is not a date to be used for reconciling priority dates. The date for F1's is October 15, 2010. This means a priority date of October 15, 2010 or later (October 16, 2010 or November 1, 2012, for example) will not be current until a later bulletin.

I realize I may sound difficult but I am truthfully trying to help. The more precise you can be in your answers, the better the interview will go for you.

Regards,
VO

dreypapi:
Hi VO,
I have a pending petition with priority date of 4th of Oct 2010 in a F1 category . My priority date has become current and I have still not receive any further instruction after payment reciept, affidavit of support and all other required form has been submitted.
What is likely to be the cause of delay?

According to the most recent Visa Bulletin, your case is not yet current. F1 cases with a priority date earlier than June 1, 2010 are now current; yours is still several months away. Remember that even when your case becomes current, it can take another several weeks or months for us to receive the physical file. Until you have your interview with the Consulate, you should contact USCIS for further guidance.

For reference, the Visa Bulletin may be accessed here:
https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/law-and-policy/bulletin/2017/visa-bulletin-for-march-2017.html

Regards,
VO

KodakWale1:
Good evening sir, I have an interview sometime this month for returning resident status I am a green card holder and I'm also 16 I have an SSN and my mom lived in the States with both documents I was outside the states for more than six years but it wasn't my fault and I tried so much to get in but I couldn't I was asked to bring a police report which I got and a hospital check up which I'll get I was also asked to get an affidavit of support which my mom in the states is filling out I was asked to bring pictures of me and my mom and a birth certificate which got burnt in a fire in a different country which I have the fire report.I've been for the first part of the interview a few months back which was approved just barely because I was a minor please sir is there a chance I'll get my returning status I really need to go back to school thank u God bless you

Honestly, I am having trouble understanding what you are asking. I know you are 16, but please consider using proper grammar and punctuation going forward. I count one period in the above remarks. I certainly am no grammar taskmaster, but it will be very helpful for people trying to help you. This advice is also for the general Nairaland population as I have noticed an overall degradation in the quality of the posts.

I think what you are saying is you have been out of the U.S. for the last several years. If so, you are actually not a green card holder as a green card, by law, is technically no longer valid if you have been out of the country for more than 365 consecutive days. Unfortunately, this is a common problem, especially among older relatives. You will need to prove that circumstances beyond your control kept you from returning to the United States for at least one day per year over the last six years. Your age is a mitigating factor, but it is not a waiver.

If your mother is an American citizen filing for you and you will be under the age of 18 before reaching the U.S., then you don't actually need an affidavit of support. Your mother would fill an I-864W which is an affidavit of support waiver. If she is not a U.S. citizen then she will have to file the normal affidavit of support.

On other documents, you will need a birth certificate. If you need to get a new one, that is fine. However, if the consular officer needs more evidence, he or she will request it, up to and including DNA, though that is never "required," per se.

The returning resident process can be long: you will need to apply for returning resident status, and if the consular officer approves your application, then you have to re-apply for an immigrant visa but without a new petition. The process can take several weeks to several months and is not guaranteed. If you don't meet the requirements of the returning resident application, your mother will need to start over with a new petition for you.

Regards,
VO

Baldur:
Hello sir,

I am a Nigerian currently studying on F1 visa in the US. I've been dating a US citizen that I met here for over a year now, and having met her family and asked for her hand in marriage, we are engaged now. We would like to get married in a few months, and her family wants me to do a "visa adjustment" to become a permanent resident, and ensure we do not get separated by immigration issues after my program, but I am not sure about this process or what it entails.

Please, what would be the best way to proceed now? All the information I am finding online is about US aliens currently in another country (like Nigeria) and trying to come into the US. Must I come back to Nigeria first before applying for the adjustment? Or before the wedding?

Also, if this adjustment occurs, and I later apply to become a citizen, will I still be a citizen of Nigeria as well or will the eventual US citizenship mean that I need to renounce the Nigerian one?

Thanks a lot

You should consult with an immigration attorney. I cannot guide you through the immigrant visa application process.

Regards,
VO

bodescous:
Hi VO,
We do appreciate your invaluable response you give out here on this forum....It is indeed priceless,thank you so much.
Sir/ma,I will love to ask if i do not need to exercise any fear of people names omission on the guest list.I have read somewhere that on the day of interview some people's names were not on the list and were told they had been rescheduled for other dates without being given any prior notice.My son and I have an F2A interview scheduled for 23rd March at 6.30 am...Or is there any way one can ascertain it is confirmed apart from the interview letter gotten through email?Thank you.

They should bring the invitation documents to be checked during intake. These are the emails sent by us scheduling you and everyone else's interviews. You may write us at LagosIV@state.gov to ensure everyone is on the list.

Remember only those people applying for a visa will be allowed into the building unless assistance is required for very young, very old, or handicapped applicants.

Regards,
VO

mukhtarsadiq:
Respected Sir, i did my medical graduation from Pakistan in 1991, and now i am in the process of filling the DS 260 online application form for F4 family based immigration. there are 2 questions on DS 260 form for which i want your help
1) Do you seek to enter the United States for the purpose of performing skilled or unskilled labor but have not yet been certified by the Secretary of Labor? what should i answer yes or no

2)Are you a graduate of a foreign medical school seeking to perform medical services in the United States but have not yet passed the National Board of Medical Examiners examination or its equivalent? yes or NO
Pls help me in this regard
i will be oblidged

You should consult with an immigration attorney. I cannot help you fill out your visa application.

Regards,
VO

bleek147:
Good morning sir,

please I want to ask if I can still use the previous medical result I did last year during when I went for the interview for k1 visa . and that is about 7 months ago sir. please I want to know if I Can use it for this cr1 visa we are expecting soon now sir.

thank you

No, your medical will no longer be valid. Most medicals are only good for six months and some are only good for three months. You will need a new medical which you should get at least two weeks before your interview. Alternatively, you may wait until after your interview. Of course, if you wait until after your interview, there will be some some delay in issuing your visa.

Regards,
VO

anuwor:
Good day visa officer thanks for the assistant, pls can I include our wedding picture and some evidences along with the notice thanks bless you .my full name is (---)and here is my case number (---) thanks bless you.

Bring whatever evidence you feel helps support the relationship under consideration. I also do not recommend posting real information on any public forum. Therefore, I have deleted your original post.

Regards,
VO

dozydre:
Good day VO, my case became current from the visa bulletin released today. Pls. How long will it take NVC to send my file down and the date to be interviewed?

Thank you

As noted many times, any question that begins "How long" if you have not yet had a visa interview should be directed to USCIS.

Regards,
VO

flyhigh1881:
Dear VO, thanks for the support you render on this thread. My mum finally collected her returning resident visa.

Congratulations!

P406:
Dear VO
My immigrant interview is coming up soon and I want to know if it's OK to attend it with an expired police report. Got it in Dec. Last year and it just expired 2 days ago as per the Nigerian 3months validity. Someone said its still OK to attend the interview with it but I want to know your take on this since you are an authority in this area.
Your response will be highly appreciated. Thank you

Yes, you may come to the interview with an expired police report, but a visa cannot be issued if the police report is more than one year old. In other words, from our point of view, police reports are valid for one year from the date of issuance, so your police report should still be valid for U.S. immigration purposes.

Your interviewing officer will determine if your report is acceptable or not.

Regards,
VO

Antonio96151:
Tthanks V.O The question is when i was applying for visiting visa and student visa i use her as a friend because she is the one sponsoring me will this affect my K1 visa in anyway?

The officer will have these records and make a determination as to its impact on your application.

Regards,
VO

anuwor:
Good day visa officer,my name is Erinle.my question goes like this,my wife filed for me in 2013,I was dinied a visa under section 221g in 2015.and sent back to the state for further review after the notice of intent to revocked my wife submitted all the evidences in September 2016,on January 9th 2017 my wife mail the USCIS to withdraw my case.and the case was reaffirmed on 8th of February 2017 the uscis mail the approver and the withdraw letter to the NVC.and she call them to know what is going on about the case.and they
told her it under administative
.and they also asked her if she is withdrawing from the case and she told them(that) that was before the case was reaffirmed.and they should forget about the withdrawal and proceed with the approver.what are the chances of getting the visa are they going to proceed or revoke the approver pls kindly help me on this question and what to do to secure the visa approver thanks bless you,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I find out why she withdraw my case in the first place was because she is 8 month pregnant with another man in the state without devoice me and what is the chances for me to travel in the future if at all they revoke the approver can I apply for B1 B2.and to devoice her bless you.

This reads like a bad soap opera. By law, a petition is immediately and irrevocably withdrawn upon receipt of a proper termination request. Send us a note if this is what you want to do. As to the visitor visa to divorce her, you can apply for one.

Regards,
VO

marketgirl:
Dear VO,
My priority date is 04 Apr 2011 and I have an LGS number from NVC. I am of category F3 Immigration Visa. Last year a family friend whose priority date was 2009 was invited and is currently in the US. Last year I was in the US with my immediate family for Thanksgiving with my mother and I have since returned . My questions are:
1. Do I have to wait for my priority date to become current?
2. If yes, when is it likely to become current if truly 2009 was called. The bulleting cuurently is on 2005, so I really do not get what's happening
3. Someone advised I apply for change of status since I have a valid US visa - your professional advise here?
Thanks.

1. Yes, you have to wait for your priority date to become current. This is in another 5 years or so.
2. Without knowing the details of your family friend's case, he was probably an F1. F1's from 2009 are current.
3. I can't advise you on this question. Consult with an immigration attorney.

Regards,
VO

LOT111:
Dear VO
My husband is a green card holder , we got married January and he will be due for citizenship by December this year.
He thinks waiting for his naturalization OR six months before that means by June before filing for me will make it faster than filing now, he thinks the petition might be abandoned.

I can't give you visa guidance. Your choice is either F2A (spouse of a legal permanent resident) or CR1 (spouse of U.S. citizen married less than two years). There are pros and cons to both. An immigration lawyer might be better able to assist you.

Regards,
VO

AntyLydia:
Hi VO,

I have interview schedule for sometime this month. I am hearing impaired and would love to come for the interview with my hearing aid as I do not have any interpreter at the moment. The problem is, my hearing aid is remotely controlled with a gadget that looks like a small phone although it has no screen and keys. will I be allowed to attend the interview with my hearing aid and its remote control or are these among the electronic gadgets that are not allowed into the interview hall?

Disclose this when you arrive. You may need to go undergo extra screening. If you're not able to bring the device into the room, ask the officer to turn up the sound. If you're still not able to hear us, we have a special interview room which can get very loud. In short, you will be OK.

Regards,
VO

Khalid123:
Hello Sir/Madam

Few months ago i appeal the US Embassy to delay my visa; due my family members sickness; they delayed the visa; now they requested me again for a medical exam; while my my problem is still exist and let the embassy know that i can't travel now please provide me some more time; now finaly i have checked my visa status which is changed to the following

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.
For more information, please visit TRAVEL.STATE.GOV.
EXPIRING SOON

What to now do i provide any letter of statement or what

Best

You will need to apply for a reinstatement. Write LagosIV@state.gov with your circumstances and you will be given instructions on how to move forward with the reinstatement application. Generally, it comes down to circumstances beyond your control which prevented you from continuing your case. Note that this is a very high bar and reinstatement requests are rarely granted. However, there is no harm in trying.

Regards,
VO

ijofy:
good afternoon. I was actually surprised to see an educative thread like this on naira land. I have an issue that I need clarification on. my fiance lives in the US. He is a green card holder, about to get his citizenship too. we have plans for this year but with this travel ban,I am scared. please how does this ban affect his ability to come back this year and return safely to the US as well as my ability to join him over there later. thanks

There is currently no travel ban to visit the U.S.

Regarding your potential engagement status, as you note, your fiance must be a U.S. citizen in order to file for you as a K1 beneficiary. Other requirements for this visa class can be found by contacting USCIS and/or consulting with an immigration attorney.

Regards,
VO