topemama1:


Got to America yesterday listowell

Congratulations @topemama1 for safe entry, I wish you a safe delivery. I guess you went via a chartered flight or through the cotonou route because i was also considering it but Thank God, airports are open now. I am also planning to come into the US next weekend for my second missionary journey.
Please i would like to confirm what airline you used and what your POE experience was.
Did you send a letter of intent to the embassy before you left?
I sent you a PM via email. Thanks.

AroOkigbo:

$190 cash or pay $180 with international credit card. If paying cash, they don't accept older (pre-2006) notes.

Thanks a lot. Lol at they don't accept older notes. Nigeria and our funny behavior. You don't accept ur own card in your own country and still putting embargo on the year note was printed. It is well.

Ramj:


Thanks Zee and congrats to you too.
If you get stuck with VoA contact me..

Thanks a bunch, I appreciate you. I applied and got received response on the same day. They sent the documents needed for Visa on arrival two days later. We thank God. Just want to confirm if the price for Visa on arrival is still $190 cash.... Anyone with recent experience at Lagos airport please. I have checked immigration website and didn't find the price. Thanks. We are heading home next weekend. Thank God

[quote author=Ramj post=66391993]Hello House...
Welcome to Part Finale of Journey 1

And loo Ramj Jnr. was born via CS.....

Extra Long Post Alert

Aww Congratulations to you and your wife. We thank God for grace and safe delivery.
I also had my baby at Cook County on the 18th of March after 28 hrs in labour at 40 weeks 5 days. Was already scheduled for an induction the following week which I did not want at all. When I was 12 hours into labour and they told me am just 3.5cm dilated, OMG epidural straight. The night team at cook county are just awesome. I had a vaginal delivery but with episiotomy. Been so busy with baby, would come back and download all later. I got the baby's birth certificate 4 days after delivery (just called and was told it was ready) and the passport within a day- no appointment. I called and explained my situation and the lady on the phone told us all the documents to gather and just walk in the next morning . My husband was travelling back that weekend so we just walked in to the passport office downtown and explained. Passport was ready same day by 3pm. We thank God for Grace. Currently waiting for response for visa on arrival application and following up with hospital to get zero balance. I can't shout. Thanks to everyone on this thread. Our journey has been by God's grace

Hi everyone. It's snowing here in Illinois.

God has been merciful and he will be to the very end.
I dreamt that my hubby and I were arguing about why he missed his flight from Lagos the week before his interview. Guess God was just telling me this woman calm down, your case is sorted.

I am uber excited, my hubby went for his interview yesterday and as usual when the VO said pick up your visa in three working days, his brain forgot all the questions asked but I was able to extract a few from him after plenty disturbance but don't know the order of the questions:

After the good mornings
VO: passport
DH: passes it to her
VO: you are married right?
DH: Yes I am
VO: and your wife's name is....
DH: tells her my name
VO: How long have you been married?
DH: A year and so so months
VO: So who is this person to you? (my aunts name that we filled on the form that is hosting us)
DH: My wife's aunty.
VO: So where is your wife?
DH: She is currently in the US staying with said aunty. She is expecting our baby
VO: How long has she been in the US for?
DH: 10 days
VO: Oh really, is it your first? (VO smiling)
DH: Yes and I would like to go and assist her before, during and after delivery and I would love to experience the birth of our first child (my DH goes for the emotional angle. VO was a young female )
VO: how long are you going for?
DH: 3 weeks
VO: what do you do?
DH: I am a..... with...
VO: what does your wife do?
DH: she is a bla bla with bla bla
VO: where was your wife working before this placed
DH: He tells her ( I think she may have been checking my records cos I had not changed jobs as at the last time I did dropbox in 2016)
VO: who is accompanying you on the trip?
DH: I am going alone
VO: Are you sure? ( I think she asked this question cos he doesn't have travel history and this is his first trip)
DH: Yes

she typed for a while (DH was praying that whatever she likes she should type, she should just say granted)
Then she goes you can pick up your visa in Friday at Muri Okunola.

All the plenty documents we had packed, none was brought out or asked for. I even begged him to read the dummy interview questions and answers I had prepared and sent to his email based on all I had read on this thread.

Been praying that he should be by my side during delivery. Now on to begging God to let this baby stay put till he comes.

Being overprepared is the best. I had a long list of burden of proof that I packed for POE and we prepared for the interview. We even prepaid the hospital bills and scanned the receipts to him. Alhamdulilah, we both didn't need it at either points. We give God all the praise.

Wish everyone else all d best on their journey.

Hi everyone, jetlag is real o. I still need plenty sleep.
I am not going to use that line. I am really glad this thread as thrived as all I did from July last year when I found the thread was read and read and make all the phone calls I need to.

I left Lagos via Qatar Airways on Saturday (27th) at 33 weeks 5 days. I had submitted my Mediff Form and co at their office on Tuesday because I didn't want stories that touch and they called me that it had been processed same day. After check in, the lady held my boarding pass and said I should go to port health for fit to fly and she hinted that I should just do whatever the woman says.
Port Health lady was forming drama that ehn she can't write more than 32 weeks o because Qatar is very strict o, forming calling her colleagues up and down the place . Hian, no be naija, my husband just dey observe, we gave her extra 1,500 and that was it.

Got to the airport 8ish, by 9am, we were done; or so we thought, the handbag I carried just decided it was going to die that day. The zip just pulled apart of its own accord. Shuo... I thank God I begged my dad to let his driver take us to the airport so my husband can come in with me easily. I just called the driver to just go straight to my parents house and collect handbag from my mum asap. He got back by 10:30 and that was sorted. (key point: get to the airport early to be able to manage unexpected surprises)

Immigration in lagos just asked their usual questions and find something for me - I said I don't have. Customs was asking am I sure I don't have more than 10k I said I am sure, the guy was like show me the money. I open envelope show am and he let me go.
We left lagos at 12:30ish, flight was very smooth and I had a nice air hostess who told me to ask her for anything I need. Didn't see her again after that (maybe she was attending to business class) so I couldn't really ask for stuff.

We got to Doha midnight (damn, that airport is beautifulllllllllll, trains moving inside the airport as you are walking pass, chai..) and proceeded to check in for the New York flight (yes I was going to Chicago but I didn't have strength for Chicago POE, my friends that went through that place saw when).

On my queue to check in for the New York leg, the Qatar staff was forming like he could ask people questions, the lady on the other hand was just passing people. Anyway, I stood there and was wondering is this the US CBP officer? It got to my turn and the following ensued:
Qatar check in staff: What are you going to the US for?
Me: Childbirth and Vacation
Qatar check in staff: When are you going back?
Me: April **
Qatar check in staff: Your passport is expiring in May
Me: Yes I know ( I used the passport like that. that 6 months thing doesn't apply for when you are travelling, a friend whose husband is an immigration officer confirmed for me)
Qatar check in staff: Do you have a return ticket? can I see it?
Me: Yes.. gives it to him
Qatar check in staff: You are returning from Chicago
Me: Yes I am
Qatar check in staff: When are you coming back
Me: rolls eyes... April ** and that was it.

My people I no see CBP officer for Doha o...... the guy probably went to sleep as it was midnight. I entered the waiting area for boarding, sat down, connected to the Free Wifi and sent messages to the hubby and family that am fine o.

As I was about to board the flight, the lady at the door just said I have been waiting for you, please come with me (see me looking like what happen) and told her colleague to take over from her. She just said I am changing your seats to these 3 free ones so you can sleep better during the flight, she collected my bag and stashed it for me. Next thing, do you want water or juice? let me know if you need anything, I would be checking on you during the flight. (was just shaking my head that on top my economy ticket, see God's favor). She brought me juice and the big bottle of water (3/4 full) and a cup. That flight was awesome, I was served food first (in economy o) and was given snacks, juice, water intermittently throughout the flight and slept well.

When we go to JFK (after 15 hrs.. mehn long journey- at this point, we don do 24hrs o), the air hostess took out my luggage, took me to the front seat right behind business class, made sure I left the plane first after business class and had already requested for wheelchair to carry me. ( I didn't ask for wheelchair). I didn't use the wheelchair because I didn't want to draw unnecessary attention to myself, by the way I wore my winter jacket at that point which had covered the tummy and I could walk.

I took a detour to the bathroom and on coming out, omo the queue don long; used the self service machine and joined the queue and started observing the CBP officer. I noticed one latino looking guy attending to people and stamping quickly not too many questions. The queue I was on the white guy was spending time with each person so it wasn't really moving. it was 8am so there were few officers checking us and another flight just arrived. I just kept praying in my mind that I would find favour wherever and I would only answer 3 questions (I had told my husband that at Doha). One of the officers, just came to the guy in my front and removed the boundary stuff and asked us to follow him, I quickly followed and landed in front of the latino CBP officer.

CBP officer: how long are you in the US for?
Me: 2 months and 2 weeks
CBP officer: looks at me and asked what is the purpose of your trip?
Me: Vacation and I am having a baby
CBP officer: how much do you have on you
Me: $8,500 cash and my cards
CBP officer: stamps me in till july 2018, the guy didn't even look at my passport data page to see that it was expiring in May. God's favour, I answered only 3 questions, my big fat envelope of burden of proof was just in my bag.

I quickly collected my passport and moved to the luggage area, got my bags and went to Agric because I declared food. 1 whole box was filled with grinded stuff for my aunty... egusi, apon, suya pepper, grounded pepper and iru. 23kg worth. They scanned it and didn't even say anything, it was my own box they opened because of Knorr but it was Knorr beef so they let it go.

The other lady beside me had Knorr chicken and indomie chicken, they collected everything, she was just looking sad. I said sorry and proceeded to look for where to go to the terminal for my connecting flight from New York to Chiicago.
Local flight easy peasy, got to Chicago and wheeled out my bags into aunt’s car. Finito.
Now onto hospital registration and praying to God for a safe delivery.
By the way uber is bae... using my GT card which is linked to uber and just taking rides around, they charged me 367 sha.

We got Qatar yesterday return ticket direct to ohare with stopover in Doha for mum at 343k.

bidrozey:



I got Delta Airline... To Newark. 3hrs stop over at Atlanta.. 362,000

Mail. Edit the sample below to suit your purpose.


Hello LagosNIV,

My wife and I re-applied for a Tourism/Medical Treatment (B2) sub-category of Visa last year and was granted a B1/B2 category Visa.
Our earlier application was to Visit Florida for holidays but due to unforeseen events, we conceived a child in the early part of the 2017 and had to cancel the trip to review our plans unfortunately.
However, we have now reviewed our plans and wish to have our baby in Illinois. Based on this plan, we contacted Mercy Hospital and Medical Center and St. Bernard Hospital and Health Care Center Chicago, Illinois and have been provided the attached bill which we can afford to make full payment upon arrival to the US without any default as we have made similar payments two years ago in Houston, Texas.

Moreover, we require your assistance on things we need to do before we leave Nigeria.
Attached is a copy of the bill we have received.
N.B: My spouse copied.

Send to lagosniv@state.gov.

I sent mine yesterday and they replied this morning with the generic response.

zirochi:
how does one send the letter for notification of intent for child birth in US is it via mail or......? Please can someone show me a sample of what the content of the letter should be

God is able to do all things. We thank God you and the baby are fine.. I duff hat for you, am sure you would get a good discount from the hospital by God's grace. this jaundice thing ehn... God is more than able.. Safe trip back.

[quote author=Supernaturalone post=64274231]
I arrived Texas on 24 Nov (shared my POE experience at the time). Had my first appointment with Dr Fagbohun on Tuesday, 28 Nov. I was scheduled for level II ultrasound and some additional tests (no additional payment for these). Dr Fagbohun has 3 different locations, so I ended up visiting the 3 locations depending on what day my weekly appointments were scheduled for and which location he was meant to be. I registered at Oakbend on 04 Dec after my level II ultrasound and paid $3950 for CS.

We know your type. No point.
I searched hospitals in new York on the thread, saw where Wyckoff heights medical center in new York was mentioned and I googled the hospital, found an email address on their site and sent an email.

Hello,
Good day. I am an out of town patient and would like to enquire about the hospital charges/cost for maternity services specifically labour and delivery at the Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York.
I am not insured for obstetrical services nor am I entitled to any government aid and thus I am a self pay patient.
Please can you provide me with the package/cost for patients who are uninsured i.e. Self-Pay patients and I would also like to enquire if there is a discount for cash paying patients?
I would like to know what services the bill would cover or exclude such as physician services or otherwise and any physicians attached to the hospital that can be contacted for a quote if not included in the quote.
I would appreciate the prices for Vaginal Delivery and C-Section Delivery as well.
Thanks for your time.
Looking forward to your response soon

and I got the response below:

Good morning to you,
Thank you for your interest in Wyckoff Heights Medical Center. Attached you will find the maternity costs for our facility. In that file is the number to the Women’s Health Clinic. You can give them a ring when you’re ready to book your appointment. When you do so I would then need the following information listed below. Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.
:Please note our fees are no negotiable and are not subsidized to any reductions.
After booking an appointment I’ll need the following information from you:
Your full name: First, Middle, Last or just First and Last if you don’t have a middle name
Date of birth
Date & Time of appointment
Doctor’s name you’re scheduled with (You can ask the receptionist the name for this info)
Thank you,
Lexus

Maternity costs
Normal vaginal delivery
•$9500.00
This fee includes hospital fee for 2 day stay for mother and infant.
• Physician fee related to the delivery.
• Anesthesia costs for an epidural.
• Pediatrician costs during admission.

Cesarean Section
•$15,000.00
This fee includes hospital stay for 3 days for mother and infant.
• Physician fee related to the procedure.
• Anesthesia costs for the procedure.
• Pediatrician costs during admission.

Multiple Birth pregnancies
•$11,000.00 for a vaginal delivery of twin babies.
•$17,500.00 for a cesarean section of twin babies.
This includes all of the above inclusions as well as the extra nursery and pediatrician costs.
•Please note any multiple births beyond twins will be discussed further with our OB Chairman to determine costs.
**Please note that admission into the NICU is not included in the package.**
Women’s Health Center
•$130.00 per visit
Includes Physician fee for visit
•Any tests such as lab work, x-ray’s, etc. done on an outpatient basis will be charged per test according to our self-pay fee schedule.
The phone number to the Women’s Health Center 718-486-4155

Did I intend to go to New York to give birth? Not really but was I proactive about exploring my options.... Yes... and do I have about 20 other correspondences because I chose that approach? Yes... Do I feel more confident now that am travelling next week.. Yes. Does it mean I wont be turned back at POE? Nope End of... drops mic

akplatnum2005:

sorry my mistake (typo error). it is actually $28k deposit. now wonder what the final bill will look like.

@Zeenayah, not all seeking info here are broke, lazy or like to be spoon feed. attachment bellow was not gotten from oshodi market so if you cant help, please jump and pass.

Na wa o. JFK that people spend less than 5 mins at POE and breeze out. I still spoke to like 3 people who passed JFK in December.

Anyway, maybe her travel history shows that she tends to stay for long periods when she travels so the lady assumed she was lying and wants to work ... or maybe not.

Considering that she got the visa for the specific purpose, one would expect the officer at the embassy would have put the information on her file. Anyway, she may have to just reapply and go for an interview and explain all that happened and this time confirm from the officer that her purpose of visiting the US is clearly documented on their system.

The psychological stress sef.. May God answer her prayers

kayvine4u:

JFK and yes she had the hospital correspondence with her but the officer said she didn't want to see any docs

I find it very odd that we intend to spend $10,000 or more on going to give birth in America and yet find it so so hard to put a N500 card on their phone and make phone calls to hospitals every week till they find a cost effective hospital to give birth.
This lazy approach to just sending pms or dropping messages urgent I need a hospital in bla bla is not the best. Pls send me the contact of your doctor and hospital. Treat this as a project and stop giving yourself excuses.

We want things to be done for us all the time and 90% of the questions asked are already answered on various parts of this thread.
It just takes research. Type hospitals in Texas, Chicago, Virginia, Pennsylvania in the search bar and narrow it down to the travel section and read. Everytime we all just want to use one particular hospital because that is the cheap one according to somebody, we end up scaring the hospital and they double their prices.

Go on google, type hospitals in Maryland, you would get a list, note it down and start calling them one by one. When you get home from work, it is lunch time in America if it is 8-8:30 or 9-9:30 you dedicate to it, call 3 hospitals every evening on the list you get off google, ask to speak with the financial counselor if you don't find an email address on the hospital's website and make your enquiries, collect their email and send a mail for correspondence purpose. By the time you spend 3 weeks calling 3 hospitals per night, you would get something in your budget range.

All this pming someone especially when you are not even active on the thread is just weird. I was on this thread for 6 months as a guest, I didn't need to pm anybody and I got all the information I needed after reading from part 3 to 5 and reached out to over 50 hospitals from NY to Texas to Chicago etc.

Do your homework, you would be confident at POE. I would do my best to respond to most PMs but if I don't respond to you, it is probably because I have not seen your moniker on this thread and I wont just dish out information I spent months gathering to any agent.

Hiya, the best thing to do would be to contact the Dr you want to use to give you the new price or call the hospital, ask to speak to the financial counselor and get the new pricing. I think they call it the Miracle Moments program.

The information I have was at September last year so I dunno if the prices have been reviewed. 5k for normal and 8k for CS (Hospital, Dr X and Epidural only no pediatrician bills etc).

domrita:
Hello my houston Mamas and papas.pls any recent updates or review on Houston NW Medical Center as regards their price/bills .....was hearing some chatter as to that but i wanna know if anybody has paid or gotten correspondence as regards their billing this 2018.it is still the old bills or have they reviewded it.thanks dears.

Which POE was this?
Did she have correspondence with a hospital or Doctor in the US to back her claims?

Also did she have her DR's report from Nigeria with her?

kayvine4u:
Hello house,

I have an issue and would want experts in d house to wade in.

My friend was issued a B2 visa last June but didn't travel till this January. She was supposed to be going for fertility treatment, which is what is told the entry officer at POE at d airport but they still denied her entry and cancelled her visa, saying dat she is lying and actually wants to come work, otherwise that why wld she want to stay for two months.

What are her chances of reapplying and how can we tackle this issue?

I know a friend that used it to pay for uber when she was there till October last year.

ALADE4J2:
Morning Mamas and Papas, pls has anyone used sterling bank card (Visa or MasterCard) to make payments in the U.S.? Thanks

send me a pm, would send you the email correspondence I got for a hospital in Carrolton dallas texas.

To be honest with you, just google hospitals in dallas texas, check their sites to see if you find an email address and send a mail or start calling all of them one after the other, that was what I did for Chicago for months till I found what I could afford after Stroger packed up.

valeria:
Hello everyone and thank you for your contributions that have helped so many of us in making the right decisions.

Please can anyone recommend a good hospital in Dallas, Texas that is quite affordable.

I have booked a flight for March and my relative got a hospital that charges about 11k for CS.

Can anyone help with a cheaper option? I will really appreciate a swift response.

Thanks in anticipation

Thanks a bunch for taking time out to write a comprehensive response. The questions were quite straightforward and easy just a lot. Congratulations and wish you a safe delivery

ogemele:


Yep. I came in on the 27th dec and the immigration questions in doha was lots.
1. Can i hav ur passport?
Me:- yes pls...
2. Did u notify the embassy? Let me c an evidence either hard or soft copy.
Me:- yes pls....(then i couldn't find it and wifi was misbehaving, he left me and attended to 3 other ppl with issues though not women then came back to me and said the notification may never be found so lets move on)
3. Hw much do u have and how much is ur bill?
$5,045. A million plus in my naira acc and a few dollars in my dollar card. My bill is approximately $5000 to the nearest thousand
4. What do u do in nigeria?
A medical practitioner
5. Public or private sector?
Public
6. Is your husband coming to join u?
Nope- busy with work.
7. Is dis ur first preg? First ever?
Yep
8. Why u.s?
Dual citizenship hence increasing our baby's opportunity in life (he then said r their no opportunities in nig? I was like sure there is thats why i can fund my trip bt baby could have more than i have. And he was like FANTASTIC!!)
9 can i see your doctor's correspondence showing the amount u claim the hosp would charge you?
Sure- here it is.
10. How long wud you be in the u.s.?
3mths
11. Can i c ur return ticket?
Off course. Here it is.
12. How far are u gone with the preg?
34wks
13.are you with the money in cash?
Yes i am (brought out the envelop that contained it and he said is fine i dont need to bring it out)
14. Which state are u going to now?
Minnesota but wud go to texas later.
He then said thats fine. Wud let them know i have cleared u.

@new york he basically ask few of the questions i was asked in doha :- how long and why u.s. we just chatted and in less than 5mins i was done. Holla...
Got a cart for $6 picked my bags, went to agric, then out of the terminal. Crossed over to the other side of the rd, entered an elevator and the a free train to terminal 4 and boarded my sun country flight to Minnesota.

Back in texas now though for my appointment. I don tire mbok, wud cont later if i remember any other detail bt guess this was all.

nefertitiram:

Pm me for accommodation in Chicago

Thanks Nerf. I already sent a mail to your gmail from my yahoo mail. Thanks for always being helpful. Would be awaiting your response.

Thanks a lot. Been living on airbnb looking for but exploring other options as well.

Ramj:


Airbnb.com is the answer. Check the host review for guide and also note you can negotiate further.

2017 flew Qatar airways and no questioning. No CBP post station at Doha airport. if their is any it shouldn't be anything out of the ordinary.

Thanks for your response.

Dior09:


Don't know about accommodation in Chicago.
Flew Qatar in December. No immigration questions. Just routine search. If you're carrying laptops, cameras etc.. they'll search them separately and repack in a transparent nylon. That's all, nothing much. Hope that helps.

Morning everyone.

Pls I am looking for accommodation (1 or 2 bed flat) in downtown Chicago for a month or 6 weeks.

Would appreciate your help.

Anyone flown Qatar to JFK recently with the 2 HR layover in doha? Any immigration questions in Doha? Pls share your experience.
Thanks.

Congratulations, pls can you share your husband's transcript for the interview. Thank you

ladeonas:


Yes , he would be around now. His visa was approved on Wednesday.

Am in garland, Dallas

Thank you

Thanks a lot for your feedback I appreciate it

quote author=Dollarsolution post=63679634

[/quote]

Thanks a bunch Li. I appreciate you taking time to draft your feedback.

LI:
I had responded before seeing that Mamaron had done same giving maybe an even better answer

Cc Zeenayah

Thanks a lot for your response Mamaron.

Thanks for sharing the link as well, had also gone on the site but still asked the house to be sure as people may have experienced such (mums case)

Also saw that the 6 mths rule applies when you are going to get a visa at the embassy not for travel. I honestly don't even need to be stamped in for 6 mths cos am back in April. I just want to know if I won't be harassed at Nigerian immigration when going (worried about their overzealousness) or at the
POE(unlikely as they can stamp up to the validity of passport or the date I want to leave anyway).
I have checked the Nigerian immigration site but still not seeing sufficient information.

Ikoyi passport office queue is not for the fainthearted and with Belle sitting down there in d sun is a lot of inconvenience am not interested in unless it is absolutely necessary. Thanks mamaron

Also, pls has anyone declared over 10k when leaving Lagos airport? Does customs harass over it? I know you declare at POE but don't know if you declare and what the process is when leaving the airport in lagos.
I would appreciate your help if you have experienced such.


[quote author=mamaron post=63676495]

Pls see this link below.

http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng/ng-gen-faq.asp#qlistgen8

1) your visa. It looks like (my interpretation o... I'm not 100% certain) you can travel in Jan with a visa expiring in Apr and passport expiring in May.....it seems you won't be signed in for the usual 6 months by CBP.....CBP stamp might not be longer than the expiry of the passport...see the link in the answer to FAQ question 1......to be extra extra safe (sorry I'm a scaredy cat in these matters) maybe you should just renew before you leave....if you're leaving Jan ending...you still have 4 weeks.....

Hi everyone compliments of the season. Shout out to everyone keeping the thread alive and sharing experiences. Been a guest studying this thread back to back since June. Missionary journey loading in January. Shout out to Madam Nerf... You are 10 much.

Please I have two questions and would appreciate if the house can help me out.
1) My passport is expiring in May next year, visa is expiring in April. I am traveling in January and back by April. Do I need a new passport? Does the 6 mths validity of passport apply during travel or just at point of application for a visa? Am going via Qatar and going to stay in the airport during the layover anyway.

2) My mum has a valid visa till end of February. Can she travel with it a week before expiry and stay for 6 weeks after the visa expires. I understand that it's the duration of your stay which the CBP stamps you have to adhere to and not the date of expiry of the visa.

Please I would appreciate your help in validating these two points. Thanks.