Sotchaa:
Hi everyone. My sis just got to Houston to have her baby. She's ill and needs some meds from her Nigerian gynae. Guys pls this is a call for help to anyone going to Houston who can help take the meds. She's in Katy but getting the meds from you shouldn't be an issue. Pls help. Pls reach out if you can help. Thanks

KDK:
Thanks to all the information on this thread and those on sister threads. I appreciate all contributors and information. God bless you all.
I have a longer preamble in the another thread, so if you like epistles, you can go there.( https://www.nairaland.com/4116999/usa-visit-visa-part-3/294#68927886 ).
I did drop box with my family but was asked to appear for interview. However, whilst my passport was still at the embassy , my office said i had to go for a meeting in the states. So blessedly, I got a nearer date. On the day of the interview, I decided to separate from my family since I am now going on business trip and not tourism.
Whilst on the queue i observed that there was a lot of denials even those going for business meetings from big organisations in the oil and gas sector. This even increased my anxiety as nothing seems sure with this embassy.
Anyway, I observed that there was a guy standing behind them and they sometimes, switch off their mic so as to seek his opinion on some cases. However, in all these, I had to admit that even though these VO’s were not friendly, they seemingly only followed what the systems gives as a summation of all their inputs. Or atleast that is what I believe. It even reminded me of a discussion I had with some people whilst on the queue. We discussed the possibility of them already deciding your case but interviewing to know if that decision should stand or not (Speculations).
At a time, this supposed supervisor went to a window and requested the next person. Before the other people in the three other windows had completed their interviews, this guy had sent his interviewee with a refusal. I calculated and said thank God, I am not going to that guy. This guy was not smiling at all. The guy before me went to him, same short interview, didn’t even give room for long stories. Still before the other guys has finished their interview, he sent this second interviewee away with a refusal. Then he called for the next person on the queue. I was thinking whether to say I decline to be interviewed today but when I thought of the trouble to get this interview date, I decided to proceed (what will be will be).
I proceeded with prayers to God almighty asking for Grace of God because this VO na

My precedents:
1. My travel history is very solid, my former job had to do with international travel so I have been to atleast 5 countries on every continent except Australia. A globe trotter with an average of over 12 international travels annually.
2. My last US visa was for child birth and was declared at that interview. Although I had previous US visas meant for professionals.
3. I have had no international travel after my trip to USA.
4. I am well articulated and was very composed (This one means nothing to the VO although I suspect a stammerer may be misconstrued to be lieing or thinking of lieing).

I wrote my precedents so you may understand the background behind the approval.

Mamaiyanu:
Congratulations!!!! Hope your wife got her visa as well?

Kuffour1267:


CONGRATULATIONS!!!! We are waiting to read how your wife's own interview went too.

KDK:
POE was Houston (IAH)
I prepared for a long interview at the POE so I carried all my burden of proof relating to the child birth (I don’t want stories
I just pray the visa process will become easier and those people spoiling us for the embassy should please desist.

I wish all applicants the best.

Thank you all for your contributions as it was very instrumental in our success.

KDK:
Thanks to all the information on this thread and those on sister threads. I appreciate all contributors and information. God bless you all.
I have a longer preamble in the another thread, so if you like epistles, you can go there.( https://www.nairaland.com/4116999/usa-visit-visa-part-3/294#68927886 ).
I did drop box with my family but was asked to appear for interview. However, whilst my passport was still at the embassy , my office said i had to go for a meeting in the states. So blessedly, I got a nearer date. On the day of the interview, I decided to separate from my family since I am now going on business trip and not tourism.
Whilst on the queue i observed that there was a lot of denials even those going for business meetings from big organisations in the oil and gas sector. This even increased my anxiety as nothing seems sure with this embassy.
Anyway, I observed that there was a guy standing behind them and they sometimes, switch off their mic so as to seek his opinion on some cases. However, in all these, I had to admit that even though these VO’s were not friendly, they seemingly only followed what the systems gives as a summation of all their inputs. Or atleast that is what I believe. It even reminded me of a discussion I had with some people whilst on the queue. We discussed the possibility of them already deciding your case but interviewing to know if that decision should stand or not (Speculations).
At a time, this supposed supervisor went to a window and requested the next person. Before the other people in the three other windows had completed their interviews, this guy had sent his interviewee with a refusal. I calculated and said thank God, I am not going to that guy. This guy was not smiling at all. The guy before me went to him, same short interview, didn’t even give room for long stories. Still before the other guys has finished their interview, he sent this second interviewee away with a refusal. Then he called for the next person on the queue. I was thinking whether to say I decline to be interviewed today but when I thought of the trouble to get this interview date, I decided to proceed (what will be will be).
I proceeded with prayers to God almighty asking for Grace of God because this VO na one chance. I remembered the guy thatshared his transcript here after he was denied. He said he went to one buka to eat good food and step it down with a cold malt (he broke his fast or so). I was already thinking of where I can do same because with this kind of VO, only GOD can help your case.
Here is the transcript.
Me: Good morning Sir.
VO: Please, can I have your passport?
Me: Yes, you can but before you do, I need to update you on some information on my DS-160 form(since the guy didn’t smile, I wiped off my smile too)
VO: Okay, I am listening but pass me your passport.
Me: (Handing over the passport) The initial plan was for me to travel with my family for holidays in August so we did a drop box but whilst the passport was at the embassy, my organisation informed me that I have to attend an urgent meeting in Texas. I immediately informed the embassy but got no replies to several mails I sent (VO nodded as though in agreement as he gazed at the screen). I even tried getting an expedited date to no avail. Based on this and future planned office itinerary , I will no longer be travelling with my family for the holidays as earlier planned.
VO: (Keeping a straight face) Okay. What was your reason for traveling to the states the last time.
Me: To witness the birth of my child and accompany my family back to Nigeria just the way I escorted them when they left Nigeria.
VO: And your wife stayed for 4 months?
Me: Noooooo , she stayed 3 months (counting on my fingers).
VO: How much did you spend?
Me: $.......... (I tried bringing out the proof of payments, zero balance, etc)
VO: (Seeing my big folder) No need to show me.(I equipped myself thanks to this thread)
Me: Okay (But I still brought it out and mentioned the cents to the earlier amount I quoted)
VO: What is the DOB of your child?
Me: DD MM YYYY
One of the men from the other boxes came to seek his counsel so he paused the mic and attended to him after excusing himself politely.
VO: What do you do?
Me: I am a …….professional with ABC company (well known organisation).
VO: How much do you earn?
Me: I earn NXXXXXX but before tax
VO: Before tax ? (looking slightly surprised but regained his straight face)
Me: Yes but after tax it comes to (VO cuts in)
VO: No need. (still not smiling. I think he doesn’t have the muscle for smiling)
VO: How long do you intend to stay during the Visit to the states?
Me: Meeting is for DD & DD of June but my office policy requires a day’s rest before the meeting and before return travel for proper rest so I will stay a maximum of 6days. Arrive on Monday and return on Saturday.
VO: Typed for about a minute (I expected to hear : I am sorry, bla bla)
VO: (Not smiling) Your visa has been approved, this paper explains……
Me: (Straight face) Thank you. (but inside me, I was dancing a mixture of awilo, makossa, shoki and dabbing. Infact I was doing back flips). As Ieft I could see the expression of shock on the face of the guards and those on the queue.(Sorry to say but that VO na complete error)
So I went to meet wifey who was on the queue outside and gave her a quick coaching on how to answer the VO. I told her to ensure she passes the message of me and her not travelling together as it is key to the success if the interview.
I really thank God because if not for God, with that kind of VO, forget it.

My precedents:
1. My travel history is very solid, my former job had to do with international travel so I have been to atleast 5 countries on every continent except Australia. A globe trotter with an average of over 12 international travels annually.
2. My last US visa was for child birth and was declared at that interview. Although I had previous US visas meant for professionals.
3. I have had no international travel after my trip to USA.
4. I am well articulated and was very composed (This one means nothing to the VO although I suspect a stammerer may be misconstrued to be lieing or thinking of lieing).

I wrote my precedents so you may understand the background behind the approval.

ibukunpops:
Big Congratulations to you and family.

I know people that have similar precedents and got their renewal visas denied.

I must call it a big luck and of course preparation on your part.

Mamaiyanu:
Congrats !!!

Very true @ people spoiling it for us at the embassy. It's annoying when people who have legitimate intentions are made to go through a tough process like exam just because some unscrupulous people want to spoil our country's name.

Missvenus1:


Please you can email me on, chidiezenwa@yahoo.com

bubu18:

Hello, I sent you a mail on Friday morning. Did you receive it?

Mamaiyanu:
Pm me

Eilenora:
Hello All.

Pls I hv 2 silly qstns.

My 1st daughter is Americn. If I want her 2 go wth me to have my 2nd, can she travel without a Nign passport cos I never did for her. Cn she use her american passport and we do visa on arrival on our return leg.

Also when renewin her passport if she has never travelled to d states since her birth will she be refused a new passport? Cos i herd she is expected to have gone back at least once which is d only reason y am considerin takin her wth me.

Finally for those with a child, is it advisable to leav her behind for over 2months or best to take her with me. P.s i wnt have help where I am goin as my hosts will be super busy. Wonderin not only about ticket prices but also how il cope with a 3yr old both b4 and after i gv birth.

Eilenora:
Hello All.

Pls I hv 2 silly qstns.

My 1st daughter is Americn. If I want her 2 go wth me to have my 2nd, can she travel without a Nign passport cos I never did for her. Cn she use her american passport and we do visa on arrival on our return leg.

NayaNdupu:
Wondering if there is really anything vital to give back.
Anyway, I sent a letter of Change of Intent exactly 3 weeks ago and never recieved any reply from the embassy till date.
I was determined to travel with or without it.
Was booked to travel with Delta Airline on the 28th of June but on getting to the airport, discovered it was cancelled to 29th ie 12 hours delay difference.
Later arrived JFK despite the delay about 4pm , everyone was asked to use the DIY machine to input their data b4 going to the CBP.
Did as instructed and thereafter was assigned to a white female officer (serious looking) who asked me the following...

Officer: Hello, why are you here?

Me: childbirth and vacation

Officer: What did you say?

Me: Repeated same ..child birth and vacation ( looking straight into her eyes)

Officer: How long gone are you?

Me: Approximately 32 weeks

Officer: How much do you have on you?

Me: 9800 dollars as cash (silent on card details )

Officer: Stamped me 6 months and said enjoy your stay. Took me less than 2 mins there, no agric check.
Cos it was late had to lodge in a hotel and proceeded to my connecting flight to Houston the next morning.

semilore12:
Thanks so much sis..may heaven smile on you. I found another way out, apologies for not reaching out. Wishing you safe delivery.

boldbabe:
In the spirit of giving back, got in thru Atlanta to houston yesterday. Visa was to expire in March 2018 & I did Dropbox renewal (B2 Medical) for me and hubby In February stating I will stay for two months while hubby stays for two weeks and was successful. Hubby wasnt able to use his expired visa and was still re-issued another visa. To God be the glory.
Flew Delta airline at 36 weeks and no fit to fly was asked. Got into Atlanta & joined the queue.
Got to my turn and I greeted the cbp officer & handed over my passport to him. He took my thumbprint & asked my reason for coming, I stated childbirth and summer vacation. He asked why? I stated that I wanted dual citizenship for my baby & since I had the first baby here in 2013, I also want to give this second baby equal opportunity. He asked where my first baby is & I told him back in Lagos but will come in July with hubby once school vacates & we all return together after the new baby would have arrived.
He requested to see my flight ticket showing I will go back and I showed him. He asked if I have doctor & cash & I responded yes and stated how much I have which is above $10k. He stated that he will stamp me in but I need to go into another room to fill a cash declaration form as it’s not illegal to come into US with more than $10k but it must be declared. I said thank you and I left with the escort to the other room.
Sat down there and when it was my turn, I filled and signed the form. Quickly grabbed my luggage and checked them in for the next available flight going to houston as I missed my first flight due to the long queue at immigration. Will have my first doctor appointment on Friday.
Wishing everyone successful visa interviews and renewals, safe trip and successful POE interviews. And above all safe delivery to every preggy mamas.

Mamaiyanu:
Congrats! And thank God for a smooth POE experience.

I was at the airport when I heard on the speakers that the Delta flight was cancelled. Felt bad for the change of plans, but thank God it worked out for you.

All the best and wish you safe delivery.


Thanks sis

Abiodunnn:
Hello house,
I wrote a while back about how my visa interview in February went.
I left Lagos around 11:25pm on Monday, March 5 aboard BA at 35 weeks. A copy of Fit to fly from my Doctor was collected.

Lagos to London was a full flight and was smooth, i didn't get enough leg space, food was good and entertainment was ok. We arrived Heathrow around 4:55am London time. The waka to our boarding terminal long well well. After every every, i found a place to lay down to wait for my next flight which was for 9:55am.

London to Miami was about 9hrs50mins, the flight was so scanty and we all had an entire row to ourselves, food was good too. One hostess gave me plenty snacks and water to hold while waiting for my connecting flight.

We got to Miami around 2 pm and proceeded to the immigration queue. I think it was only our flight that arrived at the time so the queue was short and moved fast.
CBP: hello, can i have your passport?
Me: hello
CBP: how long are you here for?
Me: 11 weeks
Then he stamped me in and returned my passport

Me: im here for child birth o
CBP: ok

I couldn't find the page he stamped so i asked him how many months he stamped me in for and he said 6 months.
I proceeded to claim my luggage and the duffel bag i kept my foodstuff was a mess, my yam flour had poured all over and my bag was white so i was stopped by an officer from agric. The officer i met at agric is a talkative, he sha talked about how his Cuban grandparents were cheated by USA blah blah blah. He checked my luggage and counted the $5,600 i had on me. Nothing was seized and he helped me make good of my messy bag. That was how i left to wait for my connecting flight to Houston on American Airlines.

Miami to Houston was 3hrs+, flight was super windy and we got there 9pm Houston time on tuesday 6th march. I was super tired and waited for my host.

I used Dr Xydas and HNWMC and gave birth on 24th april. Breakdown of my expenses:

Dr Xydas: 2000
HNWMC: 2000
Pathology: 97 (for baby and i)
Epidural: 650
Paed: 728
Follow-up paed: 250 (used Texas Children paediatrics)

BC was delivered about 2 weeks after birth,i paid $75 for next day delivery. SSN got in via mail. I didn't get a near date for DH's appointment to notarize at the embassy so when i got the document the same week (monday)we were to return, i pleaded at the Houston passport office to get LO's passport the same day (Tuesday) which was granted. I applied for VOA on Wednesday and i got it the next day.

I added baby's ticket on BA with $423 and paid at the airport. Cash wasnt accepted.

Left Houston to London 4pm on sunday 27th may, i was mad when i discovered i didn't get baby bassinet, i complained and they said i didn't book early enough as we had many nursing mothers on-board. Fortunately for me, the seat next to me was empty. Food wasn't so great. Got to London around 5am and left for Lagos around 9:55am. Got a bassinet seat this time around but my baby didnt really use it, i carried him for most part of the journey.

Got to Lagos past 6 and went to the VOA office, they didn't want to take cash but they did after a while. My son was stamped in for a month.
And that was how the journey ended.

To the people who helped me when i needed help: brooklyn20, zinny, and Ramj. Thank you so much, favour shall locate you at every point of need.

To the friends i made here Dollarsolution and MadameW, thank you for the chats and everything even if we never met in person. Lines will always fall unto pleasant places for us.

To all Nairalanders, i love you all �

margaretp:



Piease which hospital are u using and how much? i am due in Oct and trying to get the cheapest hospitals and doctors in Houston

Mamaiyanu:
Congrats sis. Please can I pm you? I'm using Dr Xydas as well, wanna ask some questions about notorization.

deedet:
Pls I kindly need your advise.... My interview is coming up on the 6th of July 2018....I applied for business conference and vacation and am going to new York and my conference is in another state Boston.. I hope that will not me a problem.... Am an Actor and also an artist management with feenix empire and sounds... I earn over a million ....2005 I won America lottery.... Which I lose out from it because I forgot some document.... Am married.. And have gotten leave letter from the office.... My wife is a doctor but not coming with me because she couldn't get leave from work..pls what is your advise for me..thanks

Eilenora:
Hello All.

Pls I hv 2 silly qstns.

My 1st daughter is Americn. If I want her 2 go wth me to have my 2nd, can she travel without a Nign passport cos I never did for her. Cn she use her american passport and we do visa on arrival on our return leg.

Also when renewin her passport if she has never travelled to d states since her birth will she be refused a new passport? Cos i herd she is expected to have gone back at least once which is d only reason y am considerin takin her wth me.

Finally for those with a child, is it advisable to leav her behind for over 2months or best to take her with me. P.s i wnt have help where I am goin as my hosts will be super busy. Wonderin not only about ticket prices but also how il cope with a 3yr old both b4 and after i gv birth.