Dear Consular,

I have browsed through the http://nigeria.usembassy.gov/niv_faq2012.html looking for information on documents required for NIV application for my Father and Mother InLaws but didn't find much. I actually want to know if they need to have a marriage certificate to apply since they only did a traditional wedding back in the days with no official document except their children birth certificates. Do they have to go to the marriage registry at this time. They are only planning for a visit possibly early next year.

VisaOfficer:

For our purposes, the police certificates are valid for one year from the date of issuance. So it sounds like your friend won't need a new one.

This also applies to my Wife's case, we were just planning to go and get another Police certificate. Thanks for the information.

VisaOfficer:

Greetings! We generally request three years of tax returns, but if you don't have them, as long as your pay stubs indicate that you have sufficient income, you should be fine. A letter from your employer would be helpful. Good luck!

Dear V.O,

Please for clarification, do you mean a special letter from my employer OR my initial offer letter for the job. Also is my bank statement of account necessary at all??

Thank you Sir/Ma'm

Dearest VO,
Happy new year to you and everybody in the forum. my Wife has got an interview for the Jan 22nd as F2A. Thanks for your advise to petition for her even as a new LPR then. As part of the documents for her to present at the embassy, I have got just one W-2 (2013) my would be second W-2 (2014) wont be out until end of January after the interview, question is will my pay stub or statement of account suffice or both. Please what would you recommend.I remember sending 6 months pay stubs to NVC.
Thanks

chio:
Hello Friends
Just went to Nigeria and did my wedding on sept.Am a green card holder.
Wanted to ask how to go about fileing for my wife.
Also can my Can my wife vist say in december.
i look forward to ur advice

You will have to get started by going to the uscis website to download, fill and send in your submitted 1-130 form with the necessary documents.
Once uscis approves your application, usually in less than 6 months, then your petition transffered to NVC where affidavits of support would be required, at least one W-2 is required to be able to better determine your income range. NVC would require some of your original documents. I have just sent him my wife's birth cert and our marriage cert, both original, after they rejected the photocopies I sent in July. After NVC, your wife then awaits her interview call up.
uscs fee $420, NVC has 2 fees, $88 for AOS and $325 for visa fee, but always confirm the current amount.

once you file for your wife, It might be difficult for her to get a visit visa because of what they termed the immigrant intent, so you might want her to apply for a visit visa first.

VisaOfficer:
Yes, we return any original documents to the applicant at the time of the interview. If they're part of the petition and we overlook them, they'll be in the immigration packet the applicants receive along with their visas -- but we do try to return everything right away. Nothing at all is stored here at the Consulate once a visa has been issued.

Thank you Dear V.O for your prompt response, I also want to be clear on this? As regards the marriage certificate, will it be the same long paper certificate issued by the Ikoyi registry where we had our wedding or do we need to request for any special document from the Government to send to NVC. Please also confirmed the acceptability of birth certificate from NPC too. I asked because I keep hearing different stories from people.

Thank you.

Dear V.O,

Thanks for the marvelous work you are doing here. I have a question as regards the F2A I filed for my Wife and currently with NVC. I had sent along with other documents, the scanned copies of both her birth certificate from National Population Commission (NPC) and our marriage certificate. I later received a mail from NVC stipulating that I send the originals of the 2 documents or certified copies from the government. I called NVC and spoke with an official who told me that I have to send the original copies that I have, that they will be handed back to my Wife at the embassy when she goes for the interview. My question is, are we sure of getting the documents back from the embassy, I mean is that how it works
I would greatly appreciate your advice.
Thank you.

Zeleez: Plz help me in dis, my VISA has bn approved plannin to cross over soon. Plz am a bachellor of Engineering Degree holder in Electrical Engineering and Electronic from one of Nigerian universities, i plan sendin my transcript to WES for evaluation so that i can continue wit my masters dia but i heard engineering is not selling in US, i plan to start from d beginnin wit any medical course like nursing, plz do i stil need to send my transcript to WES for evaluation since i am changin from engineerin to medical line.
Again am i to send both O level (waec) result together wit my university degree plz hw can i do dis

In line with adesojiaderemi's view, you could also apply for post graduates studies in EE instead of pursuing the nursing program. Engineering sells anywhere and everywhere in the World.

KINgoflag[b][/b]

Abeg respond to my post

I'm on gophone $50/mnth, Please let me into the $25 unlimited plans and more importantly $20 unlimited international call

kingoflag:

Dude, out here theres $25 unlimited plans. If you want unlimited international call added its an extra $20 a month!

These dudes--- especially the liars that managed to sneak in here (MannytheLiar4Life and Godogwu)---- are just simply insane.

[quote author=kingoflag]

Kingo, I'm on At&T 2go $50 unlimited plan, abeg let me into the extra $20 unlimited international...

VisaOfficer:

Greetings!

It might be difficult for your wife to get a non-immigrant visa, as she clearly has immigrant intent. The good news is that she would actually be an F2A, not an F2B, so you won't need to wait for her priority date to become current. There's no waiting period for that particular visa category (as of today, anyway). As soon as your case is documentarily complete, your wife can be scheduled for an interview. That said, there is a lag of around two months -- NVC has already asked us how many cases we can handle in November, for instance.

Thanks for your response. Please do you also mean that getting a student visa may be difficult even if she secured an admission for her masters degree program? Can you also rephrase your last statement on the 2 months lag time as it applies to my case. Thank you.

Dear Vo, I must acknowledge and commend your excellent and selfless service you are rendering through this thread. Thank you Sir.
My question goes thus. I am an LPR since November 2012 through the DV2012. I have only relocated permanently to the US (The Woodlands TX) 2 days ago, though I have been in(on short stay) and out twice this year. My concern is my wife whom I got married to in April this year. I hope to file for her as soon as I can get my feet on the ground here. The puzzle I have going through my head while the FB-2 is in progress is on how to make use of all available loopholes and without infringing on any immigration law for the purpose of having her by my side here in the US. We honestly have a plan for her to come for her post-graduate studies here in the States as early as I can afford the school fees, Also looking at NIV for a short visits. Please what are our chances and also would appreciate your advise on how to go about the choices.
Thanks and God bless.

adesojiaderemi@:

Qatar wasnt bad,but prepare for a long journey from Doha to New York (14hrs)

Thanks Adesoji, those are the cheapest for now and with my destination being Houston, it's more than 16hrs for Qatar and emirate but trying to check out Turkish airline cos it's 13hrs from Istanbul to Houston

seal777: Quite a while guys, Hope all of una dey feel the American dream?.

I had an experience that was kinda strange to me that i wish to share perhaps it might be of benefit to others.

I got a job ( Having gone through the recruitment stages ) and was asked to report at their recruitment head office where i was referred for medical test.

I got to the medical center but was told i dont have enough hair on me ( They checked everywhere for my body ) to carry out the necessary drug test ( I just had a hair cut and a clean shave a night before ). I was given 2 weeks to grow enough hair and come back for the drug test.

My scheduled training was postponed till i am done with medicals.

I sought the audience of those who have been here but they told me they never heard of such before.



Na wa for this American people o, Make una dey leave una hair grow well well o

Bro, that's quite a good learning point

Hi House, please I would like to have you share your experience with Turkish-airline, emirate and Qatar airlines from Nigeria to the US. I'm looking at one of them for my next one-way trip. going through Istanbul seems to be the shortest route. I also learnt Arik goes to US too.
Thanks

Hi all,Thanks to the old guys for taking the time to attend to various questions and concerns.
I thought I should update you guys on the latest. I came in to Houston last Thursday and I had this conversation with a middle age immigration officer.

officer: where are you coming from (he had my passport already)
me : Nigeria
officer: How long did you stay?
me : 5 months
officer: how long are you planning to stay
me : well ehmm, hemmm it's gonna take a while
officer: What do you mean it's gonna take a while, a month, 2 months tell me something(ticket shows 17th of June return)
me : well you know, I just got married to my long time fiancee and had to spend sometime with my her, but I'm back
now to look for job and then settle down (him no ask me all that story o)
officer: ok, place your hand on there (finger prints)

Well this is my lil' experience on my returning to the US after coming Nov 2012 and leaving in January this year. my plan is not to be shuttling this way but just just trying to manage and get somethings in place before final relocation. I should be heading back to Naija by Next week God's willing with the plan to come back permanently by October.
I'm just hoping, them go welcome me when I show that time sha...

alutaa:

That is a million dollar question.
Theoretically, the answer is YES (from my little knowledge of immigration law). But, you have to pray that they will not and will never ask her that question.

When my wife applied for her visa in February, they did not ask her that question. They only ask her if she is married and where i work. Despite telling them the truth, they still grant her a visa. But, the spotlight was not on me because i was not the one sponsoring her and i did not in anyway feature on her visa application (eg host in the state, name of sponsor or who will be paying for the trip). Assuming she stated that i will be the one responsible for her trips or sponsoring her or hosting her in the US, then my name will have come up and they will put the dot at the right place and the visa might have been rejected.

I also know of a friend on GC that sponsor his Fiancee to the US. She applied 5 times in 3years before the B1 visa was granted. The guy have to write the embassy in Nigeria and the responsible body for immigration over here. At the end of the day, the visa was granted and the lady is here now.

What work for Mr A might not work for Mr B. Do your research very well and talk to responsible people that has been in the same situation (dont be suprise......a lot of people dont know much about this kind of situation. They are more familiar with K visa than the F2A visa).

Thanks so much for your response and also sharing your experience here too, I 'll just try and explore all available opportunities, I would have stayed back in the US this January if not for the sole purpose of coming back to get married to my wife and with the hope of having a smooth transfer from my Nigerian office to Houston's. Anyway, God is still perfectly in control.

adesojiaderemi@:


Bro,You can file an I-130 immigrant visa petition. However, it will be several years before a visa is available for your wife. You may review the Dept of State Visa Bulletin, but for all practical purposes most people become US citizens before they ever get a visa for their spouse as a greencard holder.

Thanks Adesoji

alutaa:

@Mogzy,

From experience, i will advice that you should plan this issue very well.

Yes.......you can file for your wife but a visa will not be automatically given to her till her number become current. For her number to become current, you have to wait for 3 years ( not inclusive of about 3-6month before your application for her will be accepted). In all, you have about 4-5 years to wait based on the current visa bulletin. Also know that during this waiting period, your wife can never enter USA on any type of visa (Visitor, work etc) because the application supersede all other visa application (someone should correct me if i am wrong).

Based on the current waiting time 3-4years, sometimes, it become irrelevant to file for your partner immediately you arrived (it was 5-7 years waiting time three years ago, so waiting time is better now).

From my personal observation, it will be better for her to apply for a visitor visa first (or work permit if you can do it) before you file for her. This way, even when her application is under consideration, she will have the opportunity to come into the country and visit you.

(hope my suggestion is not yet outdated)

@aluta, thanks for that, my question is, in making a visit visa application for her, hope the fact that her husband being a green card holder in the US will not work against her?

thanks for all your contributions, as regards the US army thing, it's a no no for me, and I'm sure I'm over aged for that.

seal777: .

I came into America through dv 2013 approximately 5 weeks ago.

okay, I was in the US between Dec '12 and Jan '13 and in Nigeria right now, I got married just last month and also planning to get back to US by first week next month. I want to know more about the filing process and also interested in how long it's gonna take.
please need contributions, adesoji et al

seal777: QUICK ADVICE PLEASE.

I won the previous edition of the Visa lottery, went through the process and got my visa.

I got married to my then fiancee weeks before i left Nigeria with the hope of filling for her thereafter.

Out of curiosity and Since application for 2014 edition closes before my interview, i entered for the 2014 Visa lottery which result came out few days ago as married and also WON.

Whats the faith of this outcome as it concerns my wife, since i played as married and i am already in the US as a beneficiary of an existing 2013 DV Visa?.

Seal777,

what is the status of the filling you made previously for your wife and how long now have you made the filing?

akaniman: @Mogzy hw ar u?wats was ur conclusion abt ur relocation now?I will like u to answer this question, last dec u said u are asked to come 4 anoder biometrics 0n d 3rd of jan,and u got ur green card Dec. Do u still go to their office as requested on 3rd of jan?wat was their response? I will apprc8t ur response pls.

Yes, I had to reschedule my flight bound for dec '12 to meet up with the biometric. I was there at the appointed time and left after 20 minutes, filled a form with the normal biodata and finger prints were taken...dass all(oga@dtop).
I asked the Lady d purpose for dat and she said no idea, that perhaps they were just trying to straighten out my details.

Temmy, Soji & Ogbon na money, thanks for all your contributions. I hope to get back by June and see if i could go and file for permit to stay away for about a year. thanks guys.

@ogbonlowo, I appreciate your contribution...

ogbonlowob:

Take it easy my brother! Do not let anyone frighten you. I have my neigbor here in Nigeria who has been servicing her green card for the past 10 years. She goes back to US after every 6 months and spends a week or so. The rules are very clear: You cannot stay out of US for more than 6 months. I know of another guy who couldn't get a good job in Nigeria and went back to continue with his paying job in Nigeria (He works in the embassy and is paid good dollars). Relax! Ask any immigration lawyer, you are not taking any wrong step. Don't leave that paying job till you have found one in US. Be warned!! That link is not an official link from KCC or US Department of State. Comfirm very well, people put all kinds of links on the net to frighten people.

thanks ogbonlowo, but could it be your neighbor is already a citizen?

adesojiaderemi@:


mogzy check this out.http://immigrationworkvisa./2011/03/22/green-card-holders-who-stay-out-of-u-s-more-than-6-months-at-risk/

Thanks Temmy & Soji, I just got married about a week ago, wondering what signal that might be to them. I went through the link and it seems one can not actually predict what the airport's immigration might have in stock for one. I'm thinking of taking a step right now which includes writing my resignation letter with a notice till May ending.

ferdimako:

U could use www.wakanow.com to compare flight fares, book and pay against the very date you wanna head back in. So have you decided to jettison your cash cow? Please do not jeopardize your residency.

Thanks man, for the response, still wanna do some milking for a while and that's why I want to go for like a week and back.
bros no cow anywhere o, I'm just an oilfield service guy.

Hi people, been quite a while I left a comment here. I'm gonna be six month away from the US by first week in July and right now planning to go back again for a week or 2 but air fare is up there. I'm thinking if anybody has an info on how I could get a very cheap fare to Dallas/Houston.
The reason why I have still not concluded on the plan to move permanently is the anxiety about getting something paying like what I am doing right now. your advise is quite important please.

brightmon:
its free medical care and the name vary from state to state, in California its called medi care.

so how do fresh immigrant access such??

gunners4u: Congrat mogzy, bt will u still do dat biomatric in jan?

Thanks, yeah I think Since I am still gonna be around by then, I could still show up there with my GC. They will be the one to determine if I needed to do it or not.

Hi Guys, I received on mail my green card today. Thank God for his greatness and also appreciate everybody for all the contributions. Although there was a mixed up along the line, when I received a mail to show up for biometric in January which later made me rescheduled my flight back to Nigeria from today's date to 2nd week in Jan. All the same glory be to God.

bobshina:
Yeah, I was given a permit too after taking d exam and was bookd for january to come 4 d practical, though i've been driving sha wit my host family to get used to d terrain/road signs. Bros, its not been too easy o but thank God for d BENEFIT card thats taking care of our medicals and other temp assistant o. i hope youve explored d opportunities too?

Pls what's the BENEFIT card all about?

temmytanny: generally its withing two week but my case was delayed becos of my medicals

Thanks for your response. please was there any appointment again after the biometric

@gunners4U, sorry for responding quite late. I have been trying to tidy up some little issues around me lately.
I arrived on Wed 21st of Nov from Lagos and then showed up at the social security office at McKinney(Dallas)on the 26th Monday. I was asked to come back and apply the next Monday 3rd of Dec but went there 4th Tuesday, which I applied and I received the card by mail the following Monday 10th. So I would say I got the SSC within 5 business days from the date I applied but did not apply until 13 days after I arrived in the US.

@Temmytanny, Please how long did it take you to receive the GC after you went for the Biometric and was there any appointment again with the USCIS before the GC was mailed to you? I would appreciate your urgent response because I have decided to reschedule my flight to 10th of Jan. (the appointment is on 3rd of Jan).
Thanks