justwise:
[/b]

A time will come when US embassy will not take such excuse anymore if people blatantly keep misusing it.

People forget that the embassy may also be reading this thread.

Airpure:


Thanks 4 this nice reply makes more sense.

Kk now d answer has been given abi? 2mao some1 else will ask same tin aftr all dese drama & u'll like 2 answer again! Pleaaaaaase let's help our selves. It will definitely nt tk any tin 4 u 2 read. Information is power. I started making arrangements with dr fagbohun via a friend wen I was introduced 2 d site aftr reading thru I discovered oda cheaper hosp den I changed ma mind. Haba it's rili annoyin! It's nt rudeness pls.

Airpure:


Thats what i would do if in her shoes. all she has to say at POE is at the time she applied 4 d Visa she hadn't made up her mind on where to have the baby. her chances with drop box r better with vacation which is more straightforward than Childbirth that might require her be invited to the Embassy.

My question to you is this: If she can afford to give birth in US and have the money why lie about it?

meine:


People forget that the embassy may also be reading this thread.

Of course they do. How do they know about nairaland/travel section to the point of starting two threads here? Its good to do the right thing.

meine:


Madam please continue to be nice but don't call members "you guys" again and don't instruct posters on how to respond to questions. That was very rude of you and not polite also. At the end everyone is entitled to their opinion. Kapish?

Please Permit me to disregard ur post at this time of d day it makes no sense trying to understand why "u guys" sound rude to u.should i ve said "u members" guess u one of those that feel the need to ve d last word in an argument. hmmnnn

justwise:


My question to you is this: If she can afford to give birth in US and have the money why lie about it?

U Rite. Makes sense just my opinion. pls let her go ahead n state child birth n come give us feedback might be helpful.

justwise:


Of course they do. How do they know about nairaland/travel section to the point of starting two threads here? Its good to do the right thing.

With The level of abuse going on they may soon stop replying those letters. People know that the right thing to do for birthing is to fill medical and go to the embassy but everyone prefers the shortcut.

@ feddy27, take my candid advice, read through the thread. You would still need info on 1. How to mail the embassy
2. You would get different format people used.
3. You would get information on different hospitals and price quotes, obgyn/ midwife fee.
4. POE stories. You don't want to miss that. Believe me.
5. Processing your babies documents, that can save you stress and time after you have had the baby.
6. Ideas on how to cargo your kaya home.
7. And finally buying your babies ticket.
Among so many other things ooo
You won't want to come back here each time and ask all of the steps above.
Do I need to say more?
Goodluck though...

[quote author=Airpure post=28024670][/quote]

@Justwise has a point sha. I hope you know these VO's ain't stupid, even the CBP officers. It will get to a time when they will be tired of seeing those letters. Thats exactly what happening with the doctorsparati letter now. I still maintain she should read through the thread, people have had similar situations. If she ain't satisfied with what she has gotten so far, she should read through or go to the travel section, there's a visa officer that answers some non immigrant questions, he can tell her how to go about it.
A beg make I go sleep. now I fully understand them groundnut eaters , Phema don answer questions sotey she tire. Goodnight everyone. May we all have good stories to tell.

meine:


With The level of abuse going on they may soon stop replying those letters. People know that the right thing to do for birthing is to fill medical and go to the embassy but everyone prefers the shortcut.

That method can only be used by people who got their visas before falling pregnant then decided to use it for child birth and not for somebody who is pregnant at the time of visa application and decided to withhold the info, that is misrepresentation

justwise:
[/b]

A time will come when US embassy will not take such excuse anymore if people blatantly keep misusing it.

I hope they do ASAP! The misuse is just too much

Phew!
I got into El Paso today via Atlanta.

Mnnnn, POE isn't smiling o. I will gist "you guys" later.

Lol

@merrymom....am waiting to read your experience oooo, but thank God that no matter how hard it was, you scaled through.

Many thanks @Airpure, Justwise and Kizluv. I've done all my homework cos I read thru d entire thread and have my notes and preparations down a while ago.

I was only unclear about that bit but I'm better now. I'll give my feedback lata.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Congrats merrymom!!! I love love love goodnews! Makes me wanna pop a bottle of groundnut everytime.

Princeadeade, all the best Sir! Have you submitted the DS160? Abeg fill am well and let your acct stmt be very chubby o since you will be the one sponsoring. I wish her favour at the interview!

Hello Sir,
How's madam and the baby? Abeg no vex say I dey do busybody o. You are flying BA right? I just feel I shld let you know in case you are not aware Sir. You can pay $168 each for your excess luggage if you pay online b4 your departure date. That's a lot cheaper than paying $200 each at the airport. If you have a GTbank naira or dollar card the payment will be very easy for you sef because GTbank partners with BA.
Also, for you wife that will be travelling with an infant, BA will carry the carseat & stroller for free.
Lastly, you can buy a hand-held travel scale from walmart to aid your packing but leave an allowance of 2kg to be on the safe side. And for baby diapers, u can remove the carton or any other carton/hangers that you don't need because those ones sef dey weigh inside luggage.
Just some unsolicited advice on my part because I remember you mentioned that madam don buy load full ground. Pls don't be angry Sir. Warm regards to the family.
Cheers.

PS: I'm not a travel agent/staff of GTBank/staff of BA. I just know because I usually fly BA

lizcom25:
@Damsell: I hear you. The number they gave me is not going. You may try it too CHIKA 14043964007. He is in Atlanta. but i don buy luggages ready to pay excess luggage now

feddy27:
Pamperme Got my visa through drop box today. Finally decided on Texas. Anyone planning texas for last week in December? Thanks


@Pamperme, Congrats. did u state that you are goin for childbirth? Also wat docs did u include?

@feddy27.

I didn't coz there is no particular box to tick for that except you fill the medical one which will no longer qualify you for the dropbox. You are qualified for Dropbox if your circumstances hasn't changed from the last application. People have advised on this forum to contact the embassy after to inform them of the change in plan.

As per docs, you would perhaps not attach anything apart from the confirmation page, dropbox notification, original gtb payment receipt, 2 passport photo and your intl passport. Any other doc will not be collected by those DHL people o.

Texas, anyone? In last week in December or early January?

Thanks

Praise the Lord with me and welcome my lovely daughter to our world. She arrived by 1.35am Georgia time by normal delivery. Mom and baby doing great.

Justwise you hv said the hard truth. seems these kind of letter will soon become much for the embassy. they will brand it anoda ploy invented by nigerians. this trend would als jeopardize the chances of up n coming mums..lol. lets keep it real n really truthful n sincere...

justwise:
[/b]

A time will come when US embassy will not take such excuse anymore if people blatantly keep misusing it.

kapish!!!! kapish? did i hear u drop my g-nut bottle with a thud? na my bottle of groundnut you dey drop for ground so? no break am oh. it is my own burden of proof for now......

meine:


Madam please continue to be nice but don't call members "you guys" again and don't instruct posters on how to respond to questions. That was very rude of you and not polite also. At the end everyone is entitled to their opinion. Kapish?

ifax:


I hope they do ASAP! The misuse is just too much

I really hope not because innocent people will be affected.

mamacajah:
Praise the Lord with me and welcome my lovely daughter to our world. She arrived by 1.35am Georgia time by normal delivery. Mom and baby doing great.

Congratulation!!!

Saved2Serve:
Justwise you hv said the hard truth. seems these kind of letter will soon become much for the embassy. they will brand it anoda ploy invented by nigerians. this trend would als jeopardize the chances of up n coming mums..lol. lets keep it real n really truthful n sincere...

I hope that doesn't happen, genuine people need it.

you put me right there with the right words...GENUINE people...

justwise:


I hope that doesn't happen, genuine people need it.

Haven't visited the forum in 4 days and the only 'new' news is from merry mom and mamacajah. Congrats o. Blogerinna Thx for the BA info.

Thanks people. I just woke up after a long day. It's still 3am ish here so my sleep clock never set.

Any ways, here's all that happened.

So we boarded Delta from Nigeria and no issue at all. I was 33-34weeks and no one gave me any problems. The flight was smooth and lovely, even though it was a long journey of 12hrs. But when I think I'm doing all these for my health and my lovely baby, I simply just say "thank God" I can do it.

So we got to ATL quite early, myself and MIL. And when we were called by the first border officer, he asked and we answered:

Officer: Hello, what brings you to the US.
Me: I'm having my first baby.
Officer: who is this woman to you.
Me: she's my MIL and I'm her DIL
Officer: and why is she here?
MIL: I'm coming to support and take care of her.
Officer: Ok. You have an hospital already and a doctor?
Me: Yes. Hospital is xxxx and doctor is xxxxx
Officer: Ok. Where did you hear about the hospital/doctor? Your friend told you?
Me: No friend told me, I did my research myself and got the hospital amongst other.
Officer: And why did you pick this particular hospital?
Me: Because I was eventually able to talk to the Ob/gyn and he understood what exactly I'm coming to do.
Officer: Have you been to the US before?
Me: No
Officer: Where are you staying?
Me: Extended Stay facility near the hospital.
Officer: So it's like and hotel.
Me: It's not an hotel exactly, it's modeled for long stay guests.
Officer: how much do you have on you?
Me: xxxxx
Officer: what of your MIL
Me: xxxxx
Officer: Is the money for her or you gave her some to keep.
Me: No, it's entirely hers. I don't know anything about her money. You can ask her.
Officer: How long are you staying
Me: 3 months.
Officer: That means you will be spending xxxx totally on accommodation alone.
Me: Yes.
Officer: Ok. Finger prints please.......

And he stamps both of us in for 6 months.

Then we went to pick our luggage and while we were happy it didn't last long so we can relax, eat at the airport before connecting to El Paso, na so them stop us at the exit gate where we go finally exit before we comot.

Officer: Hello Ma'ams, do you have any foodstuffs in your bags?
Me: Yes we do.
Officer: Did you pack the bags yourselves.
Me: Yes we did.
Officer: Ok, can I have your passports please.

Na so he carry us enter secondary inspection. After them don stamp us in for 6 months and we don claim luggage o. We were delayed for close to an 1hr at this point. They later called our names.

Officer: Hello, what are you here for.
Me: I'm here to have my baby.
Officer: Was that what you told the VO at the embassy to get a Visa.
Me: Yes.
Officer: You went alone or with someone?
Me: I went with my hubby and MIL and we got the visas.
Officer: So you got pregnant before you applied to the embassy?
Me: Yes please.
Officer: Ok, how far gone are you?
Me: 33 weeks.
Officer: When did you apply?
Me: Late July.
Officer: When did you get the visa?
Me: In September.
Officer: Can I see documentary evidence of your pregnancy?

I handed all my doctors correspondence, doctors report from Nigeria, result of 1st scan etc.

Officer: I see you have travelled a lot. Where and when did you do all these travels.
Me: I've been to SA 4 times, UK, Dubai, Ghana and they are mostly work related.
Officer: Where do you work and what do you do.
Me: I'm a xxxxx at xxxxx
Officer: Give me a minute.....

Officer took my passport in and came out later.

Officer: How much do you have on you?
Me: xxxxxx
Officer: And your MIL?
Me: xxxxx
Office: Did you give her some to hold for you?
Me: No.
Officer: Can I see the monies please.

She counted them, then went through the numbers of my notes and MIL's notes. I'm suspecting she wanted to know if they followed each other.

Officer: Please bring your bags.

We brought our luggage and they scanned it and told us rice was prohibited but they left our beans, fish, dry pepper, groundnut.

Officer: Ok, you can take this way out. Enjoy your stay.

I really don't know what they wanted to know but it's clear they wanted to be sure you have enough money for your bills, you declared your pregnancy at the embassy. Let your embassy story be equal to your POE story cos he be like say they can read transcripts of your visa interview once they scan your passport/visa.

So people, if you are coming through ATL. I wish you the very best

@mamacajah, congratss ooooo. We welcome your lil princess with great joy and plenty of groundnut. Lol. May God bless and keep her.

@merrymom. Hmmmm, no be small tin o. POE guys are not smiling anymore at all. It is now very obvious that the best thing is to keep your entire process as honest as possible from the very beginning! No tricks mhen!
Anyway, congrats once again. Safe delivery mama. We shall be expecting your goodnews soon so we can pop a bottle of groundnut for you too.
***I see you carried groundnut to yankee sef. Lollll

Congrats MerryMom, we thank God for a smooth journey and not too terrible POE experience.

MerryMom:


So people, if you are coming through ATL. I wish you the very best

Lol @bloggerina. That groundnut is very important. If you see the way we packed them, you go think say na commercial quantity. Lol

@Genomi, thanks. They just wanted to be sure they are letting upright people into their country. I don't blame them. Na only my rice pain me pass cos I no know where to get Naija rice now. Lol.

For now, I'm chilling for Baby to show up. May God reward us with good news everyday.

MerryMom:
@Genomi, thanks. They just wanted to be sure they are letting upright people into their country. I don't blame them. Na only my rice pain me pass cos I no know where to get Naija rice now. Lol.

Congrats on your successful entry. Just to clarify that sometimes customs officers scrutinise your cash to prevent money laundering. This can also happen when you carry lots of cash.The mexican drug cartels have different means of shipping their money in and out of the USA and the border officers are always watching out for such. I am not sure Nigeria is also free from the surveillance radar. At least you spent only one hour and didnt sleep a whole day like huston.congrat

Yes o, it's important to just let them know all from the get go.

As per your rice, I can't stop laughing here. I'm sure you will find one of those African stores or some Americana rice that is similar , shebi they kuku call the one we have here 'American long grain'

MerryMom:
Lol @bloggerina. That groundnut is very important. If you see the way we packed them, you go think say na commercial quantity. Lol

@Genomi, thanks. They just wanted to be sure they are letting upright people into their country. I don't blame them. Na only my rice pain me pass cos I no know where to get Naija rice now. Lol.

For now, I'm chilling for Baby to show up. May God reward us with good news everyday.

hehe!! our groundnut mum are taking it now to yonder....good to hear groundnut scaled through POE.

MerryMom:
Thanks people. I just woke up after a long day. It's still 3am ish here so my sleep clock never set.

Any ways, here's all that happened.



So people, if you are coming through ATL. I wish you the very best