iyaaliyah:
Goodmorning @VO. Happy New year. Pls a question on behalf of a family friend.

The father became a US citizen 5years ago. While filling the form (he was an employee of US embassy in Lagos) he added all his children's name but was able to travel with 4 who were still minor and later after a year, their last born joined him except the older ones. Now, the father wants the older ones to join him too. Question is, since their names are already on the list as dependants,do they need to go through the 160 form and wait for the 7 years? Secondly, Someone told their father that he should simply get an immigration lawyer to do a petition or something like that to the embassy for them since their names are there already, they don't need to wait the 160form period. How true is that? Thanks as I await your response.

If the father is now a U.S. citizen, he will need to file an I-130 petition for each of his children in Nigeria. Minor children may only follow-to-join before the principal applicant in a case has naturalized.

Euma:
I notice that the VO has been missing since the holidays. Now it is over, I look forward to seeing her contributions to this topic.
Dear VO, we need you here please. I hope you are doing well? I understand you might be having a hangover from the christmas and new year break. I can relate to that too lol I wish we can wind back the clock so we can do it all over again. Hahaha I'm just kidding.

I'm back! Sorry, last week was a short week and we were super busy. Today I have time to breathe again. I missed you all!

Hi VO,
Pls i'm still waiting for your response on the questions below:

We did our traditional(customary) marriage on the 29th of March 2014 and we have a traditional marriage certificate to prove it.
We also did our registry marriage on the 29th of November 2014 which we also have a marriage certificate.
We intend petitioning for spousal visa come April.If we petition using the traditional marriage date,we will qualify for an IR1 visa by the time the visa will be ready. On the other hand,if we petition with the registry date,we will qualify for a CR1 visa.And we don't want a conditional visa after all these wait and given the financial implication of removal of condition.
My question is: Can we use our traditional marriage date and certificate to petition for I-130?Will the USCIS recognize the certificate?
Thanks in anticipation of ur response.

veecee29:
Hi VO,
Pls i'm still waiting for your response on the questions below:

We did our traditional(customary) marriage on the 29th of March 2014 and we have a traditional marriage certificate to prove it.
We also did our registry marriage on the 29th of November 2014 which we also have a marriage certificate.
We intend petitioning for spousal visa come April.If we petition using the traditional marriage date,we will qualify for an IR1 visa by the time the visa will be ready. On the other hand,if we petition with the registry date,we will qualify for a CR1 visa.And we don't want a conditional visa after all these wait and given the financial implication of removal of condition.
My question is: Can we use our traditional marriage date and certificate to petition for I-130?Will the USCIS recognize the certificate?
Thanks in anticipation of ur response.

Given that you haven't filed a peition yet at all, it's best to use the registry marriage certificate. We rarely see traditional marriage certificates and USCIS might not recognize it as genuine. At any rate, you are likely to receive a visa before March 29, 2016 (if your filing is unproblematic), so it would be a CR1 visa in any case.

VisaOfficer:

Yes, we accept that document.
You *should* be all right (I think) (I know more about immigration law than about computers). Please make sure you bring a photo with you to your interview.
That's okay.
No, although it's helpful to us. Our volume of K applicants is much lower than the volume of B1/B2 applicants, so we have some flexibility with Ks.
See you soon!

Thank you very much visaofficer, i really appreciate your response.

VisaOfficer:


Looks like we've been communicating through your attorney and somewhere along the line a message was lost. We had you scheduled for a Nov. 10 appointment. Could you e-mail us at LagosIVscheduling@state.gov and ask for a rescheduled appointment? I'll make sure you get more than the usual standard response.

Hello VO,

Thanks for your help from our last correspondence. (My NVC case # is AMS2007812003). I now have an appointment for Jan 16.

Though our I-130 was re-approved (I-824) in 2014, it was approved initially in 2007/2008. It's been a while, and I don't remember my invoice number.

I have to fill out a DS 260 form before the interview, and it requires an invoice number. Can you please check it for me?

Really appreciate it.

VisaOfficer:


I'm back! Sorry, last week was a short week and we were super busy. Today I have time to breathe again. I missed you all!

Good to have you back! Have a lovely week too!

Thanks for your response and welcome back!
Pls, I don't understand 'before the principal applicant in a case has naturalized'
Again, does it mean that it's irrelevant if their names were on the dependant form? Note pls: 1 of them is married.
Thank you

VisaOfficer:


If the father is now a U.S. citizen, he will need to file an I-130 petition for each of his children in Nigeria. Minor children may [b]only follow-to-join before the principal applicant in a case has [/b]naturalized.

honnynut:


Hello VO,

Thanks for your help from our last correspondence. (My NVC case # is AMS2007812003). I now have an appointment for Jan 16.

Though our I-130 was re-approved (I-824) in 2014, it was approved initially in 2007/2008. It's been a while, and I don't remember my invoice number.

I have to fill out a DS 260 form before the interview, and it requires an invoice number. Can you please check it for me?

Really appreciate it.

We don't have access to applicants' invoice ID numbers (unless the case was created at post, which yours was not). You should contact NVCInquiry@state.gov and ask them what your invoice ID number is.

iyaaliyah:
Thanks for your response and welcome back!
Pls, I don't understand 'before the principal applicant in a case has naturalized'
Again, does it mean that it's irrelevant if their names were on the dependant form? Note pls: 1 of them is married.
Thank you

Married children cannot be included as derivatives in any case.

Has the person who used to be an employee here in Lagos officially become a U.S. citizen?

Compliments of the season and happy new year ma. It's good to have you back, miss you a lot. Am just so curious to know if there's any progress on our case because me and my husband really miss each other greatly and we want to start our family immediately and considering his situation which has prevented him from flying to Nigeria, it's so frustrating and the torture is just so unbearable. Please ma i beg you to please help intervene in our case.

eoc4ever:
Compliments of the season and happy new year ma. It's good to have you back, miss you a lot. Am just so curious to know if there's any progress on our case because me and my husband really miss each other greatly and we want to start our family immediately and considering his situation which has prevented him from flying to Nigeria, it's so frustrating and the torture is just so unbearable. Please ma i beg you to please help intervene in our case.

Thank you for your message. No updates at this time. Again, there are many reasons why a case may be placed on administrative processing, so I can't comment on individual cases.

Good morning Ma,
Good to see you bk . Ma , we have not received any communication from the consulate, last update was on 11/26/14. This is frustrating. Could you please help. Thanks . LGS2014696014

Badgers14:
Good morning Ma,
Good to see you bk . Ma , we have not received any communication from the consulate, last update was on 11/26/14. This is frustrating. Could you please help. Thanks . LGS2014696014

Looks like a response is headed your way. However, it will likely be the standard reply about administrative processing. I don't see that there are any updates at this time.

Yes. He has become a US citizen.

VisaOfficer:


Married children cannot be included as derivatives in any case.

Has the person who used to be an employee here in Lagos officially become a U.S. citizen?

iyaaliyah:

Yes. He has become a US citizen.

Then he will need to file separate I-130 petitions for each child. Once the principal applicant has become a U.S. citizen, the case is closed completely, and deriative children who have not yet traveled are no longer eligible to receive visas in that case.

Hummmm. God bless you plenty plenty.
My last question for today.

Is it true that the chances of getting a visitor's visa decreases the moment one has a 1-130 petition pending.

VisaOfficer:


Then he will need to file separate I-130 petitions for each child. Once the principal applicant has become a U.S. citizen, the case is closed completely, and deriative children who have not yet traveled are no longer eligible to receive visas in that case.

iyaaliyah:
[

Hummmm. God bless you plenty plenty.
My last question for today.

Is it true that the chances of getting a visitor's visa decreases the moment one has a 1-130 petition pending.

Yes, as it becomes more difficult - but not impossible - for the applicant to demonstrate that he or she is not an intending immigrant at the time of the non-immigrant visa interview.

VisaOfficer:


Do you feel comfortable sharing your case number here? If so I can look it up and figure out what's going on.

Thank God you are back and thank you for the good work u do here. The case no is LGS2009764006. We also sent two emails one requesting that our names be added and another with screenshots of some parts of my husbands filled-260 form , the title of the emails "inclusion of my wife and kids to my petition" .we have also sent a mail to schedule an interview but we haven't got a response yet. Thanks.

onyiblanche:


Thank God you are back and thank you for the good work u do here. The case no is LGS2009764006. We also sent two emails one requesting that our names be added and another with screenshots of some parts of my husbands filled-260 form and our visa status check.we have also sent a mail to schedule an interview but we haven't got a response yet. Thanks.

We can't schedule an interview until we know your DS-260s are ready. As we e-mailed you earlier today about the screenshot: "We have forwarded your email to the appropriate unit. We urge you to wait patiently for a substantive response." That means we're working on it.

VisaOfficer:


This is a question for my non-immigrant visa colleagues at https://www.nairaland.com/1792662/u.s-non-immigrant-visas-listening .

Thank you.

hello'ma, happy new year to u ma. pls what's the difference between filing date and the date uscis receives one's form? ur response would be appreciated...thank you

VisaOfficer:


We can't schedule an interview until we know your DS-260s are ready. As we e-mailed you earlier today about the screenshot: "We have forwarded your email to the appropriate unit. We urge you to wait patiently for a substantive response." That means we're working on it.

Thank you very much. I hope it gets sorted out soonest. Have a lovely week and happy new year to you.

Hello VO,
I hope you had a nice holiday.
Please house I need urgent reply.
My sister is inviting my mum and dad for omugwo(visiting visa) She is a US permanent resident.Her baby is due to arrive 1/16/15 but thier interview is this Friday in Abuja.
Mumsy is a teacher while popsy is retired.
What are the supporting documents they need from my sister and for themselves from here that's most likely to be asked for.
Pls HELP.
Thanks in anticipation for ur response.

Happy new year VO
Ope the hols was well spent
I know it takes a while for interview scheduling and it's done by nvc. We got case reviewed today and completed, any updates on scheduling or possibility for Feb interview for cr1 visa.

Looks nigeria has more workload of applicants
And with lots of veting, We know it's not easy but well done to ur team

VisaOfficer:


If he was in the 2014 program, "READY" must be a glitch. The 2014 season is closed and no further interviews can be granted.

kk ma.So can he apply for a tourist visa anytime?Happy New year,ma

Dear VO, compliments of the season and i hope you had a good break.

This is a case of a mother filling for a daughter. The case was filed in 2008 and we recently heard from the NVC asking for submission of some documents. I am supporting my mum in putting the said documents/requirement together for my younger sister. I would like if you could take time out to respond to the following questions to allow me know the next steps to take;
1. Who fills the DS 260 form? The Petitioner or the Beneficiary
2. Since my mum has not engaged in payed employment for sometime now, can my elder brother who mum lives with and a US Citizen be the sponsor or Co sponsor despite the fact he recently submitted his petition for a fiancée visa this same December without causing any delay whatsoever in the entire process?
3. Mum’s due for her naturalization interview any moment from now, I want to know if that has any effect on my sister’s case?
4. Can mum submit property and other proof of income outside USA as part of ‘’Proof of Assets’’ which comes under the checklist of documents to be submitted? Can her Pension and income from us the other kids count as proof and evidence of income?
5. Is it advisable at this point to add my sister’s husband in the form we are filling as she got married 2years ago? I ask this as we wouldn’t want any delay whatsoever in her case.
6. Finally in filling the DS 260 form, the requirements are having a NVC case number, an invoice ID and a Beneficiary ID number
? the first 2 i have and know, please how do i know what the beneficiary ID id cos am thinking we may have that already. If not, when or how do i go about securing one?

Do have a pleasant week ahead of you.

Donetyno:
hello'ma, happy new year to u ma. pls what's the difference between filing date and the date uscis receives one's form? ur response would be appreciated...thank you

The filing date is the date the petition is filed with USCIS - thus, the date on which USCIS officially receives the form.

Udiboy:
Hello VO,
I hope you had a nice holiday.
Please house I need urgent reply.
My sister is inviting my mum and dad for omugwo(visiting visa) She is a US permanent resident.Her baby is due to arrive 1/16/15 but thier interview is this Friday in Abuja.
Mumsy is a teacher while popsy is retired.
What are the supporting documents they need from my sister and for themselves from here that's most likely to be asked for.
Pls HELP.
Thanks in anticipation for ur response.

This is a question for my non-immigrant visa colleagues at https://www.nairaland.com/1792662/u.s-non-immigrant-visas-listening .

lissagal:
Happy new year VO
Ope the hols was well spent
I know it takes a while for interview scheduling and it's done by nvc. We got case reviewed today and completed, any updates on scheduling or possibility for Feb interview for cr1 visa.

Looks nigeria has more workload of applicants
And with lots of veting, We know it's not easy but well done to ur team

Thanks! NVC just asked us to take some additional cases in February, so my guess is that any case that becomes ready now will be scheduled for an interview in March.

vickkyplus:
kk ma.So can he apply for a tourist visa anytime?Happy New year,ma

Sure, anyone can apply for a non-immigrant visa at any time.

beekie:

Dear VO, compliments of the season and i hope you had a good break.

This is a case of a mother filling for a daughter. The case was filed in 2008 and we recently heard from the NVC asking for submission of some documents. I am supporting my mum in putting the said documents/requirement together for my younger sister. I would like if you could take time out to respond to the following questions to allow me know the next steps to take;

This is going to be kind of interesting, because it emerges below that your mother cannot file a petition for your sister at this time. Let's go through your questions....

1. Who fills the DS 260 form? The Petitioner or the Beneficiary

It doesn't matter, as long as the information is accurate.

2. Since my mum has not engaged in payed employment for sometime now, can my elder brother who mum lives with and a US Citizen be the sponsor or Co sponsor despite the fact he recently submitted his petition for a fiancée visa this same December without causing any delay whatsoever in the entire process?

As long as your brother can show that his income is sufficient to support all people involved in both petitions and his own household, sure, no problem.

3. Mum’s due for her naturalization interview any moment from now, I want to know if that has any effect on my sister’s case?

Yes. You state below that your sister is married. That means that your mother cannot file for your sister until AFTER your mother has become a U.S. citizen. There is no visa category for the married children of Legal Permanent Residents.

4. Can mum submit property and other proof of income outside USA as part of ‘’Proof of Assets’’ which comes under the checklist of documents to be submitted? Can her Pension and income from us the other kids count as proof and evidence of income?

Any assets listed as proof of income must be assets that can reasonably be turned into cash within one year. Her pension counts as income. Her other children's income can be used IF they live in her household and submit I-864as. If they don't live in her household, they would have to submit I-864s as joint sponsors.

5. Is it advisable at this point to add my sister’s husband in the form we are filling as she got married 2years ago? I ask this as we wouldn’t want any delay whatsoever in her case.

If she is married, she must say so on her forms. Otherwise, when we find out she is married, we will conclude that she was lying in order to obtain an immigration benefit, and she will become ineligible to enter the United States under INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i), material misrepresentation. Further, she will have difficulties bringing her husband over later if she somehow gets a visa and it turns out she lied to us at the time of her interview; additionally, she risks deportation or, at the very least, denial of U.S. citizenship.

Given that she is married, there's no delay involved in including her husband in the petition; there are major delays involved in failing to disclose an existing marriage.

6. Finally in filling the DS 260 form, the requirements are having a NVC case number, an invoice ID and a Beneficiary ID number ? the first 2 i have and know, please how do i know what the beneficiary ID id cos am thinking we may have that already. If not, when or how do i go about securing one?

You can obtain the beneficiary ID number from NVC, by e-mailing NVCInquiry@state.gov.