Hi Guys, just wanted to give a rundown of my own experience.
I renewed my visa via Dropbox when I was already 4months pregnant. I sent the letter of intent and got a response.
I left Lagos via KLM at 34weeks+! Lagos-Amsterdam-Los Angeles(LAX).I wasn't asked for fit to fly though I had from my hospital. I also requested for wheel chair (it made all the difference in the world)
For my burden of proof i had: $10,000 cash, receipt of payment made to the hospital for $1,500,Doctor's appointment letter, estimated budget sheet, return ticket, 6 months account statement(N1.6m balance), 3 months payslip, Letter of Introduction from my employer and Maternity leave document from my office portal.
I was wheeled to the CBP and this is my transcript.
CBP: what are you here for?
Me: To have my Baby
CBP: How long are you here for?
Me: 10weeks
CBP:How far along are you?
Me: 8 and half months
CBP: how much time did you take off work?
Me: 12 weeks
CBP: Why the U.S. and not Canada?
Me: I want the best healthcare for my child
CBP:How much do you have with you?
Me: $10,000
CBP: Is that going to be enough?
Me: I have $7,500 in my account and I've paid part of my hospital bill already
CBP: Did you inform the embassy you were going to have a baby?
Me: I renewed my visa via Dropbox, however I sent an email informing the embassy of my intentions (passes the email to him and he read it)
(He checks his system)
CBP: You were to stay with a relative at Washington DC from your visa renewal, why are you in California?
Me: My uncle is presently back home in Nigeria so I had to change my plans(which is the truth)
CBP: who would you be staying with in Carlifornia?
Me: My family friend
CBP: where do you work?
Me: Bla Bla Bla
(He kept typing and typing and then he says I need to go for secondary inspection to verify my documents as he wont have the time to do so)

At secondary inspection, I sat for about 20minutes and I was called.
The CBP basically asked the same questions as above and also if anyone would be joining me, I told him my mother would join me. He asked what I do in my place of work and how long I've worked there, I told him. I then showed him all of my burden of proof and he took the time to look through them. He asked how I came about the estimates for the bills in my budget sheet, I told him i made phone calls from Nigeria. He asked of my husband and child and I told him they are back home in Nigeria. He was very polite and cordial. He then typed and typed for a long while after which he said I shouldn't accept any medical aid and I should hold all my receipts anytime I come into the U.S. I got stamped in for 6months.

I have to add that the CBP inspectors at LAX were very professional and cordial. Also come with as many documents as necessary.

I brought Crayfish,dry fish,stock fish head,egusi,spices knorr, curry and pepper. Nothing was seized!

Iphie26:



Hi Ify , Sharing their account details is not the right thing to do here. They could always give it to you if you ask. Remember Yahoo boys no dey dull ooo.

Hi iphie26,

So I called the number and she said she ll send the details. It's confusing how other Departments like the business office and pre-registration say they don't accept wire transfer but the other lady said they do. Anyways thanks. Please reply my mail and we could keep in touch from there. I ll be leaving next week.

Great job ya'll are doing here.. so nice to see people help each other....Ayav not marry but I don read taya my eyes are hurting .....if I don't update myself in a day with details from dis thread I no dey beleful... To d Angel baby mamas and pops God will give you double for the Loss....and to all those who share their experiences helpers will never stop bardging in on you....will keep reading till I marry and have a bun in d oven....for now na reading and waka pass mode I dey..

Phc mama's I'm glad to have mentors like firstyymum et all....I shall call on u when it's very necessary...

God Bless ya'll

Petdaughter:
Hi Guys, just wanted to give a rundown of my own experience.
I renewed my visa via Dropbox

Congrats Petdaughter, please Which hospital did you use and was it form A u used to pay the hospital in advance?

Porshebabymama:
Great job ya'll are doing here.. so nice to see people help each other....Ayav not marry but I don read taya my eyes are hurting .....if I don't update myself in a day with details from dis thread I no dey beleful... To d Angel baby mamas and pops God will give you double for the Loss....and to all those who share their experiences helpers will never stop bardging in on you....will keep reading till I marry and have a bun in d oven....for now na reading and waka pass mode I dey..

Phc mama's I'm glad to have mentors like firstyymum et all....I shall call on u when it's very necessary...

God Bless ya'll

U 'yav not marry'...u may end up being a Lagos, Abuja mama or anyone. Never believed I'll leave lag.

twingirls:
Let me use this medium to say thank you to all those that encouraged me with their lovely words at the saddest moment of my life, I appreciate you all, may God bless you and may you not suffer any loss in life, may God keep and protect all yours.

Let me not mention names, just too numerous to mention. I am pleased to inform you that the balm of gilead soothed me, it wasn't easy, but Godwin, He is always a step ahead!

I do really appreciate you all

May the lord console your family and give you triple for your loss. Affliction shall not arise again in your home. Remain strong and be blessed.

cutelass:


U 'yav not marry'...u may end up being a Lagos, Abuja mama or anyone. Never believed I'll leave lag.

.

@ cutelass .Lol! Bros is already phc based so no leave no transfer ..He already found me

firsttymum:
that's about the same thing with United.

Na wah O! So we're paying 300+ So whatsup with the ppl paying <100$ na?. Gurus pls still help o

emeriem:
Currently in NY , my flight was very smooth. Im so grateful to God. POE was ATL . I was only asked if i have contacted a doctor and how i intend to pay. The question even came after i have been stamped 6 months. He further asked why i allow my daughter who has a green card stay out of the US for too long.
Had a little issue with secondary inspection though ... they seized my 2 tubers of yam, indomie noodles and knorr chicken cubes. They warned me that i would be fined $300 the third time(this is the second time) i bring such items into the US. I will be very careful now.

Please beware of Zenith bank cards, I was charged N398+ per dollar today via pos. I'm so angry right now.

Congrats girl!!! Happy for you, have you settled for any hospital yet?

Awwwwwwuuu... Am so sorry dear.Thought you said it was loading. May you be doubled bless.

@petdaughter
@Ayosmum
@other LA mum's
Let's hook up at St Francis maternity tour on March 2 by 11am.
Cheers

Porshebabymama:
Great job ya'll are doing here.. so nice to see people help each other....Ayav not marry but I don read taya my eyes are hurting .....if I don't update myself in a day with details from dis thread I no dey beleful... To d Angel baby mamas and pops God will give you double for the Loss....and to all those who share their experiences helpers will never stop bardging in on you....will keep reading till I marry and have a bun in d oven....for now na reading and waka pass mode I dey..

Phc mama's I'm glad to have mentors like firstyymum et all....I shall call on u when it's very necessary...

God Bless ya'll

awwwwwwww in the same boat here!!! if i no reach here one day .......... anyways here's to us until we marry and have our own buns in the oven. Cheers

.

i guess i either didn't ask my question right or u misinterpreted what i asked. Pls am far from a fraud in any way. Am just ignorant on what i should do next cos i just shifted my travel date from 30th March to 12 April which i don't think is a crime! MY QUESTION WAS what do I do about my accomodation which I booked for 30th March, am I to just rebook it or write to the embassy cos I don't want any problems at POE. Am surprised at ur remark, cos I don't understand were am wrong.
Any which way it's well. If I asked anything wrong then I apologise.

Ok let me rest my head.


Please dear, this is a public forum. A lot of people read this thread. It is not restricted to Nigerians.

When we make comments or ask questions like this one you asked above, it passes a message that fraud or misrepresentation is aided here. IT IS NOT.

This thread is solely to aid our fellow Nigerians who are going to a foreign land for better medical care. It's not to give out short cuts or ways to boycott the law.

Nigerians are honest people. Let's act like that. If you intend to change your accomodation then notify the embassy. If you don't want to notify them the least you can do is not bring it up like there 're people here who will be willing to train you in wrongdoing.

Justwise I actually think this kind of comments or questions should also be moderated so we don't send the wrong message to unseen eyes who are reading.

Everything I've said was written in love. No ill feelings, just the truth.[/quote]

Porshebabymama:
Great job ya'll are doing here.. so nice to see people help each other....Ayav not marry but I don read taya my eyes are hurting .....if I don't update myself in a day with details from dis thread I no dey beleful... To d Angel baby mamas and pops God will give you double for the Loss....and to all those who share their experiences helpers will never stop bardging in on you....will keep reading till I marry and have a bun in d oven....for now na reading and waka pass mode I dey..

Phc mama's I'm glad to have mentors like firstyymum et all....I shall call on u when it's very necessary...

God Bless ya'll

awwwww... We dey wait you o.... Holla when u need me jare....

smiles at 'baby-hungry' soon-to be mama. We shall be waiting for you.

Porshebabymama:
Great job ya'll are doing here.. so nice to see people help each other....Ayav not marry but I don read taya my eyes are hurting .....if I don't update myself in a day with details from dis thread I no dey beleful... To d Angel baby mamas and pops God will give you double for the Loss....and to all those who share their experiences helpers will never stop bardging in on you....will keep reading till I marry and have a bun in d oven....for now na reading and waka pass mode I dey..

Phc mama's I'm glad to have mentors like firstyymum et all....I shall call on u when it's very necessary...

God Bless ya'll

Write to the embassy about your change in plans and cancel the booking so that you can free up the space.

You sounded like you 'used' the accommodation for visa purpose without having intentions of using it in the first place. You further stated that you were considering whether to re-book it when you have no intentions of staying there; just to pass through POE.

That was the reason for the response. Your question was judged based on what you typed. You might want to read it again. She really wasn't just picking on you.




[quote author=evemama post=43246875]i guess i either didn't ask my question right or u misinterpreted what i asked. Pls am far from a fraud in any way. Am just ignorant on what i should do next cos i just shifted my travel date from 30th March to 12 April which i don't think is a crime! MY QUESTION WAS what do I do about my accomodation which I booked for 30th March, am I to just rebook it or write to the embassy cos I don't want any problems at POE. Am surprised at ur remark, cos I don't understand were am wrong.
Any which way it's well. If I asked anything wrong then I apologise.

Ok let me rest my head.

happytbaby:
Write to the embassy about your change in plans and cancel the booking so that you can free up the space.
You sounded like you 'used' the accommodation for visa purpose without having intentions of using it in the first place. You further stated that you were considering whether to re-book it when you have no intentions of staying there; just to pass through POE.
That was the reason for the response. Your question was judged based on what you typed. You might want to read it again. She really wasn't just picking on you.

Thanks hun, I no kuma know wetin to talk again.

Hi all,
I must commend everyone who take time out of their daily schedules to help others. Thank you all, the information you have shared is invaluable.
I have been following this thread for a long time. Way before I got pregnant.

Here is my issue, I applied for a tourist Visa last year(July) and was given, the purpose was for me to go on vacation. However due to health reasons I was unable to travel, I am pregnant now.and really want to have my baby in the USA. Baby is due by July. Should I go ahead to write a change of intent to the embassy seeing that I haven't used the Visa for it's original purpose?

Let others talk.....

My tuppence is 'if your health and pocket are up to it , do a one-week trip now. Then go in June for childbirth...'

Theodora:
Hi all,
I must commend everyone who take time out of their daily schedules to help others. Thank you all, the information you have shared is invaluable.
I have been following this thread for a long time. Way before I got pregnant.

Here is my issue, I applied for a tourist Visa last year(July) and was given, the purpose was for me to go on vacation. However due to health reasons I was unable to travel, I am pregnant now.and really want to have my baby in the USA. Baby is due by July. Should I go ahead to write a change of intent to the embassy seeing that I haven't used the Visa for it's original purpose?

Now I get it, d problem why am fraud is cos I said am not planning to use them. Lots of people change doctors here and I don't see problems.
I've decided to rebook, spend maybe two nights there then go to the new accommodation I just got that I think is better and cheaper. Ok maybe this matter can rest.

If u can advise me whether it's my name that should be my mother's contact person in the us on her form or its still the doctor I used in my application. Am wondering cos she's not his patient? Thank u.

TheLeakyTribe:


Thanks hun, I no kuma know wetin to talk again.

@damsel it truly is well. May God bless you double and have you rejoice even more in the Lord.

happytbaby:
Let others talk.....

My tuppence is 'if your health and pocket are up to it , do a one-week trip now. Then go in June for childbirth...'

Supported.

evemama:
Now I get it, d problem why am fraud is cos I said am not planning to use them. Lots of people change doctors here and I don't see problems.
I've decided to rebook, spend maybe two nights there then go to the new accommodation I just got that I think is better and cheaper. Ok maybe this matter can rest.

If u can advise me whether it's my name that should be my mother's contact person in the us on her form or its still the doctor I used in my application. Am wondering cos she's not his patient? Thank u.

You don't have to stay there, it's your choice. Just don't think you should rebook if you've found somewhere else. Also since your travel date has changed you can just cancel the booking and inform the embassy of your change of plans to avoid issues at the POE.

I honestly don't know about the other question oh. Do you know anyone else there that you can use as a contact person. Cos I don't think you can use yourself and it may not be a good idea to use the doctor again for her since like you said she's not a patient.

Please if anyone has been in a similar situation can you help out with whether you used the doctor as contact person for your mother?

Bimdazzle I've followed you, we can chat if you follow back I think.

danowena:


Supported.

Seconded.

[quote author=evemama post=43246875]i guess i either didn't ask my question right or u misinterpreted what i asked.

Hello dear, I think you should call their contact numbers and inform them that you want to change ur booking date and they would oblige you. It depends on their policy though. I truly felt you asked an innocent question.

omodadi:

Seconded.

Thirded!

I shout a big AMEN! to all the prayers.Thank you all so so much.

@the lady who wants to know what contact to put for her mum, I remember putting the name of the person who took the booking at the accommodation for my mum and the address of the accommodation as well.

@bbaby Did you just put up someone's full name here? Ok I don't know what's the deal you two have but that's really somehow. See me feeling exposed on her behalf.