anonymousmum:


I renewed recently. Nothing has changed significantly other than the fee (64k chaii)

The only difference now is that when filling the DS 160, there is a last page that requires one to upload a picture. Previously one could bypass this step and bring a hard copy.

Now, it is compulsory to upload a picture, and also bring hard copies along when submitting.

Mine took 4 days.

Mamatukwas:


Hi. I'm heading out Feb to April and still trying to pick btw Elpaso and possibly Cali. Houston ain't on my radar.

OnJosh1:



Hello anonymous Mum and everyone, I'm a first time US Mum to be, I completed my Visa application already Thanks

Austine2020:
This one an Old timer like u is asking all these questions,its like u have Committed?,Lol. Don't be afraid all will end in praise at your Renewal,Goodluck.

Omodadi2:


I'm still a first timer for renewal of course. And i shd know whatsup to plan well especially because of my location.

OnJosh1:



Hello anonymous Mum and everyone, I'm a first time US Mum to be, I completed my Visa application already and my passport pic that was uploaded (At this point I might as well say tried to upload) did not show up on the confirmation page however my Hubby's own did. My friend's sister that helped my husband and I with our application said I could go ahead for the interview with the hard copy passport. Going by your post now. Please will this be a problem?



P.S: I just registered on Nairaland (I'm not sure how to quote well, I hope I get it first time) but have gone through the thread in the past two/three weeks as a Guest and learnt a lot of things. Thanks to everyone sharing. I pray to share my own experiences (VO, PoE, Delivery, Documentation, etc) by GOD'S Grace.

I'll do my best not to ask questions that have already been addressed. But please forgive my ignorance if I come across as JJC in my questions that will surely come ����‍♀️��‍♀️. Thanks

kokorita:
Thanks house, my hubby and son finally got there visiting visa. So they will be joining me in November. Will send my Poe experience soon. Cheers. >

OnJosh1:



Hello anonymous Mum and everyone, I'm a first time US Mum to be, I completed my Visa application already and my passport pic that was uploaded (At this point I might as well say tried to upload) did not show up on the confirmation page however my Hubby's own did. My friend's sister that helped my husband and I with our application said I could go ahead for the interview with the hard copy passport. Going by your post now. Please will this be a problem?

P.S: I just registered on Nairaland (I'm not sure how to quote well, I hope I get it first time) but have gone through the thread in the past two/three weeks as a Guest and learnt a lot of things. Thanks to everyone sharing. I pray to share my own experiences (VO, PoE, Delivery, Documentation, etc) by GOD'S Grace.

I'll do my best not to ask questions that have already been addressed. But please forgive my ignorance if I come across as JJC in my questions that will surely come ����‍♀️��‍♀️. Thanks

Chirolechick:
Congrats dear, out of curiosity, how were they able to get an appointment in less than a week, because the last time I checked the available dates are late October and november

kazchick:


Me too. Planning on coming in first week of December. Interested in sharing

Ramj:


To get ealier dates just keep refreshing and checking.
thats the secret

kokorita:
Thanks house, my hubby and son finally got there visiting visa. So they will be joining me in November. Will send my Poe experience soon. Cheers. >

Suzyt:
Keep trying to upload your picture. They won't let you in without a photo on your form.

No hard copy photos accepted.

Goldie10:
Hello All,

Happy.

Mamatukwas:


Hi. I'm heading out Feb to April and still trying to pick btw Elpaso and possibly Cali. Houston ain't on my radar.

zoemummy:
Good morning house, thank God for this thread. Kudos to everyone who's kept it going. I was here 2 years ago and received a lot of guidance on my 'missionary' journey and I'm happy I was able to give back afterwards.

I'd like to know if anyone in the house has ever had to or knows anyone who had to attend a 'follow up' interview after a drop box application and how it went i.e docs required etc. It's my first renewal after I had my baby in 2015 and I didn't overstay or owe. I have my zero balance statements for all the major payments and I have called the 2 providers whose zero balance statements I do not yet have. They have agreed to send it to the US address where I stayed. I reckon I'll also need employment docs and statements again, which I'm putting together. I'd appreciate a guide on this.

While I was applying for the renewal in early August (visa expires Sept 22nd), the intention was to visit in November and write my CFA exams but a week+ later, I found out I am pregnant-still getting over the news, but I thank God who is perfect in his ways.

Although the pregnancy is still early, I would like to mention it during the follow up interview even though giving birth in the US would be an option B for me (I'm considering another country because of earlier plans for school). Would this pose an issue, given that I didn't mention it (I was not aware) at the time I completed my ds-160 form?

Would appreciate your thoughts, comments or experience sharing on this.

Thank you.

zoemummy:


House ee eh! Back to share my testimony

So based on all the feedback I received during my last post, I prepared physically and spiritually (with prayers).

Booked the follow up interview, prepared a checklist as a guide, gathered zero balance statements, pictures, my ticket itinerary from the child birth etc. Prepared a burden of proof as if I was attending for the first time (even the consular staff were looking at my FAT file like 'kilode'. I just kept a straight face ). Let them know that I'm not playing here...

So got to VO (there were two vacant booths but I chose the male VO over the female one...I've heard stories about female VOs and girls were not smiling), interview was 2 minutes...

VO: Good morning madam
ME: Good morning (with a smile)
VO: The last time you were here, you told the officer you'd be in the US for 2 weeks
ME: (utterly shocked ) 2 weeks! No! I'd said I'd be in school for 2 weeks, then stay back to have my baby.
VO: checks his screen again, types for a few seconds though it seemed like 1 hour (while I opened my file, just reconfirming document positions for dishing out )
VO: Hands my passport in for processing...Sorry madam, you were called in by mistake. Your visa will be ready in 3 days.

Before I could say anything else, he had bid me good bye and beckoned to the next person.

So I carried my burden of proof o, stepped out...considered walking back in to see if I could offer more info so that he'll help me write that I'm pregnant now but I was just directed out.

Na so my waka go o. Now I can focus on my exams. Thanks everyone for the moral support during this time

Moral of the story...'Clean hands' always pay and ensure you keep your records and documents straight and safe. Most of all, Trust God for ALL things. I over prepared for the follow up interview, but angels had gone ahead to also over prepare.

Suzyt:
Keep trying to upload your picture. They won't let you in without a photo on your form.

No hard copy photos accepted.

anonymousmum:


You still need to take a hard copy with you.

Og3chukwu:
In the spirit of giving back, I have learnt so much from this forum keep it up guys. I and my husband got our visa in 2016 which was used for the intended purpose Honeymoon and vacation in December.
I left Nigeria on the 28th of September at 31 weeks with BA, the flight from Lagos to Heathrow was so uncomfortable and their services wasn't so great.I got to Heathrow at 5.30am and had to check in for my connecting flight with American Airline to Dallas,Got to the booth and meet an agent.

AA Agent- Purpose of Visit to the USA
Myself- Child birth & Vacation
AA  Agent- Whom would u be staying with
Myself- Childhood friend
AA Agent- When last did you see her
Myself- 2005 but we keep in touch
AA Agent - What does she do for a living?
Myself- Health Administrator
AA Agent- What do you do for a living?
Myself- I work in bleep bleep and my clients are bleep bleep bleep
AA Agent- Smiles* and said I should proceed to the shuttle to take me to Terminal 5 and my mobility assistance would be waiting for me there.

Got to the terminal gate and requested for a comfortable seat and got one that had nobody beside me, I had enough room to stretch , their services was top notch.Arrived at Dallas at 1pm and we were the first flight that landed got my wheel chair assistance,Got to the automated machine for B1 & B2 visa, proceeded to the CBP officer.

Myself- Hello and smiled
CBP- He smiles back and hello too, he tried to pronounce  my name started laughing,I had to
pronounce my name the right way.
CBP- Do you have any food with you
Myself-Yes,plantain flour,peanuts,basil,pumpkin leaves and pepper soup spices.

He nooded and  started  gisitng with the lady that was assisting me,once they were done he was about to stamp me in without asking any further questions,I had to tell him I was here for Child birth and vacation ,he didn't notice I was pregnant and my tummy wasn't so big

CBP-How long are u here for?
Myself- 3months and two weeks
CBP-How much do you have on you ?
Myself- $ 7000
CBP officer- Stamps me in on my passsport  for 6 months (which  i didnt see how long )and said I would have to get to agriculture.

Got to Agriculture they scanned my bags and asked  whether I had indomie ,egusi ,ogbonno told them No to all,I had bleep bleep bleep.
Met another another  CBP officer, he asked for my passport which I gave him.
CBP-What are  u here for?
Myself- Child birth and Vacation.
CBP-requested for my doctors correspondence  which I gave him and  gave me  back my passport.
I looked at my passport and asked the officer how long am I stamped in for and he joked for a day, I finally saw where i was stamped till March 2018.Proceeded to go and check into my local flight to Houston.
POE was a breeze for me i spent just 20 mins in total from the CBP and agriculture.
Resting and waiting for my doctors appointment on Tuesday.


That means they stamped you in for 3 months!

Strong woman,
Congratulations!

I'm just wondering what's up BA, used to be one of the most comfortable and demanded airline services...

Thank God you enjoyed the American airlines...
Wish you a great deliver and stay...




 

SleekFullah:
Hi Goldie, you can call their office and pay using your card. I also had my baby at whmc, where in houston are you? Were you not given a sheet where you have the phone numbers of the epidural/labs people?

anonymousmum:


Just call them with your card ready to pay. I received the same bill in the mail but still paid 1k5 and received my zero balance

Also, their main office is in Dallas so transactions are best done in the phone.