Hey all.

I haven't seen this type of thread on Nairaland. Been thinking of creating this for a while now so people (everyone) in similar situations will have a guide.
I noticed that Immigrant visa threads here mostly is about people that their Immediate family filed for them (father, mother, siblings etc).
what about the rest of us with no immediate family that are citizens?. What about people getting married to a USC?.
This thread will focus on adjustment of status (B1/B2, J1, F1, H1b etc) to PR through marriage to a USC
Kindly note that i am not married to my gf yet. We have been dating now close to 2 years (will be 2 years in few days ) and it has been awesome (it does have its ups and down too ). we finally decided it is time [s](well she convinced me beyond reasonable doubt..lol)[/s] and we are gonna get marry pretty soon.
So i was like "why not create a thread to document the journey for others to gain one or two things and also to get advise about paperwork amnd how to file for adjustment.

Kindly note that : Marrying a USC for the sole purpose of gaining a permanent stay is illegal and seen as Immigration fraud and it is a deportable (if there's a word like that) offense. I AM NOT and DO NOT encourage anyone to do that (Marriage fraud) for the purpose of staying in the US. (if you do am, na your own wahalah)

I do however wanna share my story and journey for the purpose of enlightenment and encouragement and also to get various inputs WITHOUT giving out personal details

I will be updating the thread as events unfolds and juicy backstory plus all the hustling too

Gbam, make I sit down here to read for my future bae.

#teamwhitegirls#teamhalfcastkids

Nice thread!!! I will be following this!

little back story:

I left naija in 2013 during my service year to a Caribbean country. It was there i found out there is this program that you can work in yankee as an Exchange visitor during the holidays for like 4 months. Students from the Caribbean, European countries, Asian countries, Middle eastern etc come on the same program during their school holidays (that is how most people pay their tuition). I don't see students from African countries (except maybe African students schooling in some other westerns/Asian/European countries)

I have been coming to yankee on this program for the past 3 years. 2 years ago, i decide to apply for a visit visa as i needed to do something urgent in Yankee after my exchange program. so i have total of 4 yankee visa in my passport, 2 expired, 2 current.

First time in Yankee on a J1, i made around 9000USD and something like 7500USd after tax WORKING 2 jobs. 2nd time, i made like 7000USD before tax working 2 jobs (i got tired of working lol). This has been how i have been able to pay PART of my tuition and do other things in school.

I noticed Nigerians don't try other Non-immigrant visa categories. Almost everyone is B1/B2 and F1. i'd encourage nigerian Students to tey J1 visa IF you have the funds for it (it isn't cheap to apply) and also most Dept of state recommended agents don't have partners in African countries (so getting the documents might be difficult but NOT impossible)

PRO: J1 visa from my experience is easier once you get the paperwork sorted out.
CON: you can't change employer MOST of the time. so you're stucked with your horrbile employer (especially Scholars on research). Most employers would rather prefer to keep you on a J1 cos they can pay you cheaply that way. And also you most likely will get a 212e rule on your Visa which means you MUST go back to your country for 2 years before you can get a work visa or an immigrant visa [s](even though you can apply for waiver but trust me not an easy experience)[/s]

I personally will recommend F1 for students seeking US education experience (cos it gives you the opportunity to work during the holidays except maybe your papa na Dangote)

Also note that through out my time in naija, i never apply for us visa once. i do not see any REASONABLE reason to go to yankee. once i got a good reason and proper documentation, i approached embassy. my first interview took 45sec. Visa officer asked "hey, which state are you going" and "pick up your visa so so so date" that's all. From what i have seen though, Yankee visa hard for naija like all there documents wey you no need na what people dey carry go embassy. my visit visa was the hardest cos the lady had to see my invite and the only time they looked at my personal documents. interview took like 3 minutes.

BlowJobs:
little back story:

I left naija in 2013 during my service year to a Caribbean country. It was there i found out there is this program that you can work in yankee as an Exchange visitor during the holidays for like 4 months. Students from the Caribbean, European countries, Asian countries, Middle eastern etc come on the same program during their school holidays (that is how most people pay their tuition). I don't see students from African countries (except maybe African students schooling in some other westerns/Asian/European countries)

I have been coming to yankee on this program for the past 3 years. 2 years ago, i decide to apply for a visit visa as i needed to do something urgent in Yankee after my exchange program. so i have total of 4 yankee visa in my passport, 2 expired, 2 current.

First time in Yankee on a J1, i made around 9000USD and something like 7500USd after tax WORKING 2 jobs. 2nd time, i made like 7000USD before tax working 2 jobs (i got tired of working lol). This has been how i have been able to pay PART of my tuition and do other things in school.

I noticed Nigerians don't try other Non-immigrant visa categories. Almost everyone is B1/B2 and F1. i'd encourage nigerian Students to tey J1 visa IF you have the funds for it (it isn't cheap to apply) and also most Dept of state recommended agents don't have partners in African countries (so getting the documents might be difficult but NOT impossible)

PRO: J1 visa from my experience is easier once you get the paperwork sorted out.
CON: you can't change employer MOST of the time. so you're stucked with your horrbile employer (especially Scholars on research). Most employers would rather prefer to keep you on a J1 cos they can pay you cheaply that way. And also you most likely will get a 212e rule on your Visa which means you MUST go back to your country for 2 years before you can get a work visa or an immigrant visa [s](even though you can apply for waiver but trust me not an easy experience)[/s]

I personally will recommend F1 for students seeking US education experience (cos it gives you the opportunity to work during the holidays except maybe your papa na Dangote)

Also note that through out my time in naija, i never apply for us visa once. i do not see any REASONABLE reason to go to yankee. once i got a good reason and proper documentation, i approached embassy. my first interview took 45sec. Visa officer asked "hey, which state are you going" and "pick up your visa so so so date" that's all. From what i have seen though, Yankee visa hard for naija like all there documents wey you no need na what people dey carry go embassy. my visit visa was the hardest cos the lady had to see my invite and the only time they looked at my personal documents. interview took like 3 minutes.

So someone can't apply for this type of work from Naija?

YungJo207:


So someone can't apply for this type of work from Naija?

Honestly, i have never met anyone that applied from naija (I do however know that naija researchers come to yankee on J1 visa. document sorted out yy the research institute or university). but the information is on Department of state website (http://j1visa.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/November-3-2016-Program-Date-Chart.pdf) and shows the time of the year naija students holiday falls on when they are expected in yankee. but you and i know that naija academic calendar isn't "stable" so that might be an issue.

i recommend you check dept of state website. there are several types of programs you can get a J1 visa on.some students even come on Internship for a year or two on J1 visa

We met online, Yes online but have a friend in common [s](i met my first naija gf online too back then during my undergrad.. days of 2go hahaha. She was/is amazing.).[/s]

I came to yankee solely to work. so i was working two jobs, primary employer and another job. i practically have no time for anything else. go to work from 8am to 4pm then to my 2nnd job by 5:00pm to 12:30am, ride bike home at 1:00am. wake up at 7:00am and repeat. So i really didn't have time for anything else. that was my first experience in yankee. didn't see any place, didn't visit anywhere. i was just there to work and work and work. nothing fun. i did meet people tho. i was naive my first time and i felt (and still feel) like i was exploited by this lady, let's call her Lady P (story for another day if anyone ask)

The 2nd year of coming to yankee, i decide to try a new approach. I make sure i leave my 2nd job early then hang out with other students from around several countries. the problem with that is people often hang out in groups: Turkish hang out with Turkish, Serbians hang out with Serbians, Dominicans with Dominicans except we hanging out with American coworkers or friends.

I decide to create a social account for people in the city that wanna go bike riding or visit park, movies, meet up group on my off day. That was how i met my gf. (lets call her Lady K). However, due to different schedule and work, lady K and i never got to hang out.we just text back and forth then Skype sometimes. We are just like acquaintances, no expectation. I do, however, enjoy talking to her and so does she. We never met though throughout my exchange period. I returned to my Caribbean country i resided (best country in the world to me lol) promising her i will visit when next i am in the US. We kept in touch but not as much after all, i am in the US for exchange.

Few months later, something urgent came up and i had to travel to the US. i decide to visit her on my way back from my assignment. That was the best thing to have happened to me so far in the US. Her paid vacation was coming up so she decided she's gonna visit me and that was how it all started.

I became a frequent traveler to the US and that was how it all began. about 8 months later, She introduced me to her family. Recently (when the movie "get out" was released), we decided to visit her family house, that was some scary shi.t for me, i was the only black person in the entire town (hahaha). i was nervous (the Movie get out had something to do with it). They did made me feel at home. I introduced her to my family afterwards and everything was good. We had an idea where the relationship was heading. we are not sure when the right time is. I personally didn't feel like i was ready for marriage or some sorta ling term committment. Everyone around me kept suggesting i marry her so i don't have to travel back and forth. I don't want that to be the main reason cos i feel it isn't a good enough reason.

Why now?

Well, for the past 4 months, we have been living together (it saves cost, America is hard lol). we have gotten into several arguments/ "fights". we argue cos of where i kept my hairbrush to leaving my shoes towards the edge of the bed, how "disgusting" she is for farting above my head (lol), if the AC should be off or on, why i keep buying more shoes when i have so much (lol they are on sale), what to have for dinner. etc.. Regardless of it all, it has been amazing. she is amazing. I informed her dad i wanna marry his daughter and he said "as long as she is happy". i asked her "Do you think we should get married" "followed by "will you marry me" (hey, don't mind me, some of us sucked at proposals. i really suck.). She said yes and that was it. We don't have a date yet. She however, doesn't want a big wedding and a big ring (even though already have 900usd saved for the ring, lucky me). we plan inviting one or two friends plus 2 family members.

list of Sponsors listed on DOS website.

https://j1visa.state.gov/participants/how-to-apply/sponsor-search/?program=Summer%20Work%20Travel&state=any

like i said, there are other long term J1 visa you can get for internship position. you just have to look up the information and make up your mind

Today, we make the first step towards making the official union. We are going to the city clerks office in the morning to get a Marriage License to show the intention we plan on getting married. I believe the requirement are similar in each state. you need Birth cert, valid Govt issued ID, Social security no (or reason you don't have one), payment (it cost $50 in the state we live), Parents names, date of birth blah blah....

Remember, you have to be there as a couple. Once the license is issued, the state gives you certain time frame to get married (usually 60-90 days in most states) anywhere in the state.

Got the marriage license. The first question the clerk asked was if either of us has been married before (if you or your spouse has been married before, they want to see proof of divorce, separation or death cert before they proceed)

it cost $50. Looks like this (sample from the internet)
.

we filled the form, she typed it, show us a sample to confirm the details are correct. She printed it. we signed . she placed it in the envelope then gave us additional information and also list of JP's in the city or we can wait till the end of the month if we prefer to be married in the city hall as they have no free date till then.

Clerk handed it over to Lady K and we left for home. We got home, Lady K went on the citizen and immigration service website to look at the forms, the process and the cost of the Adjustment of Status (i am still yet to familiarize myself with the process i am kinda lazy when it comes to paper work lol). The website has the option of ordering the forms free of charge (instead of printing all the pages) by mail (https://www.uscis.gov/forms).

The next step is calling the JP's to find out their charges and who has the most flexible time for the particular date I have in mind (Lady K's birthday is coming up in few days. She has no idea what i am planning. i don't even act like i remember)

oh, the license is valid for 90days. we have to be married withing 90days (i believe)

Oh btw, i went for am interview after. I passed my licensing exam and i look forward to working professionally here. Most employers however, don't wanna go through the trouble of filing an H1b. I had the option of getting an H1b since last year (another tori for some other time) but you know, things don't happen like we plan them all the time

what is another yankee thread without Pictures nah

the best picture i ever took on a flight so far. (this was me returning back to my Caribbean base last year)

as winter is approaching. I took this picture last year when i visited just to "enjoy the snow" for few days

.

Donaltus:
Op

Please how can someone coming to USA with a B1/B2 visa get a permanent resident without getting married to an america citizen

you Adjust status to H1b. then after some years, you can get a permanent resident through your job.

Those are the two ways i know. (i don't think there is any other way). Maybe some other people might know

I'd encourage you to look into adjusting your status to a Student. it is most important you don't run out of status. Adjusting status in the US isn't illegal. it is best to play safe than sorry

Hello the reason why there is no thread like even for all country is because we got visa officer on travel page and Nigerian are funny , you see some pple coming to advertise arrangee and all that ...that is why justwise doesn't approve or close thread questionable for change of status in UK or us or other countries...

smadalove:
Hello the reason why there is no thread like even for all country is because we got visa officer on travel page and Nigerian are funny , you see some pple coming to advertise arrangee and all that ...that is why justwise doesn't approve or close thread questionable for change of status in UK or us or other countries...

I understand that. However, every path in life is a lesson. When people share experiences, it allows others to learn and avoid mistakes.

Headin to my 2nd job. Decided to stop by the mall. Chinese food craving so strong.
Cost $8.15

Your own is good.

.

Congratulations bro.

BlowJobs:
Headin to my 2nd job. Decided to stop by the mall. Chinese food craving so strong.
Cost $8.15

pls why don't u tell us how to make our way to d Caribbean country. Some of us might b lucky like u

AngryRebel:
pls why don't u tell us how to make our way to d Caribbean country. Some of us might b lucky like u

Very good question,and he at least tell us which Carribean country was it?

BlowJobs:
Headin to my 2nd job. Decided to stop by the mall. Chinese food craving so strong.
Cost $8.15

Asian buffet!
It will not run me bankrupt here!!!

MackyNaija:

Asian buffet!
It will not run me bankrupt here!!!

Oga Mackynaija and Asian buffet ehn how school na hope you dey pass those test Sha??

Wish I fit go school for Yankee but my head no dey carry too much book so make I maintain my champion God luck to you tho.

YungJo207:


Oga Mackynaija and Asian buffet ehn how school na hope you dey pass those test Sha??

Wish I fit go school for Yankee but my head no dey carry too much book so make I maintain my champion God luck to you tho.

School has been fine so far.

Add local before the champion.

AngryRebel:
pls why don't u tell us how to make our way to d Caribbean country. Some of us might b lucky like u

Moving to the Caribbean is easier BUT Expensive. Caribbean countries are not cheap to visit. Like i always tell people.If you don't have a family where you plan to that will accommodate you. Its best to travel as a student. Find the school, apply for what you intend to study, get the admission letter, get the visa, get the transit visa (if you need one). Being on a student visa i believe gives you more than enough time to plan what you really wanna do and how you can make few bucks to take care of yourself.

Most Caribbean countries depends on tourism, so the jobs are limited (there are practically no jobs na why we all go to work in yankee during the holidays) and also the wages are low. for example, i used to work 3 jobs on campus (i failed that year lol) and i was extremely lucky to get those jobs. They are all part time jobs, 2 are stable part time jobs, the last one i have to wait for them to call me. I make a total of around230USD per week. i failed an exam and had to pay 600usd for resit (so its totally not worth it). i discovered one of my job is flexible (we just sit around all day, watch youtube on office computers and wait for people to come in to trouble shoot or when they call us regarding an error or to fix a cable somewhere on campus). so i quit my other job that was demanding ( customer care) and requested more hours from my flexible job (i am required not to work more than 20hrs per week as a student but my boss needs someone in the office constantly so i get 43hrs per week, Mondays to Fridays).
Like i said, the jobs are not there but never say never, right? ( if you are positive thinking like me, you can get anything done)

There are several Nigerian students all over the Caribbean Studying Medicine and nursing. the region will favor you if you are in Health. Doctors and nurses get jobs easily and also if you re in Academics (lecturers, researchers).
put in mind that it is not cheap studying here. it is however flexible and also it gives you access to other countries with less documentation (in comparison to naija, personal experience)

if anyone plan coming here, look into the health field. Maybe i should talk more about it for people in the health field. for example, if you hold a Nursing license of Jamaica, Trinidad and some other countries, the requirements registering for some other western countries (Uk, US, Australia...) are lesser than using your Nigerian license)

I'll talk more about caribbean countries you try to avoid flying directly to from naija in my next post. I am getting late for work

Also, my subsequent posts will be about my yankee hustle., work, cost of things how i manage, etc etc.

Lady K already left for work. she left at 5:00am for work that starts at 8:00am ( Lagos traffic dey here too )

FrankNetter:
Congratulations bro.

Thank you Franknetter. you are the real MVP

MackyNaija:

Asian buffet!
It will not run me bankrupt here!!!

We sometimes eat Chinese when Lady K comes back from work and too tired to cook or we don't know what to cook. Me eating Chinese yesterday without her or buying her own is betrayal . If she finds out, she wont talk to me for hours

MackyNaija:

School has been fine so far.

Add local before the champion.

Abi local rapper

BlowJobs:


Moving to the Caribbean is easier BUT Expensive. Caribbean countries are not cheap to visit. Like i always tell people.If you don't have a family where you plan to that will accommodate you. Its best to travel as a student. Find the school, apply for what you intend to study, get the admission letter, get the visa, get the transit visa (if you need one). Being on a student visa i believe gives you more than enough time to plan what you really wanna do and how you can make few bucks to take care of yourself.

Most Caribbean countries depends on tourism, so the jobs are limited (there are practically no jobs na why we all go to work in yankee during the holidays) and also the wages are low. for example, i used to work 3 jobs on campus (i failed that year lol) and i was extremely lucky to get those jobs. They are all part time jobs, 2 are stable part time jobs, the last one i have to wait for them to call me. I make a total of around230USD per week. i failed an exam and had to pay 600usd for resit (so its totally not worth it). i discovered one of my job is flexible (we just sit around all day, watch youtube on office computers and wait for people to come in to trouble shoot or when they call us regarding an error or to fix a cable somewhere on campus). so i quit my other job that was demanding ( customer care) and requested more hours from my flexible job (i am required not to work more than 20hrs per week as a student but my boss needs someone in the office constantly so i get 43hrs per week, Mondays to Fridays).
Like i said, the jobs are not there but never say never, right? ( if you are positive thinking like me, you can get anything done)

There are several Nigerian students all over the Caribbean Studying Medicine and nursing. the region will favor you if you are in Health. Doctors and nurses get jobs easily and also if you re in Academics (lecturers, researchers).
put in mind that it is not cheap studying here. it is however flexible and also it gives you access to other countries with less documentation (in comparison to naija, personal experience)

if anyone plan coming here, look into the health field. Maybe i should talk more about it for people in the health field. for example, if you hold a Nursing license of Jamaica, Trinidad and some other countries, the requirements registering for some other western countries (Uk, US, Australia...) are lesser than using your Nigerian license)

I'll talk more about caribbean countries you try to avoid flying directly to from naija in my next post. I am getting late for work

Also, my subsequent posts will be about my yankee hustle., work, cost of things how i manage, etc etc.

Lady K already left for work. she left at 5:00am for work that starts at 8:00am ( Lagos traffic dey here too )

Nice one