Yh.... I also heard the shutdown may affect US state departments esp in d US as in things like passport processing and all. Pls our mamas and papas in the US who have passport appointments this week.... Have they called to confirm or cancel the appointment? Are their staff to b furloughed too!? Thanks ..n God help us all!

Thridbaby:
I hope this American Government shutdown will not have negative impacts on visa applicant this week ooo. Abeg my interview is this week ooo

Emirates has joined the sales bandwagon for tickets, I think it starts March. Go to travelstart.com.ng or wakanow to book.

Also for those looking to book airbnb in America, don't be scared of the price, contact the host and see if they will give you a further discount. My host gave me a further discount of $1000 for my apartment.

Good evening all, Trust you've had a pleasant weekend. Just thought to throw this question in here cos I've been wondering...so

1. with all these Trump drama on immigration et al, what are the implications for our children who acquire dual citizenship but end up living outside the US?

2. If you had the option of exploring Canadian immigration for your family, would you rather invest in a Canadian immigration option which covers you and your kids-including Nigerian born OR would you invest it in birthing your baby in the US which has an advantage of better healthcare, safer Maternal care and dual citizenship for your baby?

I don't know too much about US immigration but given its seeming 'volatility' with Trump's administration, I've just been thinking and thought it might be an interesting discuss here based on our common interests of giving birth in the US.

Looking forward to your take on this subject.

@justwise, nefertiti and other gurus.

This Zero balance issue pls I need clarification...

1. I have the hospital quote and we signed a self pay agreement... I have receipts of all the payment.

2. I have an email from the hospital staff stating that my account is in Zero balance...

3. Then I have the lengthy itemized/Comprehensive Bills from the Hospital Billing section with an amount way over the discounted price and the balance is 0.00... (do I need to take this for my follow up interview) Is this the real Zero Balance document. Or will 1 and 2 above suffice?

[quote author=Springdance post=64401986]Emirates has joined the sales bandwagon for tickets, I think it starts March. Go to travelstart.com.ng or wakanow to book.

Thank you for this @Springdance...the prices I have been getting for March was beginning to scare me.

To my main question... Calling on Mamas who gave birth in Dallas,Texas ...Pls help... been trying to get a good hospital around Arlington/Grandprairie/Mansfield with doctors correspondence and I seem to be suffering from information overload sef! Not sure how close the hospitals im looking up are to my host house as I don’t intend stressing anyone on this journey . @ogekad,@terese69,@youngmetrosG, @iphiechuks, @ uzyfine,@sculpt.... I would like to email you on this matter as I know you all used hospitals in Dallas..pls help!!!! My email is obalex03@gmail.com. Thank you.

[quote author=CanadianCherie post=64403998][/quote]

Hi CanadianCherie, I cannot see your email. I used medical city Plano. That’s far from all those cities you listed above.

Please any Chicago mum who has processed an expedited passport this year, were you able to use the local notarized form from home or it had to be notarized at the embassy. Please the info will be helpful

ogekad:


Hi CanadianCherie, I cannot see your email. I used medical city Plano. That’s far from all those cities you listed above.

Hello Ogekad, Thanks for the quick response ...Wow ,I do hope someone has the information I need for hose areas. Gracias

Wow!
Fantastic. Congrats

But thats a lot, pls what percentage of the total is this?

Springdance:
Emirates has joined the sales bandwagon for tickets, I think it starts March. Go to travelstart.com.ng or wakanow to book.

Also for those looking to book airbnb in America, don't be scared of the price, contact the host and see if they will give you a further discount. My host gave me a further discount of $1000 for my apartment.

Hello everyone, thanks so much for sharing your experiences on this forum. It has helped me understand the interview process a great deal. GOD bless the brains behind this.

Please I’d like to have a sample Letter written by a Nigerian physician to the physician in the US.
Is it a requirement for the Visa interview?
Who should it be addressed to?

Ramj:
hello Mamas and Papas that have used SouthWest Airline in the US

I have a questions about their baggage policy, the 2 free bags that they allow is it 50lbs each or both bags not more than 50lbs.


***modified***

We got it answered 2 bags 50lbs (22.68kg) each.

thanks all

i actually was allowed two 23kg bags

Budding:
Hello my good people........

......Please I need help from mums who have used HNWMC. As per accommodation..where was most affordable for you to stay/ and please how did you go about it...it's urgent..am due to travel March and would prefer an apartment and have tried airbnb but their prices are unfriendly..then hotels/accomodatiom the hospital recommended too are not flowing well with me.. so decided to bring it here and get first hand info from my senior mums who have gone before me......
....
....Thank you Thank You in anticipation..

If you don't want an apartment or renting on air bnb, you can check studio 6 on bammel Westfield road, it's like 10-15 minutes walking distance to the hospital and doctors office or 5 minutes with uber

Please in booking appointment for DH in respect of the new development in notarizing , which of the box should I click, I clicked the 3rd one, which states that a notarial service is needed , but a friend said it was wrong that it is the second one that is correct, pls kindly Guide me, thanks

ogekad:
Hello my dear people, happy new year.

This new year will bring us uncommon testimonies.
I had my princess on the 12th of Dec. 2017. I was so misinformed that I delayed the process in getting her international passport. I got her social security a week after birth. I went to the Dallas passport Agency downtown to get my LO's passport first on the 30th of Dec., I was asked to schedule an appointment which I wasn't aware of the I got earliest appointment date for 2 Jan., 2018.

I got there in time for the appointment and gave all the documents needed only to be told that the notary our DH sends to us is no longer valid as DH has to go to the US embassy in Nigeria to get the notary or be present at the US passport agency.

Apparently, this is a new rule that started yesterday 1 JAN., 2018. DH needs appointment date to get this notary and this is another delay for me as I need to get back to Nigeria soonest. Please, is this the same in your state. The social security is not needed when obtaining the international passport. Let's share this and talk about it.


I wish all our expectant mothers safe delivery in Jesus name.

PS: DALLAS IS FREEZING @ -2/-5.

julzz:
Renewed visa via dropbox, flew virgin Atlantic with my toddler to L.A on the 15th Jan fit to fly was requested at mma, had a 21hr layover so when I got to heathrow I headed to the no 1 hotel was told 90gbp from 9pm-6am, someone here had said she paid 50gbp so I decided to proceed to terminal 4 (I landed at terminal 3) cos I learnt there's a hotel via a walk way there, when I got there it turned out I had to pass thru immigration to get there, the queue was long I was directed to the front cos of my condition but the lady told I had to exit from terminal 3 where I landed and take a bus back to terminal 4, I was really tired already got back to terminal 3 but didn't even have the power to go and pass immigration again so decided to have dinner and head back to the no 1 hotel like that since their check in was by 9pm, when I got back there I was they were fully booked I almost cried cos I just wondered how I was going to manage with my toddler i just put myself together, the airport shorts down at 10pm, luckily I had a blanket with me cos it was cold,my toddler played and later slept and I covered him, after sometime all overnight passengers where moved to gate 24 to stay and we were moved back before 5am, I just went to the family restroom,freshened up, brushed teeth and changed clothes then back to the waiting area, had breakfast and later discovered a kids play area really nice, they put eyes on your kids and even have where you can nap, so rested till my flight time. Fast forward to L.A, virgin Atlantic have there own terminal it is kinda small and there wasn't crowd, used the self service machine collected print out and proceeded to cbp -
Cpb - what brings you here
Me - have my baby and sight see while waiting
Cpb - oh! Do you have a dr
Me- yes mentioned his name
Cpb - what do you do
Me - unemployed but sell female stuffs on a small scale
Cpb - who's paying
Me - my husband is my sponsor
Cpb - what do he do
Me - bleep
( asked his colleague something then stamps me in he was acting kinda not sure what to do)
Picked my luggage walk about 1min to agric I guess
Cpb 2 - asked if I had meat,vegetables blah blah
Me - No
Cpb 2 - while looking at me why are you here
Me - to have a baby
Cbp 2 - did you inform them at the embassy
Me - yes
Cpb 2 - how much do you have with you
Me - $8000
Cpb 2- that's not going to cover
Me - the quote I got it's going to cover
Cpb 2 -it's going to cost over $10,000
Me - I am a self pay so I get some kinda discount paying cash , if I was using insurance then it's gonna cost me more
Cbp 2 - you had him here (my toddler) and you are here to have another?
Me - yes
Cpb 2 - why here
Me - the care I received when I had my first child was exceptional and I wouldn't want to trade the experience
Cpb 2 - who paid the bills
Me - I did
Cpb 2 - can I have your zero balance
Me - gave them to him
Cpb2 - looks through and steps out to call another
(He wasn't just buying the idea I guess)
Cpb 3 - asked where I had my first baby
Me - Texas
Cpb 3 - asked what my husband does
Me - bleep
Cbp 3 - oh that explains why Texas, where will you be staying
Me- a rented apartment
Cbp 3 - signals him to let me go and keep receipts for this birth as I did with my first

In all it took kinda 10mins. My host was like at the other terminal where every other flight lands they have been really holding pregnant women for hours before release and they sent one back because they found out they were collecting benefits for there daughter( which she wasn't aware of) that it was a public charge so he had no say he actually went in the holding area. Please ignore typos

thank God you have arrived. your story is great.

Yes, i was the person that paid 50gbp for 10pm-6am at No1 lounge.

wishing you safe delivery

NneMuna:
Hello everyone, thanks so much for sharing your experiences on this forum. It has helped me understand the interview process a great deal. GOD bless the brains behind this.

Please I’d like to have a sample Letter written by a Nigerian physician to the physician in the US.
Is it a requirement for the Visa interview?
Who should it be addressed to?

I was told here that the hospital knows how to go about it.
It's not a requirement for interview but can form part of your doctor's correspondence.

My problem now is that the hospital is requesting for 20k to draft it.
Which I feel is totally off. Why do I need to pay so much to get my medical history /report?

Pls those that did this should put mouth o

[quote author=CanadianCherie post=64403998][/quote]

Is Medical City Arlington among the options you are looking up? It's within 15-25mins reach from the above listed locations and a good option too I believe....

barrfel:
Please in booking appointment for DH in respect of the new development in notarizing , which of the box should I click, I clicked the 3rd one, which states that a notarial service is needed , but a friend said it was wrong that it is the second one that is correct, pls kindly Guide me, thanks

You are correct, it’s the third one. The notarial service. Go right ahead and pick a date.

chinybelle:

I was told here that the hospital knows how to go about it.
It's not a requirement for interview but can form part of your doctor's correspondence.

My problem now is that the hospital is requesting for 20k to draft it.
Which I feel is totally off. Why do I need to pay so much to get my medical history /report?

Pls those that did this should put mouth o

You don't pay for doctors report. I didn't pay for mine.

chinybelle:

I was told here that the hospital knows how to go about it.
It's not a requirement for interview but can form part of your doctor's correspondence.

My problem now is that the hospital is requesting for 20k to draft it.
Which I feel is totally off. Why do I need to pay so much to get my medical history /report?

Pls those that did this should put mouth o

Some hospitals ask for money to type doctor's report while some do not. I do not think you need this letter for a visa interview, take a picture of your scan to show gestational age of the baby if u want because if you pay 20k now, u will pay another 20k when you are set to travel to show your doctor.

Another option is to demand your test results from them since you paid for it... be ready to make a scene because they might say no.... take it with you to America and hope the American doctor is patient enough to read through.

Hi Mum's, please who is in Chicago? Is the weather really as bad as people are making it sound? Is it worse than the British Winter for instance?

Everyone in the US iv told I'm going to Chicago have screamed!!! All my Aunts offering free house upandan that Chicago is cold oh Is it really that bad mbok? Pls throw some light? Thanks?

Good morning all, thanks for all the information.Pls can anybody advise on hospitals in Houston for delivery, am new here ,any information /guidance will be appreciated.planning to birth at USA am due for May 2018.need to start visa application

visa granted today @lagos 6:30am,after 2 previous denials in october and december @abj.....praise God,am too excited to type...

ugoguchy:
visa granted today @lagos 6:30am,after 2 previous denials in october and december @abj.....praise God,am too excited to type...

Yipee!!! Happy for you dear! Congrats!!!

It actually depends on the hospital. I paid 5k for mine. You can make noise n speak to the head of administration. That’s what my friend did n then she got a discount, but it’s not unusual.

okoji:


You don't pay for doctors report. I didn't pay for mine.

Pls can anyone clarify this

Thanks

ewa2014:
This Zero balance issue pls I need clarification...

1. I have the hospital quote and we signed a self pay agreement... I have receipts of all the payment.

2. I have an email from the hospital staff stating that my account is in Zero balance...

3. Then I have the lengthy itemized/Comprehensive Bills from the Hospital Billing section with an amount way over the discounted price and the balance is 0.00... (do I need to take this for my follow up interview) Is this the real Zero Balance document. Or will 1 and 2 above suffice?

Chinemeze17:

If you don't want an apartment or renting on air bnb, you can check studio 6 on bammel Westfield road, it's like 10-15 minutes walking distance to the hospital and doctors office or 5 minutes with uber

Thanks so much...@chinemeze17. I'll check it out...I do want an apartment...but ultimately the best that works...thankiess

Congrats ugoguchy... Kindly post the transcript here so dt other pple can learn from it. Thank you

My family and I went to the embassy on Friday. After waiting for a long time with my dd throwing a massive tantrum, we were lead to the VO.

VO: Good Afternoon
Dh and I: Good Afternoon.
VO: Please pass your passport.
After flipping through the 4 passport we passed, he asked; I can see you are going to Texas
Dh: Yes, to Houston.
VO: What are you going to do there?
Dh: my wife to have a baby and the rest of us for vacation.
VO: How are you all related?
Dh: This is my wife and my dd.
VO: I can see you have travel a bit, which countries have you been to?
Dh: This year, Uk....
I interjected to correct him its last year 2017.
Dh continued, Last year Uk, paris, Amsterdam and ....
VO: that's ok. How long have you worked for your company?
Dh: About ten years.. sorry about 9.
VO: do you know anyone in Houston?
Dh: yes, my brother in law.
VO: ok.
he continued typing. can i have your Doctor's correspondence
I passed it along.
he flipped through it
VO: Can i have your statement of accounts?
This is where i was a bit afraid because we had limited funds in my Dh account. So we passed along his statement from office stating his salary increase, his payslips of 1 year, pension statement, cooperative statement and his statement of account. The Vo flipped through each document, paid particular attention to payslips and only went through 3 random pages of the statemet of accounts.
he passed all the documents back to us.
VO: you will have to pick up your passports at DHL and he passed the white paper to us.
DH and I: Thanks. Have a good day.
VO: you too.

That was all that was passed. I was so happy.

Thanks NL fam for all the tips and information. We were over prepared.

On to looking for flights for next months

Sorry for all typos and mistakes

Happy new Year everyone,
In the spirit of giving back,Had my interview 2 hours ago and below is my transcript
As I was on the queue , about 12 people had already been issued blue papers.
I almost got glittery but I maintain my composure as I had done my homework(thanks to this thread ) and also have committed it to God in prayers

Me: Hello Good day, how are you today?
V: I’m fine and you?
Me: I’m good (passed passport)
Vo: why are you traveling to the US?

Child birth, this is my first pregnancy in 7 years of marriage.
Have you traveled before?

Yes, South Africa for vacation

So why not South Africa for child birth

Well, I have several reviews for better health care from USA , moreso this is a precious pregnancy and I want the best

Where do you work?
I replied
What does you husband do?
I replied and chipped that he’s a frequent traveler and has a valid visa and I paassed his datapage
Is he currently in the country?
I said yes in Abuja
Can I see your correspondence with a doctors?
I passed it
When is your expected travel date?
I told him

Can I see your budget sheet?
I passed it (thanks a lot pherma for the draft of budget sheet and thanks also to the person that posted sample of burden of proof- u go fear my well-arranged huge envelope of proof!
Can I see your account statement?
I passed it (here I got a little concerned as my balances in the 3 banks weren’t up to my total budget on the sheet )
I chipped in that I also have savings in my company cooperative and some mutual benefit funds that are withdrawable (passed him those)
He took my passport and brought out the white paper and circled the location for pickup
“You will be emailed blah blah
I no even here the rest sef , I just carry my loads Deh go!
Join me to thank God o!

Abeg, Oliver twist heheheh
I’m back for more , s I used an accommodation correspondence in Houston as my place of stay but I have a free accommodation with family at
Shadetree Court, Marietta Georgia
I’m planning to travel in May (Pls any one has a contact or know how to get cheap flight ticket K’s pls help me abeg
Also any mama birthing in Marietta Georgia in May/June? Let’s hook up Pls
Thanks everyone for your contribution on the thread , you guys are awesome!
Oya we don get visa , what else must I read up or prepare for as per POE etc pls

Congratulations, I tap into your grace

ugoguchy:
visa granted today @lagos 6:30am,after 2 previous denials in october and december @abj.....praise God,am too excited to type...

To get distance plug in both addresses on Google map to get and idea.
It will even tell you the public transport mode if any to use.
[quote author=CanadianCherie post=64403998][/quote]