Sub-Saharan Newbies!!

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Ok well officially break me in but please don't hurt me.

[Bassi and Zainab 1]

Welcome newbies! Ask any questions and we'll all jump in with our experiences.

Definitely check out ZeeNusah's tracking thread. You'll see there that for Nigeria, the interview dates come sooner once the process is done ont his side of the ocean than many of the other sub saharan countries. This is a long wait though. No doubt about it. Bassi's interview was a year after we filed the petition. So prepare yourself for a long wait. Maybe plan a trip after six months or so if you think you'll die from the wait. I kept putting off a trip thinking it would happen any day now.....and any day now was 12 months away. So I wish I went for Christmas like I first wanted to. Well, hindsight is 20/20 as they say.

Good Luck on your journey! We're here to help!

[babynursetobe 0]

So I should plan on it taking much longer then normal just because he is from Nigeria?? Why is that?? Is there embassy incompetent?? LOL. I heard both good and bad things regarding cases in Nigeria so I guess its a "stab in the dark" and each case is different.

~M

Welcome newbies! Ask any questions and we'll all jump in with our experiences.

Definitely check out ZeeNusah's tracking thread. You'll see there that for Nigeria, the interview dates come sooner once the process is done ont his side of the ocean than many of the other sub saharan countries. This is a long wait though. No doubt about it. Bassi's interview was a year after we filed the petition. So prepare yourself for a long wait. Maybe plan a trip after six months or so if you think you'll die from the wait. I kept putting off a trip thinking it would happen any day now.....and any day now was 12 months away. So I wish I went for Christmas like I first wanted to. Well, hindsight is 20/20 as they say.

Good Luck on your journey! We're here to help!

[Zee Bee 61]

So I should plan on it taking much longer then normal just because he is from Nigeria?? Why is that?? Is there embassy incompetent?? LOL. I heard both good and bad things regarding cases in Nigeria so I guess its a "stab in the dark" and each case is different.

~M

Every consulate has different time frams from receipt of the approved petition to the interview. In Ghana for example, the wait is 3-6 months. In the Dominican Republic it used to be 2 years until recently. It just depends on the load that the consulate has and the staff that they have to process visas. I think the wait for Nigeria is 2-3 months.

Its just the "efficiency" with which they operate.

[babynursetobe 0]

Thanks so much for the info!! I can handle 2 to 3 months much better than years.

So I should plan on it taking much longer then normal just because he is from Nigeria?? Why is that?? Is there embassy incompetent?? LOL. I heard both good and bad things regarding cases in Nigeria so I guess its a "stab in the dark" and each case is different.

~M

Every consulate has different time frams from receipt of the approved petition to the interview. In Ghana for example, the wait is 3-6 months. In the Dominican Republic it used to be 2 years until recently. It just depends on the load that the consulate has and the staff that they have to process visas. I think the wait for Nigeria is 2-3 months.

Its just the "efficiency" with which they operate.

[Tamikuti7 0]

I really am just learning trying to take this one step at a time. How do you apply for the CR-1?? And what is the cost?? Cuz I know with the USCIS there HAS to be a cost involved. LOL. I wanted to wait and interview on the I130 (in nigeria), but have heard the interviews are being scheduled way into next year and this being apart is really killing me. I miss him soooo much and its getting harder and harder. I have a friend who did the CR-1, but in her case I think it was because the petition (I129f) had been put into administrative processing. There is just so much confusing/conflicting information and I really just want to make sure I do what is right for Ademola & I and I don't want any mistakes. Any information you all can give me would be greatly appreciated!! Could you also share a little info about how it is once they are here?? Thanks

~Michelle

Hey Michelle, Welcome and Congratulations!

When my husband and I applied ( which seems like many moons ago) we filed the CR-1, and the K-3 simultaneously. We opted for the CR-1 in the end because it had more advantages. He didn't have to adjust his status once he was here, he only needed to lift his conditions.(after 2 years) He also received his Resident card and his SSN immediately.

It's almost time for him to file for Citizenship, which is awesome! I will feel better about extended stays in Nigeria once that is over. Just a few months away....

Once again welcome!

I'm sorry! I walked away for a while, I didn't realize you asked me a question. I have a 1 year old, that is running around biting everyone, and everything, couches, bowls, you name it.

I applied for the I129-F I'm not sure of the cost anymore, it was somewhere in the range of $165.00, (it has changed significantly since I applied), once I received an approval notice for the I129F, I then filed the I130. The cost for the I130 was in the area of 185.00. I did follow up with both petitions as they advanced through the system, but the I130 seemed to be moving along a lot faster than the K3, but on average they both were taking about 1 year before interviews. I figured if I was already going to have to wait that long, I might as well take advantage of the extra benefits that the I130 has the offer, Such as the immediate issuance of the resident card and ssn, in comparison to him coming here and having to wait sometimes upward of an additional 6 month for an AOS appointment. (varies by region, service center)

There are some that didn't have to wait as long as I did, their SO was in the US within a space pf 4-6 months after filing the I 129F, but the spouses were unable to work upwards of 6 months waiting for their Adjustment of Status apt.

As far as the adjustment once they get here, that varies as well. my husband was already an avid traveler before he came here,so his need to adjust wasn't so severe. He did need to get use to the cold weather in NE , where we lived at the time, and he's not very fond of fast food. He didn't adjust very well to American food. He doesn't really eat a lot of meat, so he eats a lot of fish.

The hardest part for me was the wait, my other commitments would not allow me to travel as often as I wanted, I did agree to meet him in Freetown at one point, he had to do a show,but by that time, he was already scheduled for his interview.

I hope I answered your questions, and feel free to ask at anytime.

Edited September 14, 2008 by WHAT_DA_?????

[totes 0]

Welcome newbies! Ask any questions and we'll all jump in with our experiences.

Definitely check out ZeeNusah's tracking thread. You'll see there that for Nigeria, the interview dates come sooner once the process is done ont his side of the ocean than many of the other sub saharan countries. This is a long wait though. No doubt about it. Bassi's interview was a year after we filed the petition. So prepare yourself for a long wait. Maybe plan a trip after six months or so if you think you'll die from the wait. I kept putting off a trip thinking it would happen any day now.....and any day now was 12 months away. So I wish I went for Christmas like I first wanted to. Well, hindsight is 20/20 as they say.

Good Luck on your journey! We're here to help!

We were the same way... thinking it was coming very soon and putting off a trip but.. in the end ended up going as we were put on AP which seems to be happening more and more out of Lagos.

I recommend you go with your heart, if you are desperately missing him, go and see him if you can.. this process is grueling and there are no guarantees of how quick you will be processed.

[totes 0]

I really am just learning trying to take this one step at a time. How do you apply for the CR-1?? And what is the cost?? Cuz I know with the USCIS there HAS to be a cost involved. LOL. I wanted to wait and interview on the I130 (in nigeria), but have heard the interviews are being scheduled way into next year and this being apart is really killing me. I miss him soooo much and its getting harder and harder. I have a friend who did the CR-1, but in her case I think it was because the petition (I129f) had been put into administrative processing. There is just so much confusing/conflicting information and I really just want to make sure I do what is right for Ademola & I and I don't want any mistakes. Any information you all can give me would be greatly appreciated!! Could you also share a little info about how it is once they are here?? Thanks

~Michelle

Hey Michelle, Welcome and Congratulations!

When my husband and I applied ( which seems like many moons ago) we filed the CR-1, and the K-3 simultaneously. We opted for the CR-1 in the end because it had more advantages. He didn't have to adjust his status once he was here, he only needed to lift his conditions.(after 2 years) He also received his Resident card and his SSN immediately.

It's almost time for him to file for Citizenship, which is awesome! I will feel better about extended stays in Nigeria once that is over. Just a few months away....

Once again welcome!

I'm sorry! I walked away for a while, I didn't realize you asked me a question. I have a 1 year old, that is running around biting everyone, and everything, couches, bowls, you name it.

I applied for the I129-F I'm not sure of the cost anymore, it was somewhere in the range of $165.00, (it has changed significantly since I applied), once I received an approval notice for the I129F, I then filed the I130. The cost for the I130 was in the area of 185.00. I did follow up with both petitions as they advanced through the system, but the I130 seemed to be moving along a lot faster than the K3, but on average they both were taking about 1 year before interviews. I figured if I was already going to have to wait that long, I might as well take advantage of the extra benefits that the I130 has the offer, Such as the immediate issuance of the resident card and ssn, in comparison to him coming here and having to wait sometimes upward of an additional 6 month for an AOS appointment. (varies by region, service center)

There are some that didn't have to wait as long as I did, their SO was in the US within a space pf 4-6 months after filing the I 129F, but the spouses were unable to work upwards of 6 months waiting for their Adjustment of Status apt.

As far as the adjustment once they get here, that varies as well. my husband was already an avid traveler before he came here,so his need to adjust wasn't so severe. He did need to get use to the cold weather in NE , where we lived at the time, and he's not very fond of fast food. He didn't adjust very well to American food. He doesn't really eat a lot of meat, so he eats a lot of fish.

The hardest part for me was the wait, my other commitments would not allow me to travel as often as I wanted, I did agree to meet him in Freetown at one point, he had to do a show,but by that time, he was already scheduled for his interview.

I hope I answered your questions, and feel free to ask at anytime.

Good point... in retrospect... I wish we would have gotten married and filed the other way. Our K1 has taken 14 months. When we met with the fraud investigator in Lagos, she told us that they have recently started to really check out all fiance' and spousal visa's. She said since there has been such a shift from the 419 scam to visa scam's they are really concentrating their efforts on these.

[Tamikuti7 0]

Good point... in retrospect... I wish we would have gotten married and filed the other way. Our K1 has taken 14 months. When we met with the fraud investigator in Lagos, she told us that they have recently started to really check out all fiance' and spousal visa's. She said since there has been such a shift from the 419 scam to visa scam's they are really concentrating their efforts on these.

Oh wow, really? I did read somewhere where they (meaning the embassy) are doing considerably more background checks and pursuing other avenues to authenticate, even going as far as interviewing spouses neighbors.

[LovinLiberia 0]

Welcome to all of the new members in this forum!

[idocare 3]

Welcome Michelle and Tunji !!!!

Michelle u asked what's it like once your alien spouse arrives ? Well I'd like to first ask u what it was like once you went to Nigeria and how long did it take u too adjust; think of that then apply that too your husband.

I know Victor had little problems with adjusting, he had mastered the bus system the first few days to my. astonishment. The thing is Michelle is that alot of opportunist use americans and marriage as a way to gain american benefits. My ex-husband did that exact thing. So it's kinda hard to tell u what it'll be like for you once your husband arrives because it will depend on alot of factors.

Just as you adjusted to Nigeria, your fiance will adjust, and the love you enjoy now should not change.

Edited September 20, 2008 by idocare

[Tunji&Toyin 0]

Welcome Michelle and Tunji !!!!

Michelle u asked what's it like once your alien spouse arrives ? Well I'd like to first ask u what it was like once you went to Nigeria and how long did it take u too adjust; think of that then apply that too your husband.

I know Victor had little problems with adjusting, he had mastered the bus system the first few days to my. astonishment. The thing is Michelle is that alot of opportunist use americans and marriage as a way to gain american benefits. My ex-husband did that exact thing. So it's kinda hard to tell u what it'll be like for you once your husband arrives because it will depend on alot of factors.

Just as you adjusted to Nigeria, your fiance will adjust, and the love you enjoy now should not change.

Everytime I read your timeline, I sigh. Its so sad. I hope moving forward that everything is well.

[babynursetobe 0]

I agree that time line is sad......I'm sorry things turned out for you that way. I have heard of many of the scams that go on in Nigeria and it makes me wonder alot, but I have to see this through to the end no matter what happens. Not that it matters but Ademola isn't my fiance we were married in Nigeria in March of 2007.

Welcome Michelle and Tunji !!!!

Michelle u asked what's it like once your alien spouse arrives ? Well I'd like to first ask u what it was like once you went to Nigeria and how long did it take u too adjust; think of that then apply that too your husband.

I know Victor had little problems with adjusting, he had mastered the bus system the first few days to my. astonishment. The thing is Michelle is that alot of opportunist use americans and marriage as a way to gain american benefits. My ex-husband did that exact thing. So it's kinda hard to tell u what it'll be like for you once your husband arrives because it will depend on alot of factors.

Just as you adjusted to Nigeria, your fiance will adjust, and the love you enjoy now should not change.

Everytime I read your timeline, I sigh. Its so sad. I hope moving forward that everything is well.

[kk_mine 0]

Well maybe I should have come to this when I first joined to get started on Vj on the right foot! lol

Who are ya?

lee,lee

Where did you come from?

MD

Where is your SO from?

Benin City, Nigeria

How did you meet?

Childhood Friend

Where are you in the process?

Just starting out. Have my passport. Will apply for my Visa next.

[idocare 3]

Yeah I know, I leave my signature intact just for that reason. It takes 2-people to make a

marriage work. When one no longer wants to be married they can and will do/say things to

make the other want to abort the marriage. For me, my ex. is from Nigeria, I thought our

problems were merely cultural differences but the harder I tried to make it work the more

intense my ex. would cause division. It's something that the sponsor won't see until the Alien

is here in America and have filed adjustment paperwork, in many cases.

But this is my journey, although mines was filled with deceit and lies, it does not mean that

anybody else's will be that way.

All the best to you both Tunji, and Michelle, if you have any questions feel free to pm me.

Again, welcome onboard !!!