Nairobi Embassy Thread!

[Kefa and Sarah 0]

Jealous that you'll be in Kenya in 16 days! Just heading to Mombasa or any other exciting plans while you're there?

We'll just be getting all the visa stuff/interview done in Nairobi, then spending time with family and friends there and back in Mombasa. It will be almost 9 months since I've seen Kefa once I get there. So just being with him and back in Kenya will be MORE than exciting for me!

[Nyosh 5]

I have missed this thread. I hope everyone is well and blessed.

Is there someone who has been through the Nairobi Embassy recently on a CR1/IR1 visa? I need to help a friend out.

Thanks guys.

[Kefa and Sarah 0]

Hey All - Hope you guys had a nice weekend! I am leaving for Kenya on Saturday , However I'm starting to freak out a bit about having all the information we need for the interview together before then. So here are some questions -

On the DS-230 (biographic data) form, question #33 asks for all educational institutions attended. They only provide 4 spaces. Are they looking for just the most recent 4 or completely back to his primary schools so I should attach an extra sheet of paper? How important is it to be exact on the month and dates - my fiance isn't exactly sure on them.

On the same form -#43a it asks if you have ever applied for a SSN number - he hasn't. So under the No selection it asks if you want the social security administration to assign you a SSN and issue a card? - do I answer YES or NO to this?

This same form and some others ask if you were assisted in completing this application - seeing how it would be easier for me to print things off here in the US, I'm planning on filling out the forms and making enough copies to bring with me. Will it be a problem if I answer YES to these questions? As in, will it draw any red flags?

As for the I-134, I'm confused as to what I should state as my annual income. I am a full time employee, that gets paid hourly, with a guaranteed amount of hours for my 2 week pay period. Would I do the math for the year and have this be the number I state? Or the letter from my bank states an annual amount that is in my bank account - is that number I should put? The 1st number will be below the needed amount (no problem, also have my mom as a co-sponsor who makes enough) and the bank account number is just above.

Your feedback is much appreciated. THANK YOU ALL!!!

[katie & sifa 25]

Hey All - Hope you guys had a nice weekend! I am leaving for Kenya on Saturday , However I'm starting to freak out a bit about having all the information we need for the interview together before then. So here are some questions -

On the DS-230 (biographic data) form, question #33 asks for all educational institutions attended. They only provide 4 spaces. Are they looking for just the most recent 4 or completely back to his primary schools so I should attach an extra sheet of paper? How important is it to be exact on the month and dates - my fiance isn't exactly sure on them.

On the same form -#43a it asks if you have ever applied for a SSN number - he hasn't. So under the No selection it asks if you want the social security administration to assign you a SSN and issue a card? - do I answer YES or NO to this?

This same form and some others ask if you were assisted in completing this application - seeing how it would be easier for me to print things off here in the US, I'm planning on filling out the forms and making enough copies to bring with me. Will it be a problem if I answer YES to these questions? As in, will it draw any red flags?

As for the I-134, I'm confused as to what I should state as my annual income. I am a full time employee, that gets paid hourly, with a guaranteed amount of hours for my 2 week pay period. Would I do the math for the year and have this be the number I state? Or the letter from my bank states an annual amount that is in my bank account - is that number I should put? The 1st number will be below the needed amount (no problem, also have my mom as a co-sponsor who makes enough) and the bank account number is just above.

Your feedback is much appreciated. THANK YOU ALL!!!

I'll have to ask Sifa about the schools. If I had to guess he probably put just secondary and beyond but I'm not sure.

43A - Even if you check yes, they will not issue an SSN automatically to a K-1 visa holder so it really doesn't matter. You'll need to go into the SSA about 2 weeks after he gets here to apply for an SS number and card. I think we checked no, but...I don't think either way hurts/helps.

I think we checked no on the question about someone assisting you with the paperwork since we figured it meant more like outside help (ie, a lawyer or something like that) not the petitioner. We didn't have any trouble.

I would put whatever is on your W-2 from last year (if you worked for the same company the whole year.) If not...I'm nnot sure how you would calculate. I'll think about it some more.

[Kefa and Sarah 0]

I'll have to ask Sifa about the schools. If I had to guess he probably put just secondary and beyond but I'm not sure.

43A - Even if you check yes, they will not issue an SSN automatically to a K-1 visa holder so it really doesn't matter. You'll need to go into the SSA about 2 weeks after he gets here to apply for an SS number and card. I think we checked no, but...I don't think either way hurts/helps.

I think we checked no on the question about someone assisting you with the paperwork since we figured it meant more like outside help (ie, a lawyer or something like that) not the petitioner. We didn't have any trouble.

I would put whatever is on your W-2 from last year (if you worked for the same company the whole year.) If not...I'm nnot sure how you would calculate. I'll think about it some more.

Thank you SOOO much for the quick reply Katie! It really helps to calm me down - as you might expect, I'm starting to really go crazy!!!

Unfortunately I didn't work for the same company, I just started in August of 2010. I have been planning on needing a co-sponsor (My Mom) since the beginning, we have all her stuff together and she more than meets the income requirement. My thinking is, as long as the number can be proven mathematically or is the number is what was on my 2010 W-2, I'll need a co-sponsor. So maybe either way!?!? Any more thoughts?

[katie & sifa 25]

Maybe try to get a letter from your employer with an estimate (based on like...what you've earned in the last 6 months or something) of what you will earn in a year? I think that would maybe work, combined with pay stubs and/or bank statements. Tough decision...but good that you have a co-sponsor, so if they don't like however you calculate it you have a back up!

Sifa says he just put down his secondary school & colleges for the education question, if he remembers correctly. I think that would be ok. And he estimated start/end dates if he wasn't sure.

[Kefa and Sarah 0]

Maybe try to get a letter from your employer with an estimate (based on like...what you've earned in the last 6 months or something) of what you will earn in a year? I think that would maybe work, combined with pay stubs and/or bank statements. Tough decision...but good that you have a co-sponsor, so if they don't like however you calculate it you have a back up!

Sifa says he just put down his secondary school & colleges for the education question, if he remembers correctly. I think that would be ok. And he estimated start/end dates if he wasn't sure.

I have a letter from my employer that states my hourly rate and my guaranteed hours for each pay period - so I think I've decided to just multiply it out and give them that number. Like you said, if nothing else they can turn to my co-sponsor. Here's to hoping for the best!

Asante to you and Sifa for your help! I was hoping that was the answer you would give me - it's nice when they don't make it too difficult.

[katie & sifa 25]

Hakuna shida Enjoy & greet Kenya for us!

[shefellfromheaven 18]

kefa and Sarah

Karibu

Habari to all. I'm busy with school how is everyone ?

[Kefa and Sarah 0]

Hello everyone! Kefa and I called the embassy today to try and schedule our interview, however the visa department had some surprising news - NO interviews until May and they are changing their interview scheduling process. They told us to watch the website the end of March to get the details on how the new process would go and what we can do to schedule an interview. Anyone aware of these changes? Any suggestions as to how we can get them to give us an interview before then? Anything you have to offer would be much appreciated. Asante!

[AnnieMugaya 3]

Wow! They have changed their process every couple of months. It seems like all of us have had a different experience! Maybe they will be doing the online scheduling system like they do for the non immigrant visas. Where you just go onto the website and pick a slot on an open day?!?I wish I knew something more... You could always call back soon and say that you are in Kenya now- is there absolutely any opening that they could squeeze you in to?

[katie & sifa 25]

I think what Annie said is probably the best advice - all you can do at this point is maybe explain that you are in the country & if at all possible you'd like to be there for the interview. If they won't budge then I doubt there's much else you could do, unfortunately!

It does seem crazy how frequently they change their procedure for scheduling interviews. A year ago when we had ours Sifa got packet 3 in the mail which included a letter saying his interview was x date. Since then everyone has had to call to get an interview, and now who knows what they're doing!

[AnnieMugaya 3]

Yeah- and for ours 4 months ago they emailed us with a date and told us to download the forms off of their website. That seemed simple enough! I don't know why they need to complicate things... But I'm sure something will work out!

[katie & sifa 25]

Yes, definitely. It will happen!

[Madwoman 2]

So sorry things seem so complicated! It has changed so much since Hiller and I went through 2 years ago-- we called for an interview and med appointment, and I just walked right up to the window with him no questions asked. (We did have to download most of the forms and pick up the medical packet from the embassy since it was never mailed to us).

I started this thread do that others could learn the process from those who have gone before, but it seems like things are changing so much now, it is kind of a moot point. Well at least we can support and cheer each other on from afar!!

I don't have any more advice to offer other than what has been said....GOOD LUCK!!! Soon it will all be over and the embassy will be but a distant memory