Nairobi Embassy Thread!

[Dorah 6]

Well my fiance told me that he's going to send me his insurance docs but his 21yr old son is covered on it,He's independent,with a job and living by himself so we're not listing him on the affidavit of support as a dependant.

My first question is do they ask for the insurance at the interview?

Secondly do you think he'll be counted as a dependant just because he's included on my fiance's insurance.

However he told me that the new laws allows kids to be covered till they're 26yrs.

Nice day

[yketwaroo 10]

Oh, agreed! We lived together for a while and saved nothing, and really didn't take that many pictures because we never really thought at first that we would be going through this process at all, and then when we were pretty sure we would that anyone would care about all that kind of stuff! It really does seem like a trial sometimes. We're getting ready for removal of conditions in a few months and it's sad how often we're like...ok, we should take a picture so we have it for ROC! Or don't throw out any of those Christmas cards, we might need them for ROC! Sigh.

thanks. I hope your ROC pans out.

Actually I'm still looking for more information on the procedures for going to Kenya and getting through the K1 process.

For example, I'm still not clear on what vaccinations I need. The consulate page on vj lists a whole bunch where as other consulates have it broken down by age. vaccines like hepatitis A and B are administered over several months.

I'd rather have a definite list for my age (27) so I can get all of them done in my home country where I would be charged much less.

which makes me realise that I also have no idea how much money I have to bring. hotels, food and transport are one thing but what about all the other fees?

There's also the time period between receiving the NOA2 and having to go to kenya. Is there any way to know how long that is? I mean if they give us like just 2 weeks to be ready, it'll be next to impossible to make it.

[Ben and Jill 37]

Well my fiance told me that he's going to send me his insurance docs but his 21yr old son is covered on it,He's independent,with a job and living by himself so we're not listing him on the affidavit of support as a dependant.

My first question is do they ask for the insurance at the interview?

Secondly do you think he'll be counted as a dependant just because he's included on my fiance's insurance.

However he told me that the new laws allows kids to be covered till they're 26yrs.

Nice day

No, they won't ask for insurance. You'll be fine, don't sweat it. Don't even be concerned with it...you've got bigger fish to fry, lol.

[Ben and Jill 37]

Ok thank you,i'll definately give it a shot

Call DHL and ask them about it. Tell them exactly why you need it and that it's an urgent situation. They've got to be able to assist in some way. FedEx does not deliver to a PO Box, so I don't know if DHL would either, but call them and ask them for the assistance. It's urgent you receive those documents...this if your life Tell your fiance to bring them to you...hand delivered. That would solve the entire problem Good luck with many blessings and keep us posted.

[Ben and Jill 37]

thanks. I hope your ROC pans out.

Actually I'm still looking for more information on the procedures for going to Kenya and getting through the K1 process.

For example, I'm still not clear on what vaccinations I need. The consulate page on vj lists a whole bunch where as other consulates have it broken down by age. vaccines like hepatitis A and B are administered over several months.

I'd rather have a definite list for my age (27) so I can get all of them done in my home country where I would be charged much less.

which makes me realise that I also have no idea how much money I have to bring. hotels, food and transport are one thing but what about all the other fees?

There's also the time period between receiving the NOA2 and having to go to kenya. Is there any way to know how long that is? I mean if they give us like just 2 weeks to be ready, it'll be next to impossible to make it.

Make your life a little more simpler...The Embassy in Nairobi will only take your medical from two places, IOM in Nairobi or some place in Mombasa (forget the name). The medical really doesn't cost much money, it really doesn't. The shots are inexpensive. Just let them do it, because it will be impossible to find out "precisely" what shots you need to satisfy the consulate. I'm trying to help you...do it "their" way, this process is difficult enough.

Regarding the other fees, you need to read the visa packet information on the Embassy website and add them up...they are all there. I know it's overwhelming, but it will all work out. But really, just do the medical their way - it's one less thing to worry about and it's really not that expensive. It's one of the cheaper things in this process, which as a whole...yes, is very expensive. But that's just how it is. You'll be fine. You'll have plenty of time to plan your trip to Kenya. You have tons more paperwork after the NOA2, and scheduling the interview. You will be fine. I suggest reading the Embassy website visa packet section. You will be better off, more educated, and less stressed.

Katie is 150% correct about traveling to Kenya. Your fiancee will be fine. There's travel warnings for EVERY single country in this world! There's a travel warning for Camden, New Jersey, I swear to you! LOL If she can be there, then do it...moral support and being together during this some what "stressful" time is worth its weight in GOLD. I went with Ben and made it all the way into the consulate section, but then was asked to sit outside. BUT I was there and it felt good and I would not have wanted it any other way. Yes, there's plenty of travel warnings, but they're everywhere. Don't live in fear...I would go in a heart beat and not even allow any of that in my thought process. Again, this is your lives...the rest of your lives. If she can be there, by all means. No need to worry about any of that. Just my two cents. Peace, love, joy and be blessed.

Edited January 12, 2012 by Ben and Jill

[Ben and Jill 37]

Hey all!

I thought I was posting in this thread, but I think I posted our happy news in the Sub-Saharan Africa board instead

We wanted to share the news that, as of Jan 4th, Hiller is officially a permanent resident! :dance: We are very excited--it took 8 months! Next stop: dual citizenship

Oh and in related news....our daughter Jenna turned 1 year old on Jan 5th. Time has flown by! After the fiance visa, get ready for life to really start moving!

Hope everyone had a happy holiday and new year!

Madelene

Madelene, I wanted to congratulate Hiller on his residency! WOOHOO! That's wonderful! Ben and I are still waiting for AOS to be approved (hopefully without an interview). Please let me know how the dual citizenship works out because Ben will be doing that as well. I would LOVE to see a picture of Jenna! God bless you, Hiller, and Jenna. xoxo

[afoyoswa 178]

Hi everyone,

Happy to see some more recent folks who are going through the Nairobi consulate. We are going to be filing our I-129F petition in early February, so I'm trying to pick up all the tips I can in hopes of decreasing the panicky moments down the line when things start to happen.

I'm not sure if this is the best place to ask this, but: these days, is anything sent by mail from Nairobi to the beneficiary or petitioner? If so, which address are these materials sent to?

I am the petitioner (USC); he is a Ugandan citizen. The address that he is listing on his G-325A and letter of intent is where he lives, but as you all no doubt know, he cannot receive mail there. If there will be anything sent to him by mail, how should we indicate where such mail should be sent? He can receive mail at a PO Box or at his office. How have other recent Nairobi K-1 cases (if any) approached this?

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Ben and Jill 37]

Hi everyone,

Happy to see some more recent folks who are going through the Nairobi consulate. We are going to be filing our I-129F petition in early February, so I'm trying to pick up all the tips I can in hopes of decreasing the panicky moments down the line when things start to happen.

I'm not sure if this is the best place to ask this, but: these days, is anything sent by mail from Nairobi to the beneficiary or petitioner? If so, which address are these materials sent to?

I am the petitioner (USC); he is a Ugandan citizen. The address that he is listing on his G-325A and letter of intent is where he lives, but as you all no doubt know, he cannot receive mail there. If there will be anything sent to him by mail, how should we indicate where such mail should be sent? He can receive mail at a PO Box or at his office. How have other recent Nairobi K-1 cases (if any) approached this?

Thanks in advance for any help!

You are asking in the right place Welcome to you and your loved one. Nothing is sent by mail from the Nairobi Consulate...it is all sent via email and it is sent to both you and the beneficiary (actually - when it's time...you'll be emailing them first anyway ). For the I-129F you can use the PO Box address ~ that's fine. That's what I used for Ben, but, I did add a continuation sheet just to clarify (because it's always better to be safe than sorry with USCIS). This is what I used. Feel free to go ahead and use it and adjust it to your liking and specific needs.

Form I-129F Continuation Sheet: Part B, Item #’s 2 and 15:

PLEASE NOTE: For the address block on the Form it specifically asks for “Number and Street”. The mailing address for Mr. _____________ is: P.O. Box _______, Nairobi, _____ , Kenya. His physical address is: ____________ . There is no street name and he cannot receive mail at this address. Therefore, on the first page of the Form, Item #2, I only included the P.O. Box because the Assembly Instructions on the USCIS Website specifically state that the address block on the forms is the data field captured for all of your mailings and that whatever is in that block will become the mailing address used by the system. I did this to ensure that he receives all mail pertaining to this petition. On page 2 of the Form, Item #15, I did include his physical street address for your records.

That's what I used and I had absolutely no issues. Feel free to ask anything here...we are here to help. Stay blessed.

[afoyoswa 178]

Thanks so much, Jill: this is very helpful! One more question: which address did you use on his G-325A? If it is asking for residence history, it would make more sense to use the physical address than the PO Box (where he clearly does not live). I guess it shouldn't be an issue to have different addresses on the G-325A and the I-129F as long as I include the continuation sheet you described to explain the situation?

This stuff will really drive you crazy with the tiny details, right?

You are asking in the right place Welcome to you and your loved one. Nothing is sent by mail from the Nairobi Consulate...it is all sent via email and it is sent to both you and the beneficiary (actually - when it's time...you'll be emailing them first anyway ). For the I-129F you can use the PO Box address ~ that's fine. That's what I used for Ben, but, I did add a continuation sheet just to clarify (because it's always better to be safe than sorry with USCIS). This is what I used. Feel free to go ahead and use it and adjust it to your liking and specific needs.

Form I-129F Continuation Sheet: Part B, Item #’s 2 and 15:

PLEASE NOTE: For the address block on the Form it specifically asks for “Number and Street”. The mailing address for Mr. _____________ is: P.O. Box _______, Nairobi, _____ , Kenya. His physical address is: ____________ . There is no street name and he cannot receive mail at this address. Therefore, on the first page of the Form, Item #2, I only included the P.O. Box because the Assembly Instructions on the USCIS Website specifically state that the address block on the forms is the data field captured for all of your mailings and that whatever is in that block will become the mailing address used by the system. I did this to ensure that he receives all mail pertaining to this petition. On page 2 of the Form, Item #15, I did include his physical street address for your records.

That's what I used and I had absolutely no issues. Feel free to ask anything here...we are here to help. Stay blessed.

[Ben and Jill 37]

Thanks so much, Jill: this is very helpful! One more question: which address did you use on his G-325A? If it is asking for residence history, it would make more sense to use the physical address than the PO Box (where he clearly does not live). I guess it shouldn't be an issue to have different addresses on the G-325A and the I-129F as long as I include the continuation sheet you described to explain the situation?

This stuff will really drive you crazy with the tiny details, right?

Hi Joy Yes, on the G-325A you can use his physical street address history...that's fine. We did and had no issues. Just make sure you use the continuation sheet for the I-129F - you're good to go. Crazy???? LOLOL. YES!!!!! haha. I'm still here, we made it through, but attention to detail and being organized is the only way to go. I'm here for you. Blessings to you and Aaron and have a lovely day.

[afoyoswa 178]

Hi Joy Yes, on the G-325A you can use his physical street address history...that's fine. We did and had no issues. Just make sure you use the continuation sheet for the I-129F - you're good to go. Crazy???? LOLOL. YES!!!!! haha. I'm still here, we made it through, but attention to detail and being organized is the only way to go. I'm here for you. Blessings to you and Aaron and have a lovely day.

Thank you! One more question: I hope you don't mind.

On the K-1 visa guide here at VisaJourney, it mentions additional documentation being sent to the consulate prior to the interview, but the Nairobi embassy's website says that nothing is to be sent there, and that everything is to be presented by the beneficiary when he/she comes for the interview (application, proof of payment, police records, evidence of support, etc.). Some of the interview accounts have mentioned that nothing the beneficiary brought along was really examined. So, does this mean that the only chance we have for supporting evidence to be really looked at by the embassy is to include it with the initial I-129F package?

(I'm not thinking of getting TOO carried away with this: some phone records, a small sampling of photos and emails [maybe a dozen], and maybe a few statements from family/friends [one from mine, one from his].)

[katie & sifa 25]

Thank you! One more question: I hope you don't mind.

On the K-1 visa guide here at VisaJourney, it mentions additional documentation being sent to the consulate prior to the interview, but the Nairobi embassy's website says that nothing is to be sent there, and that everything is to be presented by the beneficiary when he/she comes for the interview (application, proof of payment, police records, evidence of support, etc.). Some of the interview accounts have mentioned that nothing the beneficiary brought along was really examined. So, does this mean that the only chance we have for supporting evidence to be really looked at by the embassy is to include it with the initial I-129F package?

(I'm not thinking of getting TOO carried away with this: some phone records, a small sampling of photos and emails [maybe a dozen], and maybe a few statements from family/friends [one from mine, one from his].)

We included a few things in the initial petition like that - a few emails, photos etc. When we had the interview all they wanted to see were more pictures, so we had those. They didn't ask to see anything else. I figure it can't hurt to include some evidence in the initial petition!

[Ben and Jill 37]

Thank you! One more question: I hope you don't mind.

On the K-1 visa guide here at VisaJourney, it mentions additional documentation being sent to the consulate prior to the interview, but the Nairobi embassy's website says that nothing is to be sent there, and that everything is to be presented by the beneficiary when he/she comes for the interview (application, proof of payment, police records, evidence of support, etc.). Some of the interview accounts have mentioned that nothing the beneficiary brought along was really examined. So, does this mean that the only chance we have for supporting evidence to be really looked at by the embassy is to include it with the initial I-129F package?

(I'm not thinking of getting TOO carried away with this: some phone records, a small sampling of photos and emails [maybe a dozen], and maybe a few statements from family/friends [one from mine, one from his].)

That's correct, nothing is given to the Consulate until the day before your interview, and they only accept the rest of the visa packet information during that time. When I submitted our I-129F, I included everything that Visa Journey said to. I used tabs along the bottom like USCIS suggests, and I DOUBLE-SIDED everything that I could so as to avoid a cumbersome packet. I double-sided all of our emails, phone logs, and our handwritten letters. I included enough of each one to cover the period of our relationship...the beginning, the middle, and until the current filing of the petition. I highlighted the phone calls so the adjudicator could find our calls more easily. I included the following in my package:

COVER LETTER & FORM I-129F FILING FEE

FORM I-129F, PETITION FOR ALIEN FIANCÉ

COPY OF BIRTH CERTIFICATE FOR ME

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS SHOWING THAT I WAS IN KENYA (copy of my stamped Passport pages, my tickets, copy of hotel receipt, etc.)

PHOTOS OF US TOGETHER (I included 6 photos- on the back of each photo I labeled who was in the photo, where we were, and the date the photo was taken)

LETTER OF INTENT TO MARRY FOR ME

LETTER OF INTENT TO MARRY FOR BEN

CERTIFICATE OF NO IMPEDIMENT FOR ME

CERTIFICATE OF NO IMPEDIMENT FOR BEN

COPIES OF HANDWRITTEN LETTERS/BEN TO JILL (also included the postage stamped envelopes for each letter)

COPIES OF HANDWRITTEN LETTERS/JILL TO BEN

COPIES OF PHONE BILLS

COPIES OF EMAILS

FORM G-325A FOR ME

PASSPORT-STYLE PHOTO OF ME

FORM G-325A FOR BEN

PASSPORT-STYLE PHOTO OF BEN

I am a firm believer in front loading the I-129F packet, but not overloading it. When Ben went to his interview, everything was already stamped "approved" before the CO even asked him one question, and I believe that it's because they had everything they already needed in order to approve our Visa. We brought everything with us to the interview (more pictures, the remainder of our phone logs, emails, and handwritten letters since the time we filed the petition until the time of the interview) and he was asked for nothing more, but we brought it just in case. The Visa Journey guide is "spot on" with what to provide and I used that as my guide. I hope this helps you Please feel free to ask anything else that you need help with. Lots of love.

[afoyoswa 178]

Thank you for the very thorough answer! And I promise I will stop pestering you around Feb. 10 when I finally send this thing (plus I will be out of town for 1.5 weeks between now and then)!

Here is my working list for what I am planning to put in:

- Payment: check, $340

- G 1145

- Cover letter

- Form I-129F

- Continuation sheet explaining Aaron's address situation

- G325A and passport style photo (petitioner)

- G325A and passport style photo (beneficiary)

- Copy of US Passport (petitioner)

- Copy of my 2002 divorce decree (petitioner)

- Letter certifying intent to marry (petitioner)

- Letter certifying intent to marry (beneficiary)

- Proof of having met in person in the past two years:

*First trip:

--flight itinerary

--bank statement showing wdrawals in UG (BoA)

--passport stamps

--photo of us at Anna's house (print photo & label)

*Second trip

--flight itineraries

--bank statement showing withdrawal in UG (BoA)

--passport stamps

--photo of us with Anna's kids (print photo & label)

--photo of me with Anna & her kids? (print photo and label)

*Third trip

--flight itinerary

--boarding passes

--passport stamps: mine & his

--Nairobi bus tickets: Mash & Queens

--credit card record of hotel charges

--bank records of ATM withdrawal (*BoA: check back tomorrow after closing date)

--hotel receipt?

--photos:

*us at Garuga Resort, Entebbe, 12/26/11

*us at Banga Beach, Entebbe, 12/27/11 (2)

*us at Sheraton Kampala, 12/31/11

*us at Central Restaurant, Kampala, 1/6/12

*us at Dada Photo Studio, Kampala, 1/6/12

*us at Sportsview Hotel, Nairobi, 1/8/12

*us with Flora's family, Nairobi, 1/7/12 (3)

*giving the ring photos at Flora's, 1/8/12 (2)

- Proof of ongoing relationship:

*phone records 1/11-10/11; 10/11-2/12

*emails (how many? what type? from him + reply from me, or what?)

--decided to include one email exchange from each month since we met

*copies of handwritten letters: mine (1), his (1)

*affadavit from Mirza and/or Jess?

*affadavit from Anna and/or his mom, if we can get it?

Am I missing anything? What is this about the "CERTIFICATE OF NO IMPEDIMENT"? I haven't seen anything about those until now.

[Ben and Jill 37]

Thank you for the very thorough answer! You're welcome. And I promise I will stop pestering you around Feb. 10 when I finally send this thing (plus I will be out of town for 1.5 weeks between now and then)!

Here is my working list for what I am planning to put in:

- Payment: check, $340

- G 1145

- Cover letter

- Form I-129F

- Continuation sheet explaining Aaron's address situation

- G325A and passport style photo (petitioner)

- G325A and passport style photo (beneficiary)

- Copy of US Passport (petitioner)

- Copy of my 2002 divorce decree (petitioner)

- Letter certifying intent to marry (petitioner)

- Letter certifying intent to marry (beneficiary)

- Proof of having met in person in the past two years:

*First trip:

--flight itinerary

--bank statement showing wdrawals in UG (BoA)(

don't think you should need this

)

--passport stamps

--photo of us at Anna's house (print photo & label)

*Second trip

--flight itineraries

--bank statement showing withdrawal in UG (BoA)(

again, don't think you will need

)

--passport stamps

--photo of us with Anna's kids (print photo & label)

--photo of me with Anna & her kids? (print photo and label)

(

you don't need to include photos of just you. You should only include the two of you together...and the two of you with other people is fine.)

*Third trip

--flight itinerary

--boarding passes

--passport stamps: mine & his

--Nairobi bus tickets: Mash & Queens

--credit card record of hotel charges

(I included this)

--bank records of ATM withdrawal (*BoA: check back tomorrow after closing date)

--hotel receipt?

(sure)

--photos:

*us at Garuga Resort, Entebbe, 12/26/11

*us at Banga Beach, Entebbe, 12/27/11 (2)

*us at Sheraton Kampala, 12/31/11

*us at Central Restaurant, Kampala, 1/6/12

*us at Dada Photo Studio, Kampala, 1/6/12

*us at Sportsview Hotel, Nairobi, 1/8/12

*us with Flora's family, Nairobi, 1/7/12 (3)

*giving the ring photos at Flora's, 1/8/12 (2)

- Proof of ongoing relationship:

*phone records 1/11-10/11; 10/11-2/12

*emails (how many? what type? from him + reply from me, or what?)

--decided to include one email exchange from each month since we met

(that's fine)

*copies of handwritten letters: mine (1), his (1)

*affadavit from Mirza and/or Jess?

*affadavit from Anna and/or his mom, if we can get it?

I included no affadavit's, but if you can, sure.

Am I missing anything? What is this about the "CERTIFICATE OF NO IMPEDIMENT"? I haven't seen anything about those until now.

A certificate of no impediment is a certificate that states you are free and clear to marry. I'm not sure why I included it, lol. If it doesn't say it on the Visa Journey checklist, then there's no need for you to include it.

Don't include more than 6-8 photos, and include only the ones that have both of you together. You are very, very organized and in great shape, my friend. You'll be superfine. I see that clearly already